Philosophy of Self - Chapter 1

Understanding the Self

• This topic explores different philosophical perspectives on the nature of the self.

The Self from Various Philosophical Perspectives - Chapter 1

• This chapter examines how various philosophers have viewed the self.

Socrates

• Considered the "Father of Western Philosophy."
• Believed the self has two important aspects: body and soul.
• The body is imperfect and impermanent.
• The soul is perfect and permanent.
• His famous quote: "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."

Plato

• Plato believed the self is composed of three components:
  • Rational Soul: responsible for reason
  • Spirited Soul: responsible for emotions
  • Appetitive Soul: responsible for base desires.
• Plato's view of the soul was highly influenced by his predecessors and philosophies.
• His famous quote: "We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy is when men are afraid of the light."

Aurelius Augustinus Hipponesis

• Viewed the self with two parts:
  • Body: bound to die on earth
  • Soul: anticipates living eternally.
• His quote: "Don't you believe that there is in man a deep wisdom so profound as to be hidden even to him in whom it is?"

Thomas Aquinas

• Believed man is comprised of two parts:
  • Matter (hyle): the common substance of everything
  • Form (morphe): the essence of the substance
• His quote: "The things that we love tell us what we are."

Rene Descartes

• Considered the "Father of Modern Philosophy."
• Viewed the self as dualistic:
  • Mind (or cogito): the essence of thinking
  • Body (or extenza): the physical extension
• His famous quote: "I think, therefore I am" (cogito ergo sum)
• Also stated: "It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well."

David Hume

• Focused on categorized experiences:
  • Impressions: direct experiences
  • Ideas: indirect experiences.
• His quote: "Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few."

Immanuel Kant

• Believed the self is a combination of knowledge and experience.
• Emphasised respecting others as you would yourself.
• Kant stated: "Never wish to see a just cause defended with unjust means."

Gilbert Ryle

• Viewed the self through behaviors and actions.
• Ryle's quote: "A person who has a good nose for arguments may have a bad head for facts."

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

• Argued that the mind and body are intertwined.
• Stated that the mind and body cannot be separated from each other.
• His quote: "We should be sensitive to the thread of silence which the tissue of speech is woven."

Explore the philosophical perspectives on the nature of the self in this quiz. Delve into the views of key figures like Socrates and Plato, examining their insights on the body, soul, and the mind. This chapter sets the foundation for understanding various interpretations of the self.