All Philosophy Notes
- Philosophical Anthropology
oThe theoretical study of human nature
- Main Q’s
oWho am I? (what is the nature of my personal identity?)
oIs humanity Special?
oWhat is the meaning of life?
oWhat is the nature of death?
- Qualitative identity:
o2 objects share the same qualities are located in different places
- Numerical Identity:
o2 qualitatively identical objects are located in the exact same place
- Qualitative Bodily Identity:
oYour personal identity comes from the qualities that make your
body unique
- Qualitative Mental identity:
o2 beings are the same person if they have identical thoughts, beliefs
and memories
- Numerical bodily identity:
o2 bodies are the same person if they are numerically identical
- Numerical mental identity:
o2 beings are the same person if they are numerically identical if they
have the same thoughts beliefs and memories
▪it is difficult to explain the continuity over time
- Bodily continuity:
o2 beings are the same person if they share the same body but at
different times
- Mental continuity:
o2 people are the same person if they share the same thoughts,
feelings, beliefs and memories BUT at different times
oObjections: multiple personality disorder
4/16/19
- Are humans special?
oWe are made in the image of God aren’t we?
oGod doesn’t have flesh and bones
oPsalm 8
- 10 Theories of Uniqueness for humans
oUpright Posture
oOpposable Thumbs
oUse of Tools
oUse of language
oIntelligence
oMorality
oFree Will
oEmotion
oCreativity
oThe Soul
4/18/19
- Three Other Possibilities
oHumans are not unique
oHuman Uniqueness is a matter of degree rather than of kind
oHuman uniqueness comes from our position as stewards of
God’s creation
- What is the meaning of life?
oDoes life even have meaning?
▪Purpose-
•Dictionary.com definition: The reason for
something exists
▪“Extrinsic” purpose is conferred on life by something else
•Vulnerability
▪“Intrinsic” purpose would be inherent in life itself
▪Nihilism- life has no intrinsic purpose, no meaning
▪Existentialism-
▪Theism- Humans were created by God for a reason and there is
a purpose why we are here
▪Aristotle: to live virtuously
▪Thomas Morris: to love others
▪Revelation 4:11: to give God pleasure
oMerrism: referring to the whole of something by referring to it’s parts
