Ge 108: Understanding The Self - Philosophical Perspectives PDF
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This document introduces various philosophical perspectives on the concept of the self. It examines the theories and arguments of influential thinkers. It's designed as a learning resource on philosophy and the self.
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GE 108: UNDERSTANDING THE SELF The self from various perspectives WHO ARE YOU? DO YOU believe you KNOW YOUR SELF WELL ENOUGH? THE SELF DEFINE SELF... an individual's typical character or behavior the union of elements (such as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensatio...
GE 108: UNDERSTANDING THE SELF The self from various perspectives WHO ARE YOU? DO YOU believe you KNOW YOUR SELF WELL ENOUGH? THE SELF DEFINE SELF... an individual's typical character or behavior the union of elements (such as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person the entire person of an individual the realization or embodiment of an abstraction Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary 01. Philosophical THE SELF FROM Perspective VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES 02. Psychological Perspective 03. Sociological Perspective THE SELF FROM A 01. Philosophical Perspective LEARNING OUTCOMES 01. Explain the role of philosophy in understanding the self. 02. Discuss the different concepts of the self from the philosophical perspective. 03. Differentiate the various concepts of the self and identify their similarities. 04. Examine oneself against the different philosopical views discussed PHILOSOPHY What is it? from the Greek word philos and sophia which means LOVE FOR WISDOM the study of acquiring knowledge through rational thinking and inquiries that involves answering questions about the nature and existence of man and the world. PHILOSOPHY What is it? The inquiry of the self has preoccupied the earliest thinkers in the history of philosophy: the Greeks. SOCRATES SOCRATES Philosophies: “AN UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING” “know thyself” EVERY MAN IS DUALISTIC (BODY AND SOUL) 2 important aspects of personhood body – imperfect and impermanent soul – perfect and permanent SOCRATES Philosophies: 2 DICHOTOMOUS REALMS Physical realm – changeable, transient, and imperfect; the body belongs in this realm Ideal Realm – unchanging, eternal, and immortal; the soul belongs in this realm SOCRATES Philosophies: the first thinker to focus on the full power of the reason of the human self: who we are, who we should be, & who we will become. the soul strives for wisdom and perfection and it uses reason to achieve these. being virtuous and knowing the value of yourself is the key to a meaningful and happy life PLATO PLATO Philosophies: THE SOUL IS IMMORTAL mind and soul the self can be explained as a process of self-knowledge and purification of the soul SOUL HAS 3 PARTS: 1. rational soul–reason & intellect 2.spirited soul–emotion and passion 3.appetitive soul–basic need PLATO Philosophies: to achieve happiness we must make sure that our reason is in control of our spirits and appetites St. AUGUSTIne ST. AUGUSTINE Philosophies: “knowledge can only come by seeking the truth that dwells within us” integrated the ideas of Plato and Christianity. the soul is united with the body so that man may be entire and complete. ST. AUGUSTINE Philosophies: The self is known only through knowing God and that self-knowledge is a consequence of our knowledge of God. Everything created by God who is all good is good. therefore, the human person, being a creation of god, is always geared towards the good RENE DESCARTES RENE DESCARTES Philosophies: “I THINK, THEREFORE I AM” (COGITO ERGO SUM) the act of thinking about self—of being self-conscious—is in itself proof that there is self. doubting things – the only way for you to develop beliefs that are truly yours RENE DESCARTES Philosophies: the essence of existing as a human identity is the possibility of being aware of our selves – integral to having a personal identity. two distinct identities: 1. cogito – the thing that thinks (mind) 2.extensa – the extension (body) RENE DESCARTES Philosophies: YOU ARE A “THINKING THING” You understand situations in which you find yourself. You doubt the accuracy of ideas presented to you. You affirm the truth of a statement made about you. You deny an accusation that someone has made. You will yourself to complete a task you have begun. You refuse to follow a command that you consider to be unethical. You imagine a fulfilling career for yourself. You feel passionate emotions toward another person JOHN LOCKE JOHN LOCKE Philosophies: “the self is consciousness” Tabula Rasa (blank slate) Consciousness: being aware that we are thinking – always accompanies thinking and is an essential part of the thinking process. consciousness is what makes possible our belief that we are the same identity in different times and different places DAVID HUME DAVID HUME Philosophies: “THERE IS NO SELF” a bundle or collection of different perceptions, which succeed each other with an inconceivable rapidity and are in a perpetual flux and movement. DAVID HUME Philosophies: TWO BASIC ENTITIES: Impressions the basic sensations of our experiences, elemental data of our minds lively and vivid Ideas copies of impressions “THE IDEA OF IDENTITY IS A RESULT OF IMAGINATION” IMMANUEL KANT IMMANUEL Philosophies: KANT “WE CONSTRUCT THE SELF” essence of consciousness (mind) self is not just what gives one his personality but also the seat of knowledge of all human persons. the self constructs its own reality, creating a world that is familiar and predictable. the self is an actively engaged intelligence in man that synthesizes all knowledge and experience GILBERT RYLE gilbert ryle Philosophies: “THE SELF IS THE WAY PEOPLE BEHAVE” self is nothing but our actions. the behavior that we show, emotions, and actions are the reflection of our mind and, as such, is the manifestation of who we are. i act, therefore i am. the self is the same as bodily behavior GHOST IN THE MACHINE VIEW PAUL CHURCHLAND PAUL CHURCHLAND Philosophies: “THE SELF IS THE BRAIN” THE PHYSICAL BRAIN AND NOT THE IMAGINARY MIND, GIVES US OUR SENSE OF SELF. Eliminative Materialism: people’s common understanding of the mind is false NEUROPHILOSOPHY: how brain science informs questions about the mind, consciousness, and human behavior. THE BRAIN AS THE SELF MAURICE MERLEAU- PONTY maurice-merleau ponty Philosophies: “THE SELF EMBODIES SUBJECTIVITY” all knowledge of ourselves and our world is based on subjective experience. the self can never be truly objectified or known in a completely objective sort of way. he is convinced that consciousness, the world, and the human body are intricately intertwined in perceiving the world END ME Tabular ANALYSIS Cognitive Development Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. 01. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor Child incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Socialization Learning to Interact with 02. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor the World incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed ex ea commodo consequat. do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. 03. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. ex ea commodo consequat. Learning, Creativity, and Exploration Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Language Development Acquiring Speech and Communication Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Conclusion Final Reflections on the Child's Mind Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.