Philosophical Perspectives on Self
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Questions and Answers

What does Socrates believe is the true task of a philosopher?

  • To know oneself (correct)
  • To establish laws
  • To obtain wealth
  • To define morality
  • According to Plato, what are the three components of the soul?

  • Intellect, desire, will
  • Moral, emotional, rational
  • Reason, spirit, appetite (correct)
  • Physical, spiritual, ethical
  • How does Aristotle define the soul in relation to living beings?

  • As a non-physical entity
  • As an incorporeal spirit
  • As a set of defining features (correct)
  • As separate from the body
  • What fundamental belief did St. Augustine hold about the physical body?

    <p>It is inferior to the immortal soul</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Descartes mean by 'Cogito ergo sum'?

    <p>I think, therefore I am</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which philosopher is known for engaging in a systematic questioning about the self?

    <p>Socrates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of human existence does Plato emphasize in 'The Republic'?

    <p>The importance of harmony in the soul</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What duality does Descartes propose concerning the human self?

    <p>Self as thinking entity and physical body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which philosopher suggested that the self is primarily constructed from sense experience?

    <p>John Locke</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to David Hume, what is the basis of the idea of personal identity?

    <p>Imagination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement aligns with Immanuel Kant's view on the self?

    <p>The self provides a framework for understanding the world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Freud's theory suggest about the layers of the self?

    <p>The unconscious layer significantly influences behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What principle does Gilbert Ryle associate with the understanding of the self?

    <p>The self is better understood as behavioral patterns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concept is central to Paul Churchland's view on the self?

    <p>The brain is integral to the concept of self.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the looking-glass self concept, how is a person's view of themselves primarily formed?

    <p>From how they think others perceive them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component does George Herbert Mead identify as the essence of agency in human action?

    <p>The 'I'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'I' in relation to an individual's self-concept?

    <p>The response to the attitudes of others</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term refers to the organized set of attitudes of others that an individual assumes?

    <p>'Me'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What consequence of postmodernity poses a threat to the authenticity of the self?

    <p>Increased individual freedom</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following concepts is related to the alienation of individuals according to Marx?

    <p>Human beings creating their own images</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is attributed to the objectification of the body in modern societies?

    <p>Medical practices treating bodies as objects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes dehumanization of the self in postmodern contexts?

    <p>Disconnection from personal identity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by the 'generalized other' in social concepts of self?

    <p>The attitudes and perceptions of society at large</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is 'authentic core' of the self perceived in modern societies?

    <p>As difficult to determine amidst societal influences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Philosophical Perspectives

    • Socrates highlights the importance of self-knowledge, seeing the self as synonymous with the soul.
    • Reality is divided into physical and ideal realms; Socrates emphasizes reason in understanding the self.
    • Plato posits that the self is an immortal soul with three parts: rational (reason), spirited (passion), and appetitive (desire).
    • His Theory of Forms distinguishes between the ideal world and the sensory world, advocating harmony among the soul's parts for justice.
    • Aristotle describes the soul as the essence of being, categorizing it into vegetative, sentient, and rational types without separating body and soul.
    • St. Augustine believes in the contrast between the physical body and the immortal soul, asserting humankind is created in God's image.
    • Descartes introduces "Cogito ergo sum," emphasizing the distinction between the thinking self and the physical body.
    • John Locke describes the mind at birth as a blank slate (tabula rasa), with identity formed through sensory experiences.
    • David Hume argues against the existence of a fixed self, suggesting identity arises from impressions and ideas.
    • Immanuel Kant theorizes that the self is an organizing principle, constructing reality and enabling coherent experiences.
    • Sigmund Freud presents a multilayered self divided into conscious, preconscious, and unconscious, with much of identity rooted in the unconscious.
    • Gilbert Ryle emphasizes the self as a pattern of behavior, introducing "I act, therefore I am" to link mind and body.
    • Paul Churchland argues for eliminative materialism, claiming self is inseparable from the brain and its physiological processes.
    • Maurice Merleau-Ponty views the self as embodied subjectivity, asserting the unity of mind and body and the role of perception in self-awareness.

    Sociological Perspectives

    • The "looking-glass self" theory (Cooley) suggests self-perception is shaped by how we believe others view us.
    • George Herbert Mead identifies 'I' as the individual's response to society's attitudes and 'me' as the organized understanding of those attitudes.
    • Gerry Lanuza explores the search for an "authentic core" of the self within societal influences.
    • Jean Baudrillard critiques postmodern society, highlighting its negative impact on individual identity.

    Consequences of Modernization and Postmodernity

    • Modernization leads to "delocalization" of the self, creating challenges to authenticity.
    • Alienation as discussed by Marx suggests individuals are troubled by their own created images.
    • Objectification of the body raises concerns surrounding medical practices and self-perception.
    • The phenomenon of dehumanization affects individuals, impacting their identity and agency.

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    Description

    Explore the philosophical insights of Socrates on the nature of the self. This quiz delves into his famous assertion that an unexamined life is not worth living and examines the dichotomy between the physical and ideal realms. Test your understanding of these ideas and their implications for personal identity and self-reflection.

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