Person, Soul, and Identity: Philosophy and the Real Self

by Robert Bolton

Overview

The reality of the self is as important for religion as the existence of God. Without it, any religious message can only go from nothing to nothing, and scepticism about self and soul breeds religious unbelief. This book explores the deepest questions of personal identity in order to refute modern nihilism which denies the reality of the self.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621382348
Publisher:	Angelico Press
Publication date:	12/21/2016
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
The Crisis of the Self-Metaphysics and Science-Existentialism and the Self-Failure of Identity in Practice-Dualism and the Soul-The Meaning of Representation-Why Platonism?-Modern Accounts of Platonism-Summary

1•Soul as Separable Entity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Some Early Ideas of Identity-The Alcibiades Argument-Why Soul is Thought to be Immortal-
Answers to Possible Objections-The Principle of Self-Motion-Criticisms of Self-Motion-The
Two Accounts of the Soul; Their Inner Relation; Circular Motion

2•The Psycho-Physical Complex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Personal Identity in Neoplatonism-Soul and Matter-Some Plotinian Arguments-An Anticipation of a Kantian Argument-Soul and Infinity-The Concept of Self-Memory and the Temporal Person-Soul-Body Interaction-Intelligence and Individuation-Can There be a Form of the Individual?-Form, Individual, and Person-How Far the Self is Empirical-Plotinus and Monism

3•Soul and Identity in St. Augustine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
The Relevance of Augustine's Idea of Identity-Exemption from Magnitude-Growth without Extension-Sensation as Psychical Activity-Whether the Soul Can be Divisible
-Self-Knowledge as Index of Spirituality-Sources of the Cogito Argument in St. Augustine-Some Consequences of the Augustinian Cogito Argument-Knowledge of Eternal Truths-Summary

4 • Substance, Individuation, and Plenitude. . . . . . . . . . . .133
Personal Identity according to Leibniz-An Answer to Locke: Innate Ideas-Eternal Truths and Identity-Eternal Truths and God-Self as Unique Monad-The Principle of Individuation-A Criticism of Self-Individuation-Whether Monads Can Interact-Neoplatonic Comparisons

5 •An Empirical Account of Identity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
The Subject from a Different Point of View-Identity in Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding-Material and Spiritual Substances-Man and Person-The Problem of Self-Continuity-A Condition for Veridical Memory-Implications for Moral Responsibility-Identity and Mental Data: a Paradox-The Effects of Quasi-Memory-The Unity of the Self-Whether Self is Experienced-The Question of "Branch Line" Identity

6•Answers to Analytical Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Philosophy and Science-Scientific Explanation-Criteria for Personhood-Self as Extensive Quantity-Moral Implications of the Materialist Theory-The Body's Role in Identity-Individuation and the Body-Cartesian Questions-Body-Soul Interaction-Conscious Being and Duality-Experience of the Self-No-Self and Pathology

7•Some Metaphysical Issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
The Synthetic Unity-Identity, Logic, and Morality-Duality in the Conscious Being-Fabre D'Olivet and Composite Identity-Further Remarks on the Composite-The Vehicle of the Soul-The Question of Illusion

Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Body and Individuation-Empirical and Mystical-Monism and Sources of Individuation-Dualities in Identity-Christian and Platonic Ideas-Monistic and Dualistic Experience-Immortal Soul, Transcendence, Free Will-How the Soul May be Manifest-A New Kind of Humanity?

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253