The Memory Theory & Dark City
...iscuss the simple and revised forms of the Memory Theory and their response to John’s problem. The simple form of the theory states that two person stages are part of the same personal identity if and only if the latter stage contains memories of the earlier one. This version of the theory concludes that psychological continuity makes the same person; therefore, John is the same person because he has some memories from his childhood. Additionally, this theory says that any of his memories, whether true or false, will help in establishing his personal identity. The revised form of the Memory Theory states the initial part of the theory and adds that John’s memories must be veridical in order for him to be the same person. This means that his memories must be caused in the right way (by the experience of the remembered events). Since it follows that only veridical memories count for established identity, the revised theory would conclude that John is a new person because he is the sum of fabricated memories. Given the argument that his memories are illusory, this theory cannot establish his past personal identity. Next I will address whether the simple form or the revised edition of the Memory Theory would actually help John in determining his personal identity. According to the simple form of the theory, personal identity is based on memory regardless of the memories veridical or illusory properties. The simple form of the theory would state that he is the same person he has always been because his latter stages have memories from his earlier ones. Nonetheless, it does not help John in establishing a true personal identity from the past. The revised form of the theory depends on whether John’s memories are veridical or illusory. If his memories are true, this theory would establish his identity as John Murdock. On the other hand, it follows that he would be a new person if his memories are false. John cannot verify whether his memories are veridical or illusory until he becomes suspicious of his surroundings. He eventually realizes that his memories must be false after visiting his uncle, who shares with him stories and pictures of the past that do not ring a bell with John. Specifically, he sees a picture of himself in which one of his arms has a burn mark on it. His uncle tells him that the scar came from the house-fire in which is parents were killed; however, John does not have the mark on his arm anymore which enables him to realize that all his memories are illusory. Although the revised theory would help him in establishing a new personal identity, it would still fail in determining his past personal identity. Finally, the answers to the above questions reveal the inadequacies of the Memory Theory of Personal Identity. The simple form of the theory states that just because one has memories they are the same person and have the same personal identity. However, it is unclear because it does not take into account the falsity of the memories. For instance, this theory states that John is the same person he has always been just because he has a few childhood memories. Consequently, a false personal identity is being created for John. I believe that the revised form of the theory is more accurate than the initial form in determining personal identity because one’s memories have to be true in order for him to be the same person. It establishes one’s personal identity only if his memories are veridical. This theory can be helpful only if one (like John Murdock) is able to establish the fate of his memories. Furthermore, I feel that the revised form of the theory is successful in confirming his new personal identity after he awakes and interrupts the memory transplantation procedure. While this form of the ...