Fajutnao, Laarnie F.

Block 06

Prof: Maricar Falogme

1. Socrates

Considering Socrates point of view or perspective for one’s self, it is clear

that he put and emphasis to conscious on his explanation.

He believed that we as a person, should always consciously contemplate,

turn our gaze inward, and then analyze the true nature and values that are

guiding our life. In my understanding, Socrates put focus to our conscious

in interpreting self because for him, knowing oneself or questioning

oneself is the gateway for a worthy life.

In conclusion, our conscious puts us or pushes us to be curious in order to

understand ourself and to understand reality that is worthy living for.

2. Plato

Taking into account about Plato’s point of view or perspective about self,

he pointed out that soul is an important part of ourselves, not as a divine

soul but as an intellectual connotation.

He mentioned that having moral virtue gives harmony to ourself. Aside

from that, he and along with Socrates have an outlook more about how to
 control ourselves. He gave us rise to the three components of soul which

are: the appetitive (sensual), the rational (reasoning), and the spirited

(feeling).

In addition, Plato’s prospect about self is more on rational understanding

that leads on attaining a just and virtuous soul for ourselves.

3. St. Augustine

St. Augustine prospect or perspective about the self is heavily influenced

by Plato’s ideas. Due to this, he explained that self is also related to soul.

However, he differs his perspective from Plato through bifurcating man in

nature.

If Plato gives emphasis to soul or to self as intellectual connotation, St.

Augustine gives emphasis to soul or to self that its nature is to attain

communion bliss with the divine. Along with this, he mentioned the man’s

bifurcated nature which are: the physical being, the spirited being, and the

soul being as a part of man.

Therefore, we can conclude that since St. Augustine got some of his ideas

from Plato, they give affirmation to soul as part of ourselves. Nevertheless,

 St. Augustine give rise to the conception that our soul ought to attain

immortality through living in bliss with the divine.

4. Rene Descartes

In my interpretation with Socrates’ concept about the self, I may conclude

that Rene Descartes’ concept has a relativity to Socrates’ concept.

Rene Descartes also gave the center of his explanation to consciousness.

Giving a highlight to body as a machine that is controlled by our mind.

Rene Descartes is concluded to be the father of modern philosophy. He

also included to his explanation that senses of human person an be fooled

that is why he focuses on what the mind could offer. He was really

skeptical about the truth to determine which belief could be ascertained as

true. That is why he specified that the only thing we cannot doubt is

existence of the self.

Consequently, his idea also focuses to consciousness because for him

senses can be unreliable to ourselves but it is the mind that regulates the

body and regulates ourselves.

To my own concept of self, I can relate to all of their different concepts. I can see self as

our spirit and I therefore concluded that I can connect to their explanations. Though

these four Philosophers has their own understanding about self, every idea still

interconnects with each other making sense to my own concept of self.