Who am I? A philosophical inquiry - Amy Adkins

About this Video

• Video Title: Who am I? A philosophical inquiry
• Channel: TED-Ed
• Speakers: Amy Adkins
• Duration: 00:04:59

Introduction

This TED-Ed video explores the philosophical question of identity, specifically the persistence of identity over time. Using the Ship of Theseus paradox, it challenges viewers to consider how we define ourselves and what constitutes our "self" when our physical and mental states are constantly changing.

Key Takeaways

• The Persistence of Identity: The video's central theme is the challenge of defining identity as something constant, given the continuous changes in our physical bodies, thoughts, and experiences.
• The Ship of Theseus Paradox: This thought experiment, where a ship has all its parts replaced over time, illustrates the difficulty in determining what makes something the "same" thing when its components change completely. The paradox examines numerical versus qualitative identity.
• Multiple Interpretations of Identity: The video presents different perspectives on the Ship of Theseus, highlighting the lack of a single, universally accepted answer to the question of identity.
• Personal Application: The video connects the Ship of Theseus to personal identity, arguing that we, too, are constantly changing yet maintain a sense of self. This raises further questions about how we identify ourselves.
• The Complexity of "Who Am I?": The video ultimately concludes that the question "Who am I?" is inherently complex, requiring a deep dive into philosophical thought to potentially answer.