Create flash card quizzes for this entire lesson below: Part 1: Defining 'Self' The sources present a multifaceted understanding of the self, drawing on different disciplines: Phil... Create flash card quizzes for this entire lesson below: Part 1: Defining 'Self' The sources present a multifaceted understanding of the self, drawing on different disciplines: Philosophy: Defines the self as the 'essence of a man's being,' the source of consciousness. It grapples with the duality of self, exploring the relationship between the physical body and the non-physical mind or soul. Sociology: Focuses on the social construction of self, highlighting how interactions with others and social systems shape our perceptions of who we are. The self is considered a dynamic entity, constantly influenced by social factors. Psychology: Views the self as a set of behaviours, feelings, thoughts, and motives that identify an individual. Personality becomes a central element in defining the self. Part 2: Philosophical Perspectives Various philosophers have debated the nature of self: Socrates: Proposed a dualistic reality with the physical realm (changeable and imperfect) and the ideal realm (unchanging and eternal). He believed the soul belongs to the ideal realm, making it immortal. Plato: Expanded Socrates' ideas, suggesting the soul is further divided into three parts: appetites (desires), spirited (ambition, courage), and mind (reason). He used the allegory of the chariot to illustrate this concept. St. Augustine: Integrated Platonic thought with Christianity, believing the soul strives for union with God. He viewed the body as initially inferior to the soul but later saw it as a unified partner. René Descartes: Famously asserted 'Dubito, Cogito, Ergo Sum' ('I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am'). He highlighted the self's ability to doubt and think as proof of its existence. He believed the self is comprised of both mind and body. John Locke: An empiricist, he believed all knowledge originates from sense experience. He argued that consciousness and memory are key to self-understanding, but the self may not be tied to a single soul. David Hume: Another empiricist, he radically proposed that there is no self, but rather a bundle of constantly changing perceptions and experiences. Immanuel Kant: Countered Hume by suggesting that the self actively constructs meaning from experiences, creating a unified and intelligible world. Sigmund Freud: Presented a multitiered self, divided into conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. He further categorized the self into id (instincts), ego (mediator), and superego (morality). Gilbert Ryle: Rejected the 'ghost in the machine' dualism, arguing that the self is manifested through observable behaviour. Paul Churchland: A proponent of physicalism, he believed the self is ultimately reducible to the brain and its processes. Merleau-Ponty: Argued for the inseparability of mind and body, proposing the concept of the 'lived body' where experience is embodied. Part 3: Sociological and Anthropological Insights Social Constructivism: This theory emphasises the role of social interactions in shaping the self. The self is not static but continually evolves through participation in social life. Marcel Mauss: Proposed the dualistic self, comprising 'moi' (basic, static identity) and 'personne' (dynamic self, shaped by social context). George Herbert Mead: Rejected biological determinism of self, highlighting the role of social interaction. He introduced the 'I' (individual response to others) and the 'Me' (internalized social attitudes). Mead's Stages of Self Development: Outlined the development of self through imitation (preparatory stage), role-playing (play stage), and understanding complex social rules (game stage). Role of Language: Both Mead and Vygotsky emphasized language's crucial role in self-development. Internal dialogue and social interaction through language shape our understanding of the world and ourselves. Self in Families: Families play a foundational role in shaping self through modelling, imitation, rewards, punishments, and more subtle influences. Gender and Self: Gender roles, often imposed by society, can impact self-perception. The sources advocate for personal discovery and assertion of gender identity rather than blind adherence to social norms. Culture and Self: Culture, encompassing customary behaviours and beliefs, significantly influences character and personality. It shapes our understanding of the world and our responses to it. This includes influences like colonization and religion. Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Model: This model highlights the nested systems influencing an individual's development, from the microsystem (immediate relationships) to the macrosystem (cultural and societal beliefs). Read more