Am I still me when I change? — Philosophy, 4–6 years
We grow, learn and change, but we often call ourselves the same person. This topic explores what might stay the same and what can change.
A changing self
Your body, thoughts, favourite games and skills can change as you grow. Yet you may still say, “I am the same person,” because your memories, name and continuing story connect yesterday’s you with today’s you.
Why ask this?
People noticed a puzzle: a baby and an older child look different, but the family says they are one person. Asking what makes someone the same helps us talk about growing, remembering and becoming different without treating change as disappearance.
A photo of Ana
Ana is four in an old photo: she has short hair, a red coat and cannot ride a bicycle. Today she has long hair, a blue coat and can cycle. Step by step: the looks and skills changed; her name, memories and life continuing from then to now connect the two pictures.
If it changes, is it someone else?
It is reasonable to think that a new face, voice or favourite game means a new person, because differences are easy to notice. But change does not automatically break a person’s story. Look for what connects the earlier and later moments, and say which clues make you think so.
Growing up
This idea appears when you look at baby pictures, keep a growth chart or tell someone what you could do last year. It also helps when a friend says, “I am not good at that anymore,” because people can change their skills and still remain themselves.
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