From: BillK (pharos@gmail.com)
Date: Wed Mar 12 2008 - 12:03:44 MDT
On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 3:44 PM, Heartland wrote:
> But isn't it true that "lost memories" were the main criterion by which Alzheimer
> patients were judged in the statement above to be "not the same person"? If so,
> then it seems like you're saying that memories are important because those who lose
> memories are not the same persons precisely because they lost memories. Could you
> explain why lost memories make you a different person without assuming that lost
> memories make you a different person?
>
Lost memories make you a non-person.
In the later stages of Alzheimer's disease the patient can no longer
look after their affairs. Someone is appointed to legally look after
their bank account, make decisions about their property,
accommodation, treatment, etc.
Legally and practically they are no longer a 'person' operating in
human society.
Obviously this makes them very different from what they used to be.
BillK
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