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Questions and Answers
What does I. Socrates suggest is essential for achieving goodness?
How does I. Augustine describe the nature of man?
What is the primary focus of modern philosophy as reflected by I. Rene Descartes?
According to the philosophical perspectives presented, how is the self conceptualized?
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What key assertion does Descartes make regarding self-awareness?
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What is the primary method for acquiring knowledge according to Descartes?
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Which part of the self does Plato identify as involving basic emotions?
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How does John Locke describe the self?
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What does Aristotle believe about the relationship between the body and the soul?
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According to David Hume, what constitutes the self?
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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.
