Let us begin!

Activity 1: Be a philosopher.

1. What is a “soul”? What is the relation of your “soul” to your “body”? What happens to the
“soul” when the body dies?

A "soul" is basically the immaterial aspect of a human being that is often considered to be
synonymous with the self. Dualists like Socrates and Plato believed that the soul is immortal
and is a real substance that exists independent from the body.

From what I understood, I would describe the relation of my "soul" and my "body" to that of an
air-filled balloon. The balloon is basically acting as the capsule of the self and is a physical
representation of the "body". On the other hand, the air would be the "soul". These two would
then represent the self as a whole. This version of my representation is based on what
Socrates believed, that the "soul" and the "body" are the two parts that exist in the self.
According to him, when we are in the physical realm, we are alive and our body and soul are
attached, therefore making both parts of our "self" present in the physical realm.

According to Plato, even after death, the soul exists and is able to think. He believed that as
bodies die, the soul is continually reborn in subsequent bodies. Similarly, according to
Socrates, death is not the end of existence. It is merely separation of the soul from the body.
When the body dies, the body stays in the physical realm while the soul travels to the
ideal realm,
therefore making the soul immortal.

2. Describe an experience where your mind prevailed over your heart and desire?

There was a time when we went out to eat at my friend's house after class. We were having
so much fun talking to each other that we didn't notice the time that it was getting late.
Although I already asked for my parents' permission before then, I knew they were still
 worried. Meanwhile, we were on a very interesting topic when my parents' texted me to go
home. I really wanted to stay for a little longer but I don't want to keep my parents waiting so
I told my friends I needed to go and headed home right away.

I believe this particular experience of mine is an example where my mind prevailed over my
heart and desire. This is related on Plato's three elements of the self: reason, physical
appetite, spirit/passion. The reason enabled me to make the decision even though my
desire to stay is telling me otherwise.

3. How do you know that you exist?

The most famous quote that answers this question is Descartes' "Cogito, ergo sum" or "I
think, therefore I am". He found that he could not doubt that he himself existed, as he was the
one doing the doubting in the first place. The only evidence I have that I exist as a self-aware
being is my conscious experience of thinking about my existence. The fact that I am capable
of both thought and perception, and is the one questioning my own existence means that I
am self-
aware. Thus, I know that I exist.

4. What do you think your future self will remember about you now?

I think my future self will not entirely remember every detail about my self now but it will shape
my self-identity. The impressions I form with my experience now will be remembered by my
future self as less vivid ideas.

5. Is your “self” anywhere to be found?

Yes. My self can be found for it encompasses not only my physical body but also my soul. My
consciousness tells me that my "self" is within me. I don't entirely agree with Hume's notion
that there is no self because my self-awareness tells me otherwise.

6. How do we construct ourselves?

We construct ourselves from the collection of our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions through
the use of our experiences using our senses. Our "self" constructs its own reality, actively
creating the world and synthesizing it into a unified while of who we believe we are.