Module 1: Philosophical Perspective of the Self

Question 1

• Came from the Greek word “lovers of Wisdom”
  
  • the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language .
  • Encompassed any body of knowledge

Answer 1

Philosophy

Question 2

What are the philosophical methods

Answer 2

• Questioning
  
  • Critical Discussion
  • Rational argument
  • Systematic presentation

Question 3

VIEWS ABOUT SELF
- Synonymous with the soul
- First to be critical about the full power of reason on the human self: who we are, who we should be, and who will become.

Answer 3

• SOCRATES - An Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living

Question 4

Stated that there are two dichotomous realms:
○ PHYSICAL REALMS : Changeable, Transients, and imperfect
○ IDEAL REALMS: Unchanging, eternal, and immortal

Answer 4

• SOCRATES - An Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living

Question 5

He states that the self has a three part soul.

Answer 5

PLATO - The Self is an Immortal Soul

Question 6

Theory of Forms
○ The world of forms (non-physical ideas) - real and permanent
The word of sense (Reality) - Temporary and only a replica of the ideal world.

Answer 6

PLATO - The Self is an Immortal Soul

Question 7

• The body and soul are separate entities, the soul is merely a defining features.
  
  • He stated that anything that has life has a soul, it is the essence of every living being.

Answer 7

ARISTOTLE - The Soul is The Essence of The Self

Question 8

Three kinds of soul according to aristotle

Answer 8

Vegetative, Sentient, rational

Question 9

Includes the physical body that can grow

Answer 9

Vegatative Soul

Question 10

Sensual desires and emotions are

Answer 10

Sentient Soul

Question 11

It is the intellectual act that enable man to know and understand

Answer 11

Rational Soul

Question 12

• The physical Body is different and inferior to the immortal soul.
  
  • Views the soul as a spouse to the body.
  • The soul is what governs and defines man.
  • Self-Knowledge is a consequence of Knowledge of God
  • Stated that knowledge can only come by seeing the truth that dwells within us

Answer 12

AURELIUS AUGUSTINUS - The Self has an Immortal Soul

Question 13

• He states that If it cannot be experienced by senses hence the mind does not really exist.
  
  • The self is inseparable from the brain and physiology of the body

Answer 13

PAUL CHURCHLAND - The self is the Brain

Question 14

• I think therefor I am is the keystone concept of his view on self.
  
  • The act of being self-conscious is proof that there is a self.
  • A thinking entity that doubts, understands, questions and reasons.

Answer 14

RENE DESCARTES - I think Therefore I am

Question 15

two dimensions of the human self according to rene descartes

Answer 15

Thinking self and physical body

Question 16

• As a non-material, immortal, conscious being and independent of physical laws of universe

Answer 16

THINKING ENTITY/SELF

Question 17

• A material, the mortal, non-thinking entity, fully governed by physical laws of nature.

Answer 17

PHYSICAL BODY

Question 17

• The human mind at birth is at a tabula rasa (blank state)
  The key to understanding oneself is conscious awareness and from previous experiences.

Answer 17

JOHN LOCKE - The Self is Consciousness

Question 18

○ Impression - are strong emotions that are vivid perceptions (strong and lively)
○ Ideas - are thoughts and images from impression (less lively and vivid)

Answer 18

DAVID HUME - There is No Self

Question 18

• The self is a product of reason, which is a regulative principle, because the self regulates experience by making unified experiences possible.
  
  • Abstract ideas can be understood because of rationality

Answer 18

IMMANUEL KANT- We Construct the Self

Question 19

Three layers of self

Answer 19

Conscious self, unconscious self and preconscious self

Question 20

lead by the reality principle which are, rational, practical and appropriate to environment.

Answer 20

Conscious Self

Question 21

lead by the “pleasure principle”, basic instinctual drives, strong emotions, traumatic memories; thought and feelings that would be considered socially taboo.

Answer 21

Unconscious Self

Question 22

non-threatening thoughts that are easily brought to mind.

Answer 22

Preconscious Self

Question 23

• The self is the same as bodily behavior.
  
  • The mind is the human disposition which is the reason how people behave.

Answer 23

GILBERT RYLE - The self is the Way People Behave (I ACT THEREFORE I AM)

Question 24

• Perception is a conscious experience. Thus, the self has embodied subjectivity.
  
  • All knowledge acquired is through experience
  • Core Identity of the self is the combination of mental, physical and emotional structures.

Answer 24

MAURICE JEAN JACQUES MERLEAU-PONTY

Question 25

What is reason in the three part soul?

Answer 25

The divine essence that enables us to think deeply and achieve a great understanding of eternal truth.

Question 26

what is Physical Appetite in the three part soul

Answer 26

• Such that/the basic biological needs (hunger, thirst etc)

Question 27

what is Spirit/Passion in the three part soul

Answer 27

Basic emotions such as love, anger, ambition, empathy etc