Understanding the Self - Philosophical Perspective of the Self

Summary

This video introduces the philosophical perspectives of the self, exploring how philosophy helps us understand personal identity. The discussion is divided into four parts: an activity on self-reflection, a detailed explanation of philosophical concepts, the role of philosophy in understanding the self, and an assessment. The video also covers key philosophers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and others, examining their views on self-knowledge, the relationship between the body and soul, and consciousness. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own definitions of the self and apply philosophical theories to their understanding.

Takeaways

• 📚 The discussion focuses on the philosophical perspectives of the self, divided into four parts: activity, philosophy, philosophy and the self, and application/assessment.
• 🎯 Learning outcomes include explaining the role of philosophy in understanding the self, differentiating various concepts of the self, and developing a personal philosophy of the self.
• ❓ An activity asks students to reflect on six questions related to the self, including how they would characterize themselves and what happens to the self after death.
• 🧐 Philosophy is introduced as a discipline that seeks answers to fundamental questions about existence, morality, and the good life, involving critical thinking and argumentation.
• 🧠 Socrates introduced the concept of dualism, where the body is imperfect and impermanent, while the soul is perfect and permanent, aiming for wisdom and self-knowledge.
• 💭 Plato expanded on Socrates’ ideas, emphasizing the mind and soul as the essence of a person, and the importance of achieving wisdom and harmony within the self.
• 🫂 Aristotle, in contrast, believed that the body and soul are one entity and that the soul dies with the body, focusing on the flourishing life and the rational soul.
• ✝️ St. Augustine blended Christian theology with Plato’s philosophy, suggesting that self-knowledge is tied to knowing God, and man is incomplete without the soul.
• 🤔 Descartes is famous for 'I think, therefore I am,' emphasizing the separation of mind (thinking) and body (extension), which proves the existence of the self.
• 📅 The deadline for the activity and assessment is September 18, and students are tasked with defining the self and summarizing philosophical views of key philosophers.

Q & A

What are the four parts of the discussion in the video?

The four parts of the discussion are: the activity, a discussion of philosophy, philosophy and the self, and the application and assessment.

What are students expected to learn from this discussion?

Students are expected to explain the role of philosophy in understanding the self, discuss different concepts of the self from a philosophical perspective, differentiate the various concepts of the self, identify their similarities, and develop their own philosophy of the self.

What is the main activity the students are asked to reflect on?

Students are asked to reflect on six questions regarding their own self, including how they characterize themselves, what makes them unique, how their self is transformed, how it is connected to their body, how it relates to others, and what will happen to their self after they die.

How is philosophy defined in the video?

Philosophy is defined as the pursuit of answers to serious questions about ourselves and the world, such as what is morally right or wrong, what constitutes a good life, and whether God exists. It involves questioning existing knowledge and institutions to get closer to the truth.

Who was the first person to use the term 'philosophy,' and what does it mean?

Pythagoras was the first person to use the term 'philosophy,' which comes from the Greek words 'philo' (love) and 'sophia' (wisdom), meaning the love of wisdom.

What was Socrates' belief about the self?

Socrates believed in the dualism of the self, composed of two parts: the body and the soul. The body is imperfect and temporary, while the soul is perfect and eternal. He emphasized that self-knowledge is essential for a happy and meaningful life.

How did Plato's view of the self differ from Socrates'?

Plato believed the self involved both the mind and the soul, with the soul striving for wisdom and perfection. He divided the soul into three parts: the rational soul (intellect), the spirited soul (emotions), and the appetitive soul (basic needs).

How did Aristotle's view of the self differ from Plato’s?

Aristotle believed that the body and soul are one and cannot exist separately. The soul is the essence of the self, responsible for a person's growth, emotions, and rational thought. He introduced three types of souls: vegetative, sensitive, and rational.

What was Saint Augustine's perspective on the self?

Saint Augustine combined Plato’s philosophy with Christian beliefs, stating that the soul is united with the body to make a person whole. He believed humans are made in the image of God and that self-knowledge comes through knowing God.

What is the deadline for students to submit their application and assessment?

The deadline for the activity, application, and assessment is September 18, Friday.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Philosophical Perspectives of the Self

This paragraph introduces the video discussion on the philosophical perspectives of the self. It outlines four main parts: activity, discussion of philosophy, philosophy and the self, and application/assessment. The learning outcomes for students include understanding philosophy's role in self-awareness, differentiating philosophical concepts of the self, and developing a personal philosophy. The paragraph ends with a reflection activity, prompting students to ask introspective questions about their self-identity.

05:00

💡 The Nature of Philosophy and Critical Thinking

Philosophy is described as a field of questioning existing knowledge to reach truth. Key skills such as critical thinking, argumentation, and problem-solving are highlighted. Students are taught that philosophical inquiry equips them to justify their beliefs and engage in meaningful debates. The term 'philosophy' is attributed to Pythagoras, derived from the Greek words 'philo' (love) and 'sophia' (wisdom), meaning the love of wisdom. Philosophy encourages exploration of controversial questions like morality, the existence of God, and the meaning of a good life.

10:02

🧠 Socratic and Platonic Philosophies of the Self

The ideas of Socrates and Plato regarding the self are explored. Socrates' concept of 'knowing thyself' as a path to happiness is introduced, emphasizing the duality of body and soul, where the soul is perfect and permanent. Plato extends this idea, suggesting the self is a process of self-knowledge and purification of the soul. Plato believes in three elements of the self—rational, spirited, and appetitive souls—each with distinct roles but working together to achieve balance and happiness, with the rational soul being the key to genuine happiness.

15:10

🔗 Aristotle’s Unified View of Body and Soul

Aristotle’s philosophy of the self argues that body and soul are inseparable, forming a single entity. Unlike his predecessors, Aristotle does not believe in the separation of body and soul. He emphasizes the importance of rationality for leading a fulfilling life. Aristotle categorizes the soul into three types: vegetative (growth and reproduction), sensitive (mobility and sensation), and rational (intellect and thought). He also stresses that humans, as rational beings, are capable of reflective thought, which distinguishes them from animals and plants.

20:13

✝️ Christian Philosophies: Augustine and Descartes

St. Augustine combines Platonic ideas with Christian beliefs, asserting that the soul is essential for human completeness. He believes that true self-knowledge is only possible through knowledge of God. Descartes, famous for 'Cogito, ergo sum' (I think, therefore I am), emphasizes the distinction between mind (thinking) and body (extension). For Descartes, the act of thinking proves the existence of the self, and his dualistic approach separates the mind and body as two distinct entities.

25:13

🧠 Locke, Hume, Kant, and Modern Philosophies of the Self

John Locke views the self as consciousness shaped by experience, arguing that personal identity is formed through memory and consciousness. David Hume denies the existence of a constant self, proposing that the self is merely a collection of perceptions in constant flux. Immanuel Kant counters Hume’s idea, asserting that the self is the source of human rationality and helps construct reality. Gilbert Ryle, on the other hand, suggests that the self is defined by actions and behaviors rather than a hidden mental state.

🧠 The Brain and Subjectivity: Churchland and Merleau-Ponty

Paul Churchland argues that the self is closely tied to the brain, denying the existence of the mind as separate from the body. He posits that all aspects of the self can be explained through neurobiology. Maurice Merleau-Ponty introduces the idea of embodied subjectivity, where the self is understood through subjective experiences. He challenges the traditional separation of mind and body, asserting that self-knowledge is deeply tied to our physical existence and the world around us.

Keywords

💡Philosophical Perspective of the Self

This concept refers to the study of the self through the lens of philosophy, exploring various theories about what constitutes the self. In the video, this theme is divided into four parts: activity, philosophy, philosophy and the self, and application. It encompasses understanding how different philosophers define and explain the self.

💡Dualism

Dualism is the idea that the self is composed of two distinct parts: the body and the soul. This concept, introduced by Socrates and expanded by other philosophers, is crucial in understanding how different thinkers approach the distinction between the physical and spiritual aspects of the self. The video discusses Socrates' belief that the body is imperfect while the soul is perfect and eternal.

💡Soul

The soul is considered the immaterial, eternal part of a person, according to many philosophers like Socrates and Plato. The video emphasizes how the soul strives for wisdom and perfection, being distinct from the physical body, which is seen as temporary. Different philosophers discussed the soul's role in shaping personal identity and its connection to the mind.

💡Self-Knowledge

Self-knowledge is the understanding of one's own thoughts, feelings, and nature. Socrates famously declared that 'an unexamined life is not worth living,' highlighting the importance of knowing oneself to live a fulfilling life. The video emphasizes that self-knowledge is seen as essential for achieving wisdom and happiness.

💡Cognitive Consciousness

John Locke's theory of consciousness is highlighted in the video as a key to understanding personal identity. Locke believed that the self is not tied to a physical body but is instead a product of conscious experiences, and that memory plays a critical role in maintaining personal identity over time.

💡Mind-Body Relationship

The relationship between the mind and body is a central theme in philosophical discussions of the self. In the video, this concept is explored through philosophers like Descartes, who argued for the distinction between the mind (Cogito) and body (Extensa), and Aristotle, who viewed the mind and body as unified.

💡Bundle Theory

David Hume's Bundle Theory argues that there is no single, unified 'self,' but rather the self is a collection of different perceptions and experiences. The video discusses this view to challenge traditional notions of a stable, continuous identity, suggesting that the self is always in flux.

💡Rational Soul

Plato's concept of the Rational Soul refers to the part of the self that is capable of logical thinking and intellectual reflection. The video contrasts this with the spirited and appetitive parts of the soul, explaining that happiness is achieved when reason governs emotion and desire.

💡Embodied Subjectivity

Maurice Merleau-Ponty's idea of embodied subjectivity suggests that the self is deeply intertwined with the physical body, rejecting the idea that the self can be understood purely as a mental entity. The video explains that all knowledge and experience are filtered through one's bodily existence, shaping personal identity.

💡Good Life

The 'Good Life' refers to a life that is morally and philosophically fulfilling. In the video, various philosophers like Aristotle and Socrates are discussed in terms of how self-knowledge and the pursuit of wisdom lead to a good, flourishing life. It is a life where reason, virtue, and fulfillment of one’s purpose are key.

Highlights

Introduction to philosophical perspectives on the self and its significance in understanding one's own identity.

The discussion is divided into four parts: activity, philosophy, philosophy of the self, and application/assessment.

Students are expected to explain philosophy's role in understanding the self and discuss various philosophical concepts of the self.

Key learning outcome: Develop your own philosophy of the self after engaging with the course material.

Activity questions include self-reflective prompts such as 'Do I truly know myself?' and 'What makes me unique?'

The definition of philosophy: finding answers to serious questions about ourselves and the world, including controversial moral issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and the death penalty.

Socrates introduced the concept of dualism, suggesting that humans are composed of both body (imperfect) and soul (perfect).

Plato extended Socrates’ ideas, discussing the soul’s connection to wisdom, perfection, and the pursuit of eternal truths.

Aristotle believed the soul and body are one, with the rational soul being essential to living a good and fulfilling life.

St. Augustine integrated Plato's ideas with Christian theology, asserting that true self-knowledge comes from knowing God.

René Descartes famously said, 'I think, therefore I am,' defining the self as rooted in thought and self-consciousness.

John Locke emphasized the self as consciousness and suggested that humans are born as blank slates, acquiring knowledge through experience.

David Hume argued that there is no permanent self, but rather a collection of changing perceptions.

The self, according to Immanuel Kant, is constructed through rationality and creates its own reality.

Final assignment for students: Define your own concept of the self and summarize the views of philosophers like Augustine, Descartes, and others.

Transcripts

hello students and welcome back to our

class

in this video we will discuss

philosophical perspective

of the self

our discussion will be divided into four

parts

the first one will be our activity the

second will be a discussion of

philosophy

the third one will be about philosophy

and the self

and lastly our application and

assessment

we need to discuss our learning outcomes

and

about expected of you after

this discussion so students are expected

to be able to

explain the role of philosophy and

understanding the self

discuss the different concepts of the

self from the philosophical perspective

differentiate the various concepts of

the self and

identify their similarities and lastly

to develop your own philosophy

of the self so let's start with our

activity

in this activity i want you to ask

yourself

do i truly know myself or do you truly

know yourself

we have here six questions you will find

this

in page 46 of our module of our

understanding the self

module questions

how would you characterize yourself

next what makes you stand out from the

rest

what makes you yourself special or

unique

number three how is your self

transformed itself

number four how is yourself connected to

your body

next how is yourself related to other

selves

and lastly what will happen to yourself

after you die

after doing your activity

i want you to do one the activity

analysis

okay you will find it in page 47 of your

muscle

so look back a little bit haven't seen

us

on you buy your own questions in our

activity

was it easy or difficult to answer

so number one how would you characterize

yourself

after that

in a snap of my finger i can describe

myself

okay there are some things that

i'm not sure about myself depends on

your chambray

and then you need to answer uh all those

questions one to six

we'll answer is inductivity and then in

our analysis you will have to answer

kumahira

and then explain why so that will be our

activity

for um lesson one philosophical

perspective

now we will proceed with our discussion

what is philosophy chambray important

discuss nathaniel philosophy

since we will be talking about

philosophical perspectives

and philosophy philosophy

is about finding answers to serious

questions

about ourselves and the world we live in

so basically dito we ask questions

what is morally right and wrong and why

controversial questions that we know of

for example

um

same-sex marriage or

abortion or

death penalty okay these are

controversial

topics okay

is it right or wrong tama normally at

bucket a new base is not in so that's

also a concern of philosophy and

what would you consider as good life

what would

what would consist a good life

you have your family would that be

considered a good life

next does god exist

and a lot more questions okay

basically philosophy is about

questioning existing knowledge

and institution to get closer to the

truth

we have critical thinking argument

skills

communication listening analysis

and problem solving okay

what will we get out of that or out of

those skill set

okay those skill sets will allow you to

justify your opinion

plus when you make a stand about

anything

da pad meron kangri son meringue

valid explanation you need to justify

your position

and philosophy will tell will tell you

or teach you how to do that

spot a bad argument no matter what the

topic is

explain to people why they are wrong and

you are right

and lastly basically philosophy teaches

you

the first person to use the term

philosophy i see vitagoras

so guru you're familiar with him with

him because of the

categorian churrem perro aside from that

he is also the first person

to use the term philosophy sanbagalang

term philosophy philosophy came from the

greek words

filo and sophia which means

love and wisdom respectively

so literally translated it means

love of wisdom

philosophy and logic next in malaysia

because

there is the need to search for the

truth

okay nothing search you are looking for

something usually you were looking for

meaning now importance significance

oh yeah value okay our relevance okay

significant or valuable

okay philosophy

is actually the longest philosophy and

the self

we will discuss or we will focus on

eleven philosophers so we're gonna get

american philosophers

like they discuss nathan in this part

similar nathan with the ancient greek

philosophers

socrates know thyself philosophers agree

that self-knowledge

is a prerequisite to a happy and

meaningful life

if you don't know yourself first

an unexamined life is not worth living

that every man is dualistic dualistic

victorian de la it's composed of two

parts okay composed of the body

and the soul two important aspect of his

personhood or a person

uh personhood hakai is

the body and the soul young body dao

is imperfect and impermanent

the big s

on the other hand it's perfect and

permanent

is the ideal realm under the physical

realm

exchange of trench tangent and

imperfect

on the other hand we have ideal self

it's unchanging eternal and immortal

actually socrates was the first thinker

to focus on the full power of reason on

the human

cells who we are who we should be

and who we will become

in the future okay the soul strive for

wisdom

and perfection and reason is the soul's

tool to achieve an exalted state of life

okay so your soul being the perfect one

i

it strives for wisdom and perfection

our preoccupation with bodily needs such

as food

drink sex pleasure material possessions

and wealth keep us from attaining wisdom

thailand will focus on material

possessions

attaining wisdom

best achieved when one tries to separate

the body

from the soul as much as possible

through soul-searching at the back

next one

okay the next one we have is plato

sabine plato the soul is

philosophy of the self can be explained

as a process

of self-knowledge and purification of

the soul commands in your

similarities in the sabbath socrates

and that can be explained guessing

socrates okay he believed in the

existence of the mind

and soul mind and soul is given in

perfection with kind

socrates body and soul

platinum mind and soul

submarine doubt that long foreign

divine essence that enables us to think

deeply

make wise choices and achieve true

understanding of

eternal truths basically the rational

soul is the thinking soul

okay intellectual soul

you pause you reflect you act the second

one

is the spirited soul it's a spirited

soul

emotion and passion basic emotions

love hate anger kasama under

spirited soul the third one

we have is affirmative soul

under this we are talking about your

basic needs

i know

we need food okay we need a house

that can be counted as well okay

that the three elements of ourselves are

in a dynamic relationship with one

another

pero okay they work together

however sometimes they are in conflict

okay

believes that genuine happiness can only

be achieved by people

who consistently make sure that their

reason is in control

of their spirit and appetite

because those are your needs it's a

beginner

or an irrational soul uh not now

okay

we need to earn money first

is

of the self chana man

is student of plito so we have socrates

plato

and then aristotle the body and soul are

not two separate elements but are one

thing

the soul is simply the form of the body

and is not capable of existing without

the body so basically

allah okay they are

one thing you cannot separate the body

and

the soul the soul is that which makes a

person a person

okay that's the essence of the self

aristotle suggests that the rational

nature of the self is to lead a good

flourishing and fulfilling life

the soul cannot exist the soul

dies along with the body okay

after you die

is to tell soul and body i suggest

reacting pathetically

upon each other a change in the state of

the soul produces a change in the shape

of the body

and conversely a change in the shape of

the body

produces a change in the state of the

soul

and soul okay some changes to soul

anything with life her soul his decision

about the self

centers on the kinds of soul possessed

by a man

introduce the nyayong three kinds of

soul

okay sabinerisa

we have the vegetative so a very

vegetative soul

it includes the body that can grow

the second one is the ascension okay it

includes

your desire your feelings and your

emotions

and lastly we have the rational soul

and that's what makes us human let's say

it includes intellect

that makes men know and understand

things

in your similarities

plato okay

we are capable of reproduction and

growth

atito involved pertinating severe

animals can reproduce and grow

plants can reproduce and grow animals

can reproduce

and grow humans can reproduce and grow

on the second one we have sensitive soul

or the sentient

soul it allows mobility and sensation

we can move around and we have feelings

emotions reactions okay

this one can be capable net on plants

but animals and humans are capable of

this

and lastly we have the rational soul

rational soul is what makes humans human

they say plants and animals does not

have rational soul

according to aristotle and bio rational

soul

again it's about your thoughts and

reflections

humans are capable of thinking we have

the intellect and we can reflect our

actions

okay plants and animals cannot do that

next we have saint augustine

saint augustine said i am doubting

therefore i

am saint augustine basically integrated

ideas of plato and ideas or beliefs of

christianity his view of the human

person reflects the entire spirit of the

medieval world

this is around the fall of the roman

empire

according to him the soul is united with

a body

so that man may be entire and complete

he believed that man cannot be complete

without the soul

if man is only existing with his body

and without the soul

he is not complete he be he also believe

that humankind is created

in the image and likeness of god if you

are a christian more or less you are

familiar with

this term since man

is created in the image and likeness of

god

he believed that man is always geared

towards

with he believed in the goodness

of demand right the self is known only

through knowing god

and self knowledge is a consequence of

the knowledge of god

so my achievement knowledge of yourself

if you know god that's what he believed

in

knowledge can only come by seeing the

truth that dwells within

us

the truth of knowing god

next we have another one rene descartes

he said i am doubting therefore i am

according to him the act of thinking

about self

or being self-conscious is in itself

proof that there is something

basically what he's trying to say is

that when you think

that's already a proof

that they're yourself

around two distinct entities

and the second one is extenza kogito is

basically the mind

or the thing that thinks and extenza

meaning the extension is the body so he

believed in the mind

and body he is famous for saying kogito

ergosam

which literally translates to i think

therefore i

am um

the next one we have is john locke

according to him the self is

consciousness

according to him the human mind is

all babies are born they know absolutely

nothing

in essence he argued that inside the

baby's brain was

empty ready to learn everything through

experience

if you are familiar with the movie pk

practices

so basically he was a blank slate and he

learned along the way

okay the self is consciousness

consciousness is necessary to have a

coherent personal identity

or knowledge of the self as a person

what makes possible our belief that we

are the same identity in different

situations

next we have david yoon sabine there is

no self

okay he believes basically self is a

bundle

or collection of different perception

which succeed each other

with an inconceivable rapidly and are in

a perpetual flux and movement

the idea of personal identity is just a

result of imagination

the self is nothing but an imagination

and therefore for dividum there is no

self

emmanuel can't on the other hand believe

that we construct

the self according to him self is not

just what

gives one his personality but also the

seat of knowledge acquisition

for all human person to self constructs

it

its own reality creating a world that is

familiar

and predictable through our rationality

the self transcends sense experience

next we have gilbert rael

the self is the way people behave then

you know

gilbert trial that self is nothing but

our actions

okay we are therefore we are

okay i act therefore i am basically our

self is based on our

actions the self is the way people

behave

i think this is second to the last we

have

paul churchland he believed that the

self

is the brain a new meron guy

paul church land i'm sorry about that

you could add it

ah the self is inseparable from the

brain

and the physiology of the body

and not the mind for him mind

is nothing but an imagination

so pagolanita on brain there is no self

the mind does not exist the brain

exists and therefore the self is

the brain our last philosopher

is maurice marley ponti

he believed that the self is embodied

subjectivity

the mind body bifurcation that has been

going on for a long time

is a futile and divorce and valid

problem maybe something futile and

divorce to be

an endeavor

okay all knowledge of ourselves and our

world is based on subjective experience

the self can never be truly objectified

or known in a completely objective

sort of way so basically the self is

embodied subjectively

so that's the end of our discussion for

philosophy

and the self for the last part of our

discussion we will have your

application and assessment

if you will look at page 48 to 49 of

your

understanding the self module you will

see our application and assessment for

lesson one

what do i want you to do i want you

to create your own definition of the

self

okay create your own definition and

identify

your definition

augustine the cards lock you can't

rile uh churchland and merlio ponti

also i want you to summarize

in your own words what

is self according to the following

philosophers

okay our deadline for

your activity and application and

assessment

is september 18

friday so that's the end of our

discussion if you have questions

you may email me at arcelliaslariatereza

gmail.com

or you may comment below i will also

reply or send me private message

at facebook bye guys