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Questions and Answers
What does the word 'philosophy' mean?
What does the word 'philosophy' mean?
Love for wisdom
Who were the Pre-Socratic philosophers?
Who were the Pre-Socratic philosophers?
Thales, Pythagoras, Parmenides, Heraclitus, Empedocles
Socrates believed that the worst thing that can happen to anyone is to live and die inside.
Socrates believed that the worst thing that can happen to anyone is to live and die inside.
True
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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Augustine believed that the body is bound to live eternally in a realm of spiritual bliss.
Augustine believed that the body is bound to live eternally in a realm of spiritual bliss.
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What did Thomas Aquinas believe man is composed of?
What did Thomas Aquinas believe man is composed of?
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What phrase is often attributed to René Descartes regarding existence?
What phrase is often attributed to René Descartes regarding existence?
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According to David Hume, what is the self comprised of?
According to David Hume, what is the self comprised of?
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What did Immanuel Kant synthesize in his philosophy?
What did Immanuel Kant synthesize in his philosophy?
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Study Notes
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding the self is essential for personal growth and identity formation.
- Various philosophical perspectives provide differing notions of self.
- Comparison of representations of self across philosophical schools reveals diverse interpretations.
- Self-examination against discussed views can enhance personal insight.
Philosophy Overview
- Derived from Greek terms "philo" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom).
- Involves rational inquiry to acquire knowledge about existence and nature.
Philosophical Views of Self
- Philosophy of self explores essential qualities that define an individual's uniqueness.
Pre-Socratic Philosophers
- Key figures include Thales, Pythagoras, Parmenides, Heraclitus, and Empedocles.
- Focused on material constituents of the world and its true nature.
Socrates
- Pioneered systematic questioning regarding self-knowledge.
- Advocated that an "unexamined life is not worth living."
- Introduced the dualistic nature of human existence (body and soul).
Plato
- Student of Socrates; reinforced dualism of body and soul.
- Proposed three parts of the soul:
- Rational soul: governed by reason and intellect.
- Spirited soul: associated with emotions.
- Appetitive soul: related to basic desires (food, sleep).
Augustine
- Affirmed dualistic nature, with one aspect seeking the Divine.
- Believed the body is mortal, while the soul aims for eternal communion with God.
- Emphasized virtue as key to achieving spiritual bliss.
Thomas Aquinas
- Defined human composition as a combination of matter and form.
- Matter (hyle): the physical substance of the universe, including the body.
- Form (morphe): the essence that animates the body, equating to the soul.
René Descartes
- Known as the Father of Modern Philosophy; highlighted body-mind dualism.
- Introduced methodical doubt, asserting belief in only what is certain.
- Famous declaration: "Cogito ergo sum" (I think therefore I am).
- Proposed self as a composite of the cogito (thinking self) and extenza (the physical body).
David Hume
- Scottish philosopher who advocated empiricism, emphasizing knowledge from sensory experience.
- Differentiated between impressions (vivid sensory experiences) and ideas (less vivid recollections).
- Defined self as a collection of impressions, arguing that what seems like a unified self is merely a composite of experiences.
Immanuel Kant
- Contributed to the synthesis of rationalism and empiricism, focusing on the conditions for possible experience.
- Explored the relationship between cognition and phenomena, shaping modern philosophical thought on self and identity.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of philosophy, including definitions and important figures like the Pre-Socratic philosophers, Socrates, Plato, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas. This quiz covers essential concepts regarding the nature of the soul and the human experience according to these influential thinkers.
