Personal Identity and the Self - Essay Example

The paper “Personal Identity and the Self" is a wonderful version of an essay on philosophy. Two of the theories that may be regarded in addressing the issue of MPD would be ‘Same Soul Theory’ or the ‘Soul Criterion’ proposed by Shoemaker and the ‘Psychological Continuity Theory’. "A person at one time is the same person at a later time if and only if they have the very same immaterial soul.” On the other hand, psychological continuity theory consists of an assumption that “a person at one time is the very same person as a person at a later time if and only if the person at the later time remembers experiences of the person at the earlier time.

” At first, these theories appear narrow in scope but on exploring the advantages that may be drawn from each, one would necessarily emerge to remedy the conflict brought about by distinct personalities. Having a dissociated identity disorder (DID) can be too sensitive a case for an MPD acquired through persistent trauma with some poignant appalling experience in the past. On this ground, it is not quite likely for the psychological continuity theory to make an ill subject readily acknowledge ethical responsibility, being in the frequent mode of dissociating from similar occurrences that call forth excruciating memories.

Such theory may not be found to operate efficiently since upon its application, its condition of necessitating a person in the future to remember his life as the same one in the past must be satisfied. Perhaps, the chief idea by which psychological continuity theory can be perceived to play a significant role in treating the disorder over a span that the individual with MPD can be exposed up to the level of immunity or relief from fear and hurting. This would entail having to confront real situations which can become complicating or worse if the person is left to deal with matters beyond proper guidance by a therapist.

Chances are for him to struggle in the responsibility of understanding himself in relation to his environment as he gathers into the truth of a single identity which by nature is rather complex and risky to handle.Shoemaker’s Soul Criterion, however, could bear the potential of designating the person in a dimension that is new to his knowledge and experience. Though the Soul Criterion seems incapable of establishing the connection between personal identity and practical interests, the theory has the capacity to promote fresh insights through which an MPD patient can cope at his own pace in a series of reflections that gradually detach the individual’s thought from material concerns which often cause him to suffer.

This way, there would be less probability of shifting from one personality onto another as a means or device to escape an event associated with the recollection of a painful period in one’s history. Instead, metaphysical engagements may create a new conceivably remarkable paradigm to inspect in terms of recognizing moral responsibility once the person considers the impact of spiritual resolution to dissolve every anxiety that keeps him tied on making do with a number of unsettled personalities.