Splitting Brain Identity

Personal identity is what makes each of us different and unique when compared to any other individual around the world. There may be individuals that have some characteristics in common with others such as twins, but there will be no two people who have the exact same personal identity. The question of whether or not personal identity survives in such a procedure as the one in question is complex and difficult. This is due to the many different perspectives as to the proper definition of personal identity. The question of personal identity arises after the procedure such as this one. The question that arises is if the personal identity has survived or have two new identities been created through the procedure ending up with three individuals overall. If this is the case does personal identity survive within the two new individuals in some way or has the original identity died with two newly created personal identities in the two new individuals.

Parfit has developed the reductionist theory to explain what individual identity is. His theory is based around the belief that individual identity is made up of both physical attributes as well as psychological attributes. This means that he believes that personal Identity can be identified through the physical aspects of the individual such as the body, hair as well as any other physical attributes. His theory also incorporates the psychological aspect which involves what the individual has experienced in their life, how they react to situations, general attitudes and other non-physical aspects that contribute to their behavior and personal knowledge.

The reductionist theory identifies that there may be multiple experiences that can take place at the same time within the two hemispheres of the brain while maintaining a single individual identity. If the brain were to be split in to two halves the personal identity would not continue on in either of the halves even after being transplanted. This is due to the fact that the two halves of the brain would start to experience different experiences as soon as they were split or even removed from the original body. The new individuals would be psychologically continuous with the original person but that is where it would stop. They would not share the same physical aspects as well once the two new individuals were conscious they would start to experience different situations which would lead to two new personal identities. Through the new experiences that would occur, the personal identity would no longer continue in the original Identity.

In contrast to the reductionist