The mind compares the existence of things over time:
Identity: A thing remains the same if it exists in a specific time and place without variation.
Diversity: Different things exist when there are variations in existence.
At any given time and place, only one thing can exist in the same condition, leading to the conclusion that two things cannot have the same beginning of existence.
Types of Substances
God:
Eternal, unchanging, and without beginning.
Finite Intelligences:
Each has a unique time and place of existence, determining its identity.
Bodies:
A particle continues to be the same as long as there are no additions or subtractions, distinguished through its time and place of existence.
Comparison of Bodies
Impossible Coexistence:
Two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time; thus, they cannot be the same entity.
Living Creatures vs. Non-Living Bodies:
The identity of living creatures relies on continuity and organization rather than solely on the matter making up their bodies.
E.g., An oak tree remains the same despite changes in its matter over time.
Organization and Identity
Cohesion of Matter:
An oak tree demonstrates that identity isn’t just about the mass but the organization that maintains life.
Activities of Living Beings:
Actions like motion and thought are transient. They cannot exist simultaneously in different times and places as they must have a unique beginning and end.
The Principle of Individuation
Existence as Identity:
Existence in a specific time and place is what distinguishes individual beings.
Atoms and Mass:
Atoms maintain their identity through their existence; changing atoms can lead to a different mass, illustrating the principle of individuation.
Identity in Different Beings
Living Creatures:
Identity depends on the organization that holds life, with changes in matter not affecting the essence of the life form.
Machines and Living Bodies:
Machines function due to external forces unlike living beings, which derive motion from internal life.
Personal Identity
Definition and Nature:
Personal identity is linked to consciousness. It distinguishes an individual as the same self over time despite changes in substance.
Temporal Challenge:
Memory loss or change does not negate identity, as long as the consciousness remains the same.
Transfer of Consciousness:
If consciousness can be transferred or interrupted, it raises questions about personal identity across bodies.
Legal and Ethical Implications
Justice and Accountability:
Legal systems base responsibility on consciousness and actions associated, arguing that individuals are accountable for actions only when there's awareness and cognizance of those acts.
Philosophical Queries:
If an individual loses memory or consciousness of actions, they cannot be punished for past deeds.
Summary of Key Arguments
Identity is contingent on the continuity and consciousness associated with an individual’s existence.
The nature of personhood is linked with rationality, awareness, and the ability to reflect on past actions.
Understanding identity requires differentiation between personal identity and bodily identity—one depends on consciousness and the other on physical substance.
Overall, Locke underscores that identity should be viewed through the lens of consciousness rather than merely through the substance that constitutes the physical being.