Our perceptions flow in even succession; the
impressions of the present moment are inextricably mixed up with the
memories of yesterday and the expectations of to-morrow, and all are
connected by the links of cause and effect.
" ... as the same individual republic may not only change its
members, but also its laws and constitutions; in like manner the
same person may vary his character and disposition, as well as his
impressions and ideas, without losing his identity. Whatever
changes he endures, his several parts are still connected by the
relation of causation. And in this view our identity with regard to
the passions serves to corroborate that with regard to the
imagination, by the making our distant perceptions influence each
other, and by giving us a present concern for our past or future
pains or pleasures.
"As memory alone acquaints us with the continuance and extent of
this succession of perceptions, 'tis to be considered, upon that
account chiefly, as the source of personal identity. Had we no
memory we never should have any notion of causation, nor
consequently of that chain of causes and effects which constitute
our self or person. But having once acquired this notion of
causation from the memory, we can extend the same chain of causes,
and consequently the identity of our persons, beyond our memory,
and can comprehend times, and circumstances, and actions, which we
have entirely forgot, but suppose in general to have existed.
Pages:
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201