Philosophy of the Self

Ancient Greek Philosophers

• Socrates was the first philosopher to systematically question the self.

Medieval Philosophers

• St. Augustine of Hippo, influenced by Plato, infused early philosophy with the doctrine of Christianity.

Modern Philosophy and the Enlightenment

• Tabula Rasa (Blank Slate): John Locke proposed that the mind is born as a blank slate, shaped by experience and without innate ideas.
• David Hume - The Self is the Bundle Theory of Mind: Hume argued that the self is not a fixed entity but rather a bundle of perceptions constantly in flux.
• Immanuel Kant - "We Construct the Self": Kant believed that the self actively shapes its own experience and knowledge through reason and understanding.

Psychological View of Self

• Sigmund Freud - Father of Psychoanalysis: He believed that the personality is shaped by three interacting forces:
  • Id: Governed by the "pleasure principle," seeking immediate gratification.
  • Ego: Mediates between the Id's desires and the Superego's restrictions, governed by the "reality principle."
  • Superego: Represents internalized societal rules and morality, shaped by childhood experiences.
• Freudian Stages: A series of developmental phases (oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital) through which individuals progress.
• Erik Erikson: Emphasized the importance of the environment in shaping the self and identity, highlighting social interactions and cultural influences.

Sociological Self

• Charles Cooley (Looking Glass Self): The self is formed through social interaction, understanding how others see and judge us.
• The Dramaturgical Approach (Impression Management): The self is constructed by playing various roles for others, with a focus on managing impressions and presenting desired identities.
• George Herbert Mead (The Self and Society): The self develops through three stages :
  • Preparatory Stage: Imitation of others and learning language.
  • Play Stage: Taking the role of others and understanding social symbols.
  • Game Stage: Learning to take on multiple roles simultaneously and understand social rules.

Physiological Philosophy

• Gilbert Ryle: Focused on observable behavior and argued that the mind is not a separate entity from the body.
• Eliminative Materialism: This view proposes that there is no separate "mind" independent of the brain.

The Self, Society, and Culture

• Marcel Mauss: The self has two aspects:
  • Personne: The socially constructed self, shaped by cultural norms and expectations.
  • Moi: The personal and individual self, based on inner experiences and feelings.

Cultural Construction of Self and Identity

• Cultural Determinism: The self is shaped by the culture in which one is born and raised.
• Identity Determinants: Factors like gender, age, kinship, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, personal appearances, family membership, language, and religious affiliations play a role in shaping one's identity.
• Identity Struggle: The discrepancy between how one sees oneself and how others perceive them.

Anthropological Approaches

• Archaeology: Studies material remains of Past cultures and human activities.
• Physical/Biological Anthropology: Studies human evolution, human variation, and non-human primates.
• Cultural/Social Anthropology: Studies cultures and their diverse aspects, exploring practices, values, beliefs, and meaning-making.

Language and Culture

• Language as a key aspect of human survival: Language is essential for communication and understanding the world, reflecting cultural values and beliefs.
• Language as a defining element of culture and society: Language shapes how cultures understand and interact with the world.

Summary Points

• The "self" is a multifaceted concept, subject to both individual and societal influences.
• Philosophical and sociological perspectives offer varied interpretations.
• The self is constantly in flux and shaped by ongoing experiences, social interactions, and cultural influences.

Explore the development of the concept of self through major philosophical movements. From Ancient Greece to the Enlightenment, uncover how thinkers like Socrates, Freud, and Kant shaped our understanding of identity and consciousness.