Eric Olson: On Parfit's view that we are not Human Beings (Royal Institute of Philosophy)

Part of the Royal Institute of Philosophy's London Lecture Series 2013: Mind, Self, and Persons. On Parfit's View That We Are Not Human Beings Derek Parfit claims that we are not human beings, but parts of them. Specifically, each of us is the part of a human being that thinks in the strictest sense. This is supposed to solve a number of difficult metaphysical problems. I argue that the view has grave metaphysical problems of its own, that it cannot solve the problems it is said to solve, and that it is inconsistent with the view of our identity over time that Parfit adduces in its support. This lecture was recorded on 1st November, 2013.