Philosophy of the Self

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Questions and Answers

What does philosophy literally mean?

Study of knowledge

Reflection on existence

Love of wisdom (correct)

Pursuit of happiness

According to Plato, what is the nature of the soul?

Immortal and perfect (correct)

Nonexistent after death

Dependent on the body

Temporary and changeable

How did Aristotle define the relationship between the body and soul?

The body is superior to the soul

They are completely separate entities

The soul controls the body

The body and soul are one (correct)

What concept did John Locke contribute to the understanding of the self?

The self is consciousness Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher believed that knowledge comes from seeing the truth within ourselves?

St. Augustine Signup and view all the answers

What was Descartes' famous philosophical statement?

I think therefore I am Signup and view all the answers

Which part of Freud's theory is characterized as the pleasure principle?

Id Signup and view all the answers

According to Gilbert Ryle, how is the self defined?

By behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the four steps in observational learning?

Emotion Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Anicca' refer to in Buddhism?

Impermanence Signup and view all the answers

Which archetype represents the public persona in Jung's personality archetypes?

Persona Signup and view all the answers

In what way do Eastern thoughts typically differ from Western thoughts?

Raise questions about ultimate meaning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is one of the five parts that compose the individual according to Buddhism?

Sensation Signup and view all the answers

What concept describes the self as a subject focused on self-expression and is considered quite constant?

I-self Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following stages in the development of self involves the use of symbols, gestures, and sounds?

Preparatory stage Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced the concept of the 'Looking Glass Theory' which suggests that one's self-perception is influenced by the perceptions of others?

Charles Horton Cooley Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the people who are significant to an individual because of their importance in the individual's life?

Significant others Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the tangible material from previous generations as a component of culture?

Material component Signup and view all the answers

What type of cultural change involves society borrowing elements from other cultures?

Cultural borrowing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the false self?

To hide and protect the true self Signup and view all the answers

In the psychological perspective, what does William James categorize as the empirical self?

Me-self Signup and view all the answers

What defines the more pressing norms that are essential for the welfare of society?

Mores Signup and view all the answers

Which structure of personality is primarily associated with moral conscience and judgment?

Super ego Signup and view all the answers

What phase of Freud's psychosexual stages focuses on developing mature sexual intimacy?

Genital Stage Signup and view all the answers

According to Carl Rogers, which aspect of self-concept represents the ideal person one wishes to become?

Ideal self Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes rationalization as a psychological defense mechanism?

Making up acceptable excuses for unacceptable behavior Signup and view all the answers

What does Albert Bandura's concept of 'self-reactiveness' refer to?

The motivation to regulate one's actions Signup and view all the answers

During which psychosexual stage is the focus on toilet training?

Anal Stage Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of the defense mechanism known as projection?

Blaming others for your own feelings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Philosophical Perspective of the Self

Philosophy combines the Greek words "philo" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom), meaning love of wisdom.
Pythagoras was the first to use the term philosophy.
Socrates emphasized the importance of self-examination, famously stating, "An unexamined life is not worth living," asserting dualism between the changeable body and the immortal soul.
Plato declared that "the soul is immortal," dividing it into three parts: rational (thinking), spirited (emotions), and appetitive (biological needs).
Aristotle defined the soul as the essence of the self, classifying it into three types: vegetative (plants), sentient (animals), and rational (humans).
St. Augustine believed that knowledge comes from seeing the truth within oneself and that the soul completes the body.
René Descartes coined "Cogito ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), proposing body-mind dualism.
John Locke viewed the self as consciousness, describing the mind at birth as a "tabula rasa" or blank slate.
Immanuel Kant asserted that the self constructs its reality to create familiar experiences.
Gilbert Ryle claimed that the self manifests through behavior, encapsulated in "I act therefore I am."
Paul Churchland reduced the self to the brain, denying the existence of the mind as separate from the brain.
Maurice Merleau-Ponty focused on "embodied subjectivity," stating knowledge comes from subjective experience.
Sigmund Freud introduced Psychoanalytic Theory, outlining the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious levels of the mind, alongside the Id, Ego, and Superego models.

Sociology studies groups, social interactions, and societies.
Personality refers to individual behavioral uniqueness.
Socialization teaches individuals essential societal skills.
Charles Horton Cooley's "Looking Glass Theory" suggests that our self-concept is influenced by how others perceive us.
George Herbert Mead introduced the dual nature of self: I-self (subjective) and Me-self (object), describing self-development in three stages: preparatory (symbol use), play (role-taking), and game (understanding broader perspectives).
Erving Goffman's theory of front stage and back stage describes public and private selves.

Anthropological Perspective

Anthropology studies human behavior and culture (Anthropos = man; Logos = study).
Culture comprises material components (tangible items), cognitive components (beliefs, knowledge), and normative components (social norms, folkways, mores).
Cultural change can occur through cultural lag (disparity between social progress and cultural beliefs) and cultural borrowing (adopting elements from other cultures).
Socialization helps individuals adapt to group norms and behaviors through agents like family, school, religion, and media.

Psychological Perspective

William James identified the I-self (who we are) and Me-self (empirical self) composed of material, social, and spiritual dimensions.
David Lester discussed the concept of multiple vs. unified selves across roles and relationships.
Donald Winnicott differentiated between true and false selves, where false selves protect the true self.
Carl Rogers emphasized human goodness, free will, and psychological growth through self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem.
Freud's structures of personality include the Id (pleasure principle), Ego (reality principle), and Superego (moral conscience), along with psychosexual stages defining childhood development.
Psychological defense mechanisms include denial, repression, rationalization, and projection, among others.
Albert Bandura highlighted human agency and proactive behaviors through intentionality, forethought, self-reactiveness, and self-reflectiveness.
Carl Jung introduced personality archetypes such as Persona (public self), Shadow (dark self), Anima (feminine aspect), and Animus (masculine aspect), with Self as the central archetype.

Western vs. Eastern Perspective

Western thought emphasizes scientific investigation and individualism.
Eastern thought questions human life’s ultimate meaning, focusing on the self through various philosophies.
Buddhism posits that self and soul are illusions; individuals consist of five parts: matter, sensation, perception, mental constructs, and consciousness, emphasizing impermanence (Anicca).
Hinduism introduces the concept of Atman and the law of karma.
Confucianism emphasizes ethical behavior and self-cultivation principles.
Taoism views the self as a cosmic extension rather than a social construct.

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Description

Explore the fundamental philosophical perspectives on the self, from ancient thinkers like Socrates and Plato to modern philosophers like Descartes and Locke. This quiz delves into concepts such as dualism, the nature of the soul, and the essence of consciousness. Test your understanding of these profound ideas and their influence on our perception of identity.