Wednesday, September 4 - AM Fluency

Today’s class focused on the philosophical problem of personal identity. Opening conversation: What does the phrase “personal identity” mean? Where exactly is your identity located? What connects your identity from five years ago to your identity today?

We then read an essay I wrote for the class, entitled “Who Am I? Philosophical Problems with Personal Identity.” The essay asked students to discuss possible sites of identity: the body, memory, thoughts, consciousness. My essay concluded that I am not really sure what identity is or where exactly it is located. Despite the lack of conclusion, we did discuss many interesting issues along the way: the unconscious, meditation, and why white people should really be called pink people (since their skin is more pink than white). 

Our conversation was cut short, so for tomorrow’s class, Vinayak is going to lead us in a discussion about the chakras and the pineal gland.