Gilbert Ryle & Kant: Quiz on Perspectives of Self

Study Notes

The Self from Philosophical Perspectives

Socrates: Emphasized self-knowledge as crucial for wisdom. Advocated for introspection and self-examination, encapsulated in the phrase “Know thyself.” Illustrated through Socratic dialogues, stressing the importance of aligning personal choices with true values.
Plato: Proposed that the self is immortal and distinct from the body. Introduced the tripartite theory of the soul: reason, spirit, and appetite. Advocated for harmony among these parts for a virtuous life and just society. Highlighted the battle between rational desires and basic impulses.
Aristotle: Rejected Plato's Theory of Forms. Viewed the self as a composite of body and soul, inseparable in essence. Introduced hylomorphism, suggesting that both components define human identity. Emphasized that physical actions express both capabilities and emotional states.
Saint Augustine: Linked the self with a spiritual connection to God. Believed that the human soul's fulfillment is found in unity with God and grapples with the consequences of original sin. Highlighted the internal conflict between selfish desires and moral convictions.
René Descartes: Known for the concept of dualism, separating mind and body. Established “Cogito, ergo sum” as the foundation of self-awareness. Asserted that conscious thought confirms existence, locating the essence of the self in mental awareness.
John Locke: Proposed a theory centered around consciousness and personal identity. Introduced the notion of Tabula rasa (blank slate). Suggested that continuity of self stems from memory and experiences, which shape identity over time.
David Hume: Rejected the idea of a fixed self. Introduced the Bundle Theory, viewing the self as a compilation of perceptions and experiences. Argued that the illusion of self arises from the flow of experiences rather than a static identity.
Immanuel Kant: Distinguished between the inner self (transcendental self) and outer self (empirical self). Suggested that the inner self involves emotions and rational thought, while the outer self pertains to physical presence and sensory experience. Emphasized the interplay between self-awareness and observable actions.
Sigmund Freud: Developed a psychoanalytic theory of self centered around the ego. The ego mediates between the id (instinctual drives) and superego (societal rules). Illustrated the self's dynamic nature through balancing desires with socially acceptable behavior.
Gilbert Ryle: Critiqued Cartesian dualism, coins the phrase “ghost in the machine.” Argued that the self is represented through actions and behaviors rather than as hidden inner essence. Emphasized behaving and interacting with the world as central to understanding the self.