The document discusses different philosophical perspectives on the self from various philosophers throughout history. It covers:
1) Socrates' view that knowing oneself through introspection is essential for living a good, virtuous life.
2) Plato's view that the self is an immortal soul, distinct from the physical body, and his theory of forms distinguishing the physical world from non-physical ideas.
3) Aristotle's view of humans as rational animals with body and soul functioning in harmony, and the self characterized by virtues like justice and courage.
4) Descartes' view that thinking proves one's existence, distinguishing thinking self from physical body.
The document provides an overview of philosophical thought on the nature
The document discusses different philosophical perspectives on the self from various philosophers throughout history. It covers:
1) Socrates' view that knowing oneself through introspection is essential for living a good, virtuous life.
2) Plato's view that the self is an immortal soul, distinct from the physical body, and his theory of forms distinguishing the physical world from non-physical ideas.
3) Aristotle's view of humans as rational animals with body and soul functioning in harmony, and the self characterized by virtues like justice and courage.
4) Descartes' view that thinking proves one's existence, distinguishing thinking self from physical body.
The document provides an overview of philosophical thought on the nature
The document discusses different philosophical perspectives on the self from various philosophers throughout history. It covers:
1) Socrates' view that knowing oneself through introspection is essential for living a good, virtuous life.
2) Plato's view that the self is an immortal soul, distinct from the physical body, and his theory of forms distinguishing the physical world from non-physical ideas.
3) Aristotle's view of humans as rational animals with body and soul functioning in harmony, and the self characterized by virtues like justice and courage.
4) Descartes' view that thinking proves one's existence, distinguishing thinking self from physical body.
The document provides an overview of philosophical thought on the nature
The document discusses different philosophical perspectives on the self from various philosophers throughout history. It covers:
1) Socrates' view that knowing oneself through introspection is essential for living a good, virtuous life.
2) Plato's view that the self is an immortal soul, distinct from the physical body, and his theory of forms distinguishing the physical world from non-physical ideas.
3) Aristotle's view of humans as rational animals with body and soul functioning in harmony, and the self characterized by virtues like justice and courage.
4) Descartes' view that thinking proves one's existence, distinguishing thinking self from physical body.
The document provides an overview of philosophical thought on the nature
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Self in philosophical
perspective Philosophy Philos = Love Sophia = wisdom • It is often called the mother of all disciplines, simply because of all fields of study began as a philosophical discourses. • Desire for truth by formulating never ending questions to provide answers to every inquiry about the nature of human existence. • When we have our understanding of our existence then we acquired guide on how we will be able to live our life Socrates • AN UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING - Examining one’s self is the most important task one can undertake, for it alone will give us the knowledge necessary to answer the question ‘how should I live my life’. • Wants us to know the good life that leads to happiness • A person can only have a meaning and happy life only if he becomes virtuous (referring to moral qualities) and knows the value of himself • INTROSPECTION - a method carefully examining one’s thoughts and emotions to gain self knowledge INTRO = inside Spectra = looking • Viewed self as synonymous with the soul • Reality has to realms : the physical (imperfect, sensible, biological need of the body, its urges needs and sensation) and ideal realms (perfect, unchangeable, and eternal, cognitive and intellectual activities) Plato •THE SELF IS AN IMMORTAL SOUL • Like Socrates self is synonymous with the soul •Introduced the idea of three part soul – the • 1. reason, • 2. appetite, • 3. spirit •Analogy Phaedrus, The Chariot Analogy •Allegory of the cave - Plato distinguishes between people who mistake sensory knowledge for the truth and people who really do see the truth • - refers to the tendency to interpret the world the way we see it as a projection of ourselves. It is true that we see the world not as it really is but exactly who we are •Theory of forms • World of forms ( non-physical ideas) • World of sense (physical reality) Aristotle • Man as rational animals • The soul is the essence of self. • Soul – process by which a living thing actually lives • He believes that Body and soul is not separate entities - Soul & Body should function complementary and they should be working in harmony • 3 Kinds of Soul 1.VEGETATIVE SOUL 2.SENTINENT SOUL 3.RATIONAL SOUL • * Parts of rational soul is characterized by moral virtues (justice / courage) • Suggests that the rational nature of self leads to a good , flourishing and fulfilling life. Thus pursuit of happiness is a search for a good life that includes virtuous action • Live life of moderation – human sufferings occurs in human mind when someone does not know how to live a life of moderation St. Augustine
• I am doubting therefore I am.
• The Self has an immortal soul • The soul is what governs and defines a man • Physical body is different and inferior to immortal soul but as his thinking matured he developed a unified thinking that both body and the soul is attached to one another. • Believes that the body must be united with the soul, so that the man may be entirely complete • Fundamental concept of human person in mission is to discover the truth on the existence of God RENE Descartes
• I THINK, THEREFORE I AM (COGITO ERGO SUM)
• For him the act of thinking about self – of being self- conscious – is in itself proof that there is a self • Essence of human self – a thinking entity that doubts, understand realize, analyzes, questions and reasons • 2 dimension of self • 1. thinking self • 2. physical body John locke • Empiricism Experiences is that upon which all knowledge is founded and from that it ultimately derives self • The self is consciousness • Concept of tabula Rasa ◦ The self is constructed primarily from sense experience ◦ Conscious awareness and memory of previous experiences are the key to understanding the self. ◦ Proposed that people use the power of reason to gain knowledge and consequently use this knowledge to understand experiences ◦ Individuation - the person keeps his identity over time David Hume • There is no self • Bundle theory – people experiences is just a bundle or collection of different perception • 2 distinct entities • 1. impressions – vivid perceptions • 2. ideas – thoughts and images from impressions • THE IDEA OF PERSONAL IDENTITY IS A RESULT OF IMAGINATION”. • Ex. “If there is no God, it is important for man to invent Him” Immanuel kant
• We construct the self
• It is the self that is actively ORGANIZING and SYNTHESIZING ALL OUR THOUGHTS AND PERCEPTIONS • Kant believes that the self is an organizing principle that makes us a unified and intelligible experience possible • RATIONALISM - A theory which states that reason is the foundation of all knowledge rather than experience. Gilbert Ryle
• I act therefore I am • Self – best understood as a pattern of behavior Paul churchland • The self is the brain • All the person has a brain and so if the brain is gone, there is no self • The physical brain and not the imaginary mind gives the sense of self • The mind does not exist because it cannot be experienced by the senses Maurice Merleau-Ponty • The self is embodied subjectivity • Perception is not just merely a consequence of sensory experience; rather it is a conscious experience • All knowledge about the self is based on phenomena of experience • The I is a single integrated core identity, a combination of mental, physical and emotional structure around a core identity of self • * Phenemonology of perception – that everything the people is aware of is contained within the consciousness. JEAN JAQUES ROUSSEAU
• MAN AS INHERENTLY GOOD AT BIRTH
• If man is born good at birth, why it is so that there are incidents of evil acts. • He argued that man though born good at birth is vulnerable to be corrupted by an evil society. An evil society is the culprit for man’s evil deeds. Thomas Hobbes
• It is inherent in human nature to act in ways that are evil and
aggressive, sometimes even destructive • Formal education is primordial to every man in order to build good character towards the attainment of moral attitude and uprightness. JEAN PAUL SARTRE • Man is condemned to freedom • the self is a product of the freedom one makes and the consequence of this exercise • With freedom inherently attached to human existence, he should assume fully responsible for his own destiny • Humans should assume full responsibility for their own destiny AYN Rand • love of self should be above all human values • act of selfishness is a moral act, for one cannot truly give what one does not have • self above others should be a moral law, in which case all our actions must be guided by the love of self in order to be the person of intelligence, talent, creativity, and intellectual supremacy. The negation of oneself in view of others is anti-self, which should be shun and avoided if we are to live in a capitalistic society Activities • Create your own philosophy in life • Debate regarding the belief of the philosophers • Short quiz
