13. Personal identity, Part IV; What matters? episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 31, 2026 · 55 MIN

13. Personal identity, Part IV; What matters?

from YaleCourses · host YaleCourses

Death (PHIL 176)The personality theory is revised to state that the key to personal identity is having the same personality provided that there is no branching, that is, provided there is no transfer or duplication of the same personality from one body to another. Similar "no branching" requirements are added to the other theories as well. At the end of class, Professor Kagan suggests a shift from thinking about the survival of the soul in terms of "what does it take to survive?" to "what is it that matters in survival?".00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction -- The Personality Theory and No Branching 05:29 - Chapter 2. Fission Is Not Allowed -- The Body Theorist's No Branching Rule 19:31 - Chapter 3. The Metaphysics of Soul-Splitting35:57 - Chapter 4. What Matters in Survival? Refocusing the Question on Personal Identity47:43 - Chapter 5. Conclusion Complete course materials are available at the Yale Online website: online.yale.eduThis course was recorded in Spring 2007. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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13. Personal identity, Part IV; What matters?

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