Philosophy and the Concept of Self

Questions and Answers

Philosophy derives from the Greek words Philo- (loving) and Sophia (_____).

knowledge

For Socrates, the self is synonymous with the _____.

soul

Plato introduced the idea of a three-part soul that includes reason, physical appetite, and _____ or passion.

spirit

In his work 'Confessions', St. Augustine describes that humankind is created in the image and likeness of _____.

God Signup and view all the answers

René Descartes believed that the act of thinking about the self was proof that there is a _____.

self Signup and view all the answers

John Locke expanded the definition of the 'self' to include the _____ of the thinking thing.

memories Signup and view all the answers

David Hume suggested that people will find there is no self after examining their experiences through _____ .

introspection Signup and view all the answers

Charles Horton Cooley's theory, 'Looking-Glass Self,' involves three stages: imagination, _____, and self-feeling.

interpretation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Philosophy and the Concept of Self

Philosophy derives from the Greek words "Philo" (loving) and "Sophia" (knowledge, wisdom).

Socrates

Views the self as synonymous with the immortal soul, which survives beyond the physical body.

Plato

Student of Socrates; he introduces a three-part model of the soul/self: reason, physical appetite, and spirit/passion.
Believes the self encompasses the mind, essential for understanding the FORMS (abstract ideas).

St. Augustine

In "Confessions," Augustine posits that humankind is made in the image of God, inherently good.
Human beings are naturally inclined towards goodness as creations of God.

René Descartes

Asserts self-consciousness ("I think, therefore I am") as a proof of self-existence.
Claims sensory experiences are unreliable for proving existence, as they can be deceptive.

John Locke

Expands the self definition to include personal memories and sensory experiences.
Argues that continuity of identity relies on memory; the self remains the same over time.

David Hume

Proposes that introspection reveals no singular self; instead, people consist of a collection of perceptions.

Immanuel Kant

Differentiates between the inner self (emotional and rational intellect) and the outer self (empirical self).

Gilbert Ryle

Suggests that the self is manifested through actions and behaviors rather than as a separate entity.

Paul Churchland

Believes the self is a construct of brain activity, dismissing the notion of a distinct self.

Sigmund Freud

Highlights the impact of unconscious fears, desires, and motivations on thoughts and behaviors, shaping the concept of self.

Sociological Perspective on Self

Charles Horton Cooley's "Looking-Glass Self" theory describes how self-concept develops through social interactions.

Three Stages of the Looking-Glass Self

Imagination: Individuals envision how they appear to others.
Interpretation: Individuals consider how others judge them based on that appearance.
Self-Feeling: The process leads to the development of one’s self-concept.

Preparatory Stage

This stage, known as the imitation phase, occurs from birth to age two, laying the groundwork for social identity development.

Description

Explore the historical perspectives on the concept of self from prominent philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, St. Augustine, René Descartes, and John Locke. This quiz will test your understanding of how these thinkers shaped the notion of identity and self-awareness through their philosophical theories.