identicus

Identicus is a theoretical construct in philosophy and cognitive science that denotes the continuity and coherence of a person's identity over time and across contexts. It concerns how individuals perceive themselves as the same person despite changes in memory, circumstances, or physical state. The term is not widely standardized; it is used in discussions about personal identity to denote the integrative process that binds memories, personality traits, embodied experience, and social roles into a stable self-concept.

Etymology: derived from Latin identicus meaning relating to identity; used in contemporary scholarship as a convenient label.

Theoretical background: it draws on William James's distinction between the self and others; Derek Parfit's theory of psychological connectedness and continuity; and narrative identity perspectives such as Paul Ricoeur, which emphasize self-description through life stories.

Mechanisms: memory continuity (autobiographical memory), character traits consistency, bodily continuity, and availability of life narratives. Variability in external conditions (amnesia, major life changes) tests identicus and clarifies its boundaries.

Applications: in clinical psychology for understanding identity diffusion or disorders; in gerontology regarding aging and self-perception; in human-computer interaction and artificial agents discussing how an agent maintains identity across tasks or sessions.

Criticism: debates about whether a single, stable self exists; the dynamic, constructed nature of identity; cultural variations.

See also: Personal identity; Psychological continuity; Narrative identity; Ship of Theseus.