Philosophy of Self: Descartes to Hume

Questions and Answers

What does René Descartes mean by the phrase "Cogito, ergo sum"?

The body influences moral character.

The mind is separate from the body.

Memories shape personal identity.

Self-awareness proves one's existence. (correct)

How did John Locke describe the self?

As a fixed and unchanging entity.

As an illusion formed by perceptions.

As shaped by personal experiences and memories. (correct)

As a result of mechanical processes.

What does David Hume's Bundle Theory suggest?

Consciousness is essential for identifying the self.

The self is a continuous entity across time.

The self is a collection of experiences and perceptions. (correct)

The body plays a crucial role in defining the self.

According to Augustine, what influences our choices and shapes our character?

Inner conflict between desires and moral convictions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Locke's theory of the self?

The continuous flow of consciousness and identity. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hume suggest about the nature of self?

It evolves through experiences and feelings. Signup and view all the answers

According to Kant, what comprises the inner self?

Our emotions and rational intellect. Signup and view all the answers

How does Kant define the outer self?

It consists of our physical body and sensory engagement. Signup and view all the answers

In the example of learning to play the piano, what role does the inner self play according to Kant?

It allows awareness of the learning process. Signup and view all the answers

What concept is described as the 'I think' in Kant's philosophy?

The rational intellect of the inner self. Signup and view all the answers

What does Plato’s concept suggest about the relationship between the rational part of the soul and desires?

The rational part can guide desires towards appropriate actions. Signup and view all the answers

How does Aristotle view the self in relation to the body and soul?

The body and soul are inseparable and work together. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of Augustine's view on the self?

Union with God is essential for true fulfillment. Signup and view all the answers

In the provided example of Toby dancing, what does it illustrate according to Aristotle's philosophy?

The body and soul collaborate to express inner emotions. Signup and view all the answers

What internal conflict does Emma experience in the given scenario?

The urge to lie versus the desire for truthfulness. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the psyche does Freud’s concept of self focus on primarily?

The ego Signup and view all the answers

What does Kant’s concept of the self emphasize?

The awareness of one's own feelings Signup and view all the answers

According to Gilbert Ryle, how should we understand the concept of self?

As an expression of behavioral traits Signup and view all the answers

What example illustrates Freud's idea of the self?

Chester deciding to eat a little cake for health reasons Signup and view all the answers

What critique is Gilbert Ryle known for regarding the concept of self?

It leads to misunderstanding human behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does Paul Churchland suggest about the self?

The self is a result of brain activity and changes. Signup and view all the answers

How does Maurice Merleau-Ponty define the development of the self?

It evolves from interactions with both the environment and physical experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What philosophical concept did Merleau-Ponty reject in his theories about the self?

Dualism. Signup and view all the answers

What example illustrates Paul Churchland's view on how the brain affects self-perception?

A musician learning a new instrument. Signup and view all the answers

According to Merleau-Ponty, how is identity expressed through activities such as dance?

It is influenced by past experiences and future aspirations. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plato

Emphasizes the soul's dual nature: a rational part and a desire-driven part.
Illustrates the balance between desires and moral choices through characters like Jack, who chooses to study.

Aristotle

Acknowledged as a student of Plato but rejected his Theory of Forms.
Introduced hylomorphism, proposing that self comprises an inseparable body and soul.
Example: Toby's dance represents a union of physical skill (body) and emotional expression (soul).

Saint Augustine

Viewed the self as intimately connected with God; fulfillment comes through divine union.
Believed in original sin and the consequent spiritual discontent.
Example: Emma’s internal conflict about truth reflects the tension between desire and moral principles.

René Descartes

Proposed dualism, separating self into mind and body.
Famous for "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), asserting existence through consciousness.
Example: Realizing one's thoughts confirms existence, supporting the idea of self-awareness.

John Locke

Introduced the concept of Tabula rasa, suggesting individuals are born as blank slates.
Emphasized personal identity through continuity of consciousness linked by memories.
Example: David connects childhood experiences to current identity, illustrating memory’s role in self-concept.

David Hume

Rejected the notion of a permanent self; introduced the Bundle Theory.
Argued that the self is an illusion created by diverse perceptions and experiences.
Example: Barbara's evolving hobbies embody the idea that identity is fluid and shaped by life experiences.

Immanuel Kant

Differentiated between inner (transcendental) and outer (empirical) selves.
Inner self includes emotions and intellect; outer self is the physical presence perceived by others.
Example: Learning piano reflects the interplay between conscious awareness (inner self) and observable action (outer self).

Sigmund Freud

Founder of psychoanalysis; conceptualized the self as the ego mediating between id and superego.
The ego balances instinctual desires with societal expectations.
Example: Chester's decision to eat less cake highlights the interplay between desire and health consciousness.

Gilbert Ryle

Critiqued Cartesian dualism, suggesting the self is expressed through actions, not an inner entity.
Argued that describing an inner self is misleading; the self is found in behaviors.
Example: Sarah’s helpfulness demonstrates that her identity is reflected in her actions.

Paul Churchland

A proponent of neurophilosophy, viewing the self as a product of brain activity.
Emphasized the scientific approach to understanding self as tied to neurological processes.
Example: Benedict’s guitar practice alters his brain, illustrating how these changes shape self-perception.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Believed the self is influenced by bodily experiences and sensory interactions with the environment.
Rejected dualism, focusing on the evolution of self through lived experiences.
Example: Joseph’s dance encapsulates how the self is expressed through physical interaction and sensation.

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Description

Explore fundamental philosophical concepts regarding the self through the ideas of René Descartes, John Locke, and David Hume. This quiz delves into Descartes' famous 'Cogito, ergo sum', Locke's description of the self, and Hume's Bundle Theory. Understand how Augustine's views influence choice and character, and what these thinkers suggest about the essence of selfhood.