Understanding The Self - PDF

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF  SOCRATIC PERIOD He claims that life is not worth living without examining oneself. AN UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING. This implies that examining one's life is essential to finding happiness and meaning in the world. One can be happy if the person learns something ab...

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF  SOCRATIC PERIOD He claims that life is not worth living without examining oneself. AN UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING. This implies that examining one's life is essential to finding happiness and meaning in the world. One can be happy if the person learns something about themselves. In Socrates' words, KNOW THYSELF. LIFE IS GARBAGE IF YOU DON’T EXAMINE YOURSELF TO KNOW YOURSELF. The Socratic Method involves questioning a person without answering. The other term used for this is the midwifery method. It aids the person to reach an authentic answer through a series of questions that always end with the phrase "I do not know.“ I know that I don’t know. IT DRIVES TO LOVE LEARNING. Socrates needs to take care of the soul, for the soul is more important than wealth, and WORLDLY THINGS. Virtue is the most crucial factor for Socrates. One can only achieve a virtuous life by examining oneself and living a moral and righteous life. > Primary goal of man in this world is to be happy thru living a virtuous life.  PLATO> Theory of Form and Matter > the Physical World, the World of Matter, is inaccurate. It is but a mere imitation of the perfect world, namely the World of Form. The world of form OR IDEAS is perfect and ultimately exists beyond matter. > Matter has limitations, and our chair is à mere imitation of the perfect chair in the world of form. > The world of form, or the world of ideas > Man can know it through his mind with reason. However, One can never fully comprehend the world of form. Parts of the Soul 3 PARTS OF THE SOUL  The Appetitive is the sensual part of the soul  WE EXPERIENCE PHYSICAL SATISFACTION (FOOD, SEX, DRINKING, SMOKING, RECREATIONS)  Moving higher in order, the Spirited (PASSION, courage)  The last is Rationality, REASONING highest part of the soul, to achieve the virtue of wisdom Aristotle FOR ARISTOTLE > The form for is the soul, and the Matter is the body. Provided that the being (a thing that exists) is alive, it has a soul within. > all living things have souls and should be seen in a hierarchical order. > The plants are the vegetative or nutritive soul. It has the power of growth, nutrition, and reproduction > While the animal soul is added with motion and perception, possessing a sensitive faculty that is common to every animal. > Finally, the human soul is the rational soul View of the Self Following Aristotle, man is the unity of the body and the immortal soul. >> man can achieve perfection by fulfilling one's purpose of union with God thru a life of virtue. >> Reason provides insights into the world, while faith guides toward ontological (beings/ things that exist) truth. Thus, the self reaches harmony with faith and reason. FLOURISHING, GOOD LIFE, EUDAIMONIA (GREEK WORD) man's potential must be put to good use >> HAPPINESS BY LIVING A GOOD LIFE Virtue and Development cultivating virtue as critical for reaching eudaimonia or human flourishing. HOW?? It is through repetitive and correct consistency, or HABIT. This means that the connections of the soul towards others are necessary to understand the self.  Medieval Period The Medieval Period is better known in Western Philosophy as the Christian Philosophical Era. ========================== St. Augustine emphasizes the importance of introspection and the examination of conscience to contemplate the nature of man's memory, intellect, and deliberate actions, and whether they are aligned with the will of the Divine. FREEDOM OF THE WILL YOU HAVE THE CHOICE TO DO GOOD OR TO DO BAD. The choice of being good or bad is always in the hands of the individual. The role of shaping oneself is personal; thus, the individual decides to be good or bad, which is within his control. The Platonic Influence the Tripartite Self of the Platonic is used by St. Augustine to explain further the self by discussing how these faculties interact with each other and contribute to the understanding of the self. >> Rational, Spirited, and Appetitive >> St. Augustine's Tripartite Self presents it differently Memoria (memories AND LESSONS LEARNED affecting emotions and actions), Intellectus (power to reason, SEARCH FOR THE DIVINE, COMBAT TEMPTATIONS), and Voluntas (power to decide based on MEMORIA AND INTELLECTUS). WE CAN DECIDE TO CONNECT TO GOD. St. Aquinas INTELLECT OR REASON ALLOWS MAN TO CONTEMPLATE THE TRUTH, SO HE CAN CHOOSE THE GOOD LEADING TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY AND TO GOD. MODERN PERIOD challenged traditional thinking that paved the way for the Enlightenment period  philosophical movement of the 18th century marked by a rejection of traditional social, religious, and political ideas and an emphasis on rationalism (actions based on reason) Rene Descartes (1596-1650) The Cartesian Self and Methodic Doubt >> the father of Modern Philosophy. >> only believing knowledge that is proven true by authentic philosophical inquiry and rationalization. Asserting that knowledge begins with certainty and that the foundation of knowledge must be scrutinized for errors, for the senses can be deceived in many means, intentionally or unintentionally In essence, the Cartesian self is defined by consciousness and the act of thinking. Even if our senses deceive us, the very act of DOUBTING proves that there is a thinking entity doing the doubting – Hence, MYSELF EXISTS. Hence, the self is the composition of the body (material) and soul (thinking substance), functioning in different means but cannot exist without the other, as explained in the concept of dualism. David Hume (1711- 1776). The Bundle Theory Hume proposed the bundle theory to represent the self. It sees the self as a collection of perceived experiences THRU IMPRESSIONS. >> Consequently, it claims that the perceived personality and self-identity are mere perceptions of the mind. No Fixed "Self": Hume argued that there's no constant, unchanging "self" or soul residing within us. Instead of a solid core, we're like that backpack – a constantly shifting collection of individual items. Bundles of Impressions: These "items" are our impressions, which are vivid, direct experiences. Think of sensations (the taste of chocolate, the feeling of sunshine), emotions (joy, sadness), thoughts, and memories. Every moment, we're experiencing a new bundle of these impressions. John Locke HUMAN MIND AT BIRTH – A TABULA RASA (empty) and knowledge is derived from experience. >> reason and experience are vital in understanding the self. >> He presents a powerful application of empirical observation of the self through introspection that enables the person to know about their personality and shape his/herself in the process. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). The Unity of The External And Internal Self > knowledge is gained through experience and rationalization. > the self is transcendental, for it goes beyond accepting empirical reality and abstract truth, creating a unified perception of Truth and the self through harmonious and continuous epistemological process. The Self is Transcendental: Explanation: The self is not limited to empirical experiences or abstract reasoning alone. It transcends both, meaning it operates on a higher level to unify and make sense of these different types of knowledge. Example: Imagine witnessing a sunrise. The empirical experience is the colors, the warmth on your skin, etc. Rational thought might lead you to understand the scientific explanation for the sunrise. However, the self goes beyond (experience & reason), perhaps feeling awe, beauty, or a connection to something greater. This feeling is a transcendental experience. TIME, SPACE, CAUSE & EFFECT, SUBSTANCE/GOD Post-Modern Existentialism is one of the post-modern disciplines that tries to study the reason for man's existence in the world. Whether man has the ultimate purpose in this world or needs to create his essence or reason for existence, it is a philosophical endeavor that all man must encounter to find meaning in one's life. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF EXISTENCE? DO WE FIND OUR PURPOSE OR DO WE CREATE OUR PURPOSE? Marcel's Concept of "Breaks" and Reflections: For Gabriel Marcel, These breaks are moments of rupture, crisis, or questioning that disrupt our everyday existence and force us to confront the fundamental questions of life, death, and existence. (very important questions) Examples of Breaks: The Death of a Loved One: This event dramatically disrupts our world. It forces us to confront our own mortality and the fragility of life. It makes us question the meaning of life and our place in the universe. A Sudden Illness or Accident: This experience can abruptly shatter our sense of normalcy and invulnerability. It makes us acutely aware of our embodiment and the limitations of our control over life. These breaks, while often painful, are crucial for authentic existence. They jolt us out of our complacency and force us to engage in reflection. Marcel identifies two types of reflection: 22 Situation 1: Break-up Primary Reflection: "Why did the relationship end?" You might analyze communication patterns, disagreements, individual needs not being met, or perhaps a specific event that led to the break-up. The focus is on understanding the mechanics of what happened. LESSONS Secondary Reflection: "What does this break-up teach me about myself and what I seek in a partner?" This delves into deeper questions about your values, relationship patterns, and understanding of love. It's less about blame and more about personal growth prompted by the experience. 23 Situation 2: Financial Crisis Primary Reflection: "How did I get into this financial situation?" This involves reviewing spending habits, identifying unnecessary expenses, and analyzing income versus outflow. The focus is on the tangible aspects of finances. (BUDGETING) Secondary Reflection: "What role does money play in my life, and how can I have a healthier relationship with it?" This might lead to examining your values around material possessions, security, and the connection between money and happiness. It's about more than just budgeting; it's about your overall approach to financial well-being. Key Difference: The crucial distinction is that primary reflection is largely practical and focused on the immediate situation. Secondary reflection is more existential and introspective, looking for deeper meaning and potential for personal transformation. 24 Here are some brief examples illustrating Levinas' concepts: Ego: SELFISH >> even to the point of using people Career Ambition: Someone solely focused on climbing the corporate ladder, even at the expense of colleagues' well-being, exemplifies the ego-centric perspective Levinas critiques. Their primary concern is their own advancement, treating others as obstacles or tools. Consumerism: The relentless pursuit of material possessions, driven by the desire for personal satisfaction and status, reflects an ego-driven approach to the world. It prioritizes having over being and often ignores the needs of others. 25 I-Thou Relationship: Parent-Child: The bond between a parent and child, particularly in the early years, exemplifies the I-Thou relationship. The parent's care is not based on reciprocity but on the infant's absolute need, their vulnerability demanding a response. (CARE EVEN WITHOUT A RETURN) Witnessing Suffering: When confronted with someone experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty, the I-Thou relationship calls us beyond simply acknowledging their situation. It compels us to respond with compassion and concrete action, recognizing their shared humanity. 26