by David Cooper
1 Aug 2000
Instructor: Dr. Stephen L. Beck

Locke's View of the Self

I think, therefore I am      -R. Descartes

I am . . . what?

Existing? Thinking?

Can any more be said of one's self than the obvious fact that the mind is only thinking and nothing more is certain? If a light switch on the wall is thrown, is the light on the ceiling any more than "on?" Is the light a separate existence beyond the fact that it is functioning or lit? And how would we know for certain that electricity is not 'self-aware' in the same manner as when we claim existence of ourselves simply because we function (or think)? There is a way to prove we do exist. Past memories are the things that truly makes us exist. If we say we exist, then we are referring to a past experience of remembering: "Yes, I definitely was thinking a few seconds ago, so I must exist." Everything we remember is stored away in our minds until we die and like a pitcher of water being poured out, those memories drain away.

John Locke [1632-1704], was an English philosopher who felt what made the self were memories. After all, without memories to draw upon, one has no reference point to identify with. Locke felt these memories also are what we use to learn from our external world. Without the capacity for a memory, it is doubtful survival would be possible. One can do without senses, the blind for example learn to adapt to life without visual input. The deaf learn to adjust to never hearing. But if a person can never remember to avoid walking into busy intersections or refrain from touching hot stoves, life would be short and miserable. So, memory and memories are indeed important to survival, but do not necessarily stand for or represent our inner self. (Electric, 2000)(Victorian, 2000)

The only problem with Locke's view is that we see examples recently that seem to contradict this. Some people lose some or all of their memories and develop amnesia. If a person were to lose all their memories of their past, are they any less of a person? Are they unable to function or survive without memories? True, the person may be very troubled or sense that something is out of order mentally, but they normally will adjust and form new memories (MSNTv, 2000). It seems too strange to suggest that simply memories are what make the self. I feel these memories or past experiences may only influence behavior and help to create a complex and distinct personality. Personality is what I feel best defines what we know as our "self."

Works Cited:

Electric Library. Locke, John. Online. 31 Jul 2000. Available http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/07568.html

The Victorian Web. John Locke. Online. 29 Jul 2000. Available http://landow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/religion/locke1.html

MSNTv News. The Injured Brain. Online. 1 Aug. 2000. Available

http://www.msnbc.com/onair/nbc/dateline/amnesia/amnesia3.asp