Define Personal Identity

The specific criteria of personal identity regards the essential conditions for a person at one point in time to be the same person at another later point in time. Further, the concepts involved in one’s mental characteristics will be discussed to determine if these criteria suffice in what defines personal identity. Regarding mental characteristics, we will examine an individual’s psychological traits which are developed through his or her past experiences and genetic predispositions. Additionally, we will be looking at how an individual at a certain time will have memory of previous experiences. We must carefully assess how these conditions for personal identity can be plausible, identify any objections to these criteria, and evaluate how …show more content…
In order to define personal identity, we must find the criteria that makes an individual the same individual at two separate times. But there are cases in which a person’s psychological traits and behavior cannot be relied upon to define personal identity. For instance, if there was an individual, who has a certain personality and psychological traits, and another individual, who was being mind-controlled to have the same personality and traits, then differentiating between the two individuals is extremely difficult if psychological traits are the criteria which define a person’s identity. Because these two individuals now have the same psychological traits, they must have the same identity. However, according to our statement earlier, a person’s psychological characteristics are supposed to distinguish between the identity of two individuals. Thus, because in this case the individual’s personality and behavior cannot differentiate identity, psychological traits and behavior cannot be considered as criteria for personal …show more content…
To be a valuable criteria for personal identity, there must be a definite pattern and consistency to the criteria, which can thoroughly explain the continuity of identity from one point in time to another point in time. In this evaluation, we have gone with the assumption that if there is an exception in the criteria, the criteria cannot meet the necessary conditions of personal identity, and is no longer considered. It seems that once a criteria is accepted, it is considered as sufficient because there are no latter objections, or that objections can be countered. While, the issue of personal identity remains problematic, it is important to acknowledge all of the possible factors that go into determining plausible criteria for