*spoilers* Taking the Person from the Man

When a lobotomy is preformed, although 'lobotomy' is a term used for many different procedures, the end result of them all is purposeful damage done to the brain by severing the connection of the frontal lobe. It began in the late 1800's and was used into the mid 1900's to 'calm' mental patients and 'cure' mental illness. Although a very small number of patients were reported to have improved after the surgery, most became distant, losing their personalities and ability to speak and function in general.

more on lobotomy; http://www.livescience.com/42199-lobotomy-definition.html

In the 1975 movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, we follow R. P. McMurphy after he has been institutionalized. Although not insane, he claims insanity and joins a ward filled with mentally unstable men who he quickly befriends with his ornery ways. His rule breaking liven up the ward and actually helps some of the patience progress. But the oppressive head nurse, Nurse Ratched, along with the heads of the institution decide that he is rocking the boat a little too much. He is unjustly lobotomized and ends up in a vegetative state.

Locke's Of Identity and Diversity discusses the difference between a Man and a Person. A Man, is the physical substance, while a Person is the personality or mentality of the Man. He states, "For whatever Substance there is, however framed, without consciousness, there is no Person..." and "But consciousness removed, that substance is no more it self..." Although McMurphy may be the same Man, substance wise,  his mind has been altered in such a way that he can no longer be the same Person. His personal identity has been taken from him in such a way that leaves him powerless. The body of McMurphy survives, but mentally he is changed. His personality, facial expressions, funny banter they are all gone and these are important parts of his Person.

Chief, his closest friend in the ward realizes this at the end. He holds him and says "I'm not leaving without you" but instead of escaping and bringing R.P.s nearly unresponsive body, he smothers him with a pillow. Chief knew that this body was no longer his friend, he could see the change. The institution stripped him of himself permanently by altering his brain. They destroyed his Person.