LESSON 1: PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF || Understanding the Self - Marvin Cabañero

Summary

This lecture delves into the philosophical perspective of the self, exploring the concept through various philosophers' lenses. It begins with an introspective activity, prompting students to question their identity and existence. The lecture defines philosophy as a quest for answers about life and morality, highlighting its role in developing critical thinking and reasoning skills. Ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are discussed for their views on the soul and its relation to the body. The lecture also touches on modern philosophers' perspectives, from Descartes' 'I think, therefore I am' to Merleau-Ponty's embodied subjectivity, offering a comprehensive journey through the self's philosophical evolution.

Takeaways

• 😃 The lecture discusses the philosophical perspective of the self, divided into four parts: an activity, definition of philosophy, philosophy and the self, and assessment.
• 🧠 Learning outcomes include understanding the role of philosophy in self-understanding, discussing concepts of the self, and differentiating various self-concepts.
• 🤔 The script prompts self-reflection with questions about personal identity, uniqueness, connection to the body, relationship with others, and what happens after death.
• 📚 Philosophy is defined as the pursuit of answers to profound questions about ourselves and the world, including morality and the nature of a good life.
• 💭 Philosophy aims to question existing knowledge and intuitions to approach the truth and develops skills like critical thinking, argumentation, and problem-solving.
• 📘 The origin of philosophy is tied to the need to search for truth, meaning, significance, and value, with questions being central to philosophical inquiry.
• 📜 Ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle contributed foundational ideas about the self, with a focus on self-knowledge, the immortal soul, and the essence of the self.
• 🧐 Socrates emphasized that the soul strives for wisdom and perfection, using reason as a tool, while Plato believed in the tripartite nature of the soul and its immortality.
• 🌟 Aristotle viewed the soul as the essence of the self, inseparable from the body, with the rational soul being unique to humans and enabling thought and understanding.
• 🙏 Augustine's perspective, influenced by Christianity, held that the soul is united with the body for completeness and that self-knowledge is tied to the knowledge of God.
• 💭 René Descartes' famous 'I think, therefore I am' highlights consciousness as proof of the self, suggesting that the self is intrinsically linked to thought.
• 📝 John Locke's tabula rasa concept posits that the self is constructed from sense experiences, emphasizing experiential learning in identity formation.

Q & A

What are the four parts of the lecture on the philosophical perspective of the self?

The lecture is divided into an activity, the definition of philosophy, the philosophy and the self, and lastly the assessment.

What are the learning outcomes for the lesson on the philosophical perspective of the self?

The learning outcomes include the ability to explain the role of philosophy in understanding the self, discuss different concepts of the self from a philosophical perspective, and differentiate and identify similarities among various concepts of the self.

What philosophical question does the lecturer ask the students to consider about themselves?

The lecturer asks students to consider questions such as 'Who am I?', 'How would you characterize yourself?', 'What makes you stand out from the rest?', 'How is your self connected to your body?', 'How is your self related to other selves?', and 'What will happen to your self after you die?'

What does philosophy aim to do according to the lecture?

Philosophy aims to find answers to serious questions about ourselves and the world we live in, including questions about morality, the meaning of life, and the nature of reality.

What are some of the skills one can develop through the study of philosophy?

Studying philosophy can develop skills such as critical thinking, argument skills, communication, reasoning, analysis, and problem-solving.

Who is credited with first using the term 'philosophy' and what does it mean?

The term 'philosophy' was first used by Pythagoras and it comes from the Greek words 'philo' meaning love, and 'sophia' meaning wisdom, thus translating to 'love of wisdom'.

What is Socrates' view on the relationship between the body and the soul?

Socrates believed that the body and soul are two separate elements. The body is imperfect, flawed, and impermanent, while the soul is perfect and permanent. He emphasized the importance of self-knowledge and the pursuit of wisdom through reason.

What are the three parts of the soul according to Plato?

According to Plato, the soul has three parts: the rational soul, which is associated with intellect and thinking; the spirited soul, which is related to emotions and passions; and the appetitive soul, which is concerned with basic needs and desires.

How does Aristotle view the relationship between the body and the soul?

Aristotle viewed the body and soul as not separate but as one entity. The soul is the essence of the self and cannot exist without the body. Changes in the soul affect the body and vice versa.

What is René Descartes' famous statement about the self and what does it imply?

René Descartes' famous statement 'I think, therefore I am' implies that the act of thinking is proof of one's existence and consciousness, establishing the self as a thinking being.

What does David Hume argue about the concept of the self?

David Hume argues that there is no single, unified self. Instead, the self is a bundle or collection of different perceptions that are in constant flux, and the idea of personal identity is a result of imagination.

How does Paul Churchland view the self in relation to the brain?

Paul Churchland believes that the self is inseparable from the brain and the body's physiology. He asserts that it is the physical brain, not an imaginary mind, that gives us our sense of self.

What is Maurice Merleau-Ponty's perspective on the self?

Maurice Merleau-Ponty sees the self as embodied subjectivity. He argues against the mind-body bifurcation, stating that all knowledge of ourselves and our world is based on subjective experience and that the self cannot be objectified or known in an entirely objective way.