Locke on Personal Identity: Consciousness and Concernment - Updated Edition

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Locke on Personal Identity: Consciousness and Concernment - Updated Edition
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Galen Strawson
Preface by Galen Strawson
SeriesPrinceton Monographs in Philosophy
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:280
Dimensions(mm): Height 216,Width 140
Category/GenreWestern philosophy - c 1600 to c 1900
ISBN/Barcode 9780691161006
ClassificationsDewey:192
Audience
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Edition Revised edition
Illustrations 4 line illus.

Publishing Details

Publisher Princeton University Press
Imprint Princeton University Press
Publication Date 21 July 2014
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 this 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" 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. This point is familiar to some philosophers, but its full consequences have not been worked out, partly because of a further error about what Locke means by the word "conscious." When Locke claims that your personal identity is a matter of the actions that you are conscious of, he means the actions that you experience as your own in some fundamental and immediate manner. 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 is professor of philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. 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