Philosophy

Philosophy

The structured and critical study of fundamental questions that arise in daily life and other fields.

Socrates

A historically influential philosopher who emphasized self-reflection and critical questioning.

The Examined Life

Socrates' assertion that 'The unexamined life is not worth living,' highlighting the importance of self-reflection.

The Socratic Method

A method of critical questioning employed by Socrates to uncover contradictions in thought.

The Soul (according to Socrates)

The source of life linked to the mind, essential for happiness.

Virtue (Socratic view)

Knowledge that can be taught and practiced, leading to moral actions.

Self-Knowledge (Socratic view)

Understanding oneself as vital for a meaningful life.

Plato's Tripartite Theory

Divides the self into reason, spirit, and appetite.

Plato's Contribution to the Self

Encourages self-exploration and emphasizes the importance of introspection.

St. Augustine's Inner Self

Redefines the self as a divine reflection created in God's image.

Self-Knowledge (Augustine)

Key to a virtuous life, achievable through introspection and prayer.

Rene Descartes' Mind-Body Dualism

Proposes that the self is the mind, which is superior to the body.

John Locke's Memory Theory

Defines the self through memory and continuity of consciousness.

David Hume's View of the Self

Argues the self is a collection of changing thoughts and perceptions.

Immanuel Kant's Active Self

Argues the self is a collection of mental states unified by consciousness.

Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalysis

Explores the unconscious mind's influence on behavior and personality.

Gilbert Ryle's Concept of Mind

Rejects dualism, viewing the self as a collection of behavioral dispositions.

Paul Churchland's Eliminative Materialism

Challenges common concepts of belief and desire as products of brain processes.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty's Understanding of the Self

Rejects dualism, proposing the self as an embodied entity shaped by experience.