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Locke on Personal Identity: Consciousness and Concernment

Hardback

Main Details

Title Locke on Personal Identity: Consciousness and Concernment
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Galen Strawson
SeriesPrinceton Monographs in Philosophy
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:280
Dimensions(mm): Height 216,Width 140
Category/GenreWestern philosophy - c 1600 to c 1900
Western philosophy from c 1900 to now
Philosophy - epistemology and theory of knowledge
ISBN/Barcode 9780691147574
ClassificationsDewey:126
Audience
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 4 line illus.

Publishing Details

Publisher Princeton University Press
Imprint Princeton University Press
Publication Date 9 October 2011
Publication Country United States

Description

John Locke's theory of personal identity underlies all modern discussion of the nature of persons and selves - yet it is widely thought to be wrong. In his new book, Galen Strawson argues that in fact it is Locke's critics who are wrong, and that the famous objections to his theory are invalid. Indeed, far from refuting Locke, they illustrate his fundamental point. Strawson argues that the root error is to take Locke's use of the word "person" only in the ordinary way, as merely a term for a standard persisting thing, like "human being." In actuality, Locke uses "person" primarily as a forensic or legal term geared specifically to questions about praise and blame, punishment and reward. In these terms, your personal identity is roughly a matter of those of your past actions that you are still responsible for because you are still "conscious" of them in Locke's special sense of that word. Clearly and vigorously argued, this is an important contribution both to the history of philosophy and to the contemporary philosophy of personal identity.

Author Biography

Galen Strawson taught philosophy at the University of Oxford for twenty years before moving to Reading University in 2001. His many books include "Freedom and Belief" and "Selves: An Essay in Revisionary Metaphysics".

Reviews

"[E]legant and provocative... There is no denying that the case he makes in this short but compelling book is a powerful one."--Barry Dainton, Times Literary Supplement "This book will appeal to Locke scholars and those interested in Locke's account of personal identity."--Choice