John Locke's Theory of Personal Identity

John Locke was an influential philosopher who lived in the 17^th century. He has provided many important ideas and bases on which philosophy has evolved over time, one of which was his theory of personal identity. Locke was an empiricist, meaning that he thought all true knowledge came from the senses and human experience. In one of his more popular works, "As Essay Concerning Human Understanding," Locke sets out to determine a theory of responsibility and punishment that is empirically based. Within the essay, there is a chapter named Of Identity and Diversity, in which Locke explains the identity of the world's substances and entities, including a theory of personal identity for human beings. He defines the concepts of man, soul, and person, and determines what makes a person the same over time, despite changes both physical and mental. In doing so, he clearly states a basis on which to determine responsibility and accountability, both in legal terms, and in the term of ultimate and Godly judgment.

Locke begins by stating that there are three substances that exist: God, material substance, and finite intelligences, or consciousnesses. Locke claims that the way in which an object is defined depends on its substance. God is an infinite, unchanging, immaterial substance. Material substances are also said to be unchanging at their most basic element, the atom. Material substances are formed into configurations and shapes that give rise to objects within the real world. For example, a certain mass of material substance could give rise to a table. Locke explains that even though objects in the real world are constantly gaining and loosing material, they remain the same object. How is this so? Locke says that while these objects are ever-changing, they still exist as the same object as long as they continue to serve their purpose. If the table was to suddenly have half an inch removed from each of its legs, it would still remain the same table according to Locke despite the change, assuming that it still served its purpose similarly.