Understanding the Self (GEC01) PDF

Understanding the Self (GEC01) Instructor: Karen Marie J. Anton, RPm, CHRA Faculty, School of Humanities Reminders 1. Come to class on time. 2. Submit all requirements. 3. Make sure you are in the correct STEP-S classroom. 4. All general queries regarding the class should go through you...

Understanding the Self (GEC01) Instructor: Karen Marie J. Anton, RPm, CHRA Faculty, School of Humanities Reminders 1. Come to class on time. 2. Submit all requirements. 3. Make sure you are in the correct STEP-S classroom. 4. All general queries regarding the class should go through your respective class representatives. 5. Personal matters may be raised through email. 6. I may be contacted through [email protected] KIMCJA _______________________________ ANTON, KAREN MARIE C. 11-PSY-01 1X1 PICTURE UNDERSTANDING THE SELF (GEC01) KIM [email protected] KIMCJA  Learning Outcomes Demonstrate understanding of The Self from the range of representations and conceptualizations of the self from various disciplinal perspectives; Various Compare and contrast how the concept of the self has been represented across disciplines and perspectives; Perspectives Examine the different influences, factors, and forces that contribute to the development of the self; and Analyze the development of one's self and identity by creating a theory of the self. KIMCJA “Know thyself.” — Socrates KIMCJA  Ego Being Soul Am SELF Psyche Me Identity I KIMCJA  Anthropological Perspective Sociological Psychological Perspective Perspective SELF The Self in Philosophical Western and Perspective Eastern Thoughts KIMCJA  Learning Outcomes Explain the role of Philosophical philosophy in understanding the concept of the self; Perspective of Discuss the different concepts of the self from the philosophical perspective; the Self Differentiate the various concepts of the self and identify their similarities; and Develop your own philosophy of the self. KIMCJA Socrates: An unexamined life is not worth living KIMCJA Socrates Self = soul Reality – consists of two dichotomous realms Physical – changeable, transient, and imperfect Ideal – unchanging, eternal, and immortal Reason – soul’s tool to achieve wisdom and perfection Who we are, who we should be, and who we will become Man must live an examined life and a life of purpose and value An unexamined life is not worth living Socratic method KIMCJA  Plato: The self is an immortal soul KIMCJA Plato Self = soul Tripartite/Three-part soul/self Reason – the divine essence that enables us to think deeply, make wise choices, and achieve a true understanding of eternal truths Physical appetite – our basic biological needs, such as hunger, thirst, and sexual desire Spirit/Passion – basic emotions, such as love, anger, ambition, aggressiveness, and empathy Genuine happiness can only be achieved by ensuring that Reason is in control of Appetite and Spirit/Passion Theory of Forms The world of forms (non-physical ideas) – real and permanent The world of sense (reality) – temporary and only a replica of the ideal world KIMCJA  Aristotle: The soul is the essence of the self KIMCJA Aristotle Anything with life has a soul – the soul is the essence of all living things Types of souls Vegetative soul – includes the physical body that can grow Sentient soul – includes sensual desires, feelings, and emotions Rational soul – what makes man human; includes intellect The rational nature of the self is to lead a good, flourishing, and fulfilling life (self-actualization) KIMCJA  St. Augustine: The soul is superior to the body KIMCJA St. Augustine The body is the “spouse” of the soul, attached to one another by a “natural appetite” Soul – governs and defines man; provides man identity and purpose Man is created in the image and likeness of God The self can only be truly known by knowing God Emphasized the importance of reflection, prayer, and confession “I am doubting, therefore I am.” KIMCJA  René Descartes: I think, therefore I am KIMCJA René Descartes Cogito, ergo sum = I think, therefore I am Thinking about the self (being self-conscious) proves that there is a self Dualism – the thinking self can exist independently of the physical body Physical body – material, mortal, non-thinking entity governed by the physical laws of nature Thinking self – non-material, immortal, and conscious; independent of the physical laws of nature KIMCJA  John Locke: The self is consciousness KIMCJA John Locke Tabula rasa (blank slate) Self is constructed from sense experiences Emphasized the importance of conscious awareness and a memory of previous experiences Self-consciousness is necessary to have a coherent personal (self) identity or knowledge of the self as a person Knowledge – based on careful observation of experiences Reason – helps figure out the significance of sense experience and reach intelligent conclusions KIMCJA David Hume: There is no self KIMCJA David Hume There is no self Contents of experiences – impressions and ideas Impressions – basic sensations of people’s experience Ideas – thoughts and images from impressions Different sensations are in a constant continuum, which is invariable and not constant The idea of personal identity = result of imagination KIMCJA  Immanuel Kant: The self transcends experience KIMCJA Immanuel Kant Self = consciousness Transcendental deduction of categories – conceptual categories used to construct an orderly an objective world that is stable and can be investigated scientifically The self constructs its own reality, actively creating a world that is familiar, predictable, and most significantly, mine The self is the product of reason The self transcends experience KIMCJA  Sigmund Freud: The self is multilayered KIMCJA Sigmund Freud The self consists of three layers – conscious, unconscious, preconscious Conscious – rational, practical, and appropriate to the environment; reality principle Unconscious – primitive, basic instinctual drives; pleasure principle Preconscious – non-threatening material KIMCJA  Gilbert Ryle: The self is the way people behave KIMCJA Gilbert Ryle Self – a pattern of behavior ”I act, therefore, I am” The mind and body are intrinsically linked in complex and intimate ways The mind is the totality of human dispositions KIMCJA  Paul Churchland: The self is the brain KIMCJA Paul Churchland Self = brain Eliminative materialism – the self is inseparable from the brain and the physiology of the body The mind does not really exist because it cannot be experienced by the senses KIMCJA  Maurice Merleau-Ponty: The self is embodied subjectivity KIMCJA Maurice Merleau-Ponty Self = embodied subjectivity All knowledge about the self is based on the “phenomena” of experience I – a single integrated core identity, a combination of the mental, physical, and emotional structures around a core identity of the self Everything people are aware of is contained within the consciousness The consciousness, the world, and the human body are intricately intertwined in perceiving the world Perception is not merely a consequence of sensory experience – it is a conscious experience KIMCJA Wrap up! 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