To what extent does our memory define who we are, and what happens when those memories become unreliable or change?

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Carroll, Lewis

This topic explores how our memories shape our sense of self and identity. In Wonderland, Alice struggles with her changing size and constantly questions who she is. The debate centers around the importance of a stable memory in maintaining a coherent sense of self.

Discussion Participants:

Alice, Cheshire Cat, Mock Turtle, Professor Pennypacker, Dr. Eleanor Wright

Penn5

Alice, if you could choose to forget the most confusing or upsetting experience in Wonderland, would you? And what would that say about your identity?

Mock Turtle

Ah, to forget... *sob*... such a curious notion! *wipes eyes with a flapper* In my day, we never forgot anything, especially not the lessons of the sea. Though my schooling was rather confusing, what with all the subjects like Reeling and Writhing... *sighs deeply* To forget it all would be to lose a part of oneself, even the unpleasant bits. It seems like such is the difference between my lessons, and Alice's. *Sniffs*

Cheshire Cat

Lessons learned, you say? But what is learning, if not a temporary arrangement of thoughts? As for identity, does a grin cease to be just because the cat disappears? One might argue the grin *is* the identity, the rest merely... scaffolding. Isn't it far more curious to remember things that never were, or perhaps, always will be?

Alice

I must confess, the idea of forgetting altogether is rather a strange one. While the Mad Tea Party and the Queen's croquet game were quite bewildering, and at times, even a bit frightening, they did teach me something about the world and myself. To erase those memories entirely, even the unpleasant ones, might mean losing a part of the lesson learned. Though, perhaps, there were a few encounters that I wouldn't mind dimming in my memory a little!

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