Philosophical Views About The Self

PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS
ABOUT THE SELF
Dr. John Christopher Dimasaka Castillo, RSW

Assistant Professor, Department of Liberal Arts
Mapúa University
AT T H E E N D O F T H I S U N I T, S T U D E N T S A R E
EXPECTED TO DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Define and explain the different philosophical standpoints about the Self.
2. Trace and explain how philosophical models have transformed from classical to
contemporary times.
3. Synthesize and evaluate the different perspectives of the Self.
4. Analyze the relevance of various philosophical standpoints to their sense of the Self.
PHILOSOPHY
• the study of the fundamental nature

of knowledge, reality, and existence,
especially when considered as an
academic discipline.
PHILOSOPHICAL
LENS
Philosophy of the self has been defined

through two distinct philosophical lens:
Empiricism - derives explanations of the

self from sensory and bodily responses.
We know things because we have
experienced it through our bodily senses.
Rationalism - there is innate knowledge;

they differ in that they choose different
objects of innate knowledge. Rationalism
explains self from the standpoint of what
is “ideal” and the “truth”, not rooted in
what is felt by the senses nor our body.
T H E S PA
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE
SELF
The ancient philosophy of self can be traced back from the

ancient Greek aphorism (one of 147 aphorisms prominently
inscribed in the temple of Apollo at Delphi), “know thyself”
(Greek: γνῶθι σεαυτόν, transliterated: gnōthi seauton).
The aphorism (or principle) was used by Socrates as his

guiding principle that he passed on to his students. Since
Socrates as a guru preferred to engage his students in
endless discussion, it is said that he had never written down
any of his ideas but instead untiringly discussed concepts
and principles with his students. Socrates believed that the
real self is not the physical body, but rather the psyche (or
soul). He further posited that the appearance of the body is
inferior to its functions.
SELF
• It was Plato, Socrates’ prized student who thoroughly

expound on Socrates ideas of self. Plato’s conceptualization
of the Self was profoundly introduced in his dialogue
Phaedrus, which has been a popular text for many decades in
the subject of Philosophy. The main idea in this dialogue is
about truth-seeking, and that the truth can be distinguished in
two forms: the metaphysical realm (mind) and the physical
world (body). Plato suggested that the existence or the truth
about the human self is fundamentally an intellectual entity
whose nature exists independent from the physical world.
Plato bifurcated the truth or reality into two: the “ontos”
(ideal), the ultimate reality which tend to be permanent and
spiritual, and the “phenomena” which refers to the
manifestation of the ideal. In contrast with ontos, phenomena
is imperfect, impermanent and inferior to the latter.
SELF
Plato’s idea of truth about the human self was even

more expounded and formalized by his prized student,
Aristotle. While Plato emphasized the separation of
ideal and phenomenal existence (or being), Aristotle
suggested that the ideal is subsumed in the phenomena.
Aristotle called ideal as “essence” and the phenomena
as “matter”. He also emphasized that the two co-exist
and are co-dependent, the essence provides meaning
and purpose to the matter, and the matter provides
substance and solidity to essence.
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description
Classical Antiquity
Socrates Idealism Socratic  Knowledge is the personification of good
Philosophy while Ignorance is that of evil.
 Self-knowledge is the ultimate virtue. As the
ultimate virtue, it will lead to ultimate
happiness.
Plato Idealism Dualism  Moral virtue is rooted in the intellect and
and leads to happiness.
Idealism  Wisdom and knowledge leads to virtue which
will lead to happiness.
Aristotle Empiricist Aristotelian  Ideal is found inside the phenomena and the
Philosophy universals inside the particulars.
 Ideals are ESSENCE.
 Phenomena is MATTER.
 Matter has no form. Essence has no mass.
 Matter and Essence need each other.
THINGS TO PONDER
ABOUT
We have seen how philosophy of the self has

evolved from ancient to modern times. From
conceptual hypotheses of the self, modern times
have seen the self from scientific and biological
standpoints.
 Do you agree with what these philosophers

have concluded about the self?
 Do you see how their explanations of the self
apply to you in the present?
 If you are to choose one particular philosophy
of the Self, what would it be and why?

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PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS

ABOUT THE SELF

Dr. John Christopher Dimasaka Castillo, RSW

3. Synthesize and evaluate the different perspectives of the Self.

• the study of the fundamental nature

Philosophy of the self has been defined

Empiricism - derives explanations of the

Rationalism - there is innate knowledge;

The ancient philosophy of self can be traced back from the

The aphorism (or principle) was used by Socrates as his

• It was Plato, Socrates’ prized student who thoroughly

Plato’s idea of truth about the human self was even

We have seen how philosophy of the self has

 Do you agree with what these philosophers

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