Philosophy and Free Will Overview

Augustine

• Advocated for the importance of choice and free will in moral decision-making.
• Emphasized the need to explain right and wrong to others, promoting a ‘spirit man’ concept in Medieval Philosophy.
• Integrated Platonic thought with Christianity, influencing theological perspectives.

Socrates

• Promoted self-reflection with the idea: "To find yourself, think for yourself."
• Coined the phrase "Know thyself" and believed an unexamined life is not worth living.

Rene Descartes

• Famous for "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), establishing the foundation of Western philosophy.
• Proposed dualism, distinguishing between the body (finite, changeable) and the soul (permanent, ideal).
• The soul seeks wisdom and perfection through reason.

John Locke

• Argued that knowledge originates from sensory experience, encapsulating the idea that the mind is a blank slate (tabula rasa) at birth.
• The self is defined by consciousness, which is essential for understanding personal identity across different contexts.

Immanuel Kant

• Introduced the concept that the self is constructed through experiences and societal interactions.
• Emphasized that individuals shape their personality and knowledge.

Plato

• Stated that self-knowledge is the essence of knowledge and that the self creates a familiar, predictable reality.
• Argued through rationality, individuals can transcend mere sensory experience.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

• Highlighted the embodied nature of self, proposing that knowledge is based on subjective experience.
• Challenged the mind-body dualism, stating that the self’s understanding can never be entirely objective.

Sigmund Freud

• Developed a topography of the mind, likening it to an iceberg with three levels: conscious, preconscious, and unconscious.
• Divided the self into material, social, and spiritual categories, suggesting different identities based on situational context.

Albert Bandura

• Introduced the Agentic Self Theory, asserting that individuals can influence their lives through intentional actions.
• Defined four functions: Intentionality, Forethought, Self-reactiveness, and Self-reflection, indicating proactive engagement in shaping the self.

Taoism

• Advocated for living in harmony with the universe, promoting selflessness and balance in life.
• Suggested that the "perfect man" embodies no self; selflessness leads to harmony with nature and society.

Body Image

• Defined as individuals' perceptions of their physical appearance and how they think others perceive them.
• Influences self-esteem, particularly affected in younger women and girls due to societal standards.

Factors Affecting Physical Growth and Development

• Nature: Genetic and hereditary factors that influence physical traits and personality.
• Nurture: Environmental influences including childhood experiences and social relationships.
• Emphasized the importance of adequate nutrition, exercise, sleep, hydration, and hygiene for maintaining physical well-being.

The Real and Ideal Self

• Differentiates between a "real self" (personal identity and potential for growth) and an "ideal self" (aspirations and perceived qualities).
• Global models reflect overall self-worth, while differentiated models assess individuality and separation from others' influences.

Explore key philosophical concepts from Augustine, Socrates, Descartes, and Locke. This quiz highlights the importance of choice, self-reflection, and the origins of knowledge. Test your understanding of their contributions to Western thought.