Lesson 1: Self from the Perspective of Philosophy PDF

GEN 002 LESSON 1: Self from the Perspective of Philosophy Learning outcomes At the end of the lesson, the students should be 2 able to: 1. Apply these philosophical concepts to real-life situations. 2. Analyze philosophical concepts by writing clear and concise paragraph t...

GEN 002 LESSON 1: Self from the Perspective of Philosophy Learning outcomes At the end of the lesson, the students should be 2 able to: 1. Apply these philosophical concepts to real-life situations. 2. Analyze philosophical concepts by writing clear and concise paragraph that explain these philosophical ideas and their significance. Reflect on the following: 3 What do we mean by the “self?” Are we souls, bodies, or fragments of someone else’s imagination? Are we just minds or a combination of mind and body? Have you heard the name Aristotle, Socrates or Plato? What do you remember about them? Philosophy is about: LOVE OF WISDOM Finding answers to serious questions about ourselves and about the world we live in: What is morally right and wrong? And why? What is a good life? Does God exist? What is the mind? ….. And much, much more Questioning existing knowledge and intuitions to get closer to the truth Philosophical perspective of the self ➜ Ancient Greek Philosophers 6 Socrates Plato Aristotle ➜ Other Philosophers St. Augustine Rene Descartes  Ancient greek 7 philosophers Socrates Plato Aristotle  8 SOCRATES (496-399 B.C) Father of Western Philosophy Famous quote: “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Emphasis on self-reflection and critical thinking Goal: "Know thyself" for wisdom and enlightenment The Socratic Method  9 SOCRATES (496-399 B.C) Socrates believed that the self exist in two parts. Body Soul imperfect and perfect and impermanent permanent According to Socrates there are two (2) dichotomous realms Physical Realm Ideal Realm ✔ changeable, transient ✔ Unchanging, eternal, and imperfect and immortal ✔ The body belongs to ✔ The soul belongs to this realm. this realm.  10 PLATO (428-348 B.C) An ancient Greek philosopher who was a student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle. Self is composed of two parts: the rational soul and the irrational appetites. According to Plato there is both immaterial mind (soul) and material body (dualistic perspective) For Plato, the self is an “immortal soul in a mortal body.”  11 PLATO (428-348 B.C) ➜ He divides the soul (mind) into three distinct parts: Rational Soul reason or intellect Spirited Soul Appetitive Soul Will, emotion and passion Appetite, basic needs, physical urges ➜ The will serves as the source of various emotions such as love, anger, and ambition. When these aspects are not in harmony, mental conflict ensues.  12 ARISTOTLE (384-322 B.C) An ancient Greek philosopher who was a student of Plato. For Aristotle, the self is a harmonious integration of various faculties, reason, emotion, and perception. He advocated for eudaimonia, or flourishing, achieved through the balanced development of these faculties.  13 ARISTOTLE (384-322 B.C) Self-awareness is vital for moral and intellectual growth, enabling individuals to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Defined the soul as the core essence of a living being He introduced three kinds of soul. Rational Soul this what makes man human Sensitive Soul Vegetative Soul movement and emotions includes the physical body that can grow  14 ARISTOTLE (384-322 B.C)  OTHER 15 philosophers St. Augustine Rene Descartes  16 ST. AUGUSTINE (354-430 A.D) St. Augustine combined Greek philosophy and truths contained in the Scriptures to explore the nature of the self. Viewed the Self as flawed due to original sin, a consequence of Adam and Eve's disobedience, but capable of redemption through divine grace. Emphasized the importance of faith, humility, and moral transformation in understanding the self. Emphasized the importance of faith, repentance, and adherence to divine commandments.  17 ST. AUGUSTINE (354-430 A.D) According to St. Augustine, the self is made up of a body and soul which does not constitute two entities but one. Unlike the ancient philosophers, St. Augustine’s concept of the self is in the context of his relation to God. In his Confessions takes this idea and expands it into an entire genre that critically inquires what it means to be a person.  18 RENE DESCARTES (1596-1650) Rene Descartes is a French philosopher and mathematician. Descartes proposed a dualistic view of the self, mind-body dichotomy. Self is a thinking thing distinct from the body. Descartes is known for his dictum cogito, ergo sum translated as “I think, therefore I am.” highlighting the primacy of consciousness in defining the self. Descartes' philosophy—Nature of consciousness and personal identity.  Frequently Asked Questions 1. Can I make my own philosophy? 19 -Yes, why not? For as long as the philosophy that you make leads your life to a progressive, constructive, effective life in the future and that would contaminate others life as well. 2. Can I pattern my philosophy in life to other people’s philosophy? -Certainly! Philosophy are made to be a guiding light to our life path.  Frequently Asked Questions 1. What was Socrates' main goal in philosophy? 20 Answer: Socrates believed that the main goal of philosophy was to "Know thyself." He emphasized the importance of self-knowledge as a path to enlightenment and happiness. 2. According to Plato, what is the soul and how does it relate to the body? Answer: Plato viewed the soul as an immaterial essence distinct from the body. He believed that the soul apprehends true knowledge and exists both before birth and after death. 3. What did Aristotle believe about the soul? Answer: Aristotle defined the soul as the core essence of a living being, but he argued against its separate existence. He viewed the soul as an activity of the body, essential for rational activity.  Frequently Asked Questions 4. How did St. Augustine view human nature and redemption? 21 Answer: St. Augustine believed that human nature was flawed due to original sin but emphasized the possibility of redemption through divine grace. He highlighted the struggle between earthly desires and spiritual fulfillment. 5. How did Descartes describe the relationship between the mind and body? Answer: Descartes viewed the mind as distinct from the body, mentally independent, and responsible for thinking and self-development. He emphasized the importance of using one's mind to explore and understand the world.  Skill Building Activity Instructions: In this activity, you'll explore the ideas of famous 22 philosophers about the self and how they apply to everyday life. Fill out the columns in paragraph form. Thinkers Chart: You'll fill in a chart with the names of important philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Descartes, and Augustine. Self-Concepts: Next to each philosopher's name, write down their main idea about the self. For example, Descartes believed that thinking ("I think, therefore I am") is what defines our existence. Real-life Application: After understanding each philosopher's idea, think about how it relates to your life. For instance, if Plato says the soul is most important, how does that apply to how we treat ourselves and others?  Check for Understanding Directions: Read and analyze the provided caselet below and 23 answer the questions that follow. Imagine this: You are a 1st-year philosophy student, you've got some knowledge under your belt. You're back home for the holidays, and your two uncles, Tito Bert, and Tito Lino, get into a lively debate about philosophy. Tito Bert is all about Plato, saying that even after we die, our soul keeps on thinking. On the other hand, Tito Lino is all about Aristotle, believing that the soul is very important but not something separate from us. What can you do to help calm things down and add some wisdom to the conversation? “ 24 Q&A  “ 25 Thank you, dears! See you again.