Philosophy of the Self Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which philosopher considered the soul to be superior to the body?

David Hume

Augustine (correct)

Rene Descartes

Immanuel Kant

What concept did Augustine connect with the notion of justice?

A social contract

Material wealth

Legal systems

The balance of the soul (correct)

Which statement reflects Rene Descartes' view on existence?

The self is a tangible entity.

Consciousness and identity are defined by experiences.

I think, therefore I am. (correct)

The self is a collective of societal roles.

According to David Hume, what is the self composed of?

A bundle of changing perceptions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Immanuel Kant's philosophy regarding the self?

The self shapes and structures experience. Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher postulated that at birth the mind is a blank slate?

Rene Descartes Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does Augustine emphasize as crucial for achieving justice in society?

The balance of the soul Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the term 'self exists because of memory' according to Descartes?

Memory serves as the foundation of personal identity. Signup and view all the answers

What does the ID component of Freud's model of the self primarily deal with?

Unconscious desires and impulses Signup and view all the answers

According to Gilbert Ryle, how is the self defined?

By one's actions and behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of self based on Paul Churchland's view?

The self is fundamentally tied to brain states Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of self does Maurice Merleau-Ponty emphasize?

Embodied subjectivity and perception Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant problem posed by the modern concept of self?

Alienation and image creation Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'delocalized self' refer to in the context of modernization?

A self disconnected from societal influences Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym 'EGO' signify in Freud's model?

Conscious awareness and reality Signup and view all the answers

In the sociological perspective of the self, what is suggested as a solution to the problems of modern identity?

Discovery of the 'true' and 'authentic' self Signup and view all the answers

What does William James refer to when discussing the 'Me-self'?

The collection of tangible and intangible possessions associated with a person Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the self does the term 'Relational Self' correspond to?

The perceived roles held in relationships with others Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of self would be considered part of the 'Material Self' according to William James?

Personal belongings like clothing and home Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Collective Self' emphasize in a person's identity?

Social roles and group memberships Signup and view all the answers

According to Karen Horney, what leads to self-hatred?

Incongruence between real and ideal self-image Signup and view all the answers

Which theory contrasts the notion of the self being a unified whole?

Psychoanalytic theory Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of humanistic psychology regarding the self?

Emphasis on the totality of the person Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits is NOT a part of the Big Five Personality Factors?

Emotional intelligence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes characteristics of the True Self?

Seek challenge and live in the moment Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of Bandura's concept of self-regulation?

Monitoring and evaluating one's own performance Signup and view all the answers

In psychoanalytic social theory, what is a consequence of unmet affection and love needs during childhood?

Basic hostility towards parents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits is associated with the False Self?

Comparative and critical Signup and view all the answers

What motivation is reflected by 'Moving Toward People' in coping with basic anxiety?

Desire for affection and approval from others Signup and view all the answers

According to Freud, what purpose do defense mechanisms serve?

To distort reality and protect the unconscious Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of personality does Adler's theory emphasize?

Striving for self-realization and overcoming inferiority Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the True Self?

Criticism of oneself Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Actual Self' represent?

Who we truly are at any given time Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT part of the 'Neurotic Search for Glory'?

The aspiration for realistic ambitions Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes 'Neurotic Claims'?

Unhealthy fantasies leading to unrealistic expectations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a component of 'Neurotic Pride'?

A false sense of glory based on idealized self Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Neurotic Need for Affection and Approval' typically lead to?

A compulsive desire to please and be liked Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The Drive Towards a Vindictive Triumph' stem from?

Childhood experiences of humiliation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects a 'Neurotic Need to Restrict'?

An inclination to save money rather than spend it Signup and view all the answers

How is 'Neurotic Ambition' primarily characterized?

A compulsive drive toward superiority Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aspects of the Self (Soul)

Augustine identified three aspects of the self (soul): reason, physical desire, and spirit. Harmony, and thus justice, requires balance among these aspects. Justice exists when individuals fulfill their natural roles in society.

Philosophical Perspectives on the Self

Augustine: Integrated Platonic and Christian thought. The self strives for union with God through faith and reason. The soul is superior to the body.
Descartes: The self is a thinking thing ("I think, therefore I am"). Personal identity is linked to consciousness and memory. The mind is a "tabula rasa" at birth.
Hume: Rejected the notion of a unified self, proposing instead a "bundle theory" where the self is a collection of ever-changing perceptions.
Kant: The self is a unifying consciousness that structures experience. The self transcends experience.
Freud: The self is multi-layered, comprising the id (instinct), ego (reality), and superego (morality).
Ryle: The self is manifested in behavior ("I act, therefore I am"). He rejected the mind-body dualism.
Churchland: The self is the brain; mental states are reducible to brain states (eliminative materialism).
Merleau-Ponty: The self is embodied subjectivity; the body is central to understanding the world. The self is an emergent phenomenon in an ongoing process of "becoming."

Sociological Perspectives on the Self

Modern society fosters a "delocalized" self, free from traditional constraints, but this freedom can lead to alienation and a loss of authentic selfhood.

Psychological Perspectives on the Self

James: Distinguished between the "I-self" (the knower) and the "Me-self" (the known). The "Me-self" comprises the material self (possessions), social self (relationships), and spiritual self (inner self).
The Self as Cognitive Construction: The self is actively constructed through cognitive processes.
The Self as Proactive and Agentic: Bandura's concept of self-regulation involves self-observation, judgment, and self-reaction.
Real vs. Ideal Self-Concepts (Horney): Incongruence between the real and ideal self leads to self-hatred. The idealized self-image involves a neurotic search for glory, neurotic claims, and neurotic pride.

Multiple vs. Unified Selves

Multiple Selves (Trait Theories): Personality is described through traits (e.g., Big Five personality factors).
Unified Selves: Various perspectives (Jung, Adler, Maslow, Rogers, May) posit a unified self striving for self-realization or self-actualization.
True Self vs. False Self: Defense mechanisms (Freud, Horney, Adler) help maintain the false self and protect the true self from anxiety. Characteristics are outlined for both true and false selves.

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Description

Explore the various philosophical perspectives on the self as discussed by thinkers like Augustine, Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Freud. This quiz examines the definitions, characteristics, and implications of self-identity within their frameworks. Engage with the complexities of human nature and consciousness through these foundational theories.