MODULE 1.

2: INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING THE SELF)

Section : WHAT PHILOSOPHY SAYS ABOUT THE SELF

INTRODUCTION
MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
This module tackles the fundamental concepts and principles of the self.
 It covers the different factors that contribute to one’s being, the philosophical and theoretical perspectives
about the self across generations,
 as well as the explanations of different fields of sciences about the self and
identity.

OBJECTIVES:
Intended Learning Outcomes:
 define and explain the different philosophical views about the self
 evaluate the different perspective of self
 analyze the relevance of various philosophical perspective of your sense of self

PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES
Activity: Do you truly know yourself?
 How would you characterize yourself?
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 What makes you stand out from the rest?
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 How has your self-transformed itself?
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 How is your self -connected to your body?
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 How is your self-related to other selves?
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 What will happen to yourself after you die?
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Let’s EXPLORE: Do you AGREE or DISAGREE

 different philosophers holds the same view about the self ( )Agree ( )Disagree
 philosophical views of the self are useful guide to having a better life ( )Agree ( )Disagree
 philosophy of the self should only be studied by older individuals and
not by younger individuals ( )Agree ( )Disagree
LESSON PROPER:
Topic: WHAT PHILOSOPHY SAYS ABOUT THE SELF

Philosophy of the Self

Philosophy is often called the mother of all disciplines

 all fields of study began as philosophical discourses
 ancient philosophers attempted to explain natural and social phenomena
 coming up with definitions of how the world works
 what factors contributed to such phenomena

Thus, it was inevitable to come up with various conceptions of

 introduces specific and
 the different definitions of the self
Self – it is defined to as “a unified being, essentially connected to consciousness, awareness, and agency (or, at least,
with the faculty of rational choice).

Different philosophers introduced specific characteristics and meanings of the self, that olds specific evidence:
 Classical Antiquity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=46&v=qhJF2RSUeSU&feature=emb_logo
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle

 Middle Ages
St. Augustine

 Renaissance
Rene Descartes, John Locke, David Hume, Immanuel Kant
 Modern Times
Gilbert Ryle, Patricia Churchland, Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Classical Antiquity
 Greek philosophy was started by Socrates, with his aphorism/principle of “know thyself,” which is also inscribed
in the temple of Apollo at Delphi
 Socrates believed that the real self is not the physical body, but rather the psyche, or the soul.
 Plato, a student of Socrates, also studied and explained thoroughly what is the true essence of self, which is then
founded by his mentor. Plato suggested that the “self is fundamentally an intellectual entity whose nature exists
independent from physical world.”

Furthermore, Aristotle, student of Plato, explained thoroughly how we could see the essence of self.
 Aristotle suggested that the ideal is subsumed in the phenomena.
 Aristotle called the ideal as essence, and the phenomena as the matter.
He emphasized that these 2 co-exist, and is dependent with one another.

Two lens of Philosophy of Self in Greek Times:

Rationalism
 explains self from the standpoint of what is ideal and true, and
 what not is rooted with senses.
Empiricism
 there is no such thing as innate knowledge;
 all knowledge are derived from experience – through five senses or
 what is perceived by our brain.

Towards Modern Philosophy

 St. Augustine incorporated the views of Plato to his religious philosophy.
 John Locke, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant were empiricists philosophers.
 Rène Descartes was a dominant rational philosopher during the Middle Ages
 Contemporary philosophers have incorporated science to their theories in the light of the technological
advancements that they have been exposed to.
 Majority of contemporary philosopher were empiricists

SUMMARY OF PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES

The table shows how philosophers view the self from different perspectives.
 It must be remembered that in studying the theories about the self, one must consider the philosophers’
ORIENTATION and HISTORICAL background
 Through their ideas you may EXAMINE YOURSELF and determine whether you FIT into the given descriptions
Classical Antiquity

Philosopher Description
 “Know Thy self”/I know that I don’t know”
Socrates  Self-knowledge is the ultimate virtue
 As an ultimate virtue, it will lead to ultimate happiness
 Knowledge is the personification of good while ignorance is that of evil
Plato  “The Ideal Self, the Perfect Self”
 Moral virtue is rooted in the intellect and leads to happiness
 Wisdom and knowledge leads to virtue which lead to happiness
Aristotle  Ideals are essence and phenomena is matter

Philosopher Description
Middle Ages

St. Augustine  “All knowledge leads to God”/ “If I am mistaken, I am” (Si fallor, sum”)
 Only the pure in heart can see God
 Love of God, faith in him and understanding of his gospel will ultimately
lead to happiness
Renaissance

Philosopher: Description:
 “I think , therefore I am”
Rene Descartes  The mind and soul can exist without the body
 Establishing the distinction of soul from the body can make people believe
in the afterlife and the souls’ immortality
John Locke  Personal Identity
 It is in consciousness alone that identity exists, not in the body and soul
 There is a distinction between man and person
 The soul may change but consciousness remains intact
David Hume  The self is the bundle theory of the mind
 All knowledge passes through the senses
  Separate ideas can be joined in the mind
 There is no self, only a bundle of perceptions
Imannuel Kant  Respect for Self. Reason is the final Authority of Morality
 Reason is the final authority of morality
 There is inner self- includes rational reasoning and psychological states and
outer self-

Philosopher: Description:
Gilbert Ryle  “I act therefore I am”. The Concept of the Mind.
 The mind is not the seat of self. It is not a separate, parallel thing to our
physical body
 The mind is a category mistake brought by a habitual use
Modern Times

 The only way it can affect the other is through the external world
Paul Churchland  A fully matured neuroscience will eliminate the need for belief since “they
are not real”
 The Self as a brain.
Maurice Merleau  “We are our bodies”. Argued that the body is part of the mind.
Ponty  The Phenomenology of Perceptions
 Our bodily experience do not detach the subject/object, mind/body,
rational/irrational

Philosopher’s Gallery

PRACTICE EXERCISES
 Key Concepts: Your takeaways

 SELF-DISCOVERY. Complete each of the following sentences

 My strongest asset
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 My greatest accomplishments
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 My most unforgettable experience
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 The most influential person in my life
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 If I have 5 months to live
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 My weakest point
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 SELF-KNOWING Write the first thing that comes to mind

 Places I would like to visit
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 Persons I would like to meet
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 Foods I would prefer to eat
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 Music I would like to listen to
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 Things I would enjoy doing
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Guided Video Lecture/Video Clips
  UTS - Philosophical Perspective of the Self
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sMCmtFsWrA

 Who am I? | The Self in Philosophical Perspectives | Understanding the Self

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ulw8BLCwbQ

 Understanding the Self - Philosophical Perspective of the Self

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGCoFFuHuWs

 The Self From Various Philosophical Perspectives / Philosophical Self - Understanding the Self


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lo3c5u73vw

 Understanding the Self: Chapter 1 Philosophical Perspective on the Self

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfJi9UEIxxY

ASSESSMENT/Output Plans:
 In your own words, EXPLAIN how your concept of self is compatible with how your chosen philosopher
conceived their philosophical perspective of the self

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REFERENCES
 Understanding the self: Outcome-based module/Jonathan V. Macayan, Jasmine Nadja J. Pinugu, and John
Christopher D. Castillo. – Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc., 2018.
 Understanding the self/Salvacion L. Villafuerte, Al F. Quillope, Rudjane C. Tunac and Estela I. Borja. –Quezon
City: Nieme Publishing House Co. Ltd., 2018.
 Understanding the self: gec series, 1st edition/Eden Joy Pastor Alata, Bernardo Nicolas Caslib, Jr., Janice Patria
Javier Serafica and R.A. Pawilen. –Manila: Rex Book Store Inc., 2018.

Updated: August 2021

1stSem AY 2021-2022
Duka, Vilma M.