Overview
David Hume’s skepticism about the self is rooted in his need for direct sensory impressions. Considering Descartes’ distinction between mind and body, which do we have the most direct sensory impressions of? What might Hume say about this?
Consider the example of someone who has had open-heart surgery, and who was on a heart-lung machine during their surgery. This is sometimes associated with a condition known as “pump head,” in which the personality of the patient changes and they experience confusion because the machine gave more reliable blood flow to their brain than their ailing heart did in the past. Has their “self” changed, are they the same person they were before? Why or why not, according to at least one philosopher in the unit?
- You and a friend are kidnapped by an evil mad doctor who is planning to switch your brain into your friend’s body and your friend’s brain into your body. After the surgery, you will not remember the surgery. You will be treated as the body you currently inhabit with that body’s identification, driver’s license, etc. Who would you say you are, according to Locke? Why would Descartes possibly disagree?
- Consider cases in which someone has a heart transplant from an organ donor, and begins to experience feelings and emotions associated with that donor’s former life. What would two of the philosophers in Unit 2 say about this phenomenon?
- Some argue that Descartes really does not need to use “radical doubt” to help us perceive our mind as a perceiving thing. Describe Descartes’ method of doubt, and explain his examples of why doubt is necessary. Do you agree or disagree with his method?