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What does Socrates believe is the most important task of a philosopher?
What does Socrates believe is the most important task of a philosopher?
According to Plato, what are the three components of the soul?
According to Plato, what are the three components of the soul?
What philosophical approach is Socrates known for in teaching?
What philosophical approach is Socrates known for in teaching?
What is the nature of the body according to Socrates?
What is the nature of the body according to Socrates?
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What does Augustine suggest about the body and soul?
What does Augustine suggest about the body and soul?
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What philosophical concept did Plato support that Socrates introduced?
What philosophical concept did Plato support that Socrates introduced?
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What does Socrates imply by stating, 'the unexamined life is not worth living'?
What does Socrates imply by stating, 'the unexamined life is not worth living'?
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Which aspect of Augustine's view reflects a bifurcated nature of man?
Which aspect of Augustine's view reflects a bifurcated nature of man?
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What concept did Descartes famously express?
What concept did Descartes famously express?
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Which philosopher argued that the body is bound to die while the soul anticipates eternal life?
Which philosopher argued that the body is bound to die while the soul anticipates eternal life?
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Which philosopher denied the existence of the self as a distinct entity?
Which philosopher denied the existence of the self as a distinct entity?
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What are the three components of the soul according to Plato?
What are the three components of the soul according to Plato?
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What did Hume categorize experience into?
What did Hume categorize experience into?
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What is the ultimate goal of every human person according to Thomas Aquinas?
What is the ultimate goal of every human person according to Thomas Aquinas?
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According to Descartes, what is the one thing that cannot be doubted?
According to Descartes, what is the one thing that cannot be doubted?
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In Descartes' philosophy, how does he describe the relationship between the mind and the body?
In Descartes' philosophy, how does he describe the relationship between the mind and the body?
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What does David Hume's empiricism assert about knowledge?
What does David Hume's empiricism assert about knowledge?
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How does David Hume characterize the concept of the self?
How does David Hume characterize the concept of the self?
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What did Descartes mean by 'the thing that thinks'?
What did Descartes mean by 'the thing that thinks'?
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Which of the following best describes Descartes' view of the body?
Which of the following best describes Descartes' view of the body?
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What type of experiences does Hume categorize as 'impressions'?
What type of experiences does Hume categorize as 'impressions'?
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According to Hume, how is the self described?
According to Hume, how is the self described?
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What is Kant's view on the organization of perceptions?
What is Kant's view on the organization of perceptions?
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How does Gilbert Ryle characterize the self?
How does Gilbert Ryle characterize the self?
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What idea does Merleau-Ponty reject regarding the mind and body?
What idea does Merleau-Ponty reject regarding the mind and body?
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What central concept is dismissed by Merleau-Ponty?
What central concept is dismissed by Merleau-Ponty?
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Which philosopher suggests that knowledge acquisition is linked to one's self?
Which philosopher suggests that knowledge acquisition is linked to one's self?
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In Ryle's philosophy, what is emphasized over the concept of an internal self?
In Ryle's philosophy, what is emphasized over the concept of an internal self?
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According to Kant, what role does the self play in perception?
According to Kant, what role does the self play in perception?
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Study Notes
Understanding the Self
- A person's name does not define their true identity; the self is continually shaped and developed.
- Understanding oneself is crucial for understanding others.
Philosophical Perspectives on the Self
Socrates
- Emphasized self-knowledge: "The unexamined life is not worth living."
- Advocated for the dualism of soul (permanent, perfect) and body (imperfect, impermanent).
- Introduced the Socratic Method, using dialogue and probing questions to challenge beliefs.
Plato
- Socrates' student who expanded on his ideas.
- Supported dualism and proposed three components of the soul:
- Rational Soul (reason and intellect)
- Spirited Soul (emotion)
- Appetitive Soul (basic desires and physiological needs).
Augustine
- Integrated Platonic views with Christian doctrine, emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul.
- Described humans as "bifurcated," with earthly imperfections and a longing for divine connection.
- Advocated for living a virtuous life to attain communion with God.
Thomas Aquinas
- Viewed humans as a combination of matter (body) and form (soul).
- Matter makes up the physical world, while form gives essence and meaning.
- Stressed that the soul animates the body, signifying humanity.
René Descartes
- Dubbed the "Father of Modern Philosophy," asserted doubt of everything except the existence of the self.
- Famous for the principle "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am").
- Proposed a dualism where the mind (cogito) and body (extenza) are distinct entities; the body operates like a machine.
David Hume
- A Scottish empiricist who argued that self-knowledge stems solely from sensory experience.
- Described the self as a "bundle of impressions," composed of fleeting perceptions.
- Differentiated between impressions (direct experiences) and ideas (copies of impressions).
Immanuel Kant
- Suggested a mind exists to organize sensory experiences and impressions.
- Proposed that time and space are constructs of the mind, crucial for understanding existence.
- Argued that the self synthesizes knowledge and experience, contributing to personality and understanding.
Gilbert Ryle
- Critiqued the dualism of mind and body, positing that the self is not an internal entity but a collection of behaviors.
- Defined the "self" as a convenient label for observable actions rather than an isolated essence.
Merleau-Ponty
- A phenomenologist challenging the mind-body division posited by Cartesian thought.
- Argued that mind and body are inseparable, with a mutual influence on thoughts, emotions, and lived experiences.
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Description
Explore the significant philosophical ideas concerning the self from key thinkers including Socrates, Plato, and Augustine. Understand how their perspectives shape our understanding of identity and self-knowledge, emphasizing the importance of introspection.
