Personal identity theory

Personal identity theory explores what makes a person the same individual over time. It asks: what core qualities or factors ensure that the person today is the same as the person in the past or future? Different theories emphasize different aspects, like psychological continuity (ongoing memories and character), bodily continuity (the same physical body), or a combination of both. The debate helps us understand issues like memory loss, bodily changes, and identity over long periods, influencing fields like ethics, law, and psychology. Ultimately, it seeks to explain what it truly means to remain “the same person” over time.