Philosophy of the Self

Philosophical Perspective on the Self

• Philosophy originates from Greek, combining "Philos" (Love) and "Sofia/Sophia" (Wisdom), translating to "Love of Wisdom."
• Focuses on understanding fundamental truths about self, the world, and relationships with others.

Socratic Thought

• Socrates (470-399 BC), a foundational figure in Western moral philosophy, emphasized the importance of self-knowledge with the principle "Know Thyself."
• Introduced the Socratic Method, asserting "An unexamined life is not worth living."
• Proposed dualism of self, consisting of an imperfect, impermanent body and a perfect, permanent soul.

Plato's Contributions

• Plato (424-347 BC), student of Socrates, established the Academy in Athens, the first higher learning institution in the West.
• Described the psyche (mind) as composed of three elements:
  • Appetites: Pleasurable desires.
  • Spirited: Triumphs, honor, and affirmation.
  • Mind: Rational and logical, choosing the best options for individuals.

Aristotle's Viewpoint

• Aristotle viewed the soul as the essence of self, rejecting the separation of body and soul.
• Focused on self-actualization and the rational nature of self as a path to a flourishing and fulfilling life.
• Identified three types of souls:
  • Vegetative: Relates to physical growth.
  • Sentient: Encompasses emotions and desires.
  • Rational: Characterizes human intellect and understanding.

St. Augustine's Philosophy

• St. Augustine (AD 354-430), an African philosopher, asserted that the soul is superior to the body and identified a two-fold process of Self-Presentation leading to Self-Realization.

Descartes and Modern Philosophy

• René Descartes (1596-1650), known as the Father of Modern Western Philosophy, introduced Cartesian Philosophy, linking mental acts to physical actions.
• Coined "Cogito Ergo Sum" (I think, therefore I am), emphasizing the mind as an "intellectual substance" with will.

Locke's Tabula Rasa

• John Locke (1632-1704) proposed the concept of Tabula Rasa, suggesting individuals are born as blank slates, shaping identity through experiences, a cornerstone of Liberalism.

Hume's Perspective

• David Hume (1711-1776), a Scottish philosopher, likened the mind to a machine, suggesting the Self is only active during conscious moments.

Kant's Dual Self

• Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) posited humans have both an inner self (soul) and an outer self (body) and that reality is shaped by human perception.

Freud's Psychoanalysis

• Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), an Austrian neurologist, established Psychoanalysis, identifying three components of the mind:
  • ID: Seeks pleasure and gratification.
  • Superego: Conforms to societal norms.
  • Ego: Balances the demands of ID and Superego.

Ryle's Behaviorism

• Gilbert Ryle (1900-1976), a British behaviorist, introduced the idea of "The ghost in the machine," suggesting individuals have two histories: a public one (behavior) and a private one (mental states).

Merleau-Ponty's Embodied Self

• Maurice Merleau-Ponty emphasized that the self is grounded in embodied subjectivity and that consciousness is a matter of capability ("I can") rather than mere thought ("I think that").

Churchland's Materialism

• Paul Churchland (1942-) asserted a perspective of materialism, arguing that only matter exists, shaping understanding of the self in a physical context.