John Locke - Mind Essay Example for Free

John Locke Mind EssayHume and Lockes conflicting views on the existence of individual(prenominal) identity operator stem from a funda affable disagreement in regard to memory. According to Hume we have an impermanent personal identity as a result of our constantly changing stream of perceptions. These mental experiences atomic number 18 unremarkably triggered by impressions, or perceptions that involve a whiz experience. These constantly changing streams of perception form the rancid identity.On the other hand John Locke proposes this concept thatsays X has identity if the ideas of X cause an beholder to have of x are the selfsame(prenominal) at different times. The best capable observer is X themself, as they are there for every moment. For Locke all that is needed for personal identity is mental identity. two these ideas of personal identity are intertwined with each respected philosophers views on memory. According to Hume, memory is unreliable. He believes projecti vism tricks us into forming memories. This is true because Hume also says we cant remember everything, but we project as if we do.The modestness he imposes this is because he believes it causes us to assume we are the same in our memories as we are now. Hume says our memories are triggered by ideas, or perceptions caused by thinking about an impression, instead of actually experiencing it. These memories at best jibe one another, which means we confuse similar but different impressions of ourselves for an impression of a single still self. Moreover, Hume says we do not have the same ideas as we do now and do in the past. As a result memory gives us falseidentity with what it remembers. With this, the nature of the homosexual self is derived from these mental experiences. Although Hume maintains that personal identity is falsely assumed by humans, the ideas that arise from our memories are what forms ones identity. The stopping locate result of personal identity is that individ uals have a false sense of identity, but that this false sense of identity is what gives them their individuality. This whole do is reliant upon memory hence memory is crucial in the evolution of the false self and individuality.Contrary to Hume, Locke believes memory is reliable. He insists that we are able to genuinely recall the same memories. Similarly to Hume, Locke agrees we dont remember everything. Although he shares this belief, he feels what we do remember is comme il faut. He continues this impudence as he points out we dont remember everything accurately but we remember enough accurately. In doing this, we are able to accurately recall past ideas and compare them with present ones. This is how he reaches his point that memory is reliable.Sinceour memories are reliable, our ideas in the past and the present can genuinely be the same. For Locke, the nature of the human self is formed through this process of linking old memories to new memories to create similarities. L ike Hume, individuality is obtained when this process is complete and with it comes awareness of ones self through time. While Hume and Locke have very differentiating opinions on the conception of personal identity relative to memory, they both agree that the end result will be a unique individual.