The self: Philosophical Perspective
Course Introduction and overview
Philosophy as a subject presents various philosophers offering multiple perspectives on just about any topic
including the self. Philosophically, discussion of the
self is a basic search for meaning and purpose in life. Determination, rationalization, and identification of the self-set the direction from which
an individual travels
To fulfill his or her purpose in life. The in ability to define oneself later on; hence, it is one of many imperatives in life to know oneself and to
go on with the business
of leading the life in charted by one self.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module, you should be able to:
1. Determine the varied philosophical ideas about the nature of the self.
2. Identify the difference in these perspectives;
3. Use these perspectives in the forming of own insights about the self.
4. Point on to the concept that define the self.
Learning Content
Socrates (470-399 BC) was a classical Greek philosopher and a pioneer of Western
moral philosophy. As a contribution to the field of philosophy, Socrates introduced
the Socratic Problem also known as the Socratic question. The goal of which was to
“Know thyself”. Accordingly there should be a dialogue between the self and the
soul. One should accept that he knows nothing and he knows and accepts that he
knows nothing as this leads to learning and discovering the truth. Socrates who was
greatly known for his Socratic method stated that “An unexamined life is not worth
living”. One has to self-examine and discuss about the self as this is a duty to
achieve what is the greatest good to a life. It is the goal of Socratic perspective to
better the quality of human life through consistent self-examination.
“An unexamined life is not worth living”
Plato (424-347 BC) was a classical Greek philosopher and the founder of Academy in
Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the western world. An influential figure in
western philosophy and the founder of western spirituality. Plato stated that the “psyche” or the
“mind” is comprised of three elements:
1. The appetites which involve our pleasurable desires such as those which provide us physical pleasure
and physiological comfort. (epithymetikon, appetitive).
2. The spirited which denotes the part within us that is agitated most of the time. It is highly spirited and
motivated to surpass and conquer life challenges. It is the area within us that enjoys triumph, honor,
greatness and affirmation. (thymoeides, spirited)
3. The mind is the conscious awareness which thinks, meditates, weighs choices and assesses situation in
our lives. This side is rational and logical as it chooses only the best for us. (Logistician, logical).
”Appetitive – Spirited – Logical “
Saint Augustine
Christian theologian and philosopher
SELF PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
-Two fold process comprised of self-presentation leading to self-realization.
-I am doubting, therefore I am
-The self seeks to be united with God through faith and reason.
- Described that human kind is created in the image and likeness of God
- Believed that God is transcendent and everything created by God who is all
good is good
- Understanding of the self and the formation of identity is achieved through
the process of "introspection" or "self-analysis"
“Reflection – Prayer – Confession”
Rene Descartes - (1596-1650) Father of Modern Philosophy
- French Scientific Thinker, mathematician and philosopher
- He developed the Cartesian philosophy which holds that mental acts determine
physical acts
- SELF VIEWS:
"Cogito, ergo sum" or I think, therefore I am
- The self is a thinking thing distinct from the body
- thinking self (soul, non-material) and physical (material, non-thinking) entity
- The mind as "intellectual substance" which possess a will
“Cogito, ergo sum (I think, therefore I am)”
John Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher and physician, widely
regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the "Father of
Liberalism" as he posited the “theory of mind”.
- He developed the concept of ‘Tabula Rasa’ that at birth, the mind is a blank slate without innate ideas, and it
is experience that provides us knowledge.
- His main philosophy about personal identity or the self is founded on consciousness or memory. For Locke,
consciousness is the perception of what passes in a Man’s own mind.
Tabula Rasa or “blank slate”
David Hume ( 1711- 1776) was a Scotti sh Enlightenment philosopher, historian,
economist, and essayist, who is best known today for his highly influential system of philosophical
empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism.
- He reiterated that reason is only the slave of passion which implies that logic and intellect is
basically superseded by an individual’s passion, drive and motivation.
- He states very decidedly that there is no idea of the self.
- According to Hume, all of the contents of our consciousness are either impressions coming
directly to us through sensation or ideas copied from those impressions and held as memories .
Immanuel Kant- was born on April 1724 in Konigsberg, Prussia
- He was a German philosopher during enlightenment
- In 1740, Kant enrolled as a Theology student, however mathematics and physics catch his
attention in 1746
- He died in 1804 at the age of 80
SELF PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
• Human and it's conscious self
• The ability of mind to create experience
• Development of self and individuality is result to varies experience
Every person has an inner and outer self
Sigmund Freud- - (1856-1939)
- was born in May 6, 1856 in Austria town of Freiberg
- He was an Australian neurologist
- Sigmund Freud consider himself a scientist rather than a doctor
- In 1882, Freud became married and has a six children
SELF PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
- The three essential part of human personality
- The unconscious self
- Human are naturally lustful
“Super ego – ego – id “
Gilbert Ryle - • was born in Brighton, England
• was a British philosopher
• A behaviorist who coined the phrase "the ghost in the machine"
• He believed that the mental phenomena are explained by observing public
behavior
“Ghost in the machine”
Paul Montgomery Church land- was from Vancouver Canada
• was born on Oct 21, 1942
• greatly focuses on the workings of the brain
• he argued that "nothing but matter exists"
“nothing but matter exists”
Maurice Merleau Ponty- was born on March 14, 1908 at Rochefort-sur Mer,
Charente- Maritime
- was a French philosopher
- strongly influenced by Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger
- He wrote the book Phenomenology de La Perception in 1945
- In this book, he expounded his thesis "The Primary of Perception" where he revealed how the
body is central to one's perception.
- He argued that perception is the determinant of one's consciousness.
- It is our prejudice that creates the perception that we have in our mind - The Primacy of
Perception where Ponty's said "there is harmony between what we aim at and what is given,
between intention and performance"
“consciousness is primarily not a matter of 'I think that' but of 'I can'
Readings
https://www.pinterest.com/khinen47/johari-window-technique
Understanding the Self Developing Life skills by: Ethel Magalona MAP,LPT, Evelyn Sadsad Phd. , Elline Cruz, MAED,LPT
Understanding the Self by: Ronald M. Corpuz, Ronan S. Estoque, Claudio V. Tabotabo
Activities ( will be done in our synchronous discussion )
Direction: Elaborate on your own relevant insights about the following philosophical statements:
1. Know thy self
2. I think therefore I am
3.Nothing but matter exist
4. We are a ghost in the machine
Assessment
Discuss your ideas about the following concepts according to who and how it will presented in this chapter.
1. Theory of mind
2. Tabula Rasa
3. Inner Self
4. Outer Self
5. ID
Ariola, M. (2018). Understanding the self. Manila: Unlimited Books.
Brawner, D. & Arcega, A. (2018). Understanding the self. Quezon City: C & E
Publishing, Inc.
Magalona, E., Sadsad, E., & Cruz, E. (2018). Understanding the self:
Developing life skills. Manila:
Mindshapers, Co., Inc.
Understanding the Self by: Ronald M. Corpuz, Ronan S. Estoque, Claudio
V. Tabotabo
