Philosophy Module 1: The Self Perspectives

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Questions and Answers

What fundamental truths does the activity of understanding the self aim to clarify?

Relationships to the world and to each other (correct)

Material wealth and possessions

The existence of historical documents

Unchanging societal norms

What does the ancient Greek aphorism 'Gnothi seauton' translate to?

Know your fate

Know the world

Know thyself (correct)

Know thy neighbor

Which of the following best summarizes Socrates' view on self-knowledge?

It is merely a philosophical concept without practical application.

It is irrelevant to understanding happiness.

It complicates life and creates confusion.

It leads to clarity and resolves basic life issues. (correct)

What method did Socrates advocate for exploring philosophical questions?

The Socratic Method Signup and view all the answers

During what period did Socrates live?

469-399 B.C.E. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following questions reflects the Socratic Method?

What is the purpose of my life? Signup and view all the answers

What issue does Socrates believe self-knowledge can alleviate?

Existential crises Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher is primarily associated with the quote 'Know thyself'?

Socrates Signup and view all the answers

What did Plato believe constitutes the enduring self?

The soul Signup and view all the answers

How did St. Augustine perceive the concept of time?

As a property of the mind Signup and view all the answers

According to St. Augustine, what is 'The Time Present of things Past' represented by?

Memory Signup and view all the answers

What role does memory play in St. Augustine's understanding of time?

It is significant for anticipating the future Signup and view all the answers

What significant recognition did St. Augustine receive in 1898?

Canonized and recognized as a Doctor of the Church Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Plato emphasize about the soul after death?

It continues to exist eternally Signup and view all the answers

St. Augustine's reflections influenced which field significantly?

Psychology Signup and view all the answers

What is the Time Present of things Present according to St. Augustine?

Experience Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of memory according to Augustine's method of introspection?

To think meaningfully about temporal continuity Signup and view all the answers

How does Augustine view the existence of past and future?

As only real when existing in the mind or consciousness Signup and view all the answers

What significant concept in psychology is associated with Augustine's ideas?

Introspection Signup and view all the answers

What does Augustine suggest about self-consciousness in humans?

It confirms the superiority of humans over other organisms Signup and view all the answers

What determines the identity of a person according to Augustine?

Memories of past actions and consciousness of future actions Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between time and consciousness in Augustine's view?

Consciousness allows the experience of time to manifest Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of consciousness is highlighted in Augustine's arguments?

The ability to extend awareness to past and future actions Signup and view all the answers

How does Augustine's perspective reflect on the uniqueness of human experience?

Only humans can think meaningfully about time due to their memory Signup and view all the answers

What is René Descartes best known for?

Introducing analytic geometry Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Cogito, ergo sum' translate to in English?

I think, therefore I am Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects Descartes' views on doubt?

Doubt can be a pathway to certainty. Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable personality trait attributed to Descartes?

He allegedly never left bed before 11 AM. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'hubris' refer to in the context of human understanding, according to Descartes?

The excessive pride in questioning existence. Signup and view all the answers

What does Descartes define as the essence or nature of the self?

A thinking thing Signup and view all the answers

In which area did Descartes not contribute significantly?

Astronomy Signup and view all the answers

How does Descartes differentiate between the self and the body?

The self is different in existence and reality. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the concept of self-awareness discussed in relation to Descartes?

Humans possess the audacity to question their existence. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about humans and their understanding of existence?

Humans develop personal answers based on their thinking. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the human experience does Descartes associate with the self?

Mental substance Signup and view all the answers

What does the mind-body dichotomy imply according to Descartes?

Thought precedes action. Signup and view all the answers

In Descartes' view, what role do humans hold in their own universe?

They are self-aware and masters of their universe. Signup and view all the answers

What philosophical influence is heavily attributed to Descartes?

Western philosophy Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best represents Descartes' belief about self-awareness?

Self-awareness is a fundamental aspect of being human. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nature of the self according to Descartes?

A purely mental construct. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the soul according to the content?

To control emotions and actions through judgment and reason Signup and view all the answers

How does Socrates characterize the body?

Mortal, dissoluble, and inconsistent Signup and view all the answers

What does Plato believe about the empirical reality we experience?

It is a mere shadow of ultimate reality Signup and view all the answers

What are ideas considered by Plato?

Objective realities that exist in a world of their own Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at death according to Socrates?

The soul is released from the body Signup and view all the answers

What did Plato's view imply about physical existence?

It is a distraction from understanding true ideas Signup and view all the answers

How did Plato describe the relationship between physical things and abstract essences?

Physical things are mere copies of their essences Signup and view all the answers

What did Plato claim about knowledge of ideas?

It is only accessible through reason Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Module 1: The Self from Various Perspectives

This module explores different philosophical perspectives on the self.
The intended learning outcome is to distinguish various philosophical perspectives on the self.
The course learning outcome is to discuss the different representations and conceptualizations of the self from various disciplinary perspectives.

Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.
"Philosophy" means "love of wisdom."
It's an activity people undertake to understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world, and their relationships to both.

Socrates

Socrates (469-399 BCE): A prominent ancient Greek philosopher.
He is credited with many contributions to philosophy.
"Gnothi seauton" – Know thyself – a well-known ancient Greek aphorism attributed to Socrates.
His technique utilized questioning to encourage critical thinking, known as the Socratic method.
Socrates believed the self was dualistic, consisting of the divine, immortal soul and mortal body.
The soul pre-exists the body, is immortal, and is responsible for reasoning.
The body is a vessel for the soul, mortal, and inconsistent.
Death is the release of the soul from the body.

Plato

Plato (428-247 BCE): Student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle.
Plato's Idealism: He believed the empirical world we experience is a mere shadow of the ultimate reality, which is perfect and eternal.
The ultimate reality consists of enduring universal essences.
He viewed the self as an immortal soul (emphasizing the enduring self).
The soul is eternal and exists even after death.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine (354-430 CE): A significant philosopher and theologian.
Reflections on time and memory greatly influenced psychological doctrines.
Time is a property of the mind, not the external world.
Past, present, and future states coexist in consciousness.
Memory of the past is crucial to experiencing the present and anticipating the future.
Self-knowledge involves introspection, awareness of one's internal processes.
Consciousness extends backwards to past actions and forward to future ones.
A person's identity is determined by their consciousness of these past actions and anticipated future actions.

René Descartes

René Descartes (1596-1650 CE): A prominent French philosopher.
"Cogito, ergo sum" – I think, therefore I am – a famous philosophical statement.
He believed the self is a "thinking thing."
The self is distinct from the body and is a mental substance.
Mind-body dichotomy: the self (mind) precedes actions (body).
Humans are self-aware and masters of their own universe.

Patricia and Paul Churchland

Patricia and Paul Churchland (20th/21st century): Philosophers whose work integrates philosophy of mind and neuroscience.
Eliminative Materialism: ordinary, common sense understandings of the mind are fundamentally flawed.
The self is nothing but the brain.
Self-understanding requires studying the brain, and not just the mind.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908-1961 CE): A French philosopher.
Self as Embodied Subjectivity: the self is inseparable from the body.
Subjective Body: lived and experienced. 
Objective Body: observed and scientifically investigated. 
These two are correlated.
Consciousness is not distinct from the body.
Knowledge of self is not conceptual but experienced through the body's engagement with the world.

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Description

This quiz delves into various philosophical perspectives on the self, exploring how different disciplines conceptualize identity. Students will learn to distinguish and discuss these representations, guided by core philosophical questions and concepts. Engage with the wisdom of philosophers like Socrates in your quest for understanding.