The Human Animal: Personal Identity without Psychology

by Eric T. Olson

Most philosophers writing about personal identity in recent years claim that what it takes for us to persist through time is a matter of psychology. In this groundbreaking new book, Eric Olson argues that such approaches face daunting problems, and he defends in their place a radically non-psychological account of personal identity. He defines human beings as biological organisms, and claims that no psychological relation is either sufficient or necessary for an organism to persist. Rejecting several famous thought experiments dealing with personal identity, he instead argues that one could survive the destruction of all of one's psychological contents and capabilities as long as the human organism remains alive.

Genres: Philosophy, Psychology

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 1997

Reviews

[Adam Omelianchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief, but densely packed book is a must-read in the metaphysics of personal identity. Olson is a fun writer to read, and displays immense skill in the framing and structuring of his argument. Parts I liked: the criticisms of the psychological approach, the constitution view, the bodily criterion, and the chapter 'Was I ever a fetus?' Part I didn't like as much: the casual dismissal of substance dualism, and the section in which he argues that personhood is a phase sortal like adulthood. Still, every part was profitable to read; recommended.

[Richard Brian Mayfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Concept is good points redundant and long

The content was just not that good compared to many other books I've read about psychology topics. I get the point was to argue against the existing of it but doesn't change the fact that's what is still part of the topic. I feel like anytime the same point is made over and over it comes across like a red herring argument and it's often used in gaslighting tactics. I'm sure there is a science and field that really gets motivated about the content of this book. I'm just not aware of it.

[Kyle Rinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good just a little more than I could grasp

[Dane]

The human animal that is coincident with the human person I am enjoyed it this greatly.