The Human Animal: Personal Identity without Psychology (Philosophy of Mind Series) (Paperback)

by Eric T. Olson (Author) "The topic of this book is our identity through time..." (more)
Key Phrases: new cerebrum, detached cerebrum, working cerebrum, Bodily Criterion, Vegetable Case, Locomotive Criterion (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A very clear and powerfully argued defence of a most important and surprisingly neglected view."--Derek Parfit, author of Reasons and Persons (All Souls College, Oxford)
"For hundreds of years, almost all philosophers writing on the topic have supposed that personal identity is either entirely a matter of psychology or at least has an important and essential psychological component. This important book presents a powerful challenge to that assumption. If Dr. Olson is right, we are living animals and what goes on in our minds is wholly irrelevant to questions about our persistence through time. If this book receives the attention it deserves, it will transform philosophical thinking about personal identity."--Peter van Inwagen, author of An Essay on Free Will, Material Beings, and Metaphysics (University of Notre Dame)
"Olson's excellent and enjoyable book should be read by everyone with an interest in metaphysics. For those seriously interested in the philosophy of personal identity, or in our existence and identity, the matter is more serious; without much delay, you've got to get your hands on The Human Animal--Peter Unger, New York University
"A significant contribution to the field. It issues several important challenges to proponents of a psychological approach to personal identity."--Carol Rovane, Yale University


Product Description
Most philosophers writing about personal identity in recent years claim that what it takes for us to persist through time is a matter of psychology. In this groundbreaking new book, Eric Olson argues that such approaches face daunting problems, and he defends in their place a radically non-psychological account of personal identity. He defines human beings as biological organisms, and claims that no psychological relation is either sufficient or necessary for an organism to persist. Rejecting several famous thought experiments dealing with personal identity, he instead argues that one could survive the destruction of all of one's psychological contents and capabilities as long as the human organism remains alive.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (January 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195134230
• ISBN-13: 978-0195134230
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #539,441 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating, October 30, 2003

By	selfconscious (Las Vegas, Nevada USA) - See all my reviews

Having only recently stumbled upon the significance of the difference between my living self and the corpse I will become, I am grateful to find this clear, intelligent and thoughtful analysis available.

The argument presented is that there's more to us than the psychological aspects of these animal bodies we move-about in. There is also the biological basis out of which we emerge as persons from infancy, as well as the biological basis to which we return when our exquisite minds lose potency.

In short, there is more to us than our cherished mental processes. The fact that this "more" is strictly biological may be distasteful to many readers. However, I find that the perspective is factual and important.

The territory covered extends from the ordinary, casual definition of personhood to the ontological basis for such possibility. It is a well-guided tour.

The author teaches as much about the nature of philosophy and how it is conducted as he does about the true nature of people. It is an extremely enjoyable read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, October 23, 2001

By	Joe Craig "Joe" (London UK) - See all my reviews

I'm fortunate enough to be lectured by the author, and his remarkable character shines through in this fascinating and well written book. Even if you don't agree with what he is saying, he is very convincing, and entertaining at the same time.
It'll certainly get you thinking.