Experimental Philosophy of Identity and the Self

The book explores philosophical questions about personal identity, such as what makes us the same person over time, whether changes can transform us, and whether our moral practices assume a false account of who we are. It offers a survey of recent empirical work and fosters dialogue between experimental and traditional philosophical approaches, covering topics such as the moral self, dual character concepts, the true self, transformative experiences, and collective entities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Exploring a wide range of issues, from metaphysical to moral and legal, a team of esteemed contributors brings together some of the most significant and groundbreaking findings in experimental philosophy of the self to address enduring philosophical questions about personal identity. These include:

What makes us today the same person as our childhood and future selves? Can certain changes transform us into a different person? Do our everyday moral practices presuppose a false account of who we are?

The book offers a comprehensive survey of recent empirical work and fosters dialogue between experimental and traditional philosophical approaches to identity. It covers various topics such as the moral self, dual character concepts, true self, transformative experience, and the identity conditions of collective entities.

Through novel experiments and thought-provoking applications to practical concerns including law, immigration, bioethics, and politics, the collection highlights the value and implications of empirical work on personal identity. It provides a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the nature of personal identity and its implications for our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350246898