Philosophy of Self: Kant to Freud

Kant

• Space and time are concepts constructed by the mind, not found in external reality, referred to as the "apparatus of the mind."
• The self functions as an engaged intelligence that synthesizes knowledge and experiences.

Gilbert Ryle

• Rejects the notion of an internal, non-physical self.
• Emphasizes behavior as the key to understanding a person, instead of searching for a distinct entity.
• Illustrates the self as a term for the collection of behaviors, akin to exploring a university without finding its essence.

Merleau-Ponty

• Argues against the mind-body separation, asserting their deep interconnection.
• Any experience is inherently embodied, meaning the body is essential to existence and perception of the world.
• Views thoughts, emotions, and the body as inseparable components of human existence.

Sigmund Freud

• Defines the self in three parts:
  • Conscious: Immediate awareness and thoughts.
  • Preconscious: Thoughts accessible to consciousness when needed.
  • Unconscious: Deep-seated thoughts and feelings outside conscious awareness.
• Developed a structural model comprising:
  • Id: Primitive instincts and hidden memories.
  • Ego: Mediates desires of the id and superego.
  • Superego: Represents moral conscience.

Socrates

• A pioneer in systematic self-examination, stated that knowing oneself is a philosopher's primary task.
• Coined the phrase, "The unexamined life is not worth living," emphasizing the importance of self-inquiry.
• Advocated for dualism, viewing humans as composed of both body and soul.

Plato

• Student of Socrates, supported the dualistic nature of man—body and soul.
• Identified three components of the soul:
  • Rational soul: Responsible for reasoning and intellect.
  • Spirited soul: Relates to emotions.
  • Appetitive soul: Represents base desires.

St. Augustine of Hippo

• Agreed on the bifurcated nature of humanity, reflecting a tension between the worldly and the divine.
• The body is transient, while the soul yearns for eternal connection with God.

St. Thomas Aquinas

• Renowned 13th-century thinker, emphasized two components of man:
  • Matter (Hyle): The physical substance that comprises all things.
  • Form (Morphe): The essence defining the nature of a substance.

Rene Descartes

• Known as the "Father of modern philosophy," viewed humans as a union of body and mind.
• Famous quote: "Cogito, ergo sum" translates to "I think, therefore I am."
• Distinguished between:
  • Cogito: The thinking mind.
  • Extenza: The physical body.

David Hume

• An empiricist who argued that knowledge arises from sensory experience.
• Categorized human experiences into:
  • Impressions: Immediate sensations forming the core of thoughts.
  • Ideas: Copies of impressions, less vivid than the original sensations.
• Believed the self is merely a collection of perceptions, lacking a unified essence.

Immanuel Kant (Reiteration)

• Acknowledged Hume’s emphasis on perception, yet argued for an organizing mind behind impressions.
• Conceptualized the self as an active intelligence necessary for synthesizing experiences and knowledge.
• Reinforces the idea that mind constructs perceptions of space and time, essential for understanding existence.