Understanding

the Self

Chapter 2
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this Chapter, the learner is expected to:

1. Determine the varied philosophical ideas about the

nature self
2. Identify the differences in this perspectives ;
3. Use this perspectives in the forming of own insight about
the self. And
4. Point to the concepts that define the self
Socrates
Socrates (470-399 BC) was a classical Greek
philosopher and a pioneer of Western moral
philosophy. As a contribution to the field of
philosophy, Socrates introduced the Socratic
Problem also known as the Socratic question. The
goal of which was to “Know thyself”. Accordingly
there should be a dialogue between the self and the
soul. One should accept that he knows nothing and
he knows and accepts that he knows nothing as this
leads to learning and discovering the truth. Socrates
who was greatly known for his Socratic method
stated that “An unexamined life is not worth living”.
One has to self-examine and discuss about the self
as this is a duty to achieve what is the greatest good
to a life. It is the goal of Socratic perspective to better
the quality of human life through consistent self-
examination.

“An unexamined life is not worth

Plato Plato (424-347 BC) was a classical Greek philosopher
and the founder of Academy in Athens, the first institution
of higher learning in the western world. An influential
figure in western philosophy and the founder of western
spirituality. Plato stated that the “psyche” or the “mind” is
comprised of three elements:
1. The appetites which involve our pleasurable desires
such as those which provide us physical pleasure and
physiological comfort. (epithymetikon, appetitive).
2. The spirited which denotes the part within us that is
agitated most of the time. It is highly spirited and
motivated to surpass and conquer life challenges. It is the
area within us that enjoys triumph, honor, greatness and
affirmation. (thymoeides, spirited)
3. The mind is the conscious awareness which thinks,
meditates, weighs choices and assesses situation in our
lives. This side is rational and logical as it chooses only
the best for us. (logistikon, logical).

Appetitive – Spirited – Logical

Saint Augustine of Hippo
-Christian theologian and philosopher
- He contributed through his writings "The City of
God, "On Christian Doctrine", and
"Confessions".
SELF PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
-Two fold process comprised of self-presentation
leading to self-realization.
-I am doubting, therefore I am
-The self seeks to be united with God through
faith and reason.
- Described that human kind is created in the
image and likeness of God
- Believed that God is transcedent and
everything created by God who is all good is
good
- Understanding of the self and the formation
of identity is achieved through the process of
"introspection" or "self-analysis"

Reflection – Prayer – Confession

Rene Descartes - (1596-1650)
- Father of Modern Philosophy
- French Scientific Thinker,
mathematician and philosopher - He
developed the cartesian philosophy
which holds that mental acts
determine physical acts
- SELF VIEWS:
- "Cogito, ergo sum" or I think,
therefore I am
- The self is a thinking thing distinct
from the body
- thinking self (soul, non-material) and
physical (material, non-thinking) entity
- The mind as "intellectual substance"
which possess a will

Cogito, ergo sum (I think, therefore I

ohn Locke
John Locke (1632-1704) was an English
philosopher and physician, widely regarded as
one of the most influential of Enlightenment
thinkers and commonly known as the "Father
of Liberalism" as he posited the “theory of
mind”.
- He developed the concept of ‘Tabula Rasa’
that at birth, the mind is a blank slate without
innate ideas, and it is experience that provides
us knowledge.
- His main philosophy about personal identity
or the self is founded on consciousness or
memory. For Locke, consciousness is the
perception of what passes in a Man’s own
mind.

Tabula Rasa or “blank slate”

David Hume
David Hume (1711- 1776) was a Scottish
Enlightenment philosopher, historian, economist,
and essayist, who is best known today for his
highly influential system of philosophical
empiricism, skepticism, and naturalism.
- He reiterated that reason is only the slave of
passion which implies that logic and intellect
is basically superseded by an individual’s
passion, drive and motivation.
- He states very decidedly that there is no idea
of the self.
- According to Hume, all of the contents of our
consciousness are either impressions coming
directly to us through sensation or ideas
copied from those impressions and held as
memories.
mmanuel Kant
-was born on April 1724 in Konigsbeig,
Prussia
- He was a German philosopher during
enlightenment
- In 1740, Kant enrolled as a Theology
student, however mathematics and physics
catch his attention in 1746
- He died in 1804 at the age of 80
SELF PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
• Human and it's conscious self
• The ability of mind to create experience
• Development of self and individuality is
result to varies experience
• Every person has a inner and outer self
igmund Freud
- (1856-1939)
- was born in may 6, 1856 in Austria
town of Freiberg
- he was an Australian neurologist
- Sigmund Freud consider himself a
scientist rather than a doctor
- In 1882, Freud became married and
has a six children
SELF PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS:
- The three essential part of human
personality
- the unconscious self
- human are naturally lustful

Super ego – ego – id

Gilbert Ryle
• was born in Brighton, England
• was a British philosopher
• A behaviorist who coined the
phrase "the ghost in the machine"
• He believed that the mental
phenomena are explained by
observing public behaviour

“ghost in the machine”

Paul Montgomery Churchland

• was from Vancouver Canada

• was born on Oct 21, 1942
• greatly focuses on the
workings of the brain
• he argued that "nothing but
matter exists"

“nothing but matter exists”

aurice Merleau Ponty
- was born on March 14, 1908 at Rochefort-sur Mer,
Charente- Maritime
- was a French philosopher
- strongly influenced by Edmund Husserl and Martin
Heidegger
- He wrote the book Phenomenologie de La Perception
in 1945
- In this book, he expounded his thesis "The Primary of
Perception" where he revealed how the body is
central to one's perception.
- He argued that perception is the determinant of one's
consciousness.
- It is our prejudice that creates the perception that we
have in our mind - The Primacy of Perception where
Ponty's said "there is harmony between what we aim
at and what is given, between intention and
performance"

consciousness is primarily not a matter of 'I think that' but

of 'I can'