Philosophy Overview and Periods

Study Notes

Philosophy comes from the Greek words "philos," meaning "love," and "sophia," meaning "wisdom."
It encompasses the love of wisdom.

Ancient Classical Period: Focused on the cosmos (cosmocentric), exploring concepts of change and permanence.
Medieval Period: Centered on God (theocentric), emphasizing the relationship between faith and reason.
Modern Period: Focused on human beings (anthropocentric), prioritizing reason and senses.
Post-Modern Period: Lacked a central focus, emphasizing plurality and particularity.

Socrates: Known for the Socratic method, a technique of seeking truth through persistent questioning.
- Key Beliefs:
  - The immortal soul
  - Virtue and happiness
  - Self-knowledge
  - The difference between the visible world (physical, changeable) and the invisible (eternal, unchangeable) nature of the soul.
Plato: Known for the Theory of Forms, proposing that the physical world is merely a shadow of the true reality.
- Tripartite Soul: Consists of three parts:
  - Appetitive: Represents desires and appetites.
  - Rational: Represents reason and logic.
  - Spirited: Represents emotions and courage.
- Allegory of the Cave: Illustrates the difference between the world of appearance and the world of reality.

Rene Descartes: Often called the father of modern philosophy, emphasizes rationalism.
- "Cogito ergo sum": Meaning "I think, therefore I am."
- Mind-Body Dualism: Separates mind (immaterial) from body (material substance).
  - The mind is considered constant and unaffected by time, while the body changes.
David Hume: Emphasizes empiricism, suggesting that knowledge originates from sensory experience.
- Criticized Descartes' view of a constant self.
- Bundle Theory: Proposes that the self is a collection of impressions and experiences.
  - Impressions are stronger than ideas.
  - Passion (feelings) can influence actions.

Sigmund Freud: Known for psychoanalysis, dividing the structure of the mind into:
- Id: Operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.
- Ego: Operates on the reality principle, mediating between the Id and reality.
- Superego: Represents societal norms and morals.
- The Unconscious: Contains repressed memories and socially unacceptable desires.

AMIM (Mnemonic):
- Analytical: Views the self as an observer separate from external objects (me vs. others).
- Monotheistic: Models the self after a unitary, omnipotent being (God).
- Individualistic: Defines the self through self-expression and self-actualization.
- Materialistic: Emphasizes physical reality.

Hinduism: The self is a part of Brahman (ultimate reality). One's journey involves recognizing Brahman within oneself and others.
Buddhism: The self is not permanent and constantly changing.
Confucianism: The self is not an individual entity but deeply embedded within family and society, emphasizing societal roles.
Taoism: The self is one of the countless manifestations of the Tao (the way).
- Chuang-tzu: Emphasizes self-transformation to achieve harmony with nature and society.

Western:
- Individualism: Emphasizes independence, personal freedom, and uniqueness.
- Linear View of Life: Focuses on external achievements and rational problem-solving.
- Emphasis on Material Success:
Eastern:
- Collectivism: Emphasizes interdependence, family, and community relationships.
- Cyclical View of Life: Focuses on spiritual growth and harmony with the universe, often using spiritual practices like meditation and self-reflection.

Suggests that cognitive development is influenced by both biological maturation and experiences in the environment.
Schema: A mental framework that helps organize knowledge and experiences.
Adaptation: The process of adjusting schemas in response to new experiences.

Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years): Infants learn through senses and motor actions.
Pre-operational Stage (2-7 years): Children develop symbolic thinking and language but lack logical reasoning.
Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years): Children develop logical reasoning skills and can think concretely.
Formal Operational Stage (12+ years): Individuals develop abstract thought and hypothetical reasoning.

Dr. Susan Harter: Examines how self-concept evolves in different life stages:
- Early Childhood
- Middle Childhood
- Adolescence
- Emerging Adulthood