I guess my real question is, do we have any power over our identity? I would say no.

Haha! Np man. If you ever take a philosophy class you'll learn about it. The [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-aspect_theory]Dual (or Double) Aspect Theory[\url] is a theory within the field of Philosophy of the Mind, specifically referring to the mind-body problem. Click on the aforementioned links to gain a better understanding of these concepts. What the dual aspect theory is, in a nutshell, though is an idea that our minds and our brains are two different aspects of the same substance.

I think you are confusing the dual-aspect theory with some form of dualism. It isn't really dualism or monism, though it probably fits more closely under the blanket of monism than dualism. Basically, I agree that it is one substance, but there is more to that substance than just physical hard-wiring and such. It may not be a "mind", but thinking is definitely more than just a testable reaction. We may find a way, in the future, to fully and accurately test though after it has occurred and predict it before it occurs, but it is still, to me, a separate aspect of the physical substance of the brain is necessary and only makes sense to me logically. We aren't just advanced computers.

I'm surprised with you man. Usually you know all of your philosophical ideas. I figured you know about the dual-aspect theory. That's ok though.

Btw, Daniel Dennett made a pretty unique and cool case for dualism. I'll show it to you if I find it.

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This is where we will have to differ because implying a yes/no question is, I believe, a false dilemma. It's a more complicated question in my mind. It depends. I would say we do have a limited amount of control over out identity, but that much of it is already determined by human attributes derived from birth and/or our culture.

my new theme song



erikboyd60@hotmail.com

"True poetry can communicate before it is understood"

-T.S. Eliot

battle record:

7-0-0

Psychological theories
-Behaviorism/Enviromentalism (nuture)
-Instinctivism (nature)

Both of the above would say that we have no control. The only one that would say we do have control is the most modern theory: the Psychoanalytic theory which supports free will. However its notion of free will conflicts with the most modern philosophical theories of mind, except under dualism, (which I think is clearly wrong, and outdated). The theories of causes (determinism, indeterminism, deliberatism [as I call it], etc) also play a role in deciding.

Basically if "mind" and "free will" is in fact an illusion, then we would have no actual control over our identity, (if we want to define identity as really being something).

Stfu and go eat a coconut

[quote=Menace]identity is a social construct the environment that we live in and the things we go trough life builds our identities and personalities identity is constructed in time you guys are too analytic on this subject identity is a product of nature even in less evolved species [/quote]

Dude, you are speaking on a COMPLETELY different subject. This is in regards to philosophy of the mind, specifically the body-mind problem. We do not deny the social constructs that effect the way your identity changes over time, we are simply referring to what constitutes consciousness. Is it a physical construct where all is one and there is no distinguishing between body and mind (monism), are there two distinctly different substances (dualism), or is it all one substance that has two aspects to it (dual/double-aspect theory)? That is the real question.