Module 1: Topic 1 (UTS in Philosophical Perspective)

Summary

The lecture introduces the philosophical exploration of the self, discussing various thinkers' perspectives on the mind-body relationship. It covers the views of Socrates, Plato, Augustine, Aquinas, Descartes, Locke, Hume, Kant, Freud, Gilbert Ryle, Paul Churchland, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. Each philosopher offers unique insights into the nature of the self, ranging from dualism and memory theory to the idea that the self is shaped by perception and brain states. The discussion encourages students to reflect on what knowing oneself truly means and how different philosophical perspectives contribute to understanding human existence and identity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The self is a central topic in Psych 1100, exploring the philosophical perspective of whether we are just minds or a combination of body and mind.
• 🧠 Socrates believed in the pre-existence of the soul and its existence beyond the physical body, emphasizing the importance of knowledge to overcome ignorance.
• 💎 Plato supported the idea of the self as a combination of body and soul, with the soul being the true, unchanging self that exists in the world of forms.
• 🕊️ Augustine of Hippo viewed the soul as capable of thriving in the physical world and existing eternally with God, highlighting the soul's connection to the divine.
• 🌟 Aquinas believed the soul animates the body, making us human, and that without the soul, we are not truly human.
• 🤔 Descartes, the father of modern philosophy, emphasized 'cogito ergo sum' (I think, therefore I am), asserting the mind's consciousness as evidence of existence.
• 🔍 Locke proposed that personal identity is rooted in self-consciousness and memory, with the mind starting as a 'tabula rasa' (blank slate) influenced by experiences.
• 🌈 Hume argued that the self is not an entity but a bundle of constantly changing perceptions, with no permanent or unchanging essence.
• 🏛️ Kant believed in free will and reason, stating that individuals are moral agents capable of making decisions based on duty and rational deliberation.
• 🧩 Freud introduced the concepts of the id, ego, and superego, suggesting the self is multi-layered, influenced by biological needs, reality, and ethical components.
• 🎭 Ryle viewed the self as the sum of behaviors and actions, not as a separate entity but as的表现 of our physical and mental states.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the lecture on 'Psych 1100 Understanding the Self'?

The central theme of the lecture is to explore the concept of the self from various philosophical perspectives, discussing whether the self is just a mind or a combination of body and mind.

What is the philosophical stance of Socrates on the existence of the soul?

Socrates believed that the soul exists before the body and that it is the cause of ignorance in humans, which leads to problems. He also believed in systematic questioning to understand the self.

How did Plato view the relationship between the body and the soul?

Plato supported the idea that humans are composed of both body and soul. He believed in the existence of two realms: the world of forms, which is the permanent reality, and the world of materials, which is a replica of the true self.

What does Augustine of Hippo believe about the soul's existence after death?

Augustine of Hippo believed that the soul can exist in an eternal realm with the transcendent God after the death of the body.

What is the significance of the soul according to Thomas Aquinas?

Thomas Aquinas believed that the soul is what animates the body and makes us human. Without the soul, one is not truly human.

What is the famous philosophical assertion by René Descartes about the self?

René Descartes asserted 'cogito, ergo sum' or 'I think, therefore I am,' emphasizing that the self is a thinking thing distinct from the body.

How does John Locke define personal identity?

John Locke defined personal identity through self-consciousness and the continuity of personal identity based on memory, suggesting that we are the same person as long as we can remember something from the past.

What is David Hume's view on the concept of a permanent self?

David Hume believed that the self is not an entity beyond the physical body but a bundle of constantly changing perceptions, and that the idea of an enduring self is a fiction produced by our imagination.

What does Immanuel Kant argue about human beings in terms of free will and morality?

Immanuel Kant argued that humans are free agents capable of making decisions for themselves. He believed that a moral person is one who is driven by duty and acts towards the fulfillment of that duty.

How does Sigmund Freud describe the structure of the self in terms of the id, ego, and superego?

Sigmund Freud described the self as being composed of the id, which represents biological needs and impulses, the ego, which operates on the reality principle, and the superego, which provides moral standards.

What is Gilbert Ryle's perspective on the self in relation to behavior?

Gilbert Ryle believed that the self is not a distinct entity but the way people behave. He argued that self is not something one can locate and analyze but is the name people use to refer to all behaviors made by individuals.

What does Paul Churchland propose about the relationship between the self and the brain?

Paul Churchland proposed that the self is the brain and is defined by mental states, moods, emotions, actions, and consciousness, which are deeply affected by the state of our brain.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Philosophical Perspectives on the Self

The script begins with an introduction to the topic of 'Understanding the Self' from a philosophical viewpoint. It explores whether humans are merely minds or a combination of body and mind. The instructor poses questions about the nature of self-knowledge, referencing the idea that self-awareness is true wisdom and power. The discussion then delves into various philosophical viewpoints, starting with Socrates' belief in the pre-existence of the soul and the impact of the material world on knowledge and ignorance. Plato's theory of Forms is mentioned, suggesting that the material world is an imitation of the true, unchanging reality of the world of Forms. The lecture aims to cover the self from various perspectives, including those of Socrates, Plato, and other philosophers.

05:01

📜 Platonic and Cartesian Views on the Self

This paragraph continues the exploration of the self by discussing Plato's and Descartes' philosophies. Plato believed in the duality of body and soul, with the soul being the permanent and unchanging aspect, and the body part of the material world. Descartes' famous assertion 'I think, therefore I am' is highlighted, emphasizing the mind as a thinking entity separate from the body. Descartes is credited with founding modern philosophy and introducing the concept of mind-body dualism, where the mind and body are distinct yet intimately connected, with the mind continuing to exist after the body's death.

10:03

💭 Theories of Personal Identity and Self-Consciousness

The lecture moves on to discuss personal identity and self-consciousness, referencing Locke's tabula rasa theory and his memory theory of personal identity. Locke believed that the continuity of personal identity is maintained through memory. It then contrasts this with Hume's view that the self is not a fixed entity but a bundle of perceptions that change over time. There is a critique of the idea of a permanent self, suggesting that it is a fiction created by our imagination.

15:05

🧐 Free Will and the Self According to Kant

The script introduces Kant's perspective on the self, focusing on the concepts of free will and duty. Kant believed that humans are free agents capable of making their own decisions, and that a moral person acts out of a sense of duty. He emphasized the importance of reason and rational deliberation in determining one's duty, advocating for self-guidance over emotional impulses.

20:05

🌟 Modern Theories on the Self and Consciousness

The final paragraph summarizes various modern theories on the self. Freud's psychoanalytic approach is mentioned, with the id, ego, and superego being key components of personality. Gilbert Ryle is cited for his view that the self is not a separate entity but a collection of behaviors. Paul Churchland's perspective that the self is the brain and its mental states is also discussed, suggesting that manipulating the brain can alter one's feelings and actions. The lecture concludes with the idea that the self is a product of conscious human experience, defined by one's subjective perception of their thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

Keywords

💡Self

The term 'Self' is central to the video's theme, referring to the individual's identity and essence, which can be philosophically considered as either a mind alone or a combination of body and mind. The script delves into various perspectives on what constitutes the 'Self,' from ancient philosophers to modern thinkers, illustrating the ongoing debate and complexity of this concept.

💡Philosophical Perspective

This concept is foundational to the video, as it sets the stage for discussing the 'Self' from the viewpoints of different philosophers. It underscores the idea that understanding the 'Self' is not limited to empirical science but also involves deep contemplation and diverse schools of thought.

💡Socrates

Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, is mentioned in the script for his belief in the pre-existence of the soul and the idea that ignorance causes problems for humans. His method of systematic questioning is highlighted, showing his contribution to the study of the 'Self'.

💡Plato

Plato's concept of the 'Self' includes the belief in the duality of body and soul, with the soul being the permanent and unchanging aspect. His theory of the 'Forms' suggests that the material world is a mere replica of the true reality, which is the world of forms, thus impacting how the 'Self' is perceived.

💡Augustine of Hippo

Augustine's view on the 'Self' is presented through his belief in the soul's existence in an eternal realm with God. He posits that the soul can discern right from wrong, emphasizing the spiritual aspect of the 'Self' and its connection to a higher power.

💡Aquinas

Aquinas' perspective on the 'Self' is rooted in the belief that the soul animates the body, making us human. He argues that without the soul, one is not truly human, thus the soul is integral to our understanding of what it means to be a person.

💡Rene Descartes

Descartes, known as the father of modern philosophy, is highlighted for his famous assertion 'I think, therefore I am,' which emphasizes the mind's consciousness as evidence of one's existence. His dualistic view of the mind and body and the mind's ability to think independently are central to the discussion on the 'Self'.

💡John Locke

Locke's theory of personal identity through self-consciousness is discussed, with a focus on the role of memory in defining the 'Self.' He subscribes to the memory theory, suggesting that our identity is tied to our ability to remember past experiences.

💡David Hume

Hume's concept of the 'Self' as a bundle of constantly changing perceptions challenges the idea of a permanent and unchanging self. He argues that our self-image is a fiction produced by our imagination, emphasizing the fluidity and impermanence of the 'Self'.

💡Emanuel Kant

Kant's view on the 'Self' involves the idea of man as a free agent with reason and free will. He posits that moral actions are driven by duty, and understanding one's duty requires rational deliberation rather than relying on external authority.

💡Sigmund Freud

Freud's psychoanalytic approach to the 'Self' introduces the concepts of the id, ego, and superego, which represent different aspects of personality. The id is associated with biological needs and impulses, the ego with reality and self-preservation, and the superego with moral standards, all contributing to the multi-layered nature of the 'Self'.

💡Gilbert Ryle

Ryle's perspective rejects the idea of the 'Self' as a separate entity, arguing instead that it is the sum of one's behaviors and actions. He suggests that the 'Self' is not something that can be located but is the pattern of actions and reactions in various circumstances.

💡Paul Churchland

Churchland's view, in partnership with his wife Patricia, defines the 'Self' in terms of brain states and mental states. He posits that our moods, emotions, actions, and consciousness are deeply affected by the state of our brain, suggesting that manipulating the brain can alter these aspects of the 'Self'.

Highlights

The philosophical debate on whether the self is just a mind or a combination of body and mind.

The statement that knowing oneself is true wisdom and mastering oneself is true power.

Socrates' view that the soul exists before the body and ignorance causes problems to a man.

Plato's theory of the self as consisting of both body and soul, with the soul being the permanent and unchanging reality.

Augustine of Hippo's belief in the soul's ability to thrive in physical reality and its eternal existence with God.

Aquinas' perspective that the soul animates the body and is essential for being human.

Descartes' famous 'cogito, ergo sum' and the distinction between mind and body.

Locke's memory theory, which posits that personal identity is maintained through memory.

Hume's argument that the self is a bundle of constantly changing perceptions, denying the existence of a permanent self.

Kant's emphasis on free will and the importance of rational deliberation in determining moral duties.

Freud's psychoanalytic perspective, including the concepts of id, ego, and superego.

Ryle's critique of the 'ghost in the machine' concept, asserting that the self is not separate from the body.

Churchland's view that the self is the brain and mental states are influenced by brain manipulation.

The idea that the self is a product of conscious human experience and is subjectively defined.

The conclusion that the self is multifaceted and can be understood from various philosophical perspectives.

Transcripts

good morning class

i am here again to discuss our first

topic in

psych 1100 understanding the self

in philosophical perspective

uh

the self so bagoyan

baguian discussion

are we just minds or a combination of

body and mind

so as an individual we have different

beliefs we have different opinions

about this topic but i hope the

bhagatapus noun subject

i also have another question here what

does knowing yourself

mean when i say i

i know myself

knowing others is intelligence knowing

yourself is true wisdom

mastering others strength mastering

yourself

is true power if you really realize

that you have enough you are truly rich

so for him

knowing knowing yourself or knowing

oneself

before other people because

it's it is our uh wealth

and let's start our discussion chapter

one the cell from various perspectives

so philosophy and philosophy

traditionally they are known

as a lover of wisdom

an intellectual who has devoted their

time

their lives to study the meaning of life

if there are questions in their mind

so

we are composed of both body and soul

and according to socrates

before man's body merong soul and

existence

that exists over time and

a material world uh

this resulted in the lack of knowledge

or ignorance which

causes problems to a man and

he is also the first pilot superna that

engage

or next study about a systematic

questioning about

cell second one is plato

about self supported the idea that man

is a jewel

nature of body and soul so he also

believed

that we are consist of consistent of

body and soul and

nani niwala in two in the economy

of the ideal world the world of forms

and the world of materials for plato

world of worms is the permanent

unchanging reality

and for him world of materials

it is uh

permanent so human beings according to

plato

we are composed of body and soul

and jung soul nathan

the permanent and changing self dimas so

world of world of forms

on the other hand is is not the real

self but only a replica of our true self

so um

world of materials according to plato

and

according to him the soul exists before

birth and lib's room for the possibility

that it might serve by

bodily death okay so the third one

is augustine of hippo

um

nah

god and sabinya body can only thrive in

the imperfect physical reality that

is the world where his soul can also

stay

after that in an eternal realm with the

all

transcendent gods so he believed na

and

the reason that make us recognize this

loss

we can discern the distinction between

right and

[Music]

according to him

according to him man is composed of two

parts

the first one is the mater or the heil

in greek

and the second one is the form or

morphine

it is a man's body part at your form

it is the essence of a substance or

thing

and according to aquinas the soul is

what

animates the body it is what makes us

human so for him

you're not a human without the soul

it's not human without soul

and uh the next one is uh

rene descartes sabina i think therefore

i

am the self is a thinking thing this

thing from the body

and uh rene descartes

was is also the father of modern

philosophy

and he emphasized the kogito ergosome

which means the consciousness of mind

leads to an evidence of his existence

despite the fact that he

is doubting the existence of everything

physical including his own body so

sabine adito

human person as having a body and mind

body is nothing else but a machine that

attached

to the mind so without

without the mind there is no body

and nani

and he also added that

mind and body are separated to each

other and

very distinct another

but also he all believed that mind is

conjoined with body in such

intimate way that they casually act upon

each other

and sabine you are your body

and your mind the body can be described

in a precise structured manner like

a mathematical formula but the mind is

not contained

like that and it's allowed to pursue its

own thoughts

and when the body is gone the mind they

continue to exist and function

according to rene dicar and the other

one is

jan la according to him personal

identity is made possible by

self-consciousness

and he believed that mind is first

considered at

astabula rasa ebiksa and blank state

because of your surroundings unlike the

first few fallout suppers

then they discuss

and for him there is no innate ideas

the concept of person's memory in the

definition of self

and subscribe to the memory theory that

holds

we are the same person as we were in the

past for as long

as we can remember something from the

past

so mahalaka uh john

memory because

your memory according to him is what

makes you

a person so the next one is david um

according to him

self is not an entity over and beyond

the physical body

only a bundle of constantly changing

perception

passing through the theater of our mind

so

only attain knowledge by experiencing

just like

jan la he believed in the existence of

the mind

and what's inside the mind is divided

into two anub

impressions

in our minds even though we are no

longer experiencing them

ideas the self keeps on changing like

how one looks

once feels and one things they

constantly

change and enduring self is just a

fiction produced by our imagination

and according to him there is no

permanent

and unchanging self a person is a bundle

of perception

about yourself

as time goes by according to him

in conclusion for him there is no self

it is uh changing over time and then the

next one emanuel

he believed that man is a free agent

capable of making decisions for himself

as a free agent

man is gifted with reason and free will

is

an immoral person is the one who is

driven by duty and acts

towards the fulfillment of that duty

so sinas is

responsible and for us to know what is

our duty we have to

rationally deliberate on it and not

expect that a higher authority

will hand it automatically

my free will and we have the freedom to

decide

we cannot let the emotion guide us

and then from this data

the way we organize we can now have a

good idea of

a man uh

known as a father of was known as the

father of psychoanalysis

one of his famous ideas was the

uh eat the ego and the super ego

biological nature or biological needs

the impulse and the bodily desires

how about how about the ego the ego is

the self it is the reality principle and

the super ego represents ethical

components of personality

and provides moral standards by which

ego

operates

our self is multi-layered so without it

without ego without

super ego there is no self and then next

one is gilbert ryle for himself is the

way

people behave

individual is not distinct from the body

and

certain aspect of our bodies and

self is not an entity one can locate and

analyze

but simply the convenient name that

people use to refer

all the behaviors that people make

for example

you describe

and the bind is not like a specific

separate entity because

our mind is a part of our body and we

can only know

a person through how he behaves the how

he act

and the tendencies the reactions that he

will make in

different circumstances uh next naman

i see paul church land in partnership

with

her his wife sabinella self is the brain

it is the mental states

about your opinion or perception about

my about self so your moods emotions

actions consciousness

are deeply effect affected by the state

of our brain

manipulating certain parts of the brain

feelings actions physical state

are successfully altered by the shang

for him a person is defined by virtue

of movement and expression the but

itself is to be more than one's

body and it includes all the things that

i will do with my body how

how i will act on it and how i will make

it

act in conscience with other human

beings

the self is a product of our conscious

human experience

and for him the definition itself is

about

one's perception very subjective

and subbing a living body his thoughts

emotions and experiences

are all alone it is

embodied subjectivity how you define

yourself

it's subjective how i define myself it's

subjective and

there is no wrong how i define myself

there is no wrong how you define myself

so

that ends our discussion on topic one

thank you so much for listening i hope

nah

happy virtual learning god bless

everyone