PHILOSOPHY - Mind: Personal Identity (The Narrative Self) [HD]

Summary

In this philosophical discourse, Elizabeth Camp introduces the concept of Narrative Theories of Personal Identity, exploring the fundamental questions of 'Who am I?' and 'What makes me, me?' She critiques traditional philosophical approaches to personal identity, which often rely on abstract thought experiments and fail to address the practical concerns that drive our interest in the self. Instead, she proposes the Narrative View, which suggests that our identity is shaped by the stories we tell about ourselves. This view emphasizes the importance of coherence and the active process of self-construction. However, Camp also points out the limitations of the Narrative View, as it ties the significance of a self to the structure and conclusion of a life's story, which may not always align with the value of an individual's self. She then suggests an alternative perspective, viewing the self as a character, which allows for a more nuanced understanding of personal identity that doesn't rely on the narrative structure. This perspective acknowledges the challenges of achieving a coherent self and the role of storytelling in this process, while also recognizing that self-hood can exist independently of a grand narrative.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Personal identity is a fundamental philosophical question that explores who we are and what defines our individuality.
• 🧐 Philosophers often approach personal identity through abstract thought experiments, which can be unsatisfying as they don't address the personal significance of identity.
• 👵 The narrative view of personal identity suggests that our identity is shaped by the story we tell about ourselves, reflecting on our past, present, and future.
• 📚 The narrative view explains why certain aspects of a person, like Aletha's love for science, are central to their identity, while others are incidental.
• 🛠️ The process of self-making is seen as active and ongoing, with individuals potentially redefining their identities over time.
• 🚦 The narrative view highlights the connection between understanding who we are and deciding what actions align with our identity.
• 🏆 The narrative view has gained support from various disciplines, including philosophy, psychology, anthropology, history, and literary criticism.
• 🔍 However, the narrative view may overly tie the significance of a person's identity to the structure and conclusion of their life story.
• 🕰 There is a concern that the narrative view implies that a life's worth is judged by its narrative arc, which can be problematic for lives that end unexpectedly or without a clear narrative structure.
• 🌟 An individual can possess a commendable self regardless of their life's narrative, emphasizing personal qualities like integrity and compassion.
• ⛓ The character view proposes an alternative to the narrative view, suggesting that our identities are like characters with coherent traits and behaviors, not necessarily requiring a grand narrative.
• 🧩 The construction of self is a complex process that may involve storytelling, but it's not solely dependent on it for coherence or authenticity.

Q & A

What is the fundamental question of philosophy that Elizabeth Camp discusses in the transcript?

The fundamental question of philosophy discussed is personal identity, which encompasses questions like 'Who am I?' and 'What makes me, me?'

How do traditional philosophical approaches to personal identity often disappoint?

Traditional philosophical approaches to personal identity often disappoint because they provide abstract answers that focus on metaphysical conditions for the preservation and annihilation of an entity, rather than addressing the practical and personal concerns that individuals have about their sense of self.

What is the Narrative View of personal identity?

The Narrative View of personal identity posits that who a person is, is given by the story they tell about themselves. It emphasizes the role of remembered details, plans, and the construction of a meaningful life story in defining one's identity.

What is the problem with the Narrative View according to the transcript?

The problem with the Narrative View is that it defines the self in terms of the narrative it is embedded within, making the self's meaning and value dependent on the story's end. This can lead to issues when lives end at inopportune times or lack a compelling narrative structure.

What alternative to the Narrative View is suggested in the transcript?

The transcript suggests the 'Character View' as an alternative to the Narrative View. This view considers the self as a character with a coherent texture of being, formed through behaviors, habits, commitments, and memories, without necessarily relying on a grand life-story.

Why might the Character View be considered a more universal model for understanding personhood?

The Character View might be considered more universal because it does not rely on the 'Beginning, Middle, End' structure of a narrative, which can be culturally specific and not applicable to all lives. It allows for the coherence of character to be achieved through various means and at different paces, making it a more inclusive model for personhood.

What does Elizabeth Camp mean when she refers to 'homo narrans'?

When Elizabeth Camp refers to 'homo narrans', she is using a term coined by John Niles to describe humans as fundamentally storytelling creatures, emphasizing the narrative aspect of human identity and existence.

How does the Narrative View explain the sense that some actions and features are deeply part of a person, while others are not?

The Narrative View explains this sense by considering how actions and features fit into the individual's life story. Features that are central to the narrative and contribute to the individual's identity are seen as deeply part of them, whereas incidental aspects, like a job for financial reasons, are seen as less central.

What is the significance of the 'self as a character' trope in the Character View?

The 'self as a character' trope in the Character View signifies that individuals, like characters in a story, have a set of coherent qualities, behaviors, and commitments that make up their identity. This coherence does not necessarily require a grand narrative but allows for a more nuanced and realistic understanding of personhood.

How does the Character View address the concern that the self might be a mere fiction?

The Character View acknowledges that while there may not be a deep metaphysical difference between individuals, the act of constructing a self through interpretation and the pursuit of coherence is a real and significant part of human existence. It emphasizes the role of sense-making in our lives and the importance of personal choices and attachments.

What is the role of storytelling in the Character View?

In the Character View, storytelling is a tool used to achieve coherence of character, particularly for short episodes within our lives. It helps in making sense of our experiences and behaviors, but it is not a prerequisite for self-hood, as some people naturally develop a coherent self without extensive self-reflection.

How does Elizabeth Camp suggest we should approach our lives if we are sense-making creatures?

Elizabeth Camp suggests that as sense-making creatures, we should engage in making important choices, forming deep attachments, and pursuing long-term projects. These actions require us to understand what we care about, even if it doesn't have objective significance in the universe, thus giving our lives personal meaning and value.