Philosophy Basics: Soul and Self

Study Notes

Socrates emphasized the importance of self-examination, stating "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Plato, a student of Socrates, argued for the immortality of the soul, distinguishing between the immaterial mind and the material body.
Plato's tripartite theory of the soul:
- Reason: The rational aspect
- Spirit: Emotions and desires
- Appetite: Basic biological needs

Rene Descartes:
- Known for "Cogito ergo sum" (I think; therefore I am).
- Asserts that thinking is involuntary and defines selfhood through consciousness.
St. Augustine:
- Emphasized knowledge of self through a relationship with God.
- Believed man is created in God's image and strives for divine connection.

Socratic Method: A dialectical approach involving questioning to stimulate critical thinking.
John Locke's memory theory posits that personal identity is tied to memories and experiences, categorizing self-awareness as a consciousness that evolves over time.

David Hume:
- Denied a permanent self, asserting that identity is a collection of impressions from experiences.
- Promoted direct sense experience as the source of knowledge.
Immanuel Kant:
- Proposed that the self is constructed from actions and decisions, and that individuals are defined by their moral actions.
Sigmund Freud:
- Introduced the distinction between conscious and unconscious selves, with the unconscious driving behavior and emotions.
- Highlighted the significant role of the unconscious mind in shaping identity.

Paul Churchland:
- Advocated for physicalism, positing that the self is synonymous with the brain, dismissing any immaterial aspects of existence.
- Emphasized that understanding the self is rooted in neuroscience and physiological states.
Maurice Merleau-Ponty:
- Focused on embodied subjectivity, where self-concept arises from the interplay of mental, physical, and emotional dimensions.
Gilbert Ryle:
- Defined the self through observable behavior, contending that self-identity emerges from actions and social interactions.

Self-Presentation vs. Self-Realization:
- Self-presentation involves external expressions, while self-realization concerns internal truths and aligning with one's divine purpose.
The concept of the self as a fluid, evolving entity shaped by experiences rather than a fixed identity.
Recognition that values are not inherent but are shaped by individual perceptions and interactions with the world.
The necessity of integrating both conscious awareness and unconscious influences in forming a holistic understanding of the self.