Report on Bernard Williams's Second Presentation Adam/Brain Case

This report analyzes Bernard Williams's second presentation of the Adam/Brain case, focusing on his thought experiment regarding personal identity. The experiment explores the concept of body swapping and its implications, examining the psychological theory of personal identity. The report discusses Williams's arguments, including the fear of future pain and the role of memory and beliefs in defining the self. The analysis also presents the author's perspective, suggesting that further arguments are needed to strengthen Williams's conclusions. The report references relevant sources such as Bennet (2014) and Jenkins (2015) to support the analysis. The core of the case is the mad scientist scenario involving torture and memory replacement to test the individual's fear and sense of self.

Bernard Williams's "Second Presentation" of the Adam / Brian case
The second presentation of Bernard William’s case of Adam/Brain showcases his experiments
and thoughts how the concept of “body swapping” in reality is possible. For this second thought
experimentation has been made by Williams. The experiment was about personal identity. A
conclusion was derived in this experiment that significant distinctions in traits of character or
quasi-memories of individuals are not enough for two separate individuals. As per this theory
Williams claims that people are scared to make extensions to any future pains irrespective of the
transformations of psychological nature which precedes it (Bennet, 2014).
Williams with the above experiment tried showing PTPI or the psychological theory of personal
identity. Relations related to the psychology such as an individual’s belief system, faith,
memories, desires and rational thinking system helps them identify along with their own selves.
As per me, the second thought experiment of Williams needs some more arguments for coming
to a solid conclusion. As a part of the experiment William claims if a mad scientist explains to a
person that he will be tortured the next day then it will cause fear in the person as every human
wants to avoid pain. The mad scientist adds that a powerful drug will help the person remove
every old memory of the torture and replace it with fresh memories. As per the experiment the
person still will have fear inside (Jenkins, 2015).
Referencing
Bennet, L. (2014). Implausible Worlds. Retrieved 19 September, 2017, from
https://implausibleworlds.wordpress.com/2014/07/05/williams-on-personal-identity-thought-
experiments-in-the-self-and-the-future1/
Jenkins, M. (2015). Brain case second experiment. (2nd ed.). USA: Routledge.