Intiuves> tons: If you think the statement is correct, write ine Instructions: I!) , ise, write d 1. Different philosophers hold the same views abou, isagree. other’ sae the self 2. Philosophers used empirical and rational lens in| explaining the self. i Philosophy of the self as explained by modern philosophers is more relevant than that of ancient philosophers. | / | 4, Philosophical views of the self are a useful guide to having a better life. 5. Philosophy of the self should only be studied by older individuals and not by younger generations. Philosophy of the Self Philosophy is often called the mother of all disciplines simply because all fields of study began as philosophical discourses. Ancient Philosophers attempted to explain natural and social phenomena a id with their own definitions of how the world works and voc ore contribute to such phenomena, Thus, it was inevitable ad ina) With Various conceptions of what it means to be hum ing, the different definitions of the self. The self ha F A connected iy Pee defined as “a unified being, essentially the Faculty of ma uses: aWareness, and agency (or, at least, with Specific charact ‘onal choice).” Different philosophers introduced time etistics and meanings of the self, which, ove 'ansformed from pure abstractions to explanations that hold Scientific proofs, ‘Scanned with CamScannerrepny ous wou ure seH Classical Antiquity The ancient philosophy of the self can be traced back from one of 147 Greek aphorisms prominently inscribed in the temple of Apollo at Delphi—know thyself (Greek: yvw0t ceauréy, transliterated: gnothi seautén), This aphorism (or principle) was Socrates’s guiding principle that he imparted to his students. Since Socrates as a guru preferred to engage his students in endless discussions, it is said that he had never written down any of his ideas but instead untiringly articulated 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. It was Plato, Socrates’s prized student, who thoroughly expounded on Socrates's ideas of the 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 that the truth can be distinguished in two forms: the metaphysical realm (mind) and the physical world (body). Plato suggested that the 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 tends to be permanent 3 Great “Golden Age” Greek Philosophers eos Aristotle ‘Scanned with CamSeanner» Introduction to Understanding the Selt and the phenomena which refers to the manifestation and spiritual, par Compared to ontos, phenomena is imperfect, of the ideal Ny impermanent, and inferior Plato's idea of truth about the human self was even more expounded and formalized by his prized student, Aristotle, White Plato emphasized the separation of the ideal and Phenomenal existence or being, Aristotle suggested that the ideal is subsumed in the phenomena. Aristotle called the 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. The philosophy of the self has been defined through two distinct lens: empiricism and rationalism. In empiricism, there is no such thing as innate knowledge; instead, knowledge is derived from experience—either perceived with the five senses or processed with the brain. One knows things because he or she has experienced it through sensory and bodily responses. On the other hand, rationalism argues that there is innate knowledge; however, there are different sources of innate knowledge. Rationalism explains self from the standpoint of what is “ideal” and “true,” and not rooted in what is felt by the senses or body. Conclusions are derived through logic and reasoning. Some philosophers applied empirical views of the self; others used the rational. From classical antiquity to the contemporary era, philosophy of the self has evolved. From the teachings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, renaissance and contemporary philosophers also defined the self according to personal and historical contexts. As stated by Fromm, “You can only understand humans in the context of their history." ‘This line is appropriate in understanding how philosoph have shaped their own Viewpoints of the self. The anaes ‘Scanned with CamScannerWhat Philosophy Says about the Self Towards Modern Philosophy Socrates and Plato have explained the self from a theoretical and logical orientation. Aristotle was an empiricist, deriving views of the self from physical and scientific underpinnings. St, Augustine incorporated the views of Plato to his religious philosophy. John Locke, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant were empiricist philosophers; while Réne Descartes was a dominant rational philosopher during the Middle Ages. Among contemporary philosophers, majority are empiricists: Gilbert Ryle, Patricia Churchland, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty have incorporated biological and neuroscience in their philosophies. The varying philosophical standpoints can thus be summarized as follows: x ster + Knowledge is the Philosophy personification of good while ignorance is that of evil. ‘+ Self-knowledge is the ultimate virtue. As the ultimate virtue, it will lead to ultimate happiness. Idealism Dualism and + Moral virtue is rooted in Be Idealism the intellect and leads to happiness. + Wisdom and knowledge lead to virtue which will lead to happiness. is iricis Aristotelian ‘+ Ideal is found inside the RN Tae criroek SbetphY phenomena and the universals inside the particulars. + Ideals are ESSENCE and Phenomena is MATTER. + Matter has no form. Essence has no mass. + Matter and essence need each other, Socrates _| Idealism 40 ‘Scanned with CamScannerIntroduction to Understanding the seit Philosopher St. Augustine Rene Platonism — | Neoplatonism ETE) Rationalist Dualism uy _Middle Ages Caen «nF knoveledge leads to Gog + Only the pure in heart cap, see God. + Love of God, faith in Him, and understanding of His Gospel will ultimately lead to happiness. iy a think, therefore, | am, «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 soul's immortality. Empiricist | Theory of Personal Identity + It isin 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. —h David Hume Empiricist | Skeptical Philosophy + All knowledge passes through the senses, + Separate ideas can be joined in the mind, + There is no self, only a bundle of perceptions, Immanuel Rationalisy a | bei | ee a Empiricist | the Self Metaphysics of * Reason is the final authovity of | morality, * There is inner self and outer self + The inner self includes rational rmaoning and psychological State, + The outer self includes the body and physical mind, where ‘Scanned with CamseannerPhilosopher Orientation Gilbert Ryle What Philosophy Says about the Self een Modern Times The Concept of Mind Pree | act, therefore, | am. The mind is not the seat of self. Itis not a separate, parallel thing to our physical body. The mind is a category mistake, brought about by habitual use. The only way it can affect the other is through the external world, Patricia Empiricist | Neurophilosophy | + A fully matured neuroscience Churchland will eliminate the need for beliefs since “they are not real.” + The physical brain gives us a sense of self. Maurice | Existentialist | Phenomenology | + Both empiricism and Merleau- | empiricist | of Perception intellectualism are flawed in Ponty nature. “We are our bodies.” Our bodily experiences do not detach the subjectobject, mind/body, rationalfirational. The table shows how philosophers view the self from different standpoints. It must be remembered that in studying the theories about the self, one should take into account the philosophers’ orientation and historical background. Many other scholars study and explain the self. Through their ideas, you may examine yourself and determine whether you fit into the given descriptions, ‘Scanned with CamScanner