Philosophy: The Self and Socratic Thought

Philosophical Perspective of The Self

• The self is defined as a person's unique identity composed of qualities like personality and abilities.
• The self is considered the essence of one's being, encompassing their consciousness.

Philosophy: The Pursuit of Wisdom

• Philosophy originates from the Greek words "philo" meaning "love" and "sophos" meaning "wisdom."
• It involves the rational investigation of questions about existence, knowledge, and ethics.
• Philosophy encompasses beliefs or systems of beliefs that are accepted by specific groups or schools.

Socrates: Metaphysical Scheme

• Socrates believed in a dualistic reality consisting of two realms:
  • The physical world: Changeable, transient, and imperfect, perceived through the five senses.
  • The ideal realm: Unchanging, eternal, and immortal, comprising perfect and eternal forms.
• Our bodies belong to the physical realm, subject to change and death.
• Our souls belong to the ideal realm, remaining unchanging and immortal even after bodily death.
• The soul's quest for wisdom is hindered by the imperfections of the physical realm while it is tied to the body.

Plato: Developing Socrates' Metaphysical Scheme

• Plato further developed Socrates' metaphysical scheme, addressing the question of how the soul can grow if it is unchanging.
• He maintained the concept of the body but divided the soul into three parts:
  • Appetites: Represents desires for pleasure, comfort, and physical satisfaction.
  • Spirited: Represents courage, passion, drive, and the desire to face challenges.
  • Mind (Nous): Represents conscious awareness, thinking, analysis, and rational decision-making.

Neoplatonism: Plotinus and Saint Augustine

• Plotinus revitalized Plato's ideas, leading to the development of Neoplatonism.
• Plotinus emphasized Plato's core concepts and profoundly influenced the thinking of Saint Augustine.
• Augustine integrated Platonist philosophy with Christian tenets, shaping Christian beliefs.

Saint Augustine: Integrating Plato's Philosophy with Christianity

• Plato's concept of immortal souls seeking union with the eternal realm through intellectual enlightenment was transformed into immortal souls striving for union with God through faith and reason.
• Plato's concept of the transient physical world became a proving ground for our eternal destinies in Christianity.
• Augustine viewed the body as separate and inferior to the soul.
• He initially characterized the body as a "snare" and "cage" for the soul, later evolving to see it as the "spouse" of the soul.

Saint Aquinas: Synthesis of Aristotle and Christianity

• Aquinas viewed persons as composite beings, combining form and matter, drawing from Aristotle's theory.
• Hyle (matter) represents the common material that makes up everything in the universe.
• Morphe (form) refers to the essence or substance of a thing.
• Aquinas believed that life begins with the inseparable union of form and matter, gradually giving rise to the conscious self.
• He rejected Plato's dualistic view of soul and body, emphasizing a unified self.
• Aquinas believed that every living thing has a soul, as the soul is the principle of life.

Descartes: Emphasizing Independent Thinking and The Cogito

• Descartes emphasized the use of independent thinking to investigate, analyze, and develop well-reasoned conclusions.
• He advocated for systematically doubting all previously accepted beliefs to achieve clear and well-founded conclusions.
• "Dubito, Cogito Ergo, Sum" ("I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am") is a cornerstone of Descartes' concept of self.
• The ability to doubt and think proves the existence of a self.
• This concept underscores the self-consciousness and mental operations that are integral to human identity.

Freud: The Multi-Tiered Self

• Freud proposed a multi-tiered structure of the self, comprised of:
  • Id: The primitive and instinctive component of personality, driven by biological impulses and the pleasure principle.
  • Ego: The decision-making component, mediating between the impulsive id and external reality.
  • Superego: Represents societal values and morals, guiding behavior through a conscience and an ideal self (ego-ideal).
• His theory offered insights into how the different parts of the self interact and shape our behavior.

Explore the intricate concepts of the self, dualism, and the pursuit of wisdom as defined by philosophical thought. Delve into Socrates' metaphysical scheme, distinguishing between the physical and ideal realms of existence. This quiz will challenge your understanding of identity and the essence of being.