Philosophy about Self

Another Greek philosopher, Aristotle believes that the soul is merely a

set of defining features and does not consider the body and the soul as
separate entities. He suggested that anything in life has a soul.

Aristotle holds that the soul is the essence of all living things. Thus, the
soul is the essence of the self. However, humans differ from other
living things because of their capacity for rational thinking.
Churchland adheres to materialism, the
belief that nothing but matter exists. In
other words, if it can't somehow be
recognized by the senses then it's akin to a
fairy tale.

Applying this argument to the mind,

Churchland asserts that since the mind can't
be experienced by our senses, then the
mind doesn't really exist. Based on this
assertion, Churchland holds to eliminative
materialism. Stated simply, eliminative
materialism argues that the ordinary folk
psychology of the mind is wrong. It is the
physical brain and not the imaginary mind
that gives us our sense of self.
 Philosophical Standpoints
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description

Classical Antiquity

Socrates Idealism Socrates • Knowledge is the

philosophy Personification of good while
ignorance is that of evil.
• Self Knowledge is the
ultimate virtue. As the
ultimate virtue, will lead to
ultimate happiness.

Plato Idealism Dualism and • Moral virtue is rooted in the

Idealism intellect and leads to
happiness.
• Wisdom and knowledge
lead to virtue which will lead
to happiness.
Aristotle Empiricist Aristotelian • Ideal is found inside the phenomena and
Philosophy 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.

St. Augustine Platonism Neo- • All Knowledge lead to God.

Platonism • Only the pure in heart can see God.
• Love of God, Faith in Him, and
understanding of his gospel will ultimately
lead to happiness.

Rene Rationalist Mind- Body • “ I think, Therefore, I am.”

Descarte Dualism • 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.
Aristotle Empiricist Aristotelian • Ideal is found inside the phenomena and
Philosophy 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.

St. Augustine Platonism Neo- • All Knowledge lead to God.

Platonism • Only the pure in heart can see God.
• Love of God, Faith in Him, and
understanding of his gospel will ultimately
lead to happiness.

Rene Rationalist Mind- Body • “ I think, Therefore, I am.”

Descarte Dualism • The mind and soul can Exists without the
body.
• Establishing the distinction of soul from
the body can make people believe in the
afterlife and the soul’s immortality.
John Locke Empiricist Theory of • It is in consciousness alone that identity
personal exists, not in the body and soul.
Identity • there is a distinction between man and
person.
• The soul may change, but the
consciousness remains intact.

David Hume Empiricist Skeptical • All knowledge passes through the

philosophy senses.
• Separate ideas can be joined in the
mind.
• There is no self, only a bundle of
perceptions.

Immanuel Rationalist/ Metaphysic • Reason is the final authority of morality.

Kant Empiricist s of the self • There is inner self and outer self.
•The inner self includes rational
reasoning and psychological
• The outer self includes the body and
physical mind, where representation
occurs.
Gilbert Ryle Empiricist The concept of • “I act therefore, I am.”
mind • The mind is not seat of self. It is not a
separate, parallel things to our physical
body.
• The mind is category mistake, brought
about by habitual use. The only way it
can affect the other is through the
external word.

Paul and Empiricist Neurophilosophy • A fully matured neuroscience will

Patricia eliminate the need for beliefs since”
Churchland they are not real.”
•The physical brain gives us a sense of
self

Maurice Existentialist •Both empiricist and intellectualism are

Merleau- Empiricist flawed in nature.
Ponty • “ We are our bodies.”
• Our bodily experiences do not detach
the subject/object, mind/body,
rational/irrational.
Activity 2:

Philosopher Point of View of Self and Personal Point of View of Self

In your own words, state your concept self or the meaning of self in relation
with the philosopher ‘s view of self.