Social Networks and the Self

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Questions and Answers

How does Augustine of Hippo's view on the soul differ from Plato's original philosophy?

Augustine adds a Christian perspective to Plato's views, suggesting that while part of man yearns for the divine, the soul is also capable of immortality.

What is the significance of Descartes' statement 'Cogito Ergo Sum' in relation to skepticism?

It emphasizes that while one can doubt everything, the very act of thinking confirms the existence of the self as a thinker.

In what way does Hume's empiricism challenge the notion of an enduring self?

Hume argues that the self is merely a collection of impressions and ideas, lacking any permanent essence or identity.

Describe the roles of the rational, spirited, and appetitive souls according to the outlined philosophy.

The rational soul governs reason and intellect, the spirited soul manages emotions, and the appetitive soul contains basic desires like hunger and lust. Signup and view all the answers

How does Descartes' view of the body differ from the traditional understanding of the soul?

Descartes sees the body as a machine and emphasizes the mind's role in defining identity, effectively dismissing the traditional concept of the soul. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an Organic Group from a Rational Group in social networks?

Organic Groups are traditional and involve natural connections, like family and religion, while Rational Groups are modern and formed through shared self-interest and goals. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of language in the development of the Self according to George Herbert Mead.

Language allows individuals to express themselves and understand others, serving as the foundation for social interactions and the development of the Self. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the play stage in Mead's theory of the stages of developing the Self?

The play stage is significant as it allows individuals to role play and assume others' perspectives, which helps them internalize social views. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mead's concept of the Self challenge the notion of an inherent self at birth?

Mead's concept challenges the view of an inherent self by proposing that the Self develops over time through social interactions and experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of how a child learns language through social interaction, as discussed in the content.

A child learns language by associating the word 'milk' with the experience of receiving the drink, developing comprehension through imitation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social networks are the connections between individuals and their social groups.
They are categorized into two types: organic and rational.

Organic Groups

Are traditional and people are naturally part of them.
Examples include: siblings, family, religion, and nationality.

Rational Groups

Considered modern and are formed through shared self-interest, goals, and free will.
Examples include: companies, political parties, sports teams, and groups of friends.

Proposed by sociologist George Herbert Mead.
States that the self is a product of social interactions and internalizing views, along with one's personal views.
The self is not present at birth, but develops over time through social experiences and activities.

Stages of Developing the Self (Mead)

Language: The capacity to express oneself and comprehend others through shared symbols, gestures, and sounds.
Play: The stage where individuals role play or assume the perspectives of others, internalizing their views.
Game: The stage where individuals understand the complex social roles and interactions within a larger social structure.

The Soul: Ancient Philosophy

Plato: Proposed three parts of the soul, with each representing a different aspect of human nature:
- Rational Soul: Governs reason and intellect.
- Spirited Soul: Manages emotions and passions.
- Appetitive Soul: Stores basic desires like food, drink, sleep, and sex.
Augustine of Hippo: Integrated Plato's philosophy with Christianity, suggesting that a part of man dwells in the world and yearns for the divine, while another part is capable of immortality.

The Self in Modern Philosophy

Rene Descartes: Introduced skepticism and the famous phrase "Cogito ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am).
- Argued that doubt is a thought, and therefore a thinker must exist.
- Believed the self is composed of two parts:
  - "Cotigo": The thinking thing (mind).
  - "Extenza": The extension of mind.
- Emphasized the mind as the defining element of human existence.
David Hume: Championed empiricism, suggesting that knowledge is derived from sensory experiences.
- Argued that the self is a bundle of impressions (sensory experiences) and ideas (copies of impressions).
John Locke: Formulated the memory theory of the self.
- Believed personal identity persists over time through memories that are connected to past experiences.
- Proposed a dualistic view of the self, with the mind shaping the blank slate of the body at birth.
- Emphasized the role of memory in shaping the mind and personality.

Contemporary Philosophy

Reductive Physicalism: A philosophy that asserts that everything about the self can be explained by physical processes like the body, brain, hormones, and neurotransmitters.
- Paul Churchland: A neurophilosopher who believed that the self is the workings of the brain and that the brain affects both mental and emotional states.
Epiphenomenalism: A philosophy that believes physical states can give rise to mental states, but not vice versa.
Maurice Merleau-Ponty: A phenomenologist who believed that the self is defined through perception and experiences.
- Argued that the body, self, and experiences are intertwined.
- Suggested that the self and reality are constructed through perception and experience.

Psychological Perspective of the Self

Jean Piaget: A developmental psychologist who proposed a theory of cognitive development in children, emphasizing the importance of schemas, assimilation, and accommodation in learning.
William James: Considered the father of American psychology and introduced the concept of self-consciousness.
Carl Rogers: A humanistic psychologist who introduced the concepts of the ideal self and real self and emphasized self-actualization.
Gordon Allport: Proposed the theory of personality traits, suggesting that traits are essential characteristics that shape who we are.
Greg Henrique: Proposed that the self, despite being a unified entity, has three separable domains.
Dr. Susan Harter: Proposed the concept of unity of consciousness, which suggests that we experience many things simultaneously.

Developmental Psychology

Explores physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes throughout the lifespan.
Maturation: The natural sequence of changes in appearance and behavior as we age.
Cognitive Development: The processes of learning, thinking, remembering, and communicating.

Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development

Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years): Focus on learning through senses and actions, develops object permanence.
Preoperational Stage (2-7 years): Strong imagination and intuition, difficulty understanding constancy and conservation.
Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years): Logical thinking emerges, understanding of other perspectives begins, less egocentric.
Formal Operational Stage (11 years and above): Abstract thinking, reasoning, and planning for the future become possible.

Self-Concept: Developmental Stages

Early Childhood (2-6 years): Self-concept based on concrete, observable characteristics (attributes, possessions, preferences).
Middle to Later Childhood (7-11 years): Self-concept moves towards trait-based descriptions, including physical traits, possessions, and preferences.
Adolescence (12-18 years): Self-concept becomes more abstract, emphasizing perceived emotions and psychological characteristics.
Emerging Adults (18 and above): Exploration of "possible self" and place in the world.

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Description

Explore the concepts of social networks, including organic and rational groups, and delve into George Herbert Mead's theory of social self. Understand how our identities are shaped through social interactions and the stages of developing the self. Join this quiz to test your knowledge on these sociological theories.