The Philosophy of the Self

Philosophy of the self has been defined through two distinct

philosophical lens:
 
Empiricism - derives explanations of the self from sensory and
bodily responses. We know things because we have
experienced it through our bodily senses.
 
Rationalism - there is innate knowledge; they differ in that
they choose different objects of innate knowledge.
Rationalism explains self from the standpoint of what is “ideal”
and the “truth”, not rooted in what is felt by the senses nor
our body.
The Philosophy of the Self
What are the different philosophical views of the Self?
There is abundance in literature that highlights the
similarities and contrasting standpoints of the self.
Socrates and Plato have explained the Self from a
theoretical and logical orientation; St. Augustine
adopted the views of Plato and infused it to his religious
philosophy. John Locke, David Hume, and Immanuel
Kant were empiricist philosophers; Rene 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.
        
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description
Philosophy of the Self
Classical Antiquity

Socrates Idealism Socratic  Knowledge is the personification of good

Philosophy while Ignorance is that of evil.
 Self-knowledge is the ultimate virtue. As the
ultimate virtue, it will lead to ultimate
happiness.
Plato Idealism Dualism  Moral virtue is rooted in the intellect and
and leads to happiness.
Idealism  Wisdom and knowledge leads to virtue
which will lead to happiness.
 
Philosophy of the Self
       
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description

Middle Agess

 All knowledge leads to God.

 Only the pure in heart can see God.
St. Augustine Platonism Neoplatonism  Love of God, faith in Him and
Understanding of his Gospel will
ultimately lead to Happiness.
 
 
        
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description
Philosophy of the Self
Renaissance

Descartes Rationalist Mind-body  “I think, therefore, I am.”

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.
Locke Empiricist Theory of  It is in consciousness alone that identity exists, not
Personal on the body and soul.
Identity  There is a distinction between man and person.
 The soul may change, but consciousness remains
intact.
Hume Empiricist Skeptical  All knowledge passes through the senses.
Philosophy  Separate ideas can be joined in the mind.
 There is no self, only a bundle of perceptions.
Kant Rationalist Metaphysics  Reason is the final authority of morality.
/ Empiricist of the Self  There is the inner self and outer self;
 The inner self includes rational reasoning and
psychological state.
 The outer self includes the body and physical mind,
where representation occurs.
 
Philosophy of the Self  
Philosopher
 
Orientation
 
Philosophy
 
Description

Modern Times

Ryle Empiricist The Concept of  “I act, therefore, I am.”

Mind  The mind is not the seat of self.
 It is 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.
Churchland Empiricist Neurophilosop  A fully matured neuroscience will eliminate the
hy need for beliefs since “they are not real.”
 The physical brain gives us a sense of self.
Merleau- Existentialism Phenomenolog  Both empiricism and intellectualism are flawed
Ponty Empiricist y of Perception in nature.
 “We are our bodies.”
 Our bodily experiences do not detach the
subject/object, mind/body, rational/irrational.
 Things to Ponder About
Philosophy of the Self We have seen how philosophy of the self has evolved from
ancient to modern times. From conceptual hypotheses of the
self, modern times have seen the self from scientific and
biological standpoints.
A.

Do you agree with what these philosophers have concluded about
the self?
Do you see how their explanations of the self apply to you in the
present?
If you are to choose one particular philosophy of the Self, what
would it be and why?

B.
(quickie survey): How is self understood? How do I
understand my self? What led up to this understanding of the
self?