Philosophy Medieval Period: Self and Wisdom
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Questions and Answers

What does I. Socrates suggest is essential for achieving goodness?

  • Following societal norms
  • Social engagement
  • Introspection (correct)
  • Seeking knowledge from others
  • How does I. Augustine describe the nature of man?

  • A purely rational being devoid of emotions
  • An illusion that exists in the physical realm
  • Created in God's image but influenced by free will (correct)
  • Innately evil and driven by base instincts
  • What is the primary focus of modern philosophy as reflected by I. Rene Descartes?

  • The significance of social constructs in self-identity
  • The pursuit of ethical values through nature
  • The relationship between mind and body (correct)
  • The existence of a divine moral order
  • According to the philosophical perspectives presented, how is the self conceptualized?

    <p>A dual existence of body and soul</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key assertion does Descartes make regarding self-awareness?

    <p>Self-awareness is inherently linked to the existence of the self</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary method for acquiring knowledge according to Descartes?

    <p>Subjecting everything to doubt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the self does Plato identify as involving basic emotions?

    <p>Spirit/Passion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does John Locke describe the self?

    <p>A blank slate shaped by experiences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Aristotle believe about the relationship between the body and the soul?

    <p>They are one whole entity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to David Hume, what constitutes the self?

    <p>A collection of memories and perceptions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Philosophical Perspective of the Self

    • The rational nature of the self aims for a good, flourishing life.
    • Philosophy divides into various periods: Medieval, Ancient Greek, and Modern.

    Medieval Philosophy: St. Augustine

    • Emphasizes that humans are created in God's image, leading to innate goodness.
    • Despite innate goodness, humans possess free will, which allows for the introduction of evil.
    • Happiness is achievable only through God.
    • Goodness is assessed based on the ability to return to God.

    Ancient Greek Philosophy: Socrates

    • "Know thyself" highlights introspection as essential to understanding the self.
    • Advocates that an unexamined life lacks value.
    • The self consists of two parts:
      • Soul: Immortal and ideal, residing in the ideal realm.
      • Body: Mortal and impure, belonging to the physical realm.

    Ancient Greek Philosophy: Plato

    • Introduced the concept that the self has three parts:
      • Reason: Rational thinking and intellect.
      • Spirit/Passion: Basic emotions.
      • Physical Appetite: Biological desires like hunger and thirst.
    • Genuine happiness stems from maintaining reason's control over passions.

    Ancient Greek Philosophy: Aristotle

    • Viewed the body and soul as one entity; they die together.
    • Identified three types of souls:
      • Vegetative: Basic life functions.
      • Sentient: Experiences emotions and feelings.
      • Rational: Responsible for intellect.

    Modern Philosophy: René Descartes

    • Famous for the phrase "I think therefore I am," asserting that doubt is proof of existence.
    • The thinking self is a distinguishing feature from other beings.
    • Promoted the Mind-Body Dichotomy, suggesting independence yet connectedness of both aspects of self.

    Modern Philosophy: John Locke

    • Proposed the concept of 'tabula rasa,' suggesting identity is shaped by experiences.
    • Memory serves as the foundation for personal identity.

    Modern Philosophy: David Hume

    • Conceptualized the self as a collection of perceptions linked to experiences.
    • Differentiated between direct impressions and derived ideas.

    Modern Philosophy: Gilbert Ryle

    • Argued that self-identity is expressed through actions: "I act therefore I am."
    • Suggested that there is no permanent, unchanging self.

    Modern Philosophy: Immanuel Kant

    • Emphasized moral agency and decision-making as central to the self.
    • Identified the self as a composition of outer (social & material) and inner (spiritual & intellectual) aspects.

    Modern Philosophy: Sigmund Freud

    • Stressed the significance of early childhood in shaping personality.
    • Proposed three levels of the mind: Conscious, Preconscious, and Unconscious.
    • Divided the mind into three structures: Id, Ego (the self), and Superego.

    Sociological Perspective of the Self

    • The self is shaped by social experiences, language, gestures, and interactions.
    • Development of self occurs through social interaction and is influenced by group life.

    Sociological Concepts: The Looking Glass Self (Charles Horton Cooley)

    • Self grows from interpersonal interactions and societal perceptions.
    • Identity is mirrored through the views of others, comprising three components:
      • Imagining how one appears to others.
      • Imagining others' judgments of that appearance.
      • Developing the self based on those judgments.

    Sociological Concepts: I and Me (George Herbert Mead)

    • The "I-self" represents the active, subjective aspect of self; the response to others.
    • The "Me-self" characterizes the objective judgement of oneself.

    Postmodern Perspective of the Self

    • Gerry Lanuza argues that self-identity in modern societies is freely chosen and influenced by changing social contexts and globalization.
    • Jean Baudrillard posits that self-identity is crafted through consumerism and prestige symbols.
    • Postmodern self is portrayed as continuously seeking validation and satisfaction through consumption and societal perception.

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    Description

    Explore the philosophical perspective on the self, focusing on the rational nature that supports a flourishing life. This quiz also delves into key concepts from the medieval period, including the ideas of love and wisdom according to St. Augustine.

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