LEC 1 (P1): The Philosophical Perspective (Part 1: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)

Philosophical, Sociological, Anthropological, Psychological, Western & Eastern Perspective of the Self

5 Perspectives of the Self

Philosophy

Employs inquisitive/curious mind to discover ultimate causes, reasons, and principles of everything; Explores all areas of knowledge (ex: politics, religion, etc); Desires truth through formulating never ending questions to answer nature of human existence

Pythagoros

Coined the term philosophy

“philo” (love) and “sophia” (wisdom)

Greek root words of philosophy

Being, Soul, Ego, Psyche, Identity, Me, I, Am

8 Words Synonymous to the “Self”

Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, St Augustine, Rene Descarte, John Locke, David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Sigmund Freud, Gilbert Ryle, Paul Churchland, Maurice Merleau-Ponty

12 Philosophers with Perspectives of the Self

Socrates

Philosopher stating “An Unexamined Life Isn’t Worth Living”

An Unexamined Life Isn’t Worth Living

Quote summarizing Socrates’ perspective on the self

Mortal Body + Immortal Soul

What Socrates believes the self is composed of?

metaphysical realm; corporeal body; physical realm

Socrates believes the soul exists in the ___ ___ and needs our ___ ___ to manifest in the ___ ___ where we live in

2 Dichotomous Realms

Main Concept of Socrates

Physical & Ideal Realm

2 Dichotomous Realms according to Socrates

Physical Realm

One of the dichotomous realms according to Socrates in which human materializes; changeable, transient/temporary, imperfect; consists of ignorance, lies, evil, ugliness; gives a chance to attain perfection

Ideal Realm

One of the dichotomous realms according to Socrates in which the soul comes from; unchanging, eternal, immortal (perfect); includes intellectual essences of universe (truth, goodness, beauty)

Through reason and knowledge

According to Socrates how can a human attain perfection in the physical realm?

intellectual essence; all types of knowledge; perfect

According to Socrates, since the ___ ___ of the universe resides in the ideal realm, ___ ___ __ ___ is considered as ___.

imperfection; strive for perfection

According to Socrates, being in the physical realm, we are subjected to ___; but if we try to learn or gain knowledge, we ___ ___ ___

Socratic Method/Introspection

Term for living an examined life, one of purpose and value

knowledge; ignorance

According to Socrates, ___ is personifying good, while ___ is evil.

Incessant soul searching

According to Socrates, this the constant search for perfection, feeding our soul by attaining knowledge.

Plato

Philosopher believing “The Self is an Immortal Soul”

The Self is an Immortal Soul

Quote summarizing Plato’s perspective on the self

Plato

Student of Socrates, which is why their theories are similar

happiness

Plato believes the more wisdom one has, ___ will eventually be attained

Tripartite Soul & Theory of Forms

2 Major Ideas of Plato

Reason, Physical Appetite, Spirit/Passion

3 Parts of the Tripartite Soul

Reason

According to Plato, part of the tripartite soul that is the mind; includes think deeply, rational, wise choices, logical, understand truths

Physical Appetite

According to Plato, part of the tripartite soul that is the body; includes basic biological needs, pain, hunger, thirst, sexual desires

Spirit/Passion

According to Plato, part of the tripartite soul that is the heart; includes basic emotions, joy, sadness, love, anger, empathy

Reason; physical appetite; spirit/passion

According to Plato, genuine happiness can only be acquired if ___ controls ___ and ___

World of Forms & World of Sense

2 Parts of Plato’s Theory of Forms

World of Forms

According to Plato, part of his Theory of Forms that is the real, permanent world where the soul resides

World of Sense

According to Plato, part of his Theory of Forms that is the corporeal reality, temporary, replica of the ideal world, must give more importance to soul since it is permanent

Aristotle

Philosopher believing “Soul is the Essence of the Self”

Soul is the Essence of the Self

Quote summarizing Aristotle’s perspective on the self

Aristotle

Student of Plato, which is why ideas are similar to Socrates and Plato

Empiricist

Due to being this, Aristotle applied scientific methods in his concept of the soul, causing him to dismiss idealistic concepts of body and soul being in different worlds

Body = Soul

What Aristotle believed the relationship between the body and soul was?

3 Types of Soul

Major Idea of Aristotle

Vegetative, Sentient, Rational

According to Aristotle, 3 Types of Soul

Vegetative

According to Aristotle, type of soul possessed by all living organisms; includes the physical body since it grows

Sentient

According to Aristotle, type of soul only possessed by animals since instinct; includes sensual desires, feelings, emotions (mix of spirit and physical appetite)

Mix of the Spirit and Physical Appetite

In relation to Plato’s Tripartite Soul, what is Aristotle’s Sentient Soul equivalent to?

Rational

According to Aristotle, type of soul only possessed by humans; what makes humans human since they can think and rationalize/make choices; only humans can pursue happiness by searching for a good life by doing virtuous actions and have moral virtues (like justice and courage)