Locke thinks that if my soul is the same as the soul of Socrates, I still may not be the same person as Socrates.

Question

Locke thinks that if my soul is the same as the soul of Socrates, I still may not be  the same person as Socrates.

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The statement to evaluate is: 'Locke thinks that if my soul is the same as the soul of Socrates, I still may not be the same person as Socrates.'
Option 1: True. This aligns with Locke's theory of personal identity, which emphasizes continuity of memory and consciousness over mere sameness of soul or substance. In his view, personal identity hinges on the sameness of memory, character, and psychological continuity, so even if two souls were the same, the person (as a self with memories and consciousness) may still be distinct due to different conscious experiences and memories.
Option 2: False. If one argued that sameness of soul guarantees sameness of person, that would be a position in conflict with Locke's emphasis that identity is not defined by the sameness of substance (soul) but by the continuity of consciousness and memory across time. Locke would argue that despite a hypothetical identical soul, the person could still be numerically distinct because the stream of consciousness would not be the same.
To further unpack, think of Locke’s distinction between sameness of substance and sameness of person: even if Socrates and another thinker shared a soul, the individual identity of the thinker who wakes up with Socrates’ soul would depend on psychological continuity and memories, which could diverge. Therefore, the claim that sameness of soul does not entail sameness of person is consistent with Lockeian theory, supporting the truth of the statement.
In sum, the statement presents a plausible reading of Locke: personal identity is not secured merely by a shared or identical soul, but by the continuity of consciousness and memory across time and experiences, so the truth value being asserted (True) reflects that possible divergence in personhood despite soul sameness.

PHL210Y5 Y LEC0101 Quiz #12

Locke thinks that if my soul is the same as the soul of Socrates, I still may not be the same person as Socrates.

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