Personal identity and narrative

Abstract

Narrative approach lays a claim to distinct advantages over other theories of personal identity, but fails to take account of the gravity of the problems it faces itself. First, it appears that any autobiographical narrative is dependent on the metaphysical and other beliefs of its creator. Second, narrative approach seems to entail an unjustified elitism about personal identity which deprives a significant number of people of their full-fledged identity. Third, it is not clear whether narrative approach is indeed able to deal successfully with the problems it is aimed to solve according to its proponents.