Philosophical Perspectives of The Self PDF

GEC 11 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF Lesson 1: Philosophical Perspectives Of The Self  KNOW THYSELF ◈ The self is your main companion in living this world. While it is good to have companion like your parents, siblings, romantic partner (jowa), the reality is they will not...

GEC 11 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF Lesson 1: Philosophical Perspectives Of The Self  KNOW THYSELF ◈ The self is your main companion in living this world. While it is good to have companion like your parents, siblings, romantic partner (jowa), the reality is they will not be with you forever. In the end, we only have ourselves if we are talking about forever, ◈ If you will not try to know, understand, or the essence of loving yourself, how lonely would that be? ◈ SELF IS SIMPLE YET VERY COMPLEX: You might know who you are, but do you really know who you really are? ◈ GOAL OF THE SUBJECT – Not necessarily know yourself instantly or right after passing the semester. Understanding the self is a LIFELONG process. Once you stop knowing and discovering new things about yourself, life become a little bit more dull or boring. The main goal is for you to have curiosity, drive, and the patience to know your self. And also to instill in you the means of What is Philosophy? Philosophy ◈ "Philo-" stems from the Greek word philein , meaning ‘to love’ ◈ "-sophy" comes from the Greek word sophia , or wisdom. "the love of wisdom” ◈ In a broad sense, philosophy is an activity people undertake when they seek to understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world in which they live, and their relationships to the world and to each other. ◈ As an academic discipline philosophy is much the same. Those who study philosophy are perpetually engaged in asking, answering, and arguing for their answers to life’s most basic questions. ◈ To make such a pursuit more systematic academic philosophy is traditionally divided into four (4) major areas of study. 1. Metaphysics It is the study of the ◈ Is there a God? nature of reality, of what exists in the ◈ What is truth? world, what it is like, and how it is ◈ What is a person?? ordered. In ◈ Do people have minds? If metaphysics philosophers wrestle so, how is the mind with such questions related to the body? as: 2. Epistemology It is the study of knowledge. It is ◈ What is knowledge? primarily concerned with what we can ◈ Do we know anything at know about the all? world and how we can know it. Typical ◈ How do we know what we questions of concern know? in epistemology are:  3. Ethics ◈ What is good? What It is often concerns makes actions or people what we ought to do good? and what it would be best to do. In struggling ◈ What is right? What with this issue, larger makes actions right? questions about what is good and right arise. So, ◈ Is morality objective or the ethicist attempts to subjective? answer such questions as: ◈ How should I treat others?  4. Logic Another important aspect of the study of philosophy is ◈ What constitutes the arguments or reasons "good" or "bad" given for people as reasoning? answers to these questions. To this end ◈ How do we philosophers employ logic determine whether a to study the nature and given piece of structure of arguments. reasoning is good or Logicians ask such bad? ◈ The topic of exactly when and where philosophy first began to develop is still debated, but the simplest answer is that it would have begun – at any place in the distant past – the first time someone asked why they were born, what their purpose was, and how they were supposed to understand their lives. ◈ The term philosophy may apply to a formalized secular or religious system of thought, a personal construct, or a communal understanding of proper attitude and conduct, but in each case, the purpose of the system is to answer such questions.  Who am I? Self-check: What is the meaning of my life? What is the reason for my being? Have these questions ever cross your mind?  PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE SELF GEC11 – UNDERSTANDING THE SELF  SOCRATES: The Soul is Immortal “An unexamined life is not worth living” ❖ a Greek philosopher from Athens who is credited as the founder of Western philosophy and among the first moral philosophers of the ethical tradition of thought. ❖ known as the "Father of Western Philosophy" ❖ Plato was considered to be his greatest student. It was Plato who wrote his philosophy (Socrates did not write anything) ❖ Accused of corrupting the youth of Athens. ❖ Chose death instead of exile as a final lesson for his students to face the adversities of life calmly and squarely. ❖ “ULTIMATE WISDOM COMES FROM KNOWING ONESELF” ◈ SOCRATIC METHOD (Dialectic Method) – Method of questioning that laid the groundwork for Western systems of logic in particular and philosophy in general; dialogue between the soul and itself. (or between student and teacher) ◈ SOUL – key concept on Socrates’s view of the self (different from religious concept of soul) ◈ Frederick Copleston (historian) believes that Socrates’ soul refers to “thinking and willing subject” SOUL = INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL PERSONALITY OF HUMANS ◈ Socrates said that when we turn inward in search for self-knowledge, we would eventually discover our true self. ◈ Self is inner being.  SOCRATES’ 2 DICHOTOMOUS REALMS THE PHYSICAL REALM THE IDEAL REALM ◈ Changeable, transient ◈ Unchanging, eternal, and (impermanent), and immortal imperfect ◈ The soul belongs to this ◈ The body belongs to this realm realm  SOUL IS THE ESSENCE OF SELF ◈ We need to take care of our soul to attain the “good life. ◈ Good life is attained through the acquisition of knowledge, wisdom, and virtue. ◈ Our souls strive for wisdom and perfection , but as long as the soul is tied to the body, this quest for wisdom is inhibited by the imperfection of the physical realm. ◈ But reason is a powerful tool, enabling the soul to free itself from the corrupting imperfection of the physical realm and achieve “communion with the unchanging. The reason is the soul’s tool to achieve this exalted state. ◈ The individual person can have a meaningful and happy life only if he becomes virtuous and knows the value of himself that can be achieved through incessant soul-searching. ◈ Self-knowledge is the ultimate virtue.  PLATO: The self is an immortal soul ❖ Plato was the student of Socrates who also believed that the self is synonymous with the soul. ❖ Plato elaborated the concept of the soul; specifically he introduced the idea of a three-part soul: reason, physical appetite and spirit or passion.  1. Reason is the divine essence that enables us to think deeply, make wise choices and achieve a true understanding of eternal truths. 2. Physical appetite includes our basic biological needs such as hunger, thirst and sexual desires. 3. Spirit or passion includes basic emotions such as love, anger, empathy. ◈ These three elements are in a dynamic relationship with one another, sometimes in conflict. ◈ It is the responsibility of our Reason to sort things out and exert control, restoring harmonious relationships among the three elements. ◈ In short, to live a happy life according to Plato, humans must consistently make sure that their reason is in control of their spirit and appetite.  ST. AUGUSTINE: The self has an immortal soul ❖ St. Augustine, also called Saint Augustine of Hippo, original Latin name Aurelius Augustinus. ❖ In melding philosophy and religious beliefs together, Augustine has been characterized as Christianity’s first theologian. ❖ A Roman Philosopher named Plotinus spearheaded Neoplatonism. Plotinus’ ideas had a profound influence on St. Augustine. ❖ Integrated the philosophical concepts of Plato with the tenets of Christianity. Augustine was convinced that Platonism and Christianity were natural partners. ◈ Early in his philosophical development he describes the body as a “snare” and a “cage” for the soul. He considers the body a “slave” to the soul , and sees their relation as contentious: “The soul makes war with the body.” ◈ HOWEVER, As his thinking matured, Augustine came to view the body as the “spouse” of the soul, with both attached to one another by a “natural appetite”. The body is united with the soul so that man may be entire and complete ◈ Nevertheless, body and soul remain irreconcilably divided, the body to die, the soul to live eternally in a transcendent realm of Truth and Beauty. ◈ Augustine was convinced that the self is known only through knowing God. ◈ For Augustine, “knowledge can only come by seeing the truth that dwells within us.” TRUTH = KNOWING GOD. Self or Immortal soul striving to achieve union with God through faith and reason.  REŃE DESCARTES: “ I Think Therefore I Am” ❖ French philosopher Descartes is the father of Modern philosophy. He brought an entirely new perspective to philosophy and the self. ❖ He is more curious about our thinking process. ❖ Using reason is not enough, we have to understand it. If our thinking instrument is flawed, then our conclusions will be likely to be flawed as well. ❖ Descartes was convinced that we should use our thinking abilities to investigate, experiment, analyze, and develop our well- reasoned conclusion supported with proofs. ❖ One must be courageous enough to question  “Cogito ergo sum” ◈ The act of thinking about the self ―of being self-conscious ― is in itself proof that there is a self. ◈ He is confident that no rational person will doubt his or her own existence as a conscious, thinking entity- while we are aware of thinking about ourselves. ◈ Being self-conscious in this way is integral to having a personal identity. ◈ It would be impossible to be self-conscious if we didn’t have a personal identity of which to be conscious. ◈ Self-identity and being self-conscious are mutually dependent on one another. Characteristics of a thinking thing: ✔ You understand situations in which you find yourself. ✔ You doubt the accuracy of ideas presented to you. ✔ You affirm the truth of a statement made about you. ✔ You deny an accusation that someone has made. ✔ You will yourself to complete a task you have begun. ✔ You refuse to follow a command that you consider to be unethical. ◈ Self-identity is dependent on the fact that you are capable of being aware you are engaging in these mental operations while you are engaged in them. If you are consistently not conscious and unaware of your thinking, reasoning, and perceiving process, then it is impossible for you to have a self-identity, a unique essence, a you.  QUESTION: Is our body not part of our self then? ◈ For Descartes, your physical body is secondary to personal identity. Self exist independently from your body. ◈ Self as a thinking entity and self as a physical body- of self are distinct from each other. Further, Descartes argues that each can exist and function without the other. Self as Thinking Entity Self as Physical body ✔ Nonmaterial ✔ Material ✔ Immortal ✔ Mortal ✔ Conscious being ✔ Nonthinking entity ✔ Independent of physical laws of universe ✔ Fully governed by physical laws of nature  QUESTION: How is it possible that the two dimensions of the self can exist without the other? ✔ Physical death - Descartes believes that the soul continues to exist, seeking union with God’s infinite and eternal mind in the spiritual realm. ✔ Sleep or Comatose - their bodies continue to function even if their minds are not thinking. ◈ Questions from other thinkers: “What is the relationship between the mind and the body?” ◈ It is undeniable that our mind and body are connected since our thinking and emotions have a profound effect on many aspects of our physical bodies, and physical events of our bodies have a significant impact on our mental lives. ◈ Our mind and body have “intermingling” point of contact through the pineal gland. ◈ most philosophers agree that Descartes failed in his attempt to create an integrated concept of the body and mind.  JOHN LOCKE: The self is consciousness ❖ English philosopher whose works lie at the foundation of modern philosophical empiricism and political liberalism, classical liberalism in particular. ❖ His philosophical thinking was close to that of the founders of modern science , especially Robert Boyle, Sir Isaac Newton, and other members of the Royal Society. ❖ Empiricist - view that sense experience is the primary source of all and that only a careful attention to sense experience can enable us to understand the world and achieve accurate conclusions. ◈ To discover the nature of personal identity, we’re going to have to find out what it means to be a person. 1. A person is a thinking, intelligent being who has the abilities to reason and to reflect. 2. A person is also someone who considers itself to be the same thing in different times and different places. ◈ Consciousness—being aware that we are thinking —always accompanies thinking and is an essential part of the thinking process. Consciousness is what makes possible our belief that we are the same identity in different times and different places. ◈ Conscious awareness and memory of previous experiences are the keys in understanding the self. For example, while we are communicating with other people in different environment, we can carefully observe our experiences with them that lead us to learnings or being knowledgeable. ◈ But, there are many moments when we are not consciously aware of our self when we are thinking, feeling, and willing—we are simply, unreflectively, existing. ◈ What’s more, there are many past experiences that we have forgotten or have faulty recollections of. All of which means that during those lapses, when we were not aware of our self, or don’t remember being aware of our self, we can’t be sure if we were the same person, the same substance, the same soul! ◈ For Locke, personal identity and the soul or substance in which the personal identity is situated are two very different things. ◈ For Locke, the human mind at birth is tabula rasa or blank slate. The self or personal identity is constructed primarily from sense experience ― specifically, what people see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. These experiences  IMMANUEL KANT: We Construct the Self ❖ A German philosopher that was one of the foremost thinkers of the Enlightenment and arguably one of the greatest philosophers of all time. ❖ In him were subsumed new trends that had begun with the rationalism (stressing reason) of René Descartes and the empiricism (stressing experience) of Francis Bacon. ❖ He inaugurated a new era in the development of philosophical thought. ◈ Kant acknowledges that all knowledge of the world begins with sensations. but emphasizes that “our primary experience of the world is not in terms of a disconnected stream of sensations.” ◈ Instead, we perceive and experience an organized world of objects, relationships, and ideas, all existing within a fairly stable framework of space and time. ◈ This meaning-constructing activity is precisely what our minds are doing all of the time: 1. taking the raw data of experience 2. actively synthesizing it into the familiar, orderly, meaningful world in which we live.  QUESTION: How do our minds know the best way to construct an intelligible world out of a never-ending avalanche of sensations? ◈ We each have fundamental organizing rules or principles built into the architecture of our minds. These dynamic principles naturally order, categorize, organize, and synthesize sense data into the familiar fabric of our lives. ◈ These organizing rules are a priori in the sense that they precede the sensations of experience and they exist independently of these sensations. We didn’t have to “learn” these a priori ways of organizing and relating the world—they came as software already installed in our intellectual operating systems. ◈ It is the self that makes experiencing an understandable world possible because it is the self that is actively organizing all our thoughts and perceptions. In other words, the self constructs its own reality, actively creating a world that is familiar, predictable, and most significantly, mine. ◈ Metaphorically, our self is the weaver who, using the loom of the mind, weaves together the fabric of experience into a unified whole so that it becomes our experience, our world, our universe. ◈ Without our self to perform this synthesizing function, our experience would be unknowable, a chaotic collection of sensations without coherence or significance. ◈ The unity of consciousness is a phrase invented by Kant to describe the fact that the thoughts and perceptions of any given mind are bound together in a unity by being all contained in one consciousness—my consciousness.  Post-Chapter Assessment ◈ Instruction: In a ¼ sheet of paper, answer the question below for 15 points. 1) Among the discussed Philosophers, which perspective explains best your perspective of the self? Why? ◈ Socrates – Soul is immortal ◈ Plato – Self is an immortal soul Augustine – Self has an immortal ◈ St. soul ◈ Rene Descartes – “I think therefore I am” ◈ John Locke – Self is consciousness  SOCRATES Soul is immortal PLATO Self is an immortal soul ST. AUGUSTINE Self has an immortal soul RENE DESCARTES I think, therefore I am JHON LOCKE Self is consciousness IMMANUEL KANT We construct the self