Memory, Mineness, and Personal Identity

Abstract

Memory is well understood as a reconstructive process replete with distortions and, at times, major inaccuracies. Reconstruct travel and enable increased cognitive flexibility, facilitate mental time travel, and support constructing life narratives and self-identity. The interconnection between earlier memory and personal identity is a widely accepted concept, though the processes of their association remain unclear. The association of the self and memory is the most critical capacity of self-portrayal. The past episodes of human memory constitute the fundamental part of improving human beliefs and identity. The study proposes that identity derives from delivering the content of the memory and the sense of “mineness.” Articulating the component of a sense of identity could generate evidence of personal identity. Memory of self, feelings, and goals affects individuals to recollect and evaluate their past selves. The present views about self are hugely influenced by what memory individuals can recall about earlier selves and evaluate past selves and circumstances. The study aims to verify the reciprocal relationship between self-defining memory and identity processing style. It is to examine how autobiographical memory plays an important role in constructing personal identity. The autobiographical memory is simultaneously reconstructed to be distinct from that of another person and is congruent with it because of social interactions. Autobiographical memory is primarily linked to events that hold personal significance and the foundation for constructing the sense of self. The present research in cognitive neuroscience highlighted the concept of the autobiographical self and the associated autonoetic consciousness, which enables us to travel in time mentally. This study investigates how the notion of personal identity is related to that of memory. It discusses the circular objection to the psychological continuity theory of personal identity. The current study is an analytical approach to the association between memory and personal identity based on reliable existing resources. The study proposes that identity derives from delivering the content of the memory and the sense of “mineness.” The goal is to explore the significant role of autobiographical memory in shaping personal identity and how memory serves as a measure of human character and virtue. A comprehensive search of Medline, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science was conducted to identify relevant studies published from 1989 to 2023.