Philosophy of Self and Identity Quiz
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Questions and Answers

According to Descartes, what is the self?

  • The way people behave
  • A constantly changing bundle of perceptions
  • The brain
  • An immortal soul that exists over time (correct)

David Hume believed the self is a unifying subject that makes experience intelligible.

False (B)

Which philosopher famously said 'Know thyself'?

Socrates

According to Paul Churchland the self is the _________.

<p>brain</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who described the self as a multi-layered entity?

<p>Sigmund Freud (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

John Locke believed that personal identity is made possible by self-consciousness.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What will 'mental state' be superseded by?

<p>brain states</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following philosophers with their view of the self

<p>Immanuel Kant = The self is a unifying subject Gilbert Ryle = The self is the way people behave Maurice Merleau-Ponty = The self is embodied subjectivity David Hume = The only thing that exist is a bundle of constanly changing perceptions</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to David Hume, what primarily governs human behavior?

<p>Passion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Immanuel Kant believed that all knowledge originates from sensory experiences.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What book is David Hume known for, other than his philosophical works?

<p>History of England</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hume argued against the existence of ______ ideas, stating all human knowledge is based on experience.

<p>innate</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Immanuel Kant, what is the highest form of mental faculty?

<p>Reason (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

David Hume viewed the mind as always active and continuous.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which country was Immanuel Kant born?

<p>Prussia</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the philosopher with their main idea:

<p>David Hume = Mind is like a machine that can be turned on and off Immanuel Kant = Reason is the highest form of mental faculty</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Immanuel Kant, what comprises the consciousness?

<p>Both the inner and outer self (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

St. Thomas Aquinas believed that the body is what differentiates a human from other animals.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Kant, what is the object of the inner self?

<p>soul</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the term 'hyle' refers to the common material that makes up everything in the universe which includes man's ______.

<p>body</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the philosopher with their concept.

<p>Immanuel Kant = Inner and outer self St. Thomas Aquinas = Matter and Form</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'morphe'?

<p>The essence of a substance or thing (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Immanuel Kant believed that unique human experiences do not contribute to the development of individuality.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes a human person a human person and not a dog?

<p>soul</p> Signup and view all the answers

What principle does the id operate on?

<p>Pleasure principle (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ego is solely concerned with the immediate satisfaction of desires.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the ego do when it experiences anxiety due to failure?

<p>Employs unconscious defense mechanisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The id experiences __________ when its demands are denied.

<p>unpleasure</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the responsibilities of the ego?

<p>Avoiding negative consequences of society (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following psychological parts to their descriptions:

<p>Id = Operates on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate satisfaction Ego = Mediates between the id and reality, avoiding negative consequences Defense Mechanisms = Unconscious strategies to cope with anxiety Pleasure Principle = The idea that all impulses should be satisfied immediately</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ego has a clear concept of right and wrong.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the ego achieve pleasure according to its operations?

<p>By devising realistic strategies to satisfy id's demands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Gilbert Ryle suggest about the concept of the 'self'?

<p>It is merely a convenient label for behaviors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Gilbert Ryle supports dualism in his understanding of the mind and body.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Paul and Patricia Churchland, where does our behavior appear to have its basic cause?

<p>Neural activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Gilbert Ryle's assertion that the mind is never separate from the body directly contradicts __________' dualism.

<p>Descartes</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the philosophers with their key concepts:

<p>Gilbert Ryle = Mind-body connection through behavior Paul and Patricia Churchland = Eliminative materialism René Descartes = Mind-body dualism B.F. Skinner = Behaviorism</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main criticism Paul and Patricia Churchland have towards Philosophy and Psychology?

<p>They fail to satisfactorily explain the self. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ryle believes that mental processes are fundamentally intelligent acts.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ryle's famous quote, 'I act therefore I am', emphasizes that __________ are the basis of self-identity.

<p>actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ego according to Freud?

<p>To engage in reality testing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The super-ego develops during the phallic stage of psychosexual development.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two systems that the super-ego consists of?

<p>conscience and ego-ideal</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ego helps an individual demonstrate self-control via mastery of the _____ principle.

<p>reality</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the function of the super-ego?

<p>It persuades the ego to pursue moralistic goals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following aspects of the super-ego with their descriptions:

<p>Conscience = Causes feelings of guilt Ego-Ideal = Represents how one ought to behave Ideal Self = Rewards proper behavior with pride Moral Values = Incorporated from society and parents</p> Signup and view all the answers

The super-ego only punishes through feelings of guilt and has no rewarding mechanism.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which psychosexual stage does the super-ego primarily develop?

<p>phallic stage</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Descartes' Dualism

The idea that the self is a separate entity from the physical body, existing as a thinking substance. This concept emphasizes the mind's ability to reason and reflect on its own existence.

Hume's Bundle Theory

Hume proposed that the self is not a fixed entity but a collection of ever-changing perceptions and experiences that pass through our minds. This suggests a continuous flow of mental events, rather than a stable core.

Plato's Theory of the Soul

Plato believed that the soul existed before the body and would continue to exist after death, suggesting that the self is an immortal entity. This concept highlights the importance of the soul in shaping our identity.

Immanuel Kant's Transcendental Self

The idea that the self is a unifying force that organizes our thoughts, experiences, and actions, allowing us to make sense of our world. This concept emphasizes the role of consciousness in creating a coherent sense of self.

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Maurice Merleau-Ponty's Embodied Self

The belief that the self is embodied and shaped by our experiences, suggesting a close connection between our physical being and our mental state. This concept emphasizes the role of our bodies in shaping our perceptions and sense of self.

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Churchland's Eliminative Materialism

The idea that the self is nothing more than a complex set of brain states, arguing that our sense of self arises from the complex workings of the brain. This view suggests that our conscious experiences and sense of self are ultimately reducible to brain activity.

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What shapes our personality and self?

The unique experiences that shape an individual's personality and self-identity.

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What are the inner and outer selves according to Kant?

Kant believed that the inner self is composed of intellect and psychological state, while the outer self is made up of senses and the physical body.

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What is the object of the inner self?

The soul is the primary focus of the inner self, reflecting our thoughts, feelings, and consciousness.

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What is the object of the outer self?

The body is the primary focus of the outer self, representing our physical form and senses.

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What are the two parts of a human being according to St. Thomas Aquinas?

St. Thomas Aquinas proposed that the body and soul are distinct components of a human being, with the body representing the physical form and the soul representing the essence of what makes us human.

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What is matter in Aquinas' philosophy?

The matter, also known as hýle, refers to the common physical stuff that makes up everything in the universe, including the human body.

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What is form in Aquinas' philosophy?

Form, also known as morphe, denotes the essence of a substance or thing that makes it what it is. In humans, it represents the soul, defining our humanity.

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What makes humans unique according to St. Thomas Aquinas?

While the physical body may be similar to animals or objects, the soul is what truly distinguishes a human from all other beings.

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Reason as a slave to passion (Hume)

A philosophical concept that emphasizes the role of emotions and desires in driving human behavior. Hume believed that reason is simply a tool used to serve and fulfill our passions.

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Empiricism (Hume)

The theory that all knowledge originates from sensory experiences. Humans learn through interactions with the world around them, rather than through innate ideas.

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The self as a bundle of perceptions (Hume)

The idea that the self is not a fixed entity, but rather a collection of perceptions that are constantly changing and evolving.

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Transcendental Idealism (Kant)

A philosophical theory that emphasizes the role of the human mind in shaping our understanding of the world. Kant argued that our experiences are not simply passive reflections of reality, but are actively constructed by our minds.

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Categories of the Understanding (Kant)

The process by which the human mind organizes sensory information into meaningful patterns and structures.

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Limits of Reason (Kant)

The recognition that human reason has limitations. Kant argued that some questions may be fundamentally unanswerable, as they transcend the boundaries of our experience and understanding.

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Categorical Imperative (Kant)

A key concept in Kant's philosophy, emphasizing the moral imperative to act in accordance with universal principles that apply to all rational beings. It suggests that all individuals have inherent worth and should be treated ethically, regardless of their personal qualities.

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ID (Pleasure Principle)

It's the impulsive, instinctual part of our personality driven by seeking immediate pleasure and gratification, regardless of the consequences.

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EGO (Reality Principle)

The part of the ID that learns to adapt to reality and meet demands in a realistic and socially acceptable way.

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EGO (Reality Principle)

It's the decision-making component of our mind, balancing the ID's desires with real-life constraints.

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EGO (Reality Principle)

It's the ability to think, plan, and control impulses while navigating social norms and expectations.

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EGO and Right vs. Wrong

The EGO prioritizes actions that satisfy needs without causing harm to itself or the ID. It doesn't judge actions as right or wrong, only by their effectiveness.

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Unconscious Defense Mechanisms

When the EGO struggles to balance the ID's desires with reality, it uses these mental strategies to reduce anxiety and cope with difficult situations.

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Unconscious Defense Mechanisms

These strategies help us avoid anxiety by distorting reality or making things more tolerable.

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Ryle's 'Behaviorism'

Gilbert Ryle's philosophical approach that rejects the idea of a separate mind and body. It argues that mental processes are simply intelligent actions, eliminating the 'ghost in the machine' concept.

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Self as 'Disposition of Behaviors'

The idea that the self is not a fixed entity, but rather a collection of behaviors and actions that we exhibit. Our actions define who we are.

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Eliminative Materialism (Churchland)

A philosophical perspective that suggests our understanding of the self is limited by current scientific explanations. It challenges traditional philosophical views of the mind, aiming to integrate neuroscience.

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Behavior's Connection to Neural Activity

The idea that our behavior originates from neural activity in the brain. This emphasizes the role of the brain in shaping our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

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Insufficient Explanations of the Self

A philosophical stance that argues traditional philosophy and psychology have failed to provide a satisfactory explanation of the self.

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Actions Define Identity ('You Are What You Do')

The statement 'You are what you do' reflects the idea that our actions define our identity and self-concept.

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Reality Testing

The ego's way of testing new plans and actions to find the best way to cope with reality. Helps control impulses and fosters self-control.

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Superego (Moral and Idealistic Principal)

Internalized moral compass, shaped by societal values, learned from parents and others around the age of 3-5. It guides us toward 'right' behavior

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Conscience

The superego's part that punishes the ego through feelings of guilt when we act against internalized moral rules.

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Ego-ideal

Part of the superego that embodies an ideal image of ourselves, representing ambitions, social expectations, and self-improvement goals.

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Reward by Ego-Ideal

The superego's way of motivating the ego to strive for fulfilling its ideals. Feels pride when you achieve your goals.

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Secondary Process Thinking

A mental process that involves logical thinking, problem-solving, and planning to achieve goals.

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Mind-Body Dualism

A concept that emphasizes the importance of the mind as a separate entity from the physical body.

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Study Notes

Philosophers on the Nature of Self

  • Many philosophers have pondered the nature of self throughout history
  • Key figures include David Hume, Rene Descartes, Socrates, Plato, and Saint Augustine of Hippo

Socrates (470-399 BC)

  • Born in Athens
  • A classical Greek philosopher
  • Pioneer of Western moral philosophy
  • Introduced the Socratic problem (or question)
  • Emphasized self-examination as crucial for a good life
  • Concluded an unexamined life is not worth living.
  • Goal is to discover the truth and gain a better understanding of ourselves and the world through dialogue
  • Focus on self-examination

Plato (424-347 BC)

  • Born into an Athenian aristocratic family involved with the Thirty Tyrants
  • Founded the Academy, an institution that later served as a prototype of modern universities
  • Developed the concept of the dichotomy between the "Ideal World" (world of forms) and the "Material World"
  • The Ideal World is permanent and unchanging, where true knowledge lies
  • The Material World is constantly changing, a mere reflection of the Ideal World
  • Founder of western spirituality
  • The human mind (psyche) has three elements: appetites, the spirit, and the mind.
    • Appetites: physiological needs, desires (e.g. hunger, thirst)
    • Spirit: emotional drive(e.g. ambition, anger)
    • Mind: rational and logical control (e.g.) reason, justice )

Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD)

  • Confessed sinner from North Africa, later became the Bishop of Canterbury
  • Deeply influenced by Plato
  • A Christian theologian and philosopher
  • Argued that sin is the source of human unhappiness and it impedes human free will.
  • Developed the concept of an individual's identity and the means to achieve a happy, fulfilled life
  • Examined the process of relating the mind and body
  • Importance of self reflection
  • Self-realization is achieved through struggles between the mind and body to find happiness in God's love
  • Emphasized introspection and self-analysis to understand the self

Rene Descartes (1596-1650)

  • Father of modern philosophy
  • Brilliant mathematician (known for Cartesian Geometry)
  • Famous for the philosophical statement "I think, therefore I am" (Cogito ergo sum)
  • This statement is the foundation of his theory that consciousness of the mind leads to knowledge of one's existence
  • He noted the relationship between the mind and body
  • Active acquisition of knowledge through intellect, perception, imagination, and memory
  • Described the mind as an intellectual substance with will

John Locke (1632-1704)

  • English philosopher and political theorist
  • Prominent figure during the Age of Reason
  • Developed the "Theory of Mind" which broke new ground in understanding personal identity
  • The mind is a "blank slate" (tabula rasa) at birth, acquiring knowledge through experience.
  • Concepts of self and Identity are found in consciousness.
  • Proposed that life is a quest to understand what happens after death and immortality

David Hume (1711-1776)

  • Born in Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Was a Lawyer as well as philosopher
  • Known for insightful on human psychology
  • Famous for the influential viewpoint that passion more-so than reason governs human behavior
  • Argued against innate ideas, believing all knowledge comes from experience
  • Notions about self as a bundle of perceptions in constant flux
  • Self and consciousness are like a machine, constantly turning or switching on and off (e.g.) conscious or unconscious states.

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

  • Born in Prussia
  • A significant contributor to Western Philosophy
  • Proposed that the mind generates experience and creates a unique perception of the world; human experience is alike
  • Human experiences are similar across individuals in terms of abstraction, because we share important characteristics of interest
  • Experiences form our persona according to logical effects
  • The self comprises inner (intellect, thoughts, emotions) and outer selves (perception)
  • Soul is the inner self and the Body is the outer self

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

  • A medieval philosopher and theologian
  • Argued that matter and form are the two components of human existence.
  • Stated that experience of existence doesn't mean we know what that being is
  • The most important part of the individual is the soul or essence, since the body is shared with animals

Gilbert Ryle (1900-1976)

  • A philosopher of mind
  • Challenged the mind-body dichotomy
  • Argued against the notion of a separate, nonphysical or spiritual self
  • Proposed that the self is entirely physical and described by behavior rather than an internal, intangible essence
  • Behavior, actions, and manners are dispositions of the self, and the essence of one's self

Paul and Patricia Churchland

  • Philosophers who applied neuroscience to the concept of self
  • Proposed eliminative materialism, arguing that mental concepts are not real and that the brain, and therefore behavior, are the primary origins of the self
  • Argued that brain injury disrupts the self because the self is wholly based on the physical workings of the brain

Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908-1961)

  • A French phenomenologist
  • Developed a concept of the self as fully embedded in the world, viewing it as a phenomenon of the world.
  • The mind and body are intertwined, inseparable and cannot be separated from each other
  • Argued that perceptions come from experiences and that these perceptions are influenced by the body and the world
  • All emotions, thoughts, and behaviors of a human person are inseparable and all belong to one, the self

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