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Questions and Answers

What is the primary assertion of Descartes regarding the self?

Descartes asserts that the self is comprised of an immaterial mind and a material body, encapsulated in the phrase 'Cogito, Ergo Sum'.

According to John Locke, what does 'tabula rasa' signify in relation to the self?

'Tabula rasa' signifies that the human mind is a 'blank slate' at birth, shaped by experiences and associations made in early life.

How does Kant differentiate the two aspects of a human's self?

Kant differentiates between the inner self, which includes psychological state and rational intellect, and the outer self, which encompasses senses and the physical world.

What is the 'categorical imperative' as introduced by Kant?

The 'categorical imperative' is a principle that instructs individuals to act only according to maxims that can universally be willed as law. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Maurice Merleau-Ponty's view of the relationship between the mind and body.

Merleau-Ponty views the self as an inseparable union between mind and body, asserting that all experiences are embodied. Signup and view all the answers

What role do bodily experiences play in Merleau-Ponty's understanding of self?

Bodily experiences are central to Merleau-Ponty's understanding of self, as they shape how individuals interact and harmonize with the world. Signup and view all the answers

How does Locke’s belief about the creation of man influence his understanding of the self?

Locke believes that God created man and, therefore, we are God's property, emphasizing that individuals have the freedom to shape their own identity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'goodwill' in Kant's ethical framework?

'Goodwill' is crucial in Kant's framework, as it is the only thing that is considered good in itself, irrespective of outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

What does Merleau-Ponty mean by 'being-in-the-world'?

It refers to the oneness and harmony between the body and the world, emphasizing their inextricable relationship. Signup and view all the answers

How does Gilbert Ryle critique Descartes' Dualism?

Ryle argues that the workings of the mind are not separate from the actions of the body; they are one and the same. Signup and view all the answers

What is Paul Churchland's view on materialism?

Churchland believes that only matter exists, and anything not recognized by the senses is not real. Signup and view all the answers

Define socialization in the context of learning cultural values.

Socialization is the lifetime process where individuals learn and internalize the values, attitudes, and behaviors of their culture. Signup and view all the answers

According to George Herbert Mead, how does the self develop?

The self develops through social experiences and interactions with others. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of 'significant others' in self-development?

Significant others are influential figures whose perceptions shape an individual's self-perception, particularly in childhood. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mead mean by the 'generalized other'?

The 'generalized other' refers to the understanding of societal expectations and perceptions of others as children mature. Signup and view all the answers

How does bodily knowledge contribute to the understanding of intelligence, according to Merleau-Ponty?

Bodily knowledge shows that the body possesses intelligence, intertwined with mental processes and experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Modern and Contemporary Philosophers on the Self

The self is a complex concept, explored by various philosophers.
Philosophers' perspectives on the self often differ greatly.
Philosophers like Descartes, Locke, Kant, and Merleau-Ponty have unique approaches to defining the self.
Ryle, a 20th-century philosopher, offered a critique of Descartes' dualism.

Rene Descartes (1596-1650)

Known for "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am").
Believed the self is an immaterial mind and a material body.

John Locke (1631-1704)

Argued the mind is a "tabula rasa" (blank slate) at birth.
Emphasized the importance of early experiences shaping the self.
Believed in individual freedom to shape their soul.
Viewed the self as God's property.

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

Proposed a two-fold nature of the self: Homo Noumenon ("thing-in-itself") and Homo Phaenomenon ("thing as it appears").
The inner self is psychological state and rational intellect.
The outer self is the physical world.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908-1961)

Believed the self is an inextricable union of mind and body.
Argued all experiences are embodied experiences.
Stressed the harmony between the body and the world.

Gilbert Ryle (1900-1976)

Critiqued Descartes' dualism, arguing mind and body are interconnected.
Proposed philosophical behaviorism, suggesting mental phenomena can be understood through observable behaviors.

Paul Churchland (1942-)

A materialist, believing only matter exists.
Argued decision-making and moral behavior are biological phenomena, stemming from a complex brain process called a neuro-conscience or recurrent neural network.

The Self From a Sociological Perspective

Socialization is a lifelong process of learning values, attitudes, and behaviors.
This process inﬂuences one's self-image and cultural norms/values.

George Herbert Mead (1863-1931)

Argued that the self is developed through social experiences, not present at birth.
The "I" is the individual's natural aspect, while the "Me" is the socially shaped aspect.
Differentiated between "I" (the spontaneous, acting part) and "Me" (the socially formed, conforming part).

Charles Cooley (1864-1929)

Proposed the "looking-glass self" theory, suggesting our self-image is shaped by how we perceive others see us.
We imagine how others perceive our appearance, their judgment, and our eventual response.