The topic of personal identity has prompted some of the liveliest and most interesting debates in recent philosophy. In a fascinating new contribution to the discussion, Peter Unger presents a psychologically aimed, but physically based, account of our identity over time. While supporting the account, he explains why many influential contemporary philosophers have underrated the importance of physical continuity to our survival, casting a new light on the work of Lewis, Nagel, Nozick, Parfit, Perry, Shoemaker, and others. Deriving from his discussion of our identity itself, Unger produces a novel but commonsensical theory of the relations between identity and some of our deepest concerns. In a conservative but flexible spirit, he explores the implications of his theory for questions of value and of the good life.
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Editorial Reviews
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"Its wealth of detail, its rigorous argumentation, and its large-scale deployment of the contemporary tools of discussion will ensure it a respected place in the literature....A full, clear, and relentless book."-- Times Literary Supplement
"Unger's treatment of the methodological issues that these topics raise is one that has a great deal to recommend it, and it is almost certain to have an important impact on the way personal identity is discussed in the future. Indeed, it seems likely that Unger's work...will help to relocate the discussion in a context in which normative considerations play an appropriately central role."-- Philosophy and Phenomenological Research
"Whatever objections anyone may want to raise against particular theses and arguments of Unger's book, everyone who cares about the problem of personal identity should attend carefully to it....Clearly a book to be reckoned with."--Nous
"A short review cannot do justice to all the intricacies and subtleties of [Unger's] arguments and examples...This book should be read by anyone interested in these issues."-- Philosophical Books
"An important contribution to the philosophy of mind. Recommended for any library supporting at least an undergraduate major in philosophy."--Choice
About the Author
Peter Unger is Professor of Philosophy at New York University. He is the author of Ignorance (OUP 1975, 2002), Philosophical Relativity (1984, OUP 2002), and Living High and Letting Die (OUP 1996).
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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congenial decomposition, standard fission case, realistic congruence, near miss person, six metaphysical doctrines, main singular goods, constitutional cohesion, experience inducer, informational taping process, oily activity, future pain test, fission descendants, intimate descendants, super thawed, physically continuous realization, physical temporal overlap, much physical continuity, process selection tests, molecular restoration, prudential occasions, super freezing, great pain test, dispositional psychology, continuous physical realization, ordinary concrete individuals Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Side One, Extreme Claim, Side Two, Mark Johnston, The Journal of Philosophy, Oxford University Press, Free Will, Extreme Doctrine, John Perry, David Lewis, Derek Parfit, Demanding Views, Basil Blackwell, Thomas Nagel, Substantial Compromise, John Carroll, The Philosophical Review, Modified Physical Spectrum, Midwest Studies, Option One, University of California Press, Cambridge University Press, John Robinson, Albert Einstein, The Identities of Persons Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
congenial decomposition, standard fission case, realistic congruence, near miss person, six metaphysical doctrines, main singular goods, constitutional cohesion, experience inducer, informational taping process, oily activity, future pain test, fission descendants, intimate descendants, super thawed, physically continuous realization, physical temporal overlap, much physical continuity, process selection tests, molecular restoration, prudential occasions, super freezing, great pain test, dispositional psychology, continuous physical realization, ordinary concrete individuals Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Side One, Extreme Claim, Side Two, Mark Johnston, The Journal of Philosophy, Oxford University Press, Free Will, Extreme Doctrine, John Perry, David Lewis, Derek Parfit, Demanding Views, Basil Blackwell, Thomas Nagel, Substantial Compromise, John Carroll, The Philosophical Review, Modified Physical Spectrum, Midwest Studies, Option One, University of California Press, Cambridge University Press, John Robinson, Albert Einstein, The Identities of Persons Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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41
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