PHILOSOPHICAL-PERSPECTIVE-OF-LIFE

Philosophical Perspectives of the Self

Learning Objectives

• Explain the role of philosophy in understanding the self.

• Discuss different concepts of the self from a philosophical perspective.

• Differentiate the various concepts of the self and identify their similarities.

• Develop your own philosophy of the self.

What is Philosophy?

• Philosophy involves finding answers to serious questions about ourselves and the world.

• Philosophy questions existing knowledge and intuitions to approach truth.

• Overall, philosophy teaches critical thinking skills.

Understanding the Self

• Self-knowledge is essential for a meaningful life, as agreed upon by philosophers.

Philosophy and the Self

• Ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the groundwork for understanding the self.

Socrates: "Know Thyself"

• Emphasized reason's power and the concept of dualism: body and soul.

• The body is seen as imperfect and impermanent.

• The soul is viewed as perfect and eternal.

The Dichotomous Realms

• Physical Realm: Changeable, transient, and imperfect (associated with the body).

• Ideal Realm: Unchanging, eternal, and immortal (associated with the soul).

Wisdom and Virtue

• The soul seeks wisdom, and reason helps achieve it.

• Preoccupations with bodily needs hinder spiritual growth.

• Virtue and self-knowledge lead to a meaningful life that requires rigorous soul-searching.

Plato: "The Soul is Immortal"

• A student of Socrates, explores self-knowledge and soul purification.

• The soul comprises three parts:

  • Rational Soul: Reason and intellect, leading to understanding eternal truths.

  • Spirited Soul: Emotions and passions, including love, anger, and ambition.

  • Appetitive Soul: Basic biological needs like hunger and thirst.

Harmony of the Soul

• Conflicts among the three soul parts necessitate control by reason.

• Genuine happiness requires rational dominance over spirit and appetites.

Aristotle: "The Soul is the Essence of the Self"

• Body and soul are unified; the soul defines a person.

• The rational aspect of the self aims for a flourishing life.

• Aristotle identifies three kinds of soul:

  • Vegetative: Growth functions.

  • Sentient: Sensations and emotions.

  • Rational: Intellect and reasoning.

St. Augustine: "I Am Doubting, Therefore I Am"

• Merges Platonic ideas with Christianity.

• The soul, united with the body, reflects the image of God.

• Self-knowledge arises through knowing God, emphasizing truth within.

René Descartes: "I Think, Therefore I Am"

• Introduced the duality of mind as the thinking entity (Cogito) and the body as its extension (Extenza).

John Locke: "The Self is Consciousness"

• Proposed the mind as a blank slate at birth; consciousness is key to personal identity.

David Hume: "There is No Self"

• Viewed the self as a collection of perceptions in constant flux, suggesting personal identity is imaginary.

Immanuel Kant: "We Construct the Self"

• Described the self as a knowledge-seeking entity that shapes reality through rationality.

Gilbert Ryle: "The Self is the Way People Behave"

• Suggested the self is not a separate entity but synonymous with observable behavior.

Paul Churchland: "The Self is the Brain"

• Argues that self is inseparable from brain activity; the brain gives rise to selfhood.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty: "The Self is Embodied Subjectivity"

• Critiques mind-body separation, asserting knowledge is based on subjective experiences.

Sociological Perspectives of the Self

Societal Influence

• Experiment with monkeys illustrates societal conditioning and conformity, where behaviors persist despite lack of understanding.

Sociological Identity

• Characteristics often ascribed to the self include independence and unitary nature (Stevens, 1996).

George Herbert Mead: "The Social Self"

• Proposed that the self emerges from social interactions and experiences.

• Development of the self follows five stages:

  • Preparatory Stage: Mimicking behaviors.

  • Play Stage: Role-playing significant others.

  • Game Stage: Understanding the generalized other and societal roles.

  • Dual Nature of the Self: Experiencing self as both subject (I) and object (me).

Charles Cooley: "The Looking-Glass Self"

• Described self-perception as dependent on social interaction and evaluations by others.

• Key steps in the Looking-Glass Self:

  1. Imagine appearance to others.

  2. Imagine judgments by others.

  3. Feelings of pride, shame, or happiness based on perceived evaluations.

Erving Goffman: "Constructing Situations and Drama"

• Compared social interactions to theatrical performances, emphasizing impression management and situational behavior.

• Definition and perception of self vary based on context and audience.

Conclusion

• Sociology posits that social norms and beliefs shape personal identity.