The Self in Different Perspectives

Rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.

Philosophy

The study of the mind and behavior.

Psychology

The science of society, social institutions, and social relationships.

Sociology

Field that deals with origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, social customs, and beliefs of human kind.

Anthropology

Perspective where the self is explored through a basic search for meaning and purpose of life.

Philosophical perspective of self

Perspective where the self is perceived through how one sees and understands him/herself.

Psychological perspective of self

Perspective where the self interacts with the social world and is a product of society.

Sociological perspective of self

Perspective where how we see ourselves shapes our lives and is shaped by our cultural context.

Anthropological perspective of self

Philosopher who believed the self exists in two parts: a physical, tangible, mortal aspect and an immortal soul.

Socrates

The realm where the body stays after death according to Socrates.

Physical realm

The realm where the soul travels after death according to Socrates, making it immortal.

Ideal realm

Philosopher who defined the self as an "immortal soul in a perishable body" with a tripartite nature.

Plato

The immortal rational part of Plato's tripartite soul that existed before becoming part of the body.

Rational soul

The courageous part of Plato's tripartite soul in charge of emotions.

Spirited soul

The part of Plato's tripartite soul in charge of basic desires like eating, drinking, sleeping, and sex.

Appetitive soul

Philosopher who viewed the self as a bifurcated nature—"a soul in possession of a body"—in relation to God.

St. Augustine

Philosopher who defined the self as an immortal mind (cogito) and a material body (extenza), coining "i think therefore i am".

Réné Descartes

The term used by Descartes to refer to the seat of conscience/immortal mind.

Cogito

The term used by Descartes to refer to the unreliable material body.

Extenza

Latin phrase meaning "i think therefore i am."

Cogito ergo sum

The unifying theme among Descartes, Plato, and Augustine regarding human identity.

Secondary position of the body to the mind/soul

Philosopher who stated the mind is a tabula rasa at birth and founded personal identity on consciousness and memory.

John Locke

Latin term meaning "blank slate," used by John Locke to describe the human mind at birth.

Tabula rasa

Philosopher who asserted empiricism and viewed the self as nothing more than a "bundle of impressions."

David Hume

Basic objects of experience or sensation resulting from direct experiences according to Hume.

Impressions

Copies of impressions according to David Hume (e.g., imagining being in love).

Ideas

Philosopher who proposed that the self consists of an inner self and an outer self forming consciousness.

Immanuel Kant

The component of Kant's self consisting of psychological state and rational intellect.

Inner self

The component of Kant's self consisting of human senses and the physical world.

Outer self

Philosopher who proposed a dynamic psychological system and structural model of mind (id, ego, superego).

Sigmund Freud

Freud's term for the main human drive consisting of unconscious sex urges.

Libido

Freud's term for the life instinct that helps the individual survive and directs life-sustaining activities.

Eros

Freud's term for the death instinct consisting of destructive forces present in all humans.

Thanatos

Structure of personality in Freud's model that operates on the "pleasure principle."

Id

Structure of personality in Freud's model that operates on the "reality principle."

Ego

Moral system of personality in Freud's model consisting of the conscience and ego ideal.

Superego

Level of consciousness in Freud's iceberg model containing thoughts, feelings, sensations, or memories we are aware of at any given moment.

Conscious level

Level of consciousness in Freud's iceberg model containing thoughts, feelings, sensations, or memories brought to consciousness when needed.

Subconscious / Preconscious level

Level of consciousness in Freud's iceberg model acting as the primary motivating force containing repressed memories, instincts, and wishes.

Unconscious level

Philosopher associated with the phrase "i act therefore i am" and supporter of Logical Behaviorism.

Gilbert Ryle

Theory of mind stating that mental concepts can be understood through observable events and behavior.

Logical behaviorism (or Analytical behaviorism)

Philosopher who proposed "I sense, therefore I am" and emphasized embodied subjectivity.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

The type of body distinguished by Merleau-Ponty as lived and experienced through physical involvement.

Subjective body

The type of body distinguished by Merleau-Ponty as observed, scientifically investigated, and seen by others.

Objective body

Philosophers who asserted that the physical brain—not an imaginary mind—comprises the self through neuro-conscience.

Paul and Patricia Churchland