Ensouled Identity: Deconditioning Philosophy and Unconditioned Theology
Diacovensia April 15, 2024 Joshua Farris
Personal identity is fundamentally theological, grounded in the existence of a soul. Philosophical arguments from the analytic tradition, particularly those concerning phenomenal consciousness, suggest that persons are essentially conscious substances. Theological reflection on human origins and the end of life, including case studies of dementia, provides additional insight beyond philosophy or science alone. Building on Priest's work, the argument moves from a 'conditioned' mode of understanding to an 'unconditioned' theological mode, presenting personal identity as ensouled identity.