The lack of identity of individual particles is knock down argument against our identities being based on the identities of individual particles. However, if there was identity of individual particals, this does not require that the identity of individual particles contribute to our identities, it would just remove a knock down argument against that idea.
(Almost) all the particles in our bodies are replaced anyway, on the scale of a few years. Replacement here means a period of time when you’re without the molecule, and then another comes in to take its place; so it’s real whether or not particles have identities. This applies to quite large things like molecules. Once we know that, personal identity rooted in specific particles is shaky anyway.
Heraclitus probably didn’t believe in lack of identity of individual particles, but he did believe we are patterns of information, not particular stuff.
EDIT: On second thought, he’d probably work out lack of identity of individual particles if pressed, following from that.
The lack of identity of individual particles is knock down argument against our identities being based on the identities of individual particles. However, if there was identity of individual particals, this does not require that the identity of individual particles contribute to our identities, it would just remove a knock down argument against that idea.
(Almost) all the particles in our bodies are replaced anyway, on the scale of a few years. Replacement here means a period of time when you’re without the molecule, and then another comes in to take its place; so it’s real whether or not particles have identities. This applies to quite large things like molecules. Once we know that, personal identity rooted in specific particles is shaky anyway.
An important point.
Heraclitus probably didn’t believe in lack of identity of individual particles, but he did believe we are patterns of information, not particular stuff.
EDIT: On second thought, he’d probably work out lack of identity of individual particles if pressed, following from that.