Philosophy: Identity, Origin, and Destiny

Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of philosophy?

Loving wisdom; a study of acquiring knowledge through rational thinking and inquiries regarding the nature and existence of man and the world.

According to John Ruskin, the question of identity asks, 'Who am I?' and considers whether man is a body-soul ______.

composite

Which of the following is NOT one of the perennial questions pertaining to human existence according to John Ruskin?

Where does man come from?

Who am I?

Does man's life have a purpose?

What is the capital of France? (correct)

Match the philosophers with their views on self:

Socrates = Emphasis on moral life and the soul Plato = Balance between body and soul Protagoras = Man is the measure of all things St. Augustine = All knowledge leads to God Signup and view all the answers

According to Socrates, self is just a mind-body aggregate.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of Socrates regarding how to live a good moral life?

To improve the quality of the soul through the quest for wisdom and truth. Signup and view all the answers

Plato's tripartite of the soul includes appetitive, rational, and ______.

spirited Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'theocentric' mean in the context of medieval philosophy?

It means that God and faith are primary, placing the self in a secondary position. Signup and view all the answers

According to Plato, what is the nature of the ideal self?

It exists in the perfect realm of reality, not the material world. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

Description

This quiz delves into the core concepts of philosophy, focusing on the perennial questions of identity, origin, and destiny. Explore the perspectives of various philosophers and formulate your own personal philosophy based on the learned concepts. Enhance your understanding of human existence and the love of wisdom.