Defining an adult - question

[marita_c]

This is for something that I’m writing:

Let’s say that a man (21+ y.o.) has ‘amnesia’: His language capabilities are intact, he can still win a game of Trivia, can operate a computer and play the piano – BUT his episodic memory is gone for good. He doesn’t know who he is, has absolutely no recollection of any previous experiences, events or people. 100% clean slate.

Many people say that it’s the experience the shapes the person – what you’ve been through throughout your life has made you into what you are.

According to this, once that man suffers said amnesia, he’s reduced, in many ways, to an infant. Would you consider that person to be an adult? Would you allow him to vote, drink alcohol, have sex? 

Comments

[freekydj.livejournal.com]

Wow! That's a very thought provoking question. I would have to say, though that after thinking about it; if this person has retained enough of their memory to be functional, that I believe they should be treated as and fully responsible as an adult. It appears to me that they still would have adult functioning in decision making, they would just not have their decisions colored by previous experiences.

[marita-c.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the insight. I agree that this person should be treated as an adult. It will be very challenging to do his characterization - someone who is as knowledgeable as an adult, but is as experienced as a child. It leaves a lot of room for character development over time.

[freekydj.livejournal.com]

I agree, character development will be difficult, basing it primarily on new experiences.

I think it would be somewhat more like a person with amnesia triggered by a traumatic event. They still retain many personality traits, but can't remember a thing about anything beyond a fixed point in time.

They may be making more instinct based decisions without really knowing fully WHY they feel as they do about a situation.

It would be interesting to see if their "instincts" conflicted with what would seem to be a reasonable choice; and how they reconcile the conflict. Does that seem clear? It came out weird, can't think of another way to say it.

[marita-c.livejournal.com]

We're completely on the same page. On the one hand a lot of his "personality" had been erased, so he'll be a little dull, nearly robotic. On the other hand, any experience will be a new experience, so that adds child-like wonder and curiosity. Then we have decision-making and reactions, which are usually based on experience, but in this case will have no context, so in a way my guy will learn things about himself by his reactions to new situations.

I'm going to have a lot of fun with this... :P

[freekydj.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to see the result! It really sounds like it will be quite the challenge though!

[xtricks.livejournal.com]

There were a couple of recent cases about people with severe amnesia and they weren't robotic or dull. They were without the memories that had formed their personality but they still *had* that personality.

It's clear that personality is based on more than just memories. You might look up Oliver Sacks and see if he did a book on amnesia, he's a great medical writer.