don't mind this
Posted on: February 14, 2011, at 11:15:48pm

just posting so I can print it off on a different computer

Jake Sutton 250471615 Metaphysics Assignment #5 February 15th 2011 Hunter Brown
In this reading Hume wants to understand if a human being can possess a distinct identity. For an impression to give an idea about the self, that impression must ‘continue invariably the same’ (192) because to have a distinct identity one must possess all characteristics unchangeably. Hume argued that there is no simplicity in self at any one time, for perceptions appear, pass, re-pass, disappear or intermingle with one another (193). Something that is invariable and contains uninterrupted material would possess the idea of identity. However, Hume scrutinizes this because if there is one small change made to the material, then it is identified as something else because it is no longer interrupted. He continues that human beings often tend to continue the existence of the perceptions regardless of their removal while keeping continuity of self intact – we pretend the interruption does not exist. Hume regards this as a mistake and can only be a mistake that can be ascribed to identity (195). Since an interruption ceases an object to appear the same, the interrupted progress exists in thought, which constitutes identity (196). He then considers two phenomena: the first outlines that identification is not a fully definitive concept for similar occurrences are branched into similar identities. Secondly, sometimes the transition of parts constitutes change, but others (like his example of the river) do not constitute change (197). This alludes to Hume’s point about identity being ascribed to the mind of men (198), arguing that identity is dependent on three relations: resemblance, contiguity, and causation – personal identity proceeds from an uninterrupted progress of connected ideas (199). Identity depends on these relations for they all influence and intermingle with one another, they fail to produce identity, but they do help discover identity (200). Hume concludes with there is no standard to which one can confidently acquire or lose the title of identity because such acts are considered verbal and only give rise to some fiction or imaginary principle of union (201).