Homework on Brison, Trauma narratives


All answers must be in your own words.


1. Brison discusses the idea that "survivors" of trauma may not survive in the following sense: the person who existed before the trauma may not be numerically identical to the person who exists after the trauma. Give three pieces of evidence she cites to support this idea. At least one of these must have to do with memory. For each, explain how it supports this idea. (4pts)

2. Consider a view we've discussed in class, other than Brison's, about personal identity (e.g. the psychological continuity view, or Olson's view). Say what view you are considering. On this view, given what Brison discusses in this reading, is the person who survives trauma numerically identical to the person who existed before the trauma? Explain. (2pt)

3. Brison argues that the existence of the self is dependent on others. Why does she think this? (2pts)

4. Brison's discussion relies heavily on the reports of those who have experienced trauma. Some of these reports - i.e. that the person died during the traumatic event, even though their body lived on - seem to contradict the common sense perspective that a person cannot die unless that person's body dies. What would Fricker or Zagzebski (pick one) say about trusting common sense over the report of the trauma survivors? Explain. (2pts)