Sean Meslar- KPAX

For once, I don't have a philosopher to reference for this film. I think an interesting theme to keep in mind which relates closely to the central theme of the film is that of personal identity. Are we defined by what we think we are or the circumstances associated with our existence? While our reductionist scientific worldview tends to suggest that there is an objective definition attached to our identity, I tend to disagree. Everything that can be said to be true of a person is a byproduct of his or her mind rather than their body. This position stems from my more (philosophical)idealist/ dualist worldview which values the immaterial over the material. David Hume's sharp critique of causality destroyed any faith I had in the scientific method or the reliability or importance of the physical. So if Prot thinks that he is from KPAX, he should probably be taken to be the authority on the issue. This stance may come into conflict when we consider those who are labelled insane (as was Prot), there are many instances of the insane holding delusional truths that don't seem to correspond to anything reasonable. To this I have a, perhaps slightly comical, philosophical solution. In order to be considered sane, every person must be able to understand, articulate and demonstrate Descartes's cogito (I think therefore I am) and Aristotle's law of non-contradiction. Problem solved... just so long as the psychiatric community takes my word to be the authority.