On Reduplication Problem In Personal Identity Theory

The problem of "personal identity" has always been concerned by philosophers.It involves people’s essence, life meaning, time standard and related to the real life closely. To explain the personal identity, we have to discuss what I am which will be implied in the personal influence. So when we talk about the problem of "personal identity",we will pay attention to the influence for a person’s definition.What is the reason that we judge the past one is same as the future one.What is most care about in our life?The Encyclopedia of Standford Philosophy analyzed personal identity by 8points. I will summarize eight points to two cores which named "persistence" and "human essence". There are two main topics which are based on two cores. Physical theories and psychological theories are not universally recognized, this is due to both of them are facing the same problem:reduplication. The essence of identity is the object of "the one and only one". But the reduplication problem means a person at moment is identity with many persons at next moment. Which is contrary to the essence of identity, and it is not consistent with the logic and common sense.Reduplication problem was first proposed by supporters of physical theories, in order to refute the psychological view and protected physical theories. However, its effect is far beyond the expected. Reduplication problem infected all of the personal identity theories, including physical theories. Later philosophers consciousness to the seriousness of the problem, put forward different methods to solve this problem and demonstrate its rationality of their own view. Due to reduplication problem determines the rationality of personal identity theory, what can solve the problem will have advantage in discussion of personal identity.Parfit also tried to solve the problem of reduplication in his book < Reasons andPersons >, he solved the problem by causal analysis that caused identity was cancelled and only kept survival. Because there are no "the one and only" requirement in survival, so it can avoid reduplication difficulties. Parfit dispelled reduplication problem, as a result of personal identity will become meaningless to discuss.The paper proposes that although the reduplication problem must be solved, it can not eliminate the identity of personality.So that we need to find a way to solve reduplication and preserve the personal identity. The paper have tried to find the reason that Parfit kept survival instead of identity and proved the causal chain is necessary to personal identity.On the basis of Parfit’s theory of causal explanation, this paper follows the electronic transportation experiment. With the British philosopher: Mandrigin Alisa’s inspiration, the paper tries to introduce the theory of externalism as the solution to the problem of reduplication.