Philosophical-Perspective.pptx

The self Philosophical perspective Luke is a professional with a degree in computer Engineering from a prestigious University. He works in a multinational manufacturing company and earns salary three times that of his friends. In his mid 30’s Luke has had several romantic relation...

The self Philosophical perspective Luke is a professional with a degree in computer Engineering from a prestigious University. He works in a multinational manufacturing company and earns salary three times that of his friends. In his mid 30’s Luke has had several romantic relationships but has not settled yet for marriage. He never wanted to commit to himself to any woman as he often would to decide to get out of the relationship once he left that the other party would ask for a longer and more stable commitment. When questioned by his family and friends, Luke would say that he is not ready for a change in his lifestyle and he thinks that emotionally, financially and psychologically he does not have the capacity to be a family man and to raise children. Point to Ponder: Why it is that Luke thinks that he is not ready to face he life of a family man despite his achievements and abilities? Expound Socrates (470-399 BC) He is a classical Greek philosopher and a pioneer in Western moral philosophy. As a contribution to the field of philosophy, Socrates introduced the Socratic problem also known as the Socratic questions. The goal of which was to ‘’know thyself’’. Accordingly, there should be a dialogue between the self and the soul. One should accept that he knows nothing and he knows and accept that he knows nothing as this leads to learning and discovering the truth. Socrates who was greatly known for his Socratic method stated that “an unexamined life is no worth living’’ It is the goal of Socratic perspective to better the quality of human life through consistent self- examination. Plato (424-347 BC) He is a classical Greek philosopher and the founder of academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the western world. An influential figure in western philosophy and the founder of western spirituality. Plato stated that the ‘psyche’ or the ‘mind’ is compromised of three elements. 1. The appetites which involve our pleasurable desires such as those which provide us physical pleasure and physiological comfort. 2. The spirited which denotes the part within us that is agitated most of the time. It is highly spirited and motivated to surpass and conquer life challenges. It is area within us that enjoys triumph, honor, greatness and affirmation 3. The mind is the conscious awareness which thinks, meditates weighs choices and assesses situations in our  Saint Agustine (AD 354- 430) Saint Agustine of Hippo was a theologian and philosopher to have greatly contributed to the progress of Western Christianity through his writings specifically The City of God, On Christian Doctrine and Confessions. Saint Augustine pointed onto sin as the source of human unhappiness as sin impairs human free will. Saint Augustine discovered and developed the concept of individual identity. He conceptualized an idea of the self and eventually achieving an identity.  Saint Agustine (AD 354- 430) Saint Augustine identified the two-fold process comprised of self-presentation leading to self-realization. He reiterated that one transforms as he struggles in both body and soul to ultimately achieve happiness specifically found in God's love. However he stressed on the superiority of the mind over that of the body. Understanding of the self and the formation of identity is achieved through the process of Introspection' or 'self- analysis."  René Descartes (1596- 1650) René Descartes believed to be the father of modern westerm philosophy. He was a French scientific thinker, mathematician and philosopher. Descartes developed the Cartesian philosophy which holds that mental acts determine physical acts. Moreover he reiterated on the role of cognition as the active acquisition of knowledge involving the individual's imagination, intellect, perception as well as memory. He described the mind as the ‘’intellectual substance’’  René Descartes (1596- 1650) Descartes pointed onto the relation- ship between the mind and the body. And from such insight begun his quest for true knowledge and stated his very brilliant principle which state that "Cogito, ergo sum" which is "I think, therefore I am " This is a method to assess one's self For Descartes being self- conscious is necessary to develop a personal identity. The essence of your self makes you a ‘’thinking thing’’ engaged in all forms of mental operations determinant of being a human with a distinct persona. John Locke ( 1632 - 1704) John Locke was a prominent thinker during the "Age of Reason. " He is an English philosopher and physician. Remarkably Locke is considered the "Father of Liberalism" as he had posited the 'theory of mind' which is a breakthrough in the origin of modern understanding of the concept of identity and the self. It was Locke who developed the concept of "Tabula Rasa.' He pointed onto the theory that at birth, the mind is a blank slate without innate ideas, and it is experience that provides us knowledge provided by sensory experiences and reflections. John Locke ( 1632 - 1704) John Locke stated that personal identity or the self is found in the consciousness. He identified the brain as comprising the consciousness which has one's identity. It is alleged that life is a quest for the understanding of what is after death and immortality. He argued as well that a person may only be judged for the acts of his body but the truth according to him is that one is liable only for the acts of which he is conscious. David Hume (1711-1776) David Hume a prime mover in western philosophy is a Scottish philosopher from Edinburgh, known for his insights on the psychological basis of human nature where he posited that passion rather than Teason governs human behavior. Hume argued against the existence of innate ideas, positing that all human knowledge is ultimately founded solely in experience. He reiterated that reason is only the slave of passion which implies that logic and intellect is basically superseded by an individual's passion, drive and motivation. Hume also perceived that experiences are derived from internal and external stimulus and they create impressions on the individual. According to Hume the self and one's mind is like a mnachine that can be turned on and off as they are only active when one is conscious.  Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804) Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804) who was born in Prussia was a great contributor in modern western philosophy. He asserted that it is the human mind which creates experiences. These experiences are similar among human on the level of abstraction as we share important characteristics that resemble in specific points of interests. Human experiences make up our persona according to logical effects provided by certain causes. Evidently, the development of individuality and the self is a result of unique human experiences as it forges significant learning within the person.  Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804) More so, Kant said that every an inner and outer self which comprises the consciousness. According to Kant, the intellect as well as the psychological state of a being is what we call as the inner self while the outer self is made of the senses and the physical self. Largely, the object of the inner self is the 'soul' while the outer self is directed to the ‘body'.  Sigmeund Freud (1856- 1939) Sigismund Schlomo Freud also known as Sigmeund Freud was a neurologist neurologist from Austria. He established psychoanalysis. This is a school of thought revolving around the role of psychological conflicts within the unconscious which is relevant in the development of human behavior as well as personality. It was Freud who stated that there are three components in the mind that interact to produce the individual persona. This concept in the structural theory of personality involves the id, ego, and superego which are largely found within the unconscious, The conflict between these three components gives rise to human persona.  Sigmeund Freud (1856- 1939) The id and the superego are in constant conflict brought about by differences in their desire. As the id demands pleasure and gratification of urges, the superego requires compliance to societal norms. The conflict is resolved by the ego which is the self by maintaining the balance between these two structures of the mind. Freud considered the ego as the realistic area of one's persona that maintains the balance and harmony within the individual. Gilbert Ryle (1900 -1976) Gilbert Ryle was born in Brighton, England. He was a British philosopher, a behaviorist who coined the phrase "the ghost in the machine." Ryle believed that mental phenomena are explained by observing public behavior. Ryle, in his book The Concept of Mind' (1949) explained how the mental states are inseparable from the physical states. Ryle focused on observable behavior in defining the self. He stated that every human being has both a physical body and a non-physical mind which are ordinarily "harnessed together" while we are alive.  Gilbert Ryle (1900 -1976) According to Ryle though the physical body is subject to the mechanical laws the mind, on the other hand, is not accessible to the public and definitely never subjected to mechanical laws, He stated that ‘’ A person therefore lives through two collateral histories, one consisting of what happens in and to his body, and other consisting of what happens in and to his mind. The first is public, the second private.’’ This simply explains how the mind is operating within the person himself while the body is subjected to the observation and criticisms of the public. Paul Mon tgomery Churchland (1942-) Paul Montgomery Churchland was from Vancouver, Canada. He is a modern-day philosopher whose studies greatly focuses on the workings of the brain. a He argued that 'nothing but matter exists‘ which is also known as materialism. Paul hypothesized that the human consciousness can be explained through the neural networks communicating through its hub in the brain which is the thalamus. As we begin to use empirical evidence to describe how Our brains and bodies function we learn to to determine how we feel and how certain situation affects us. Churchland believes that many are unaware of the appropriate terms do determine the exact emotions and sentiment empirical use that they are undertaking. Hence, this leads to confusion as to how we understand ourselves. Maurice Merleau Ponty Merleau-Ponty, a French philosopher, wrote the book Phénoménologie de La Perception in 1945. In this book, he expounded his thesis on The Primacy of Perception" where he revealed how the body is central to one's perception. As an existentialist, Merleau-Ponty argued that perception is the determinant of one's consciousness. It is our prejudice that creates the perception that we have in our mind. Maurice Merleau Ponty This is the "primacy of perception" where Merleau Ponty said that ‘’there is harmony between what we aim a and what is given, between the intention and performance’’ The same provides explanation as to Merleau Ponty claim that ‘’consciousness is primarily not a matter of ‘’ I think that’’ but of ‘’ I can.’’ Hence in this argument, it shows how action is required in the formation of self-perception as well as self-concept.