David Hume's concept of the self, with special reference to 'A Treatise of Human Nature' Books I and II
The thesis investigates David Hume's concept of the self as it is presented in Book One and Two of the Treatise of Human Nature. The center point of the discussion is Hume's understanding of the self as the bundle of perceptions. It will be shown that such an account can maintain identity of the self as an imperfect identity. It will be argued that a distinction must be drawn between self and personhood, both are distinct but interdependent aspects of the individual. These two aspects correspond to the different topics of the two first books of the Treatise and are in accordance with Hume's own division of the subject expressed in Book One. The necessity of the distinction will become apparent through the discussion of the problem of self identity in the light of Hume's epistemology and ontology. Considering Hume's theory of perception and his account of the acquisition of the idea of identity it will be argued that memory has to be a criterion of self- as well as of personal identity. A general discussion of main stream theories of self- and personal identity will provide a contemporary context to which Hume's account of identity can be allocated. It will be shown that Hume's theory of identity can accommodate
Langer, Thurid
Philosophy
David Hume's concept of the self, with special reference to 'A Treatise of Human Nature' Books I and II. The thesis investigates David Hume's concept of the self as it is presented in Book One and Two of the Treatise of Human Nature. The center point of the discussion is Hume's understanding of the self as the bundle of perceptions. It will be shown that such an account can maintain identity of the self as an imperfect identity. It will be argued that a distinction must be drawn between self and personhood, both are distinct but interdependent aspects of the individual. These two aspects correspond to the different topics of the two first books of the Treatise and are in accordance with Hume's own division of the subject expressed in Book One. The necessity of the distinction will become apparent through the discussion of the problem of self identity in the light of Hume's epistemology and ontology. Considering Hume's theory of perception and his account of the acquisition of the idea of identity it will be argued that memory has to be a criterion of self- as well as of personal identity. A general discussion of main stream theories of self- and personal identity will provide a contemporary context to which Hume's account of identity can be allocated. It will be shown that Hume's theory of identity can accommodate
david_hume concept_self special_reference treatise human_nature books investigates david_hume concept_self presented book treatise human_nature center point discussion hume self bundle perception show account maintain identity self imperfect identity argue distinction must draw self personhood distinct interdependent aspect individual two_aspect correspond different topic first book treatise accordance hume division subject express book necessity distinction become_apparent discussion problem self identity light hume epistemology_ontology considering hume theory perception account acquisition idea identity argue memory criterion self well personal_identity general_discussion main stream theory self personal_identity provide contemporary context hume account identity allocate show hume theory identity accommodate