Parfit Ch.10

Question 1

The physical criterion of PI

Answer 1

X is the same as Y in some past time iff

(1) enough of Y’s brain has survived and is now X’s brain
(2) this physical continuity has not taken a “branching” form

Question 2

The psychological criterion of PI

Answer 2

(1) There is psychological continuity iff there are overlapping chains of strong connectedness
(2) this continuity has the right kind of cause
(3) this continuity has not taken a “branching form”

Question 3

Reductionism

Answer 3

People are nothing more than their mental and /or physical states and their various relations

Question 4

Non-reductionism

Answer 4

We are separately existing identities; a person is distinct from their brain/body
Or
We are not distinct entities from our brains/bodies, but PI is a further fact

Question 5

Indeterminate identity

Answer 5

An understanding of PI based on a Reductionist view; empty questions: some reductionist beliefs in PI results in indeterminacy and empty questions.

Question 6

Empty question

Answer 6

A question that will never have a definite answer, although on may know all the facts about the event which the question concerns

Question 7

Psychological connectedness

Answer 7

The holding of particular direct psychological connections

Question 8

Psychological continuity

Answer 8

the holding of overlapping chains of strong connectedness