Philosophy: Identity, Origin, and Destiny

Learning Objectives

• Define philosophy as the love of wisdom and a pursuit of knowledge through rational inquiry about human existence.
• Identify three key perennial questions: identity, origin, and destiny.
• Distinguish various philosophers and their philosophies regarding the concept of self.
• Formulate a personal philosophy based on learned concepts.

Perennial Questions (John Ruskin)

• Question of Identity: Explores the essence of self; inquiries include notions of body, soul, societal influences, and compositional nature.
• Question of Origin: Investigates humanity's beginnings and existence.
• Question of Destiny: Considers purpose in life, aftermath of existence, and concepts of death and afterlife.

Philosophy Overview

• Philosophy combines "philos" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom) reflecting a desire to understand human conditions and the universe.
• William James describes philosophy as a pursuit for clarity and meaning in human life.

Greek Philosophy and the Self

• Protagoras posited that "man is the measure of all things," indicating a shift to an anthropocentric viewpoint.
• Focus on man’s nature, virtue, and personality highlights the importance of the self in relation to human virtue.

Socrates' Philosophy

• Advocated that self is a moral being, emphasizing moral improvement over material pursuits.
• Believed in the continual examination of life to find purpose and strive for happiness through virtue.
• Introduced the Socratic Method as a means of inquiry, asserting a dualistic nature of man composed of body and soul.

Socrates on Moral Life

• Improvement of the soul requires pursuit of wisdom and truth.
• Life is deemed worth living through constant self-examination.

Duality of Self (Socrates)

• Body: Temporary, physical, and imperfect, subject to change.
• Soul: Permanent, separate from the body, representing moral and mental aspects.

Plato’s Contribution

• Advocated a balance between body and soul, emphasizing rationality in understanding reality.
• Introduced the Theory of Forms, distinguishing between the ideal self and imperfect representations in the material world.

Tripartite of the Soul (Plato)

• Appetitive: Driven by sensual desires and needs.
• Rational: Seeks truth and governs the other parts.
• Spirited: Represents emotional drives and aspirations for honor and victory.

Medieval Philosophy

• Theocentric Approach prioritizes God and faith over the self, establishing divine truth as dominant.
• Emphasizes that human reasoning should reinforce faith in God.

St. Augustine's Insight

• Advocated that all knowledge should ultimately lead towards understanding and faith in God.