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Personal Identity in… Sh. Vahidi Mehrajardi et al (51
with many individuals. As a regarding the nature of human
contemporary philosopher, his beings from diverse perspectives.
discussions often intersect Notable diagrams such as
with the themes explored in Thales, Heraclitus, Pythagoras,
Western philosophy. Despite Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Ibn
he is known in Iran, only a Sina, Mulla Sadra, Descartes,
few of his works have been Spinoza, Kant, John Locke,
translated into English, resulting Schopenhauer, Hume, and
in limited familiarity among William have all contributed
English readers. to this discourse. Many of
Thus, this article will not these philosophers held the
attempt to encompass the belief in the existence of the
entirety of Western philosophers' soul within mankind.
ideas. Instead, it will provide However, during the Age
a summary derived from the of Enlightenment, a period
personal identity entry in the characterized by intellectual
“Stanford Encyclopedia of and philosophical advancements
Philosophy”. This entry, known in Europe during the 17th and
for its conciseness and 18th centuries, the metaphysical
comprehensive compilation, aspect of human beings was
serves as a valuable resource, rejected. Consequently, the
with all quotations from existence of the soul was
Western philosophers being denied, and human beings
sourced from it, albeit with were solely interpreted in
necessary modifications. (Ref: terms of their physical bodies;
Olson, 2022) Even the intellect and
emotions of human beings
Theoretical Foundations and were considered functions of
Research Background the brain rather than the soul.
Throughout history, numerous Despite the rejection of the
renowned philosophers have soul during the Age of
engaged in extensive discussions