Sydney Shoemaker

Sydney Shoemaker is a philosopher known for his work on personal identity and the philosophy of mind. He argues that our identity over time is tied to our psychological continuity—our memories, beliefs, and experiences. In relation to functionalism, which sees mental states in terms of their roles rather than their physical substances, Shoemaker emphasizes how our mental functions contribute to our sense of self. He explores how consciousness and memory shape who we are, suggesting that our identity is not fixed but evolves through our mental states and experiences, highlighting the importance of psychological connections in defining personal identity.