The Concept of Self

The Significance of Names

• A name is a signifier and does not define the essence of a person.

• Names represent individuals but do not encompass their entire being.

• The self is distinct from the name and is continuously evolving.

• Everyone is tasked with the journey of self-discovery.

Philosophical Perspectives on the Self

• Greek Origin: Philo (love of) + Sophia (knowledge/wisdom) = Love of wisdom and pursuit of knowledge.

• Set of Ideals: Standards and beliefs used to describe behavior and thought.

• Legitimacy Investigation: Rational argumentation on concepts, implications, reality, knowledge, and morality.

• Socrates: Emphasized self-knowledge as the essence of philosophy.

• Plato: Defined the soul into three components: Appetitive, Rational, and Spirited.

  The terms "Appetitive," "Rational," and "Spirited" refer to the three parts of the soul as described by Plato in his work "The Republic."

  • Appetitive: Represents desires and basic needs (e.g., hunger, thirst).

  • Rational: Represents reason and intellect, guiding decisions.

  • Spirited: Represents emotions and willpower, often associated with courage and ambition.

  These components illustrate the complexity of human nature and behavior.

Key Philosophers and Concepts

• Socrates: Known for the quote "The unexamined life is not worth living."

• St. Augustine: Linked happiness with virtuous living and love for others

• Thomas Aquinas: Defined man as matter + form, emphasizing the essence of the soul.

• Descartes: Introduced the concept "Cogito Ergo Sum" (I think, therefore I am).

• Immanuel Kant: Differentiated between inner and outer self, focusing on apperception.

• David Hume: Argued that all knowledge is derived from human senses.

Diverse Philosophical Views on the Self

• John Locke: Introduced the concept of Tabula Rasa, where external objects shape perceptions.

• Gilbert Ryle: Denied the existence of an internal, non-physical self, focusing on observable behaviors.

• Maurice Ponty: Emphasized the inseparability of mind and body, viewing the body as the gateway to existence.