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01 Handout 1A

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THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES

Hey there, fellow explorer! Ever felt like you're on a quest to uncover the secrets of who you really are?

Well, buckle up because, in this module, we're diving headfirst into the world of the self—from

philosophical ponderings to everything in between.

THE SELF FROM PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES

The self is like a puzzle that philosophers have been trying to solve for ages. As you read this module,

experience a journey full of big questions and ideas into the world of philosophy to uncover some insights

about the self.

Socrates

Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher who emphasized the importance of self-knowledge. He

mentioned the philosophical maxim, “Know thyself.” He believed that true wisdom comes from

introspection and self-examination. Acknowledging ignorance improves receptivity to new perspectives,

situational adaptation, and personal development. Socratic dialogues, such as "The Apology" and "The

Phaedrus," illustrate his teachings on the self.

Example: Maria is unsure about her career path. She thinks about what she loves and what matters to

her, as Socrates suggested. Despite pressure to choose a well-paying job she doesn’t like, Maria picks a

career that matches her interests and values. This shows Socrates’ idea of knowing yourself and living true

to who you are.

Plato

Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher who argued that the self is immortal and independent of the

body, with the highest knowledge derived from contemplating the Form of the Good. Plato believed that

the self comprises three parts: reason, spirit, and appetite. Plato's tripartite theory of the soul suggests

that harmony among these parts leads to a virtuous life and a just society.

Example: Jack is torn between studying for an important exam or playing video games. His mind says to

study, but his desires pull him to play. He listens to his mind and chooses to study. This shows Plato’s idea

that our soul has different parts: the rational part and the desire-driven part. In this case, Jack’s rational

part wins, showing how we balance our desires with what’s right.

Aristotle

Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. He was also a student of Plato for twenty years

but is widely recognized for rejecting Plato's Theory of Forms. Aristotle argued that the self or the human

person is a composite of body and soul and that the two are inseparable. Aristotle’s concept of self was

constructed in terms of hylomorphism. We cannot discuss the self with a soul only or a self with a body

only. Indeed, for Aristotle, the self is a unified creature.

Example: Toby loves dancing. According to Aristotle, when Toby dances, his physical movements express

not just his skills (body) but also his emotions and passion (soul). This shows how his body and soul are

inseparable—they work together to convey his inner feelings and creativity through dance.

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01 Handout 1 A _Property of STI_*

THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES

Hey there, fellow explorer! Ever felt like you're on a quest to uncover the secrets of who you really are? Well, buckle up because, in this module, we're diving headfirst into the world of the self—from philosophical ponderings to everything in between.

THE SELF FROM PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES

The self is like a puzzle that philosophers have been trying to solve for ages. As you read this module, experience a journey full of big questions and ideas into the world of philosophy to uncover some insights about the self. Socrates Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher who emphasized the importance of self-knowledge. He mentioned the philosophical maxim, “ Know thyself .” He believed that true wisdom comes from introspection and self-examination. Acknowledging ignorance improves receptivity to new perspectives, situational adaptation, and personal development. Socratic dialogues, such as "The Apology" and "The Phaedrus," illustrate his teachings on the self. Example: Maria is unsure about her career path. She thinks about what she loves and what matters to her, as Socrates suggested. Despite pressure to choose a well-paying job she doesn’t like, Maria picks a career that matches her interests and values. This shows Socrates’ idea of knowing yourself and living true to who you are. Plato Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher who argued that the self is immortal and independent of the body , with the highest knowledge derived from contemplating the Form of the Good. Plato believed that the self comprises three parts: reason, spirit, and appetite. Plato's tripartite theory of the soul suggests that harmony among these parts leads to a virtuous life and a just society. Example: Jack is torn between studying for an important exam or playing video games. His mind says to study, but his desires pull him to play. He listens to his mind and chooses to study. This shows Plato’s idea that our soul has different parts: the rational part and the desire-driven part. In this case, Jack’s rational part wins, showing how we balance our desires with what’s right. Aristotle Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. He was also a student of Plato for twenty years but is widely recognized for rejecting Plato's Theory of Forms. Aristotle argued that the self or the human person is a composite of body and soul and that the two are inseparable. Aristotle’s concept of self was constructed in terms of hylomorphism. We cannot discuss the self with a soul only or a self with a body only. Indeed, for Aristotle, the self is a unified creature. Example: Toby loves dancing. According to Aristotle, when Toby dances, his physical movements express not just his skills (body) but also his emotions and passion (soul). This shows how his body and soul are inseparable—they work together to convey his inner feelings and creativity through dance.

01 Handout 1 A _Property of STI_* Saint Augustine Augustine of Hippo was a theologian and philosopher who viewed the self as deeply intertwined with God. He believed that the human soul longs for union with God, its ultimate source of fulfillment and happiness. Augustine's concept of the self is rooted in the idea of original sin inherited from Adam and Eve, which leads to a sense of spiritual longing and discontent. Through God’s grace, we find self- fulfillment. Example: Emma is struggling to tell the truth or keep a secret. Part of her feels the urge to be honest, while another part fears the consequences. After reflecting on her values, Emma chooses honesty. This reflects Augustine’s view that our inner conflict between selfish desires and moral convictions influences our choices and shapes our character. René Descartes Descartes was a French philosopher, scientist, and mathematician who proposed dualism , which separates the self into distinct entities: mind and body. He famously declared, “Cogito, ergo sum” ( I think, therefore I am ), asserting that self-awareness proves one's existence. Descartes associated the mind with consciousness and the body with mechanical processes, locating the self in the mind. Example: You’re unsure if everything around you is real. But then you realize the fact that you’re thinking about it proves you exist. This is Descartes’ “I think, therefore I am.” It means your ability to think shows you’re a real person with thoughts and awareness. John Locke Locke was an English philosopher and physician who proposed a theory of the self based on consciousness and personal identity. He believed that people begin life as a Tabula rasa or a blank slate. He viewed the self as knowing and experiencing our own existence. He thought that as long as you remember being yourself at different times, you're still the same person, even if your body changes. For Locke, the self is shaped by our life experiences. Example: David reflects on his childhood memories and favorite activities and how those experiences shaped their beliefs and preferences today. This process of connecting past memories with their present identity illustrates Locke’s concept of self as a continuous stream of consciousness linked by memories and personal experiences. David Hume Hume was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, historian, economist, librarian, and essayist who rejected the notion of a fixed and enduring self. In his Bundle Theory, he argued that the self is nothing but a bundle of perceptions , thoughts , and sensations. Hume proposed that the sense of self is an illusion created by the mind from the flow of experiences. Example: Barbara enjoys various hobbies and changes her opinions as she grows older. According to Hume, there isn’t a single, unchanging “self” behind these changes. Instead, our sense of self is like a collection of experiences and feelings that shift over time. This idea means our identity isn’t fixed; it evolves as we go through life’s experiences and learn new things.

01 Handout 1 A _Property of STI_* Paul Churchland Churchland is a Canadian philosopher known for his studies in neurophilosophy, or the philosophy of mind. He viewed the self as a product of brain activity rather than a separate entity. He believed that science could explain how we understand ourselves by studying the brain. Example: Benedict tries learning how to play the guitar. As he practices, his brain physically changes and adapts. According to Churchland, these changes in the brain shape how the person sees himself and what they’re capable of, showing our sense of self is tied to our brain’s physical processes. Maurice Merleau-Ponty Merleau-Ponty was a French philosopher who believed the self is shaped by our physical body and how we experience the world through our senses. He emphasized that our sense of self is connected to our interactions with the environment rather than a separate entity. For him, the self develops over time, influenced by past experiences and future aspirations. He rejected the idea of dualism. Example: Joseph expresses himself through dance. For Merleau-Ponty, their sense of self isn’t just in their thoughts but is shaped by the sensations, movements, and interactions they experience while dancing. The dance becomes a way for them to embody and express their identity, showing how our sense of self is inseparable from our bodily experiences and interactions with the world. References: Ashcroft, R. (2023, April 8). What does “I think, therefore I am” really mean? The Collector. https://www.thecollector.com/what-does-i-think-therefore-i-am-mean/. Blog, J. (2019, March 28). Hume’s theory on the enduring self. Medium. https://medium.com/@jeevanv/humes- theory-on-the-enduring-self-d591f30b90cc. Fruhling, Z. (2020, May 26). Being a stranger to yourself — The many meanings of “Know Thyself”. Zachary Fruhling.https://www.zacharyfruhling.com/philosophy-blog/being-a-stranger-to-yourself-the-many-meanings-of- know-thyself. Theepak.(2022, December 24 ). Socrates’ view on Self-Development. Medium. https://medium.com/@theepak/socrates-view-on-self-development-c0fb9753a2f.

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THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES

THE SELF FROM PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES