Introduction To Identity And Persistence

What defines us when nothing lasts forever?

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Introduction To Identity And Persistence in 10 Minutes

Introduction

Introduction

Identity and persistence are two fundamental concepts that shape our understanding of the world around us. In this article, we will explore what these concepts mean and how they play a crucial role in defining who we are.

Identity refers to the characteristics that make us unique individuals, such as our personality traits, beliefs, and values. It is what distinguishes us from others and helps us form our sense of self. Understanding our identity is essential for navigating through life's challenges and opportunities.

Persistence, on the other hand, relates to the continuity of our identity over time. It is the ability to maintain our sense of self despite external influences or changes in our circumstances. By examining the concept of persistence, we can gain insight into how we evolve and grow while staying true to who we are.

1. Alice

1. Alice

Alice is a young woman who is struggling to define her identity and find her place in the world. She is constantly changing and evolving, trying to figure out who she really is and what she wants out of life. Despite facing obstacles and setbacks, Alice is determined to stay true to herself and stay persistent in her journey of self-discovery.

2. Mark

2. Mark

Mark is a middle-aged man who has always been confident in his identity and beliefs. However, as he faces new challenges and experiences, Mark begins to question his identity and values. Despite this uncertainty, Mark remains persistent in his quest to understand himself better and stay true to his core values.

3. Dr. Patel

3. Dr. Patel

Dr. Patel is a psychologist who specializes in identity and persistence. Through her work with clients, Dr. Patel helps individuals explore their identities, navigate challenges, and stay persistent in their personal growth journeys. She believes that understanding one's identity and staying true to oneself is essential for personal fulfillment and success.

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Lesson Details & Resources

In a Nutshell

  • Concept: The philosophical concept that explores the nature of personal identity and the conditions for persistence over time.
  • Thinkers: John Locke, Derek Parfit, 17th-20th Century.
  • Central Question: What makes a person the same individual over time despite physical and psychological changes?
  • Core Implication: Personal identity is not solely based on physical continuity but also on psychological connectedness and continuity.

Timeline of Introduction To Identity And Persistence

380 BCE

Plato introduces the concept of personal identity in his dialogues, such as The Republic

1689

John Locke publishes An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, discussing the concept of personal identity

1739

David Hume publishes A Treatise of Human Nature, discussing personal identity and the self

1781

Immanuel Kant discusses personal identity in his Critique of Pure Reason

1714

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz introduces the concept of identity of indiscernibles

1984

Derek Parfit publishes Reasons and Persons, discussing personal identity and ethics

1991

Daniel Dennett publishes The Self as a Center of Narrative Gravity, discussing personal identity

1785

Thomas Reid criticizes Locke's views on personal identity in Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man

1996

Marya Schechtman introduces the narrative theory of personal identity

1997

Eric T Olson publishes The Human Animal, discussing the persistence of personal identity

1990

Peter Unger publishes Identity, Consciousness and Value, discussing personal identity

1996

Christine Korsgaard discusses personal identity in Sources of Normativity

2007

Shaun Nichols and Joshua Knobe study folk intuitions about personal identity

1989

Diana Tietjens Meyers discusses personal identity in Self, Society, and Personal Choice

2010

Mark Johnston discusses personal identity in Surviving Death

2012

Rory Madden introduces the psychological approach to personal identity

2015

Seth Lazar discusses the ethics of persistence in personal identity

2018

Julie Tannenbaum introduces the biological approach to personal identity

2013

Caroline West discusses personal identity in Personal Identity and Character

2016

Wanja Wiese introduces the phenomenological approach to personal identity

Vocabulary List

Identity
Understanding one's own identity is a crucial part of personal development.
Persistence
Achieving success often requires a great deal of persistence and determination.
Self-awareness
Self-awareness is key to understanding how our identity shapes our actions and decisions.
Consistency
Consistency in our actions and beliefs can help reinforce our sense of identity.
Adaptability
Being adaptable is important for navigating changes in our environment and maintaining our sense of identity.

Key Facts

This is the information used in the fact matching game

  • Identity refers to the unique characteristics that distinguish one entity from another.
  • Persistence refers to the ability of an entity to retain its identity over time.
  • In database management systems, entities are represented as tables.

  • Entities have attributes that describe their properties.
  • A primary key is a unique identifier for an entity in a database table.
  • A foreign key is a key that links two tables together.

  • Identity and persistence are important concepts in data modeling.
  • Identity ensures that each entity is uniquely identifiable.
  • Persistence ensures that the identity of an entity is maintained over time.

  • In object-oriented programming, objects have identity and persistence.
  • Identity in object-oriented programming is often represented by a memory address.
  • Persistence in object-oriented programming is achieved through serialization.

  • In distributed systems, ensuring identity and persistence can be challenging.
  • Databases use various techniques such as indexing and clustering to manage entity identity.
  • Maintaining persistence in databases is crucial for data integrity and consistency.

  • Identity management systems help organizations manage user identities and access permissions.
  • Persistence frameworks like Hibernate in Java simplify database interactions and object-relational mapping.
  • Identity theft is a common cybercrime where personal information is stolen to commit fraud.

  • Data persistence is essential for applications that require storing and retrieving data across multiple sessions.
  • Identity verification is a process used to confirm that someone is who they claim to be.

Analysis & Significance

The Core Argument

Identity and persistence in philosophy explore the notions of what makes something the same thing over time and how objects or persons maintain their identity despite changes. This concept delves into questions about personal identity, the nature of existence, and the continuity of self.

Criticisms and Counterarguments

One major criticism of the concept of identity and persistence is the Ship of Theseus paradox, which challenges the idea of identity through gradual replacement of parts. Additionally, philosophical debates arise regarding the significance of psychological continuity versus physical continuity in defining identity.

Modern Relevance

The philosophical exploration of identity and persistence is crucial in understanding issues such as personal identity in the digital age, ethical implications of memory manipulation technologies, and debates surrounding the rights of future generations in environmental ethics. This concept also plays a role in discussions about the continuity of self in the face of rapid technological advancements and societal changes.

Introduction To Identity And Persistence Games

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