Philosophy of Self

Philosophical Perspective of the Self

• Emphasizes individual identity, personal agency, and subjective experience.
• Explores the nature of consciousness, self-awareness, and the continuity of identity over time.

Social Constructivism

• The philosopher most associated with the self as a social construct is George Herbert Mead.
• Mead argued that the self emerges from social interactions and is shaped by societal norms and values.

Questioning the Self

• The philosophical study often questions the notion of a permanent, unchanging self.
• Ideas of fragmentation and fluidity of identity are explored, suggesting the self is dynamic and ever-evolving.

Existential Philosophy

• A primary concern of existential philosophy is the individual's experience of freedom and the anxiety related to defining one's own identity.
• Emphasizes authenticity and the importance of making choices that reflect one's true self.

Unified Entity Perspective

• The view of the self as a unified entity distinct from others is often associated with Cartesian dualism, particularly linked to René Descartes.
• This perspective suggests an internal, consistent self which exists separately from external influences.