10 Questions
According to Aristotle's concept of hylomorphism, what is the relationship between the soul and the body?
The soul is the form that actualizes the potential of the body's matter, making the human a living being.
According to Aristotle, what are the three requirements for something to be considered a 'living being'?
Growth, reproduction, and feeding
According to Aristotle's hierarchy of souls, which type of soul is capable of thinking and reasoning?
Rational Soul
According to Rene Descartes' mind-body dualism, which component of the human person is considered the true self?
The mind, as it is immaterial and indestructible
According to David Hume's perspective, what is the nature of the self?
The self is a bundle of impressions and ideas that arise from sensation and reflection.
Which philosopher argued that the rational soul is the true self of the human person?
Aristotle
What did Rene Descartes believe was the superior component of the human person?
The mind
Which philosopher argued that the self is nothing but a bundle of impressions and ideas?
David Hume
Which of the following is NOT one of the three requirements for something to be considered a 'living being' according to Aristotle?
Can think and reason
What did St. Augustine of Hippo believe was the supreme virtue that leads to understanding the self?
Love for God
Study Notes
Philosophical Perspectives about the Self
- Philosophy is the study of the most basic and profound matters of human existence, derived from the Greek words "philo" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom).
Socrates (Ancient Greek)
- "The unexamined life is not worth living."
- The soul is the true self, responsible for knowing and acting rightly or wrongly.
- The soul is the intellectual and moral personality of humans.
- One should devote considerable attention, energy, and resources to making their soul as good and beautiful as possible, giving importance to acquiring knowledge, wisdom, and virtue.
Plato (Ancient Greek)
- The human person has two components: body (material and destructible) and soul (immaterial and indestructible).
- Soul-Body Dualism: the body cannot live without the soul, but the soul can live eternal even without the body.
- The soul has three parts: Appetite/Appetitive Soul (located in the abdomen), Spiritual/Spirited Soul (located in the chest), and Rational Soul (located in the head).
- The true self of the human person is the rational soul.
Aristotle (Ancient Greek)
- Hylomorphism: the metaphysical concept that all natural bodies consist of two principles, form and matter.
- The body cannot live without the soul and vice versa; the body is as important as the soul.
- All living beings have souls, which require the ability to grow, reproduce, and feed themselves.
- The human person is a rational animal, with three kinds of souls: rational, sensitive, and vegetative.
St. Augustine of Hippo (Medieval)
- Love for God is the supreme virtue and the key to real happiness, which leads to understanding the self.
Rene Descartes (Modern)
- The human person has two components: body (material and destructible) and mind (immaterial and indestructible).
- Mind-Body Dualism: the body cannot live without the mind, but the mind can live eternal even without the body.
- The true self of a human person is their mind, which makes them human.
- "I think, therefore I am": a thinking thing is a being that doubts, understands, asserts, denies, wills, imagines, and the like.
David Hume (Modern)
- "The self is nothing but a bundle of impressions and ideas."
- The self is not a concrete experience, but rather a collection of impressions and ideas that come from sensation and reflection.
Explore the origins and definition of philosophy as the love of wisdom. Learn about different philosophers and their perspectives on the self, such as Socrates with his famous quote 'The unexamined life is not worth living'. Dive into the study of the most fundamental aspects of human existence.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
