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Related Concept Videos

Personal Identity01:25

Personal Identity

Personal identity is the deeply felt sense of self that individuals cultivate over time, intricately woven from intrinsic qualities they consider essential to their existence—qualities such as morality, intelligence, and friendliness. These attributes serve as vital internal benchmarks, guiding individuals in evaluating whether their actions resonate with their true selves.When personal identity takes center stage in one's life, individuals often emphasize their distinctiveness, highlighting...
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The self is a central aspect of human identity, encompassing an individual’s beliefs, emotions, perceptions, and experiences. It is a cognitive and psychological construct that enables individuals to interpret their traits and behaviors, influencing how they perceive themselves and interact with the world. While personality consists of stable and enduring characteristics, the self is shaped by self-perception and social experiences. This distinction highlights the dynamic nature of the self,...
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Social Identity01:29

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Role-Based Identity01:21

Role-Based Identity

Role-based identities are central to understanding how individuals navigate social environments by adopting distinct self-conceptions aligned with various societal roles. These identities are not fixed traits but are constructed through personal actions and the social feedback individuals receive in context-specific interactions. Each social role, such as student, teacher, or friend, carries a set of expectations and norms that influence how people think, feel, and behave within that...
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Corrections to my paper: john locke on personal identity.

Mens sana monographs·2014
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Virtual Hand with Ambiguous Movement between the Self and Other Origin: Sense of Ownership and 'Other-Produced' Agency
08:01

Virtual Hand with Ambiguous Movement between the Self and Other Origin: Sense of Ownership and 'Other-Produced' Agency

Published on: October 28, 2020

John locke on personal identity.

Namita Nimbalkar1

  • 1Head, Department of Philosophy; Director, Gandhian Studies Centre, Birla College, Kalyan, Maharashtra, India.

Mens Sana Monographs
|June 23, 2011
PubMed
Summary

John Locke proposed that personal identity relies on psychological continuity, specifically memory, not the soul or body. This theory addresses the survival of consciousness after death, defining conditions for personal survival over time.

Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Metaphysics

Background:

  • Philosophical debates on personal identity and consciousness.
  • The concept of survival of consciousness after death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present John Locke's criterion for personal identity.
  • To explore the foundation of personal identity through time.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of John Locke's philosophical arguments.
  • Examination of the concept of psychological continuity.

Main Results:

  • Personal identity is founded on consciousness, particularly memory.
  • Survival of persons is linked to psychological continuity, not physical or spiritual substance.
Keywords:
ConsciousnessMemoryPersonal IdentitySelfSurvival after death

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Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Virtual Hand with Ambiguous Movement between the Self and Other Origin: Sense of Ownership and 'Other-Produced' Agency
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Observing the Transformation of Bodily Self-consciousness in the Squeeze-machine Experiment
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Conclusions:

  • John Locke's theory offers a framework for understanding personal identity.
  • Consciousness and memory are key to the persistence of self over time.