Text 1: Philosopher Dr. Sarah Long defends personal identity through psychological continuity. "The self persists through connected memories, personality, and mental life," Long argues. "You're the same person as long as psychological connections continue."
Text 2: Philosopher Dr. Kevin Black explores discontinuity cases. "Gradual replacement of all psychological traits over time challenges continuity accounts," Black notes. "If every memory and trait changes, psychological continuity provides no anchor. Where did 'you' go?"
What potential problem does Black identify for Long's account of identity?
That memories don't exist
That complete gradual psychological change may dissolve the identity Long's theory preserves
That personality never changes
That philosophy cannot address identity
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Long's continuity requires connected traits. Black asks what happens when everything gradually changes—where is the continuous self? Total replacement through incremental change is the problem case.
- Evidence: Black: "If every memory and trait changes...where did 'you' go?"
- Reasoning: Gradual total replacement satisfies no-sudden-break but ends with different person.
- Conclusion: Complete gradual change challenges psychological continuity's identity preservation.
Choice A is incorrect because Black uses memory cases. Choice C is incorrect because Black examines personality change. Choice D is incorrect because Black engages the philosophical question.