Philosophical Perspectives on the Self
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Philosophical Perspectives on the Self

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Questions and Answers

Plato believed that human beings are composed of a body and a ______.

soul

Descartes is known for the phrase, 'I think; therefore, I ______.'

am

According to Plato, the body is seen as some ______.

prison

The tangible objects in our world are mere copies of abstract universal ______.

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

Philosophers used ______ and rational lenses in explaining the self.

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

Descartes' methodic doubt involves questioning the certainty of things perceived through the ______.

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

Socrates is known as the market philosopher because of his penchant for engaging youths in ______ in public markets.

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

Human beings have the hubris to ponder the existence and ______ of life.

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

Socrates directed philosophy's attention from the universe to examining our ______ in the universe.

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

For Descartes, the self is a mind-body ______.

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

Plato's idea of contemplation entails the communion of the mind with universal and ______ ideas.

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

According to Socrates, if a person knows who they are, all fundamental issues and difficulties in life will ______.

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

Socrates said, 'An unexamined life is not worth ______.'

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

Different philosophers introduced specific characteristics and meanings of the ______.

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

Philosophical views of the self are a helpful guide to having a better ______.

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

Socrates is recognized as a ______.

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

Gilbert Ryle's theory is called logical ______ or analytical behaviorism.

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

For Ryle, properties like kindness are better understood as ______ modifying a body than as nouns.

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

The only proof of the mind's operation is evident in activities like singing, ______, walking, and the like.

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

Knowing and believing are just ______ but these influence people’s actions.

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

For Descartes, the mind is a non-physical ______ within the body.

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

American neuroscientists Paul and Patricia Churchland introduced ______ materialism.

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

It is false to claim that folk psychology is the capacity to explain people's mental ______.

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

The self is the way people ______.

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

Most people think we have a stream of consciousness that contains images and conceptions of things about which we have beliefs and ______.

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

Our thoughts and attitudes are supported by our feelings, which include mental states like joy and sorrow or anxiety and ______.

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

With the advent of science, it becomes clear to Churchland that the term 'mind', our moods, emotions, actions, and consciousness, are deeply affected by the state of our ______.

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

Maurice Merleau-Ponty distinguished the body into two types: the subjective body and the ______ body.

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

The self, according to Merleau-Ponty, is regarded as embodied ______.

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

For Merleau-Ponty, to be a self is to be more than one’s body. It includes everything I will do with my body and how I will act on it, and how I will make it work with other human ______.

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

I am the sum of all that I make my body do, which includes the interpretation of the past and how I make ______ in the present.

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

The body is the general medium for having a world; we know through intellect and ______.

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

The self is a product of our conscious human ______.

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

Merleau-Ponty emphasized the correlation between mind and ______.

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

The definition of self involves the interpretation of one's ______.

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

For Merleau-Ponty, consciousness is both perceiving and ______.

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

According to Merleau-Ponty, I am my ______.

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

The approach to self that includes continuous flow of movement from infancy to ______ is significant.

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

Socrates directed philosophy's attention towards examining our ______ in the universe.

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

Our perception of who we are is strictly tied to our bodily ______.

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

Study Notes

Philosophical Perspectives on the Self

  • The self is viewed as a unified being connected to consciousness, awareness, and agency.
  • Philosophical theories about the self range from ancient to modern perspectives, addressing personal identity and existence.

Socratic Philosophy

  • Socrates emphasized self-examination with the dictum “Know thyself.”
  • He believed understanding oneself leads to clarity and resolution of life’s issues.
  • Advocated that an examined life holds intrinsic value and importance.

Platonic Philosophy

  • Plato described the body as a prison for the soul, which represents the true self.
  • He argued for the separation of mind and body and that contemplation allows escape from physical limitations.

Cartesian Philosophy

  • René Descartes, known as the Father of Modern Philosophy, introduced "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am).
  • Highlighted the dualism of mind and body, where thought precedes action.
  • Asserted that questioning existence solidifies self-awareness; the mind is distinct yet intimately connected to the body.

Behaviorism by Gilbert Ryle

  • Ryle posited “I act; therefore I am,” interpreting the self through behavior rather than mental substances.
  • Suggested that kindness and other traits are observable aspects of behavior rather than separate mental entities.

Eliminative Materialism

  • Paul and Patricia Churchland proposed that traditional notions of the mind are fundamentally flawed, advocating for a neuroscience framework.
  • They claimed the self is deeply intertwined with brain function, rejecting folk psychology as a valid explanation of mental states.

Phenomenology of the Body

  • Maurice Merleau-Ponty argued that self-understanding is rooted in embodied experience, blurring the distinction between subjective and objective perspectives of the body.
  • He asserted the self evolves through continuous interaction with the world, encompassing both historical and present experiences.

Comparison of Perspectives

  • Different philosophers provide contrasting views on the nature of the self, from dualist theories (Socrates, Plato, Descartes) to behaviorist and neuroscientific approaches (Ryle, Churchland).
  • Philosophical exploration of the self has transitioned from abstract theorization to frameworks supported by scientific evidence.

Application and Reflection

  • Understanding multiple philosophical theories can enhance personal insights into identity and existence.
  • The study of the self remains relevant across age groups, promoting introspection and critical thinking regarding personal beliefs and experiences.

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Related Documents

2.1-PHILOSOPHICAL-PERSPECTIVE (2).pptx

Description

Explore the various philosophical perspectives on the concept of the self, including the insights of Socrates, Plato, and Descartes. This quiz delves into ideas of personal identity, consciousness, and the mind-body connection. Test your knowledge of these influential theories.

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