Module 3: The Self from Philosophical Perspectives PDF

Module 3. The Self from various Philosophical Perspectives Diagnostics  Learning Checkpoint Do you AGREE or DISAGREE?  Different Philosophers hold the same views about the Self.  Philosophers have used empirical and rational lens in explaining the self.  Philosophy of the Self as expl...

Module 3. The Self from various Philosophical Perspectives Diagnostics  Learning Checkpoint Do you AGREE or DISAGREE?  Different Philosophers hold the same views about the Self.  Philosophers have used empirical and rational lens in explaining the self.  Philosophy of the Self as explained by modern philosophers are more relevant than the standpoint of ancient philosophers.  Philosophical views of the self are useful guide to a better life.  Philosophy of the self should only be studied by older individuals and not for younger generations. The Philosophy of the Self The Self has been defined as “as a unified being, essentially connected to consciousness, awareness, and agency (or, at least, with the faculty of rational choice) “. Different philosophers have come up with more specific characteristics of the Self, and over time, these meanings have transformed from pure abstractions to explanations that hold scientific evidences. The Philosophy of the Self Philosophy of the self has been defined through two distinct philosophical lens: Empiricism - derives explanations of the self from sensory and bodily responses. We know things because we have experienced it through our bodily senses. Rationalism - there is innate knowledge; they differ in that they choose different objects of innate knowledge. Rationalism explains self from the standpoint of what is “ideal” and the “truth”, not rooted in what is felt by the senses nor our body. The Philosophy of the Self What are the different philosophical views of the Self? There is abundance in literature that highlights the similarities and contrasting standpoints of the self. Socrates and Plato have explained the Self from a theoretical and logical orientation; Aristotle was an empiricist, deriving views of the self from physical and scientific underpinnings. The Philosophy of the Self St. Augustine adopted the views of Plato and infused it to his religious philosophy. John Locke, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant were empiricist philosophers; Rene Descartes was a dominant rational philosopher during the Middle Ages. Among contemporary philosophers, majority are empiricists: Gilbert Ryle, Patricia Churchland, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty have incorporated biological and neuroscience in their philosophies. Philosophy of Philosoph er Orientati on Philosoph y Description the Self Classical Antiquity Socrate Idealism Socratic  Knowledge is the personification of s Philosoph good while Ignorance is that of evil. y  “Know Thyself”  Self-knowledge is the ultimate virtue. As the ultimate virtue, it will lead to ultimate happiness.  “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Plato Idealism Dualism  Moral virtue is rooted in the intellect and and leads to happiness. Idealism  “Be kind, because all the people we met may have battle to surpass… “  Wisdom and knowledge leads to virtue which will lead to happiness.  “Scholars and wise men speak because they have to say; fools speak because they have to speak.”  Philosoph Orientatio Philosoph Description er n y Philosophy of Middle Ages the Self  All knowledge leads to God.  Only the pure in heart can see St. Platonism Neoplatonis God. Augustine m  Love of God, faith in Him and Understanding of his Gospel will ultimately lead to Happiness.  “Temperance is a love of giving up entirely himself to Him and that’s the only reason; Courage is a love that can go beyond everything with pleasure for the sake of Himself and that’s the only reason; justice is love that is uniquely serve only Him and no other reason, and prudence is love that can make the right decision on what prevents and what helps. "  “Pray where supposedly  Philosopher Orientati Philosophy Description on Renaissance Philosophy of Desca Rationalist Mind- “I think, therefore, I am.” the Self  rtes body  The mind and soul can exist without the body. Dualis  Establishing the distinction of soul from the body can make m people believe in the afterlife and the soul’s immortality. Locke Empiricist Theory  It is in consciousness alone that identity exists, not on the body of and soul. Person  There is a distinction between man and person. al Identit  The soul may change, but consciousness remains intact. y  “No mans knowledge here can go beyond his experience.” Hume Empiricist Skeptic  All knowledge passes through the senses. al  Separate ideas can be joined in the mind. Philoso  There is no self, only a bundle of perceptions. phy  “A wise man, therefore, proportions his belief to the evidence.’ Kant Rationalist Metaph  Reason is the final authority of morality. / ysics of  There is the inner self and outer self; Empiricist the  The inner self includes rational reasoning and psychological Self state.  The outer self includes the body and physical mind, where representation occurs.  “Morality is not properly the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we may make ourselves worthy of happiness.”  “The consciousness is divided into:  1. Internal Self - composed of psychological  Philosoph Orientati Philosophy Description Philosophy of er on the Self Modern Times Freud Psychology Psychoanaly  Id – pleasure principle - three-fold sis  Ego – reality principle self  Superego – morality principle Ryle Empiricist The Concept  “I act, therefore, I am.” of Mind  The mind is not the seat of self.  It is not a separate, parallel thing to our physical body.  The mind is a category mistake, brought about by habitual use. The only way it can affect the other is through the external world.  I made it, and so I am“ Churchla Empiricist Neurophilos  A fully matured neuroscience will nd ophy eliminate the need for beliefs since “they are not real.”  The physical brain gives us a sense of self.  “To understand the mind, we must understand the brain.” Merleau- Existentiali Phenomenol  Both empiricism and intellectualism are Ponty sm ogy of flawed in nature. Empiricist Perception  “We are our bodies.”  Our bodily experiences do not detach the subject/object, mind/body, Philosophy of the Self Group task: Things to Ponder About We have seen how philosophy of the self has evolved from ancient to modern times. From conceptual hypotheses of the self, modern times have seen the self from scientific and biological standpoints.  Do you agree with what (assigned philosopher) has concluded about the self?  Do you see how (assigned philosopher’s) explanations of the self apply to you in the present?  If you are to choose one particular philosophy of the Self, what would it be and why?