Philosophy of the Self

The Philosophy of the Self

• This instructional material is a compilation of readings for research and study on Understanding the Self
• The materials are credited to their authors
• The material is not for sale, and students cannot reproduce or duplicate it
• Confidentiality and compliance are maintained

Learning Objectives

• Define the self from a philosophical perspective
• Recognize similarities and differences in self-conceptualizations based on philosophy
• Examine one's self against the different views of self discussed in the course

What is Philosophy?

• Philosophy comes from Greek roots: philo- meaning "love" and -sophos meaning "wisdom"
• It's the study of knowledge, or "thinking about thinking"
• It's the study of the ultimate nature of existence, reality, knowledge, and goodness, discoverable through human reasoning.
• It encompasses the search for knowledge and truth, particularly about the nature of humanity and human behavior.

Philosophers

Socrates

• (469 BC - 399 BC)
• Believed the highest form of human existence is questioning oneself and others
• Emphasized the importance of "knowing yourself"
• Stated that "an unexamined life is not worth living."
• Argued that to prepare for the afterlife, one must focus on understanding self and virtues
• Believed the soul is immortal and death is not the end of existence.
• Questioned whether something seemed true, meant it was true

Plato

• (428/427 or 424/423 BC - 348/347 BC)
• The soul is immortal and separated from the body
• The soul exists before it joins the body, resembling reincarnation.
• The soul lives within a body and moves to another after death
• The soul or psyche has three parts: appetitive, spirited, and rational

Augustine

• (13 November 354 AD - 28 August 430 AD)
• Like Plato, he asserted the soul's immortality
• Unlike Plato, he didn't believe the soul moved between bodies
• Believed the body is an imperfect aspect of humanity, longing for the spiritual realm of God.
• The soul, capable of achieving immortality, remains in an eternal realm with God
• Living a virtuous life is crucial for spiritual union with God

Thomas Aquinas

• (1225 - 7 March 1274)
• Self-knowledge comes from experiences about the world
• Our experiences shape our self-awareness
• The question "Who am I?" can only be answered from within oneself

Rene Descartes

• (31 March 1596 - 11 February 1650)
• "Father of Modern Philosophy"
• A dualist thinker. Reality comprises mind and body, separate yet interconnected, the mind being the center of consciousness
• "I think, therefore I am" (Cogito ergo sum) summarizes his philosophy
• The mind houses drives, intellect, passion, and understanding.

John Locke

• (29 August 1632 - 28 October 1704)
• Identity is tied to consciousness; perception of experiences within one's own mind
• The self is defined by memories; if memories are gone, identity is lost

David Hume

• (07 May 1711 - 25 August 1776)
• Only physical experiences, using our senses are the basis of knowledge
• Experiences are categorized into Impressions (sensory) and Ideas (concepts based on impressions)
• The self is a bundle of perceptions; the mind combines impressions to create a sense of 'self' (or "me").

Immanuel Kant

• (22 April 1724 - 12 February 1804)
• Hume's notion of the self as a combination of impressions is problematic
• Mind plays a role in organizing experiences, not just simply perceiving them
• The self is created by the mind's organization of sensory input

Gilbert Ryle

• (19 August 1900 - 6 October 1976)
• The idea of a separate mind is questionable
• Behaviors and actions form the self, not the mind or body

Paul Churchland

• (21 October 1942 - )
• The physical brain, not an imaginary mind
• Eliminative Materialism: nothing apart from physical matter exists
• If something can't be sensed, it doesn't exist

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

• (14 March 1908 - 3 May 1961)
• The mind and body are intertwined, inseparable
• The physical body is not a prison but an integral part of the self.

Study Guide Questions

• Select one philosopher you relate to most and explain why
• Identify one philosopher whose perspective you disagree with and explain why
• Choose two philosophers and present their views of the self using a Venn diagram to showcase similarities and differences.