Exploring the Self

Module 1: The Self from Various Disciplinary Perspectives

• The course explores the question "Who Am I?" through different philosophical perspectives, including Socrates, Plato, St. Augustine, Descartes, Locke, Hume, Kant, Freud, Ryle, Churchland, and Marleau-Ponty.

Philosophical Perspective (Week 2)

• Lesson 1 delves into the philosophical perspective of the self, examining the ideas of prominent philosophers.

Sociological Perspective (Week 3)

• Lesson 2 focuses on the sociological perspective, viewing the self as a product of modern society and other constructions.
• The concept of the Social Self is introduced, with Mead's ideas being explored.

Anthropological Perspective (Week 4)

• Lesson 3 covers the anthropological perspective, examining the self and person in contemporary anthropology.
• The self is seen as being embedded in culture.

The Self in Western and Oriental/Eastern Thought (Week 7)

• Lesson 6 explores the individualistic vs. collective self in Western and Oriental/Eastern thought.
• The social construction of the self in Western thought is contrasted with the self embedded in relationships and spiritual development in Confucian thought.

Part II: Unpacking the Self

• The Physical Self is the focus of Lesson 7, examining how the body impacts the self.

Multiple vs. Unified Self (Part II)

• The concept of multiple vs. unified self is introduced, with further exploration in later lessons.