Philosophical Self PDF

PHILOSOPHICAL SELF Learning Objectives: 1. Explain why it is essential to understand the self; 2. Describe and discuss the different notions of the self from the points-of-view of the various philosophers across time and place; 3. Compare and contrast how the self has been represented in d...

PHILOSOPHICAL SELF Learning Objectives: 1. Explain why it is essential to understand the self; 2. Describe and discuss the different notions of the self from the points-of-view of the various philosophers across time and place; 3. Compare and contrast how the self has been represented in different philosophical schools; and 4. Examine one’s self against the different views of self Do You Truly Know Yourself? Activity 1. Answer the following questions about yourself 1. How would you characterize yourself? 2. What makes you stand out from the rest? What makes your self special? 3. How has your self transformed itself? 4. How is your self connected to your body? 5. How is your self relate to other selves? 6. What will happen to your self after you die? Socrates Socrates was concerned with the problem of the self. Dualistic – every man is composed of body and soul. Plato “who they are” Supported the idea that man is a dual nature of body and soul. 3 components of the soul o Rational: reason and intellect o Spirited: in charge of the emotions o Appetitive: desires St. Augustine Man is of a bifurcated nature Body is bound to die on earth and the soul is anticipated living eternally. Two aspects: Imperfect (earthly) Capable of reaching immortality ◦ “The goal of every human person is to attain this communion and bliss with the divine.” Thomas Aquinas Man is composed of matter and form. Matter or hyle – common stuff that makes up everything. Form or morpe – essence of the living. “Soul is what animates the body; it is what makes us humans.” Rene Descartes Father of modern philosophy “The only thing that one cannot doubt is the existence of the self.” “I think therefore, I am.” 2 distinct entities Cogito: mind Extenza: body David Hume “All knowledge is derived from human senses.” Influenced by Empiricism Bundle Theory – collection of impressions Impressions (direct experience) Ideas (imagination) Sigmund Freud Father of Psychoanalysis Man is governed by 2 drives: Eros and Thanatos Provinces of the Mind Id Ego Superego Gilbert Ryle Denies the existence of the internal, non-physical self What truly matters is the behavior that a person manifests in his day-to-day life. Merleau-Ponty Denies the dualistic ideas. The mind and the body cannot be separated.