Philosophical Perspectives of Self Concept

• Philosophy is derived from "Philo" (love) and "Sophia" (wisdom).

Philosophers Perspective of the Self

• Socrates stated that an unexamined life is not worth living.
• Socrates believed in dualism of physical body and immortal soul.
• Physical Realm pertains to the body, Ideal Realm to the soul.
• A good and purposeful life is essential.
• Plato was a student of Socrates.

The Self Consists of 3 Parts

• Reason embodies the ability to think and make wise choices.
• Physical Appetite constitutes biological needs like hunger, thirst, and sexual desire.
• Spirit or Passion involves basic emotions like love, anger, ambition, and empathy.
• St. Augustine stated, "I doubt, therefore I am."
• The body is united with the soul.
• Self is united with God through faith and reason.
• Rene Descartes stated, “I think, therefore I am."
• After death of the physical body, the self also dies.
• The self is the thinking thing.
• John Locke introduced the concept of "Tabula Rasa," or blank slate.
• Self is constructed from experiences that shape a person throughout life.
• David Hume argues that there is no self, only a bundle of perceptions.
• Immanuel Kant argues that the self is the product of reasons.
• We construct the self.
• Sigmund Freud argues that the self is composed of three layers.
• Conscious comprises thoughts, feelings, and actions.
• Preconscious stores activities in your memory.
• Unconscious contains activities you are unaware of.
• Gilbert Ryle stated, "I act therefore I am."
• Self is how people behave, synonymous with behavior.
• Paul Churchland argued that, "the self is the brain."
• Self is inseparable from the brain and physiological body.
• The physical brain gives the sense of life.
• Maurice Merlau Ponty stated that "the self is embodied subjectivity.”
• All knowledge about oneself and the world is based on subjective experience.

Sociological Perspective

• Sociology is the study of society, patterns of social interaction, and culture.
• Man, as a social being, is born into a community.
• Personality is the unique organization of an individual's behavior.

Basic Structure of Personality

• Physical
• Intellectual
• Emotional

Aspects of Personality

• Physical Characteristics: Inherited physical appearance, alterable by culture.
• Abilities: Skills developed within a culture.
• Aptitude: The capacity to learn skills or acquire knowledge.
• Interest: Acquired from various things, dependent on cultural alternatives.
• Beliefs: About self, friends, nature, religion, influenced by culture and others.
• Habits: Regular ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving.

Influence of Heredity and Environment

• Heredity: Innate traits (hair, skin, eye color, body size) and basic needs.
• Influence of parents: Education, religion, status, community.
• Subcultures: A group within society with distinct characteristics.
• Cultural Environment: Embracing similarities and celebrating differences.

The Social Self

• Socialization: Cultural molding and learning basic skills, values, and beliefs.
• John Locke's tabula rasa: Born without qualities, personality develops with experiences.
• Social Self: How one views oneself through interactions with others.
• Charles Horton Cooley: A sense of self develops after one sees how others view them.
• The Looking Glass Theory: Self-development through how others see you.
• George Herbert Mead: Seeing the beginning of others seeing you as you.
• Significant Others: From early contacts, the most important people.
• Generalized Others: Important because of who they are, not just what they do.
• I Self: subjective behavior, private self
• Me Self: objective behavior, social self

Stages of Development of Self

• Preparatory Stage
• Play Stage
• Game Stage

Anthropological Perspective

• Anthropology: The study of humans
• Anthropologists study human transformation and cultural adaptation.
• Cultural Anthropology: The concept of culture and its influence on shaping the self.

The Self Embedded in Culture

• Moi: Concept of self.
• Personne: Concept of person.
• Aspects of Self by Harry Triandis:

Aspects of Self

• Private Self: Traits, states, or behaviors.
• Public Self: Generalized view of self.
• Collective Self: Assessment of self by reference to a specific group.