Different philosophers and thinkers have offered various perspectives on the nature of the self:

1. **Socrates**: knowledge and belief –know yourself – separation of body and soul

Socrates emphasized self-examination and the pursuit of knowledge, famously stating, "An unexamined
life is not worth living." He believed in knowing oneself to live a virtuous life and that the soul is
immortal.`
- Socrates emphasized self-examination and the importance of questioning oneself and others.

- He believed in the mission of "Know Yourself."

- Argued that an unexamined life is not worth living and that true knowledge is distinct from
mere belief.
- Emphasis on self-examination and Socrates' famous quote, "An unexamined life is not worth
living."

- Belief in the separation of the body and soul.

- Distinction between knowledge and belief.

2. **Plato**: body and immortal soul – soul consist of 3 parts (appetitive, spirited, rational)

Plato posited that a person consists of both a body and an immortal soul, and justice arises when the
three parts of the soul (appetitive, spirited, rational) are in harmony.
- Plato posited that a person consists of two parts: a body and a soul.

- Believed the soul is eternal and separate from the body.

- Described the soul as having three parts: appetitive, spirited, and rational, with harmony
among these parts leading to justice.

- Concept of the soul's immortality and its relationship with the body.

- The tripartite division of the soul: appetitive, spirited, and rational.

- The role of harmony among these soul components for justice.

3. **Augustine**: unity of body and immortal soul and spiritual union with God - does not believe that
the soul moves from one body to another.

Augustine believed in the unity of body and soul and aimed for a spiritual union with God through a
good life.
- Augustine believed in the immortality of the soul but saw the soul and body as inseparable.

- Stressed the goal of achieving spiritual union with God through a good life.

- Belief in the unity of the body and soul.

- Aspiration for spiritual union with God.

 4. **Aquinas**: self-knowledge through experience and agents interacting with their
surroundings. WHO AM I

Aquinas argued that self-knowledge is derived from our experiences, and we are agents interacting with
our surroundings, shaping our understanding of ourselves.
- Aquinas argued that self-knowledge is shaped by our experiences with the external world.

- Believed that the more experiences we have, the more we learn about ourselves.

- Self-awareness deepens as we live our lives.

- The role of experiences in shaping self-knowledge.

- The concept of agents interacting with their surroundings.

5. **Descartes** "I think, therefore I am," emphasizing the centrality of the mind and consciousness to
one's existence. known as the "Father of Modern Philosophy"

: Descartes famously said, "I think, therefore I am," emphasizing the centrality of the mind and
consciousness to one's existence.

- Descartes was a dualist who believed in the distinction between the mind and the body.

- Introduced the famous statement, "I think, therefore I am," highlighting the centrality of
thought and consciousness to one's self.

- Dualism: distinction between mind and body.

- The famous quote, "I think, therefore I am."

- The significance of consciousness in defining the self.

6. **Locke**: that personal identity is defined by our memories and experiences - not determined by
physical changes

Locke's view emphasized that our identity is closely tied to our consciousness, particularly our
memories, and is not determined by physical changes.

- Locke linked identity to consciousness, defined as awareness of activities within one's own
mind.
 - Argued that personal identity is defined by our memories and experiences.

- The role of consciousness and memory in defining identity.

- Locke's individuation principle.

7. **Hume**: sense of self is a collection of physical impressions and experiences. Empiricism,

Bundle theory, impressions

Hume rejected the idea of a permanent self, arguing that our sense of self is merely a collection of
physical impressions.

- Hume, an empiricist, denied the existence of a true self.

- Believed our sense of self is a collection of physical impressions and experiences.

- Introduced the bundle theory, suggesting that our sense of self is a sum of impressions.

- Empiricism and the role of sensory experiences.

- Bundle theory and the idea of the self as a collection of impressions.

8. **Kant** the idea of inner and outer selves.

: Kant proposed an inner and outer self, with the inner self involving psychological states and the outer
self tied to sensory experiences.
- Kant introduced the idea of inner and outer selves.

- Emphasized apperception, the mental assimilation of new ideas into old ones, as crucial to self-
awareness.

- Argued that both empiricism and rationalism are incomplete in understanding the self.

- The inner and outer self in Kant's philosophy.

- Apperception and representation.

9. **Ryle**: our sense of self is derived from our behaviors and actions.

Ryle challenged the mind-body dualism, suggesting that the self is a product of one's behaviors and
actions.
- Ryle rejected the mind-body dualism.
 - Proposed that our sense of self is derived from our behaviors and actions.

- Argued against the existence of a separate mind as the seat of the self.

- Ryle's rejection of the mind-body dualism.

- Emphasis on the self as a collection of actions.

10. **Churchland**: eliminative materialism

Churchland rejected dualism, advocating that the physical brain, rather than a separate mind,
determines the self.

- Advocated for eliminative materialism, which asserts that only matter exists.

- Eliminative materialism: the belief that the self is derived from the physical brain.

- Challenges to the existence of the mind.

11. **Merleau-Ponty**:

Merleau-Ponty emphasized the role of the body in the sense of self, rejecting the separation of mind
and body.
- Merleau-Ponty emphasized the importance of the body in the subjective self.

- Challenged both rationalism and empiricism by highlighting the intrinsic connection between
the mind and body.

- Argued that the self and perception are part of the body, not separate entities.

- The body's role in subjective self.

- Critique of both rationalism and empiricism.

**III. The Self, Society, and Culture**

**A. Self-Identity vs. Social Identity**

- Explanation of self-identity and how it's influenced by perceptions, attitudes, values, and beliefs.

- Distinction between self-identity and social identity and their potential conflict.

**B. Sense of Self and Socialization**

- George Mead's Social Self Theory and its role in forming the self.
 - Charles Cooley's Looking-Glass Self theory.

**C. I vs. We: Individualism (I) vs. Collectivism (WE)**

- Individualism or the “I” ideology portrays the self as existing independently from others and includes
personal features,

- Comparison of individualism ("I") and collectivism ("we") in Western and Eastern cultures.

- How cultural values impact the perception of self.

**D. Nature vs. Nurture**

- Explanation of the nature vs. nurture debate.

- The influence of genetics and environment on self-development.

-"NATURE " argues that a person develops his or her characteristics biologically

- "NURTURE," a person develops his or her characteristics through the influence of external
factors such as the environment and the society (family, friends, relatives, etc.).

**E. Ethnicity and Culture**

- The significance of ethnic identity in shaping one's sense of self.

- How ethnicity can impact mental health and perceptions of stressors.

**IV. Conclusion**

- Recap of key concepts and perspectives discussed.

- Emphasis on the importance of understanding diverse views on the self and its societal and cultural
context.