of consciousness. This theory states that a persons identity is made up of a "stream" of connected conscious experiences. This theory solves the problem of having a different memory of at different times of life. For instance, when we are forty we certainly have a different memory than when we were four years old. With the connected stream theory though, we are still the same person whether we are four or forty. In general, we have a finite mind, so are conscious is connected in a chronological pattern. To make it simple, it is analogous to a river. If you were to see a river every day, one is not looking at the same particles of water (representing body or experiences), however one cannot dispute that it is not the same river. Therefore the river represents personal identity. This theory solves most of the problems arrived at from the other two forms of conscious theories. It would seem that the connected stream of consciousness is a definition which is both necessary and sufficient in defining personal identity. In conclusion, we have discussed the three common theories of personal identity: the body theory, the soul theory, and the conscious theory. The main problem with the body theory is that peoples bodies change, yet they still have the same identity. The main problem of the soul theory is that it is immaterial, and the whole idea of souls is disputable. Of the three consciousness theories, the conscious self theory fails in that it is a circular definition. The conscious experience theory fails in that a human cannot be conscious of everything of his or her life. Finally we discussed the connected stream of consciousness theory which is the best description of a personal identity. Personal identity therefore is made up of a connected stream of consciousness (i.e., thoughts, memories, actions), and therefore is always changing slightly. As James Baldwin, a U.S. author once quoted, "An identity would seem to be arrived at by the ...
