Why there still are no people

Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 70 (1):174-191 (2005)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

This paper argues that there are no people. If identity isn't what matters in survival, psychological connectedness isn't what matters either. Further, fissioning cases do not support the claim that connectedness is what matters. I consider Peter Unger's view that what matters is a continuous physical realization of a core psychology. I conclude that if identity isn't what matters in survival, nothing matters. This conclusion is deployed to argue that there are no people. Objections to Eliminativism are considered, especially that morality cannot survive the loss of persons

Similar books and articles

Parfit on what matters in survival.Anthony Brueckner - 1993 - Philosophical Studies 70 (1):1-22.
Is causation necessary for what matters in survival?Scott Campbell - 2005 - Philosophical Studies 126 (3):375-396.
Nothing matters in survival.Torin Alter & Stuart Rachels - 2005 - The Journal of Ethics 9 (3-4):311-330.
What really matters.Raymond Martin - 2008 - Synthese 162 (3):325 - 340.
Multiple occupancy, identity, and what matters.L. Andra - 2007 - Philosophical Explorations 10 (3):211 – 225.

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-01-28

Downloads
1,289 (#8,755)

6 months
121 (#29,478)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Jim Stone
University of New Orleans

Citations of this work

Animalism.Andrew M. Bailey - 2015 - Philosophy Compass 10 (12):867-883.
Generic Animalism.Andrew M. Bailey & Peter van Elswyk - 2021 - Journal of Philosophy 118 (8):405-429.
The No Self View and the Meaning of Life.Baptiste Le Bihan - 2019 - Philosophy East and West 69 (2):419-438.
The Subject of Experience.Galen Strawson - 2017 - Oxford, GB: Oxford University Press.
Skepticism about persons.John M. Doris - 2009 - Philosophical Issues 19 (1):57-91.

View all 11 citations / Add more citations

References found in this work

Reasons and Persons.Derek Parfit - 1984 - Oxford, GB: Oxford University Press.
Mortal questions.Thomas Nagel - 1979 - New York: Cambridge University Press.
Mental Reality.Galen Strawson - 1994 - Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
The Human Animal: Personal Identity Without Psychology.Eric Todd Olson - 1997 - New York, US: Oxford University Press.
Personal identity.Derek Parfit - 1971 - Philosophical Review 80 (January):3-27.

View all 14 references / Add more references