Lesson 1 - Philosophical Perspective of the Self

Question 1

Self is?

Answer 1

S-SICUP

separate - distinct and unique
self-contained - self-contained with own thoughts
independent - does not need others to exist
consistent - characteristics are more or less the same
unitary - center of all experiences
private - sorts out feelings and information within the self

Question 2

Socrates

Answer 2

AN UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING

Dualistic: Man is composed of body (imperfect & impermanent) and soul (perfect & permanent)

Question 3

Socratic approach

Answer 3

self is already existing in the realm of ideas, however when one is born into the material world, he forgot everything

one can connect life to his past self by examining life

Question 4

Plato

Answer 4

THE SOUL IS IMMORTAL

the world we exist is not the real world but a replica of the real world (exist only in the realm of ideas/world of forms)

Question 5

Soul according to plato?

Answer 5

most divine aspect of self

Question 6

3 components of soul according to plato

Answer 6

rational - uses reason; sort things out; exert control
spirited - neutral; emotion and passion
appetitive - pursues desire; basic needs

Question 7

physical realm

Answer 7

changeable, transient, imperfect
body belongs to physical realm

Question 8

ideal realm

Answer 8

unchanging, eternal, immortal
soul belongs to ideal realm

Question 9

aristotle

Answer 9

THE SOUL IS THE ESSENCE OF SELF

the body and soul are not two separate elements
soul cannot exist without the body
soul is the essence of self

Question 10

aristotle: kinds of soul

Answer 10

vegetative - physical body that can grow (plants)
sentient - sensual desires, feelings, emotions (animals)
rational - intellect that makes man human (humans)

Question 11

St auGUSTINE

Answer 11

I AM DOUBTING THEREFORE I AM

believed humankind is created in the image of God
self is known only through knowing God

Question 12

st augustine: ideal world

Answer 12

where God is

Question 13

st augustine: 2 aspects of a person

Answer 13

imperfect and capable of reaching immortality

Question 14

Rene Descartes

Answer 14

I THINK THEREFORE I AM

Question 15

DESCARTES: 2 distinct entities

Answer 15

cogito (mind)
extenza (body)

Question 16

JOHN LOCKE

Answer 16

SELF IS CONSIOUSNESS

tabula rasa (mind is a blank slate)
self is constructed from experiences
experience = memory

Question 17

DAVID HUME

Answer 17

THERE IS NO SELF

all knowledge is derived from imagination
empiricism (senses)

Question 18

HUME: Bundle theory

Answer 18

self is a collection of impressions (products of direct experiences)

Question 19

IMMANUEL KANT

Answer 19

WE CONSTRUCT THE SELF

self constructs its own reality
the self is an organizing principle to our experiences

Question 20

GILBERT RYLE

Answer 20

THE SELF IS THE WAY PEOPLE BEHAVE

convenient name that ppl use to refer to all behaviors that people make

Question 21

PAUL CHURCHLAND

Answer 21

THE SELF IS THE BRAIN

self is inseparable to brain and the physiology of the body
if the brain is gone, there is no self
physical - brain, imaginary - mind
there is no mind

Question 22

MAURICE MERLEAU PONTY

Answer 22

The self is an embodied subjectivity
all knowledge about ourselves and the world is based on a subjective experience
mind and body cannot be separated