Philosophy Module 1: The Self Perspectives

The process of examining oneself, the world, and relationships to gain deeper understanding.

An ancient Greek aphorism meaning "Know thyself." Socrates believed that self-knowledge is key to solving life's problems.

A technique in asking questions to stimulate critical thinking and lead to deeper understanding.

The fundamental questions Socrates posed to encourage self-reflection. These questions are timeless and continue to resonate with individuals seeking meaning in life.

The ability to be aware of one's own mental processes, like thoughts and feelings.

The process of recalling past experiences and using them to understand the present and predict the future.

St. Augustine believed that past and future events are not real in themselves. They only exist as concepts in our minds through memory and expectations.

The ability to recall past actions and anticipate future actions is key to understanding one's own identity.

St. Augustine's ideas about introspection, memory, and time influenced later philosophical and psychological thought, particularly regarding the nature of the self.

Humans are capable of introspection, which allows them to understand their own mental processes, leading to self-awareness and a sense of individual identity.

The ability to recall past events and to anticipate future ones allows humans to understand their place in time.

St. Augustine believed that humans are superior to other organisms because of their capacity for self-consciousness, introspection, and temporal understanding.

Plato believed that the soul is eternal and represents the enduring self, even after death.

St. Augustine was a philosopher and theologian who was canonized and named a Doctor of the Church.

St. Augustine believed time is not a feature of the world, but a property of the mind, measured through memory.

The three forms of consciousness according to St. Augustine: Memory of the past, Direct experience of the present, and Expectation of the future.

The "Time Present of things Past" is identified as Memory, containing the experiences of the past.

The "Time Present of thing Present" is defined as Direct Experience, encompassing what is happening now.

The "Time Present of things Future" is recognized as Expectation, encompassing anticipations and hopes of the future.

St. Augustine emphasized the importance of memory in understanding the present and shaping the future.

The immaterial and eternal realm where perfect and unchanging Forms or essences exist. These Forms are the true reality, not the imperfect physical world we experience.

The physical world we perceive with our senses. It's full of imperfections and change, unlike the perfect world of Forms.

The soul is the true essence of a person, immortal, immaterial, and capable of knowing the Forms. It's trapped in the physical body, but can be released by death.

The soul has three parts: Reason (wisdom and knowledge), Spirit (emotions and courage), and Appetite (desires and bodily needs). They must be balanced and controlled by reason.

The process where the soul gains knowledge by reflecting on the Forms, remembering its past knowledge from the World of Forms.

The process of turning the soul away from the world of appearances and towards the world of Forms through reason and knowledge.

Plato believed that the soul could be purified through philosophy, by learning and contemplating the Forms. This leads to ethical behavior and ultimately, a more harmonious life.

The main goal in life is to achieve perfect knowledge of the Forms, leading to true happiness and self-realization.

The core of a person's being that is separate from the body. It's a thinking, conscious entity.

The belief that the mind and body are two separate things, not interdependent.

The idea that thoughts precede actions. We make a choice in our minds before acting on it.

An influential philosopher who believed the self was a thinking thing separate from the body.

The concept that humans are self-aware and have control over their own lives.

The influence of Descartes's ideas on the development of Western Philosophy.

A philosophical school of thought that emphasizes the role of the brain in understanding the self and consciousness.

Neuroscientists who suggested that the self is a product of neural processes.

A philosophical statement by René Descartes, asserting that the very act of thinking proves one's own existence.

The ability to critically question one's own existence and purpose, reflecting on their place in the world. Descartes believed this was a defining quality of humans.

The ability of humans to understand and be conscious of their own existence, including their thoughts, feelings, and actions.

The process of examining oneself, exploring one's thoughts, beliefs, and motivations to gain a deeper understanding of the self.

The state of being certain about the reality of the external world, relying on sensory experiences as proof.

The act of doubting the validity of information received through the senses, questioning the reliability of what we perceive.

The fundamental questions that drive philosophical inquiry, such as the meaning of life, the nature of reality, and the purpose of our existence.