Philosophy: Understanding the Self PDF

Philosophy Understanding the Self Socrates Understanding the Self -Greek philosopher -second-hand information from the writings of his student, Plato and historian, Xenophon S o c r a t e s -Socratic Method -questioned everyday view...

Philosophy Understanding the Self Socrates Understanding the Self -Greek philosopher -second-hand information from the writings of his student, Plato and historian, Xenophon S o c r a t e s -Socratic Method -questioned everyday views and popular Athenian beliefs 1. The soul is immortal. 2. The care of the soul is the task of S o c r a t e philosophy. s 3. Virtue is necessary to attain happiness. “The unexamined life is not worth S o c r a t e s living.” -believed that one should consciously contemplate, turn one’s gaze inward and analyze the true nature and values that are guiding your life S o c r a t e s -the state of your inner being/soul/self determines the quality of your life -believed that existence is of two kinds: visible invisible S o c r a t e s ”When the soul and body are together, nature assigns our body to be a slave and to be ruled and the soul to be ruler and master.” -believed that the goal of life is to be happy How does one become happy? S o c r a t e s According to Socrates, the virtuous man is a happy man. Plato Understanding the Self -student of Socrates -wrote the Socratic Dialogue The three parts of the soul according to Plato Plato are: 1. The appetitive (sensual) 2. The rational (reasoning) 3. The spirited (feeling) The appetitive (sensual) -the element that enjoys sensual experiences such as food, drink, and sex The rational (reasoning) -the element that forbids the person to enjoy the sensual experiences; the part that Plato loves truth, hence should rule over the other parts of the soul through the use of that reason The spirited (feeling) -inclined towards reason but understand the demands of the passion; the part that loves honor and victory 1. Like Socrates, what everyday views and popular beliefs have you questioned in trying to make sense of your reality? (Please include a brief description of the “bubble” you are exposed to.) 2. What virtues are important to you? Why? 3. Do you believe that the virtuous human being is a happy one? 4. Examine the three parts of your soul according to Plato (appetitive, rational and spirited). St. Augustine -also known as Saint Augustine of Hippo -one of the most significant Christian thinkers -believed that the human being was both a S t. A u g u s t i soul and body, and the body possessed n e senses such as imagination, memory, reason, and mind through which the soul experienced the world St. Augustine The aspects of the self/soul according to St. Augustine: 1. It is able to be aware of itself. S t. A u g u s t i 2. It recognizes itself as a holistic one. n e 3. It is aware of its unity. -meant to tend to higher, divine and heavenly matters Rene Descartes -French philosopher, mathematician and scientist -father of modern Western philosophy D e s c a r t -hyperbolical/metaphysical doubt or e s methodological skepticism -cogito ergo sum “I think, therefore I am” -fierce rationalist -dualism Rene Descartes Claims about the self: 1. It is constant; it is not prone to change, D e s c a r t and it is not affected by time. e s 2. Only the immaterial soul remains the same throughout time. 3. The immaterial is the source of our identity. John Locke -philosopher and physician -the “self” consists of memory (expanded Descartes’ concept of “self” as a thinking lock thing) e “Human mind at birth is a tabula rasa, which means that knowledge is derived from experience accountability David Hume -Scottish philosopher, economist and historian -opponent of Descartes’ rationalism Hu -empiricism me -bundle theory (collection of different perceptions that are moving in a very fast and successive manner) Impressions Ideas David Hume All knowledge is derived from human senses. Hu me Immanuel Kant -the “self” is transcendental -apperception -inner self and outer self Kan t The self organizes information in 3 ways: 1. Raw perceptual input 2. Recognizing the concept 3. Reproducing in the imagination Gilbert Ryle -the relation between mind and body are not isolated processes -mental processes are intelligent acts and are Ry l not distinct from each other e -the operation of the mind is itself an intelligent act -your actions define your sense of self Paul Churchland -philosopher and professor -extensively studied neurophilosophy and the philosophy of the mind C h u r c h l a n d “The physical brain and NOT the imaginary mind gives us our sense of self.” Maurice Merleau-Ponty -philosopher and author -the mind and body are intrinsically connected M e r l e a u - -It is through the lived experience of the body p o n t y that you perceive, are informed and interact with the world.