UTS Philosophy of the Self

Summary

This philosophical exploration delves into the concept of 'self' across various historical perspectives. From Socrates' moral introspection to Plato's tripartite soul, the journey continues with Augustine's spiritual self, Descartes' mind-body dualism, Locke's tabula rasa, and Hume's bundle of perceptions. Kant introduces the transcendental self, Freud the dynamic ego, and Ryle the behaviorist view. Churchland's materialistic self and Merleau-Ponty's embodied self round off the discussion, emphasizing the self's complexity and its integral role in understanding human identity and experience.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The concept of the self is central to various disciplines including philosophy, psychology, ethics, and neuroscience, with a history of diverse interpretations.
• 📚 Socrates emphasized self-examination and moral dimensions of the self, advocating that understanding oneself is a moral imperative for a well-lived life.
• 🧠 Plato proposed a tripartite model of the self, consisting of the rational, spirited, and appetitive parts, illustrating the balance needed for a virtuous life.
• 🕊️ Augustine viewed the self as a spiritual entity in constant search for divine truth and unity with God, with true self-knowledge achieved through understanding one's relationship with God.
• 🏰 Thomas Aquinas integrated Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology, seeing the self as a composite of body and soul with an emphasis on reason in understanding the self.
• 💭 Descartes' famous 'I think, therefore I am' established the mind as the essence of identity, leading to the concept of dualism separating mind and body.
• 🔄 Locke presented the self as a continuity of consciousness, with personal identity tied to memory and the ability to recall past experiences.
• 🌊 Hume challenged the idea of a stable self, suggesting it is an illusion, a collection of perceptions in constant flux.
• 🌟 Kant introduced the transcendental self as a rational agent, emphasizing autonomy and moral law as the basis of the self's identity.
• 👥 Freud's psychoanalytic model portrayed the self as a battleground between the id, ego, and superego, with much of the self's conflict occurring unconsciously.
• 🤖 Ryle criticized the dualistic view of mind and body, proposing the self as a set of behaviors and dispositions, rather than an inner entity.
• 🧬 Churchland supports eliminative materialism, suggesting that the self is a complex network of brain states that will be understood more accurately with neuroscience.
• 🌐 Merleau-Ponty emphasized the self as embodied, interconnected with the environment, and experienced through the lived body.

Q & A

What is the significance of the question 'What is the self?' in philosophy?

The question 'What is the self?' is significant in philosophy as it has intrigued philosophers for millennia, leading to a wide range of interpretations and theories that are central not only to philosophy but also to psychology, ethics, and neuroscience.

How did Socrates approach the understanding of the self?

Socrates approached the understanding of the self through self-examination and moral dimensions, emphasizing that ignorance of oneself leads to a misguided life. He used the Socratic method of dialectical questioning to uncover deeper truths within individuals.

What is Plato's tripartite theory of the self?

Plato's tripartite theory of the self suggests that the self is composed of three distinct parts: the rational, the spirited, and the appetitive. The rational part is responsible for logical thinking and wisdom, the spirited part is associated with emotions and courage, and the appetitive part is related to physical desires.

How does Augustine of Hippo's concept of the self differ from Plato's?

Augustine of Hippo's concept of the self is deeply introspective and spiritual, viewing the self as a soul created by and for God, in constant search for divine truth and unity with God. Unlike Plato, who saw the body as a prison for the soul, Augustine believed that true self-knowledge is achieved through understanding one's relationship with God.

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

Thomas Aquinas viewed the self as a composite of body and soul, with the soul being the form of the body. He believed that the body and soul are intrinsically linked and that the human self cannot be fully understood without acknowledging this union.

What is the essence of Descartes' philosophy regarding the self?

Descartes' philosophy regarding the self is based on the statement 'I think, therefore I am.' He sought to establish a foundation of certain knowledge by doubting everything that could be doubted and found that the act of doubting itself proved the existence of a thinking self.

How does John Locke's theory of the self differ from Descartes' dualism?

John Locke's theory of the self is based on the continuity of consciousness and memory. He argued that personal identity is tied to memory and that the self is a collection of memories and perceptions that persist over time, rather than a material or immaterial substance.

What is David Hume's critique of the traditional notion of the self?

David Hume critiqued the traditional notion of the self by suggesting that there is no stable unified self. Instead, he contended that the self is a bundle of perceptions, thoughts, sensations, and feelings that are constantly changing and in flux.

What is Immanuel Kant's concept of the transcendental self?

Immanuel Kant's concept of the transcendental self is the necessary condition for the possibility of experience. He argued that our experiences of the world are actively shaped by the mind's innate structures, and the self is the subject that unifies and organizes these experiences.

How does Sigmund Freud's model of the self differ from previous philosophical views?

Sigmund Freud's model of the self presents it as a battleground between different parts of the psyche: the id, the ego, and the superego. He viewed the self as a dynamic entity with much of the conflict occurring in the unconscious mind, shaped by hidden desires and traumas.

What is Maurice Merleau-Ponty's perspective on the self in relation to the body?

Maurice Merleau-Ponty emphasized the self as embodied, arguing that the self cannot be separated from its physical body or its experience of the world. He introduced the concept of the lived body, which is the means through which we experience and understand the world, emphasizing the interconnectedness of consciousness, body, and environment.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Philosophical Exploration of the Self

This paragraph introduces the philosophical quest to understand the concept of 'self', a question as old as philosophy itself. It highlights the importance of this inquiry across various disciplines like psychology, ethics, and neuroscience. The paragraph sets the stage for a historical journey through the thoughts of influential philosophers, starting with Socrates and his emphasis on self-examination and moral dimensions of the self. It also mentions Plato's tripartite theory of the soul, Augustine's introspective view of the self in relation to God, and Thomas Aquinas' integration of Aristotle's philosophy with Christian theology, emphasizing the self as a rational and spiritual being.

05:01

🤔 The Self in Western Philosophy and Empiricism

The second paragraph delves into the contributions of Western philosophers to the understanding of the self. Descartes' famous 'Cogito, ergo sum' establishes the mind as the essence of identity, leading to the concept of dualism. Locke, an empiricist, proposes that personal identity is tied to the continuity of consciousness and memory, challenging the idea of the self as a material substance. Locke's theory of the tabula rasa suggests that the self is formed through the accumulation of sensory experiences, emphasizing environmental influences and conscious reflection in shaping identity.

10:03

🧐 Challenging Traditional Views of the Self

This paragraph presents a radical critique of the traditional notion of the self by David Hume, who likens the self to a theater of fleeting perceptions, challenging the idea of a stable and unified self. It also discusses Immanuel Kant's introduction of the transcendental self, which is a necessary condition for experience and emphasizes the self as a rational moral agent. Freud's psychoanalytic perspective is also explored, viewing the self as a battleground between the id, ego, and superego, with much of the self's conflict occurring in the unconscious mind.

15:06

🏗️ Redefining the Self in Modern Philosophy

The fourth paragraph discusses the redefinition of the self in modern philosophy. Gilbert Ryle criticizes the dualistic view of mind and body, suggesting that the self is a collection of behaviors and dispositions rather than an inner entity. Paul Churchland's materialist perspective argues that the self is a complex network of brain states, and as neuroscience advances, our understanding of the self will be replaced by a more scientific one. This view challenges the traditional notions of a unified and enduring self.

20:06

🌐 Embodiment and the Self in Phenomenology

The final paragraph introduces Maurice Merleau-Ponty's perspective on the self as embodied, contrasting with dualistic and materialistic views. Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology of perception emphasizes the interconnectedness of consciousness, body, and environment, proposing that our primary engagement with the world is through our body. He introduces the concept of the 'lived body,' which is the means through which we experience and understand the world, thus shaping our identity through our embodied interactions.

Keywords

💡Self

The 'self' is the central theme of the video, referring to the individual's identity, consciousness, and subjective experience. It is explored through various philosophical lenses, from Socrates' moral self-examination to Merleau-Ponty's embodied self. The script discusses the self's nature and its role in understanding human existence and behavior.

💡Socrates

Socrates, a foundational figure in Western philosophy, is known for his dictum 'Know thyself,' emphasizing the importance of self-examination. In the script, Socrates' teachings are presented as a moral imperative, suggesting that understanding one's true desires and motives is essential for leading a virtuous life.

💡Plato

Plato, a student of Socrates, is mentioned for his tripartite theory of the soul, which divides the self into the rational, spirited, and appetitive parts. The script uses Plato's allegory of the Chariot to illustrate the balance necessary for a virtuous life, with the rational part aiming to govern and align with divine order.

💡Augustine of Hippo

Augustine of Hippo is highlighted for merging Platonic thought with Christian doctrine, viewing the self as a spiritual entity in constant search of divine truth. The script describes Augustine's introspective approach, where true self-knowledge is achieved through understanding one's relationship with God.

💡Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas is recognized for integrating Aristotle's philosophy with Christian theology, proposing that the self is a composite of body and soul. The script explains Aquinas's view that the soul, as the form of the body, is the principle of life and reason, with the ultimate goal of fulfilling its god-given nature.

💡Rene Descartes

Rene Descartes is famous for his statement 'I think, therefore I am,' which the script identifies as the cornerstone of his philosophy. Descartes' dualism posits the self as a non-material thinking substance distinct from the body, influencing modern discussions on personal identity and the mind-body relationship.

💡John Locke

John Locke's empiricist view of the self is based on consciousness and memory. The script describes Locke's theory that personal identity is tied to memory and the continuity of conscious experience, suggesting that the self is a collection of memories and perceptions that persist over time.

💡David Hume

David Hume is presented as a philosopher who challenged the traditional notion of a stable self. The script explains Hume's view that the self is a bundle of perceptions in constant flux, and he likens the self to a theater where perceptions pass, questioning the idea of a permanent identity.

💡Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant introduced the concept of the transcendental self, which is the necessary condition for the possibility of experience. The script discusses Kant's emphasis on the self as a rational agent capable of self-legislation and moral responsibility, influencing the understanding of moral law and autonomy.

💡Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud is acknowledged for his complex model of the self as a battleground between the id, ego, and superego. The script describes Freud's psychoanalytic view of the self, where the ego mediates between the unconscious desires of the id and the moral constraints of the superego, shaping behavior and motivation.

💡Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Maurice Merleau-Ponty is noted for emphasizing the self as embodied, contrasting with dualistic and materialistic views. The script explains Merleau-Ponty's concept of the lived body, which is the means through which we experience and understand the world, highlighting the interconnectedness of consciousness, body, and environment.

Highlights

Exploration of the philosophical question 'What is the self?' and its significance across various disciplines.

Socrates' emphasis on self-examination and the moral dimensions of the self through the Socratic method.

Plato's tripartite theory of the soul, consisting of the rational, spirited, and appetitive parts.

Augustine's introspective view of the self as a spiritual entity in search of divine truth and unity with God.

Thomas Aquinas' integration of Aristotle's philosophy with Christian theology, viewing the self as a composite of body and soul.

Descartes' foundational statement 'I think, therefore I am' and the concept of dualism separating mind and body.

John Locke's empirical view of the self as a continuity of consciousness tied to memory and personal identity.

Hume's skepticism challenging the idea of a permanent identity, viewing the self as a bundle of perceptions in constant flux.

Kant's introduction of the transcendental self as a necessary condition for the possibility of experience.

Freud's psychoanalytic model of the self as a battleground between the id, ego, and superego.

Ryle's behaviorist perspective describing the self as behaviors and dispositions rather than an inner entity.

Churchland's materialist view of the self as a complex network of brain states replaceable by scientific understanding.

Merleau-Ponty's concept of the self as embodied, interconnected with consciousness, body, and environment.

The philosophical inquiry into the self as essential for understanding human existence and identity.

The ongoing nature of philosophical discussions about the self and its implications for what it means to be human.

The richness and complexity of the concept of the self as reflected in the diverse philosophical perspectives discussed.

Transcripts

good day everyone today we'll explore

one of the most profound and inuring

questions in philosophy what is the self

this question has intrigued philosophers

for Millennia leading to a wide range of

interpretations and theories

understanding the self is Central not

only to philosophy but also to

psychology ethics and even

Neuroscience throughout this lecture

we'll Journey Through the thoughts of

some of history's most influen IAL

philosophers each of whom offers a

unique perspective on the nature of the

self let's get started we begin with

Socrates a foundational figure in

Western philosophy Socrates didn't write

down his ideas unfortunately no written

documents were found during his time

instead we know of his teachings through

the dialogues of his student Plato

Socrates was deeply concerned with the

moral dimensions of the self his famous

dicum know

thyself highlights the importance he

placed on

self-examination for Socrates

understanding the self was not just an

intellectual exercise but a moral

imperative he believed that ignorance of

oneself one's true desires motives and

limitations leads to a misguided life

Socrates method of dialectical

questioning known as the Socratic method

was was aimed at uncovering these deeper

truths within us he argued that the self

is fundamentally a moral agent striving

for goodness and the true wisdom comes

from recognizing our own ignorance and

continually seeking knowledge and

self-improvement Plato a student of

Socrates Advanced his teachers ideas by

proposing a more structured view of the

self play to believe that the self is

composed of three distinct Parts the

rational the spirited and the appetitive

Soul or we also know this as the

tripartite soul the rational part of the

soul is responsible for logical thinking

and wisdom it seeks truth and is meant

to govern the other parts of the Soul

while the spirited part is associated

with emotions and actions it embodies

courage will and a drive for Honor while

the appetitive part or aptitive soul is

related to desires particularly physical

ones like hunger thirst and sexual urges

in Plato's famous allegory of The

Chariot he illustrates the soul as a

charer trying to control two horses one

spirited and the other appetitive

the charot here must guide the horses in

harmony representing the necessity of

balancing these aspects of the self to

achieve a virtuous and fulfilling life

for Plato the true self is the rational

Soul which strive to ascend towards the

realm of Ideal forms where it can attain

true knowledge and align with the divine

order Augustine of Hippo Augustin of

Hippo was a key figure in Christian

philosophy merging platonic thought with

Christian doctrine for Augustine the

self is fundamentally a soul created by

and for God he viewed self as a

spiritual entity that is in a constant

search for divine truth and unity with

God Augustine's concept of the self is

deeply introspective in his work

confessions he reflects on his own life

expressing the idea that the self is

restless until it finds rest in God he

believe that true self- knowledge is is

achieved through understanding one's

relationship with God and that this

relationship is Central to the self's

identity sin for Austin distorts the

self leading it away from God while

Grace restores the self to its true

nature the self in Augustine's view is

characterized by its capacity to love

and its ultimate purpose is to seek and

Unite with the Divine this conception of

the self influenced centuries of

Christian thought shaping the way the

self is understood in a religious

context Thomas ainz Thomas ainus a

medieval philosopher and

theologian built upon Augustine's ideas

but introduced a more systematic

integration of Aristotle's philosophy

with Christian theology ainus viewed the

self as a composite of body and soul

with a soul being the form of the body

according to ainus the soul is the

principle of life and the seat of Reason

which he considered the highest faculty

of the self unlike Plato who saw the

body as a prison for the soul Ain

believe that the body and soul are

intrinsically linked and that the human

self cannot be fully understood without

acknowledging this Union the soul

animates the body and together they form

a single unified self ainus also

emphasized the importance of Reason in

understanding the self and its

relationship with God he argued that

through reason humans can discern moral

laws and fulfill their purpose

which is to achieve Eternal happiness in

communion with God the self forus is

thus both a rational and spiritual being

with it with its ultimate goal being the

Fulfillment of its god-given

nature jumping forward to the 17th

century we encounter Renee deard a

philosopher who revolutionized the way

we think about the S dart's most famous

statement to osam I think therefore I am

is the Cornerstone of his philosophy

theart sought to establish a foundation

of certain knowledge by doubting

everything that could possibly be

doubted he found that while he could

doubt the existence of the physical

world the other people and even his own

body he could not doubt that he was

doubting this act of doubting proved

that there must be a thinking self a

thinking thing which exists for decart

this thinking self or mind is the

essence of our identity dart's

philosophy led to the concept of dualism

where the mind or the self is seen as a

non-material thinking substance distinct

from the body which is material and

extended in space this dualistic view

has profoundly influenced Mo modern

Western thought particularly in

discussions about the relationship

between the mind and body and the nature

of personal

identity John Lock offered a more

empirically grounded view of the self

focusing on Consciousness and memory in

his work an essay concerning human

understanding Lo argued that the self is

not an material substance as they cart

suggested but rather a continuity of

Consciousness L proposed that personal

identity is tied to memory he suggested

that what makes a person the same over

time is not the substance of the Soul or

body but the continuity of conscious

experience if you can remember past

experiences you're are the same person

who had those experiences this means

that to self is is essentially a

collection of memories and perceptions

that persist over time Lock's Theory

introduced the idea that personal

identity is something that can change

and evolve as our Consciousness and

memories change this concept has had a

lasting impact on discussions about the

self particularly in relation to

psychological continuity and the nature

of personal

identity Lu was an empiricist meaning he

believed that knowledge comes primarily

from sensory experience rather than

innate ideas he rejected the notion held

by some of his predecessors such as

Renee deart that certain Concepts or

principles are inherent in the human

mind from birth for lck the mind starts

off as a blank slate and it is only

through interacting with the world

through seeing hearing touching tasting

and smelling that the Mind begins to

accumulate ideas and form knowledge this

process of acquiring knowledge is

gradual and ongoing throughout one's

life locks tabularasa is closely

connected to his theory of the self

according to lock the self is formed

through the accumulation of experiences

as we perceive and reflect on our

sensory experiences we develop a sense

of identity and personal Consciousness

Lo believed that personal Identity or

the sense of self is primarily based on

the continuity of Consciousness in other

words it is our ability to remember past

experiences and Link them to our present

Consciousness that forms the basis of

our identity the self therefore is not a

static entity but a dynamic one shaped

by our ongoing EXP experiences and

memories in summary Lo's concept of

tabasa presents the self as a blank

slate at Birth with personal identity

and knowledge being formed through

experience and memory this view

emphasizes the role of environmental

influences and conscious reflection in

shaping who we are offering a dynamic

and evolving conception of the

self David Hume David Yume took Lock's

empiricism to its logical extreme

offering a radical critique of the

traditional notion of the self humor GED

that when we took

within we don't find a stable unified

self instead we find a bundle of

perceptions thoughts Sensations and

feelings that are constantly changing in

his work at treaties of human name

y contended that the self is nothing

more than a collection of these

perceptions which succeed one another

with great rapidity and are in constant

flux he likened self to a theater where

different perceptions pass in and out of

you but there is no underlying substance

or self that experiences them Yum's

skepticism about the self challenges the

very idea of a permanent identity he

suggested that the self is an illusion a

convenient fiction that we create to

make sense of the continuity of our

experiences this view has influenced

later

thinkers particularly in existentialist

and postmodern philosophy where the idea

of a stable coherent self is often

questioned Emmanuel Kent Emanuel Kent

offered a new perspective on the self by

emphasizing its role as a rational agent

can't introduce the concept of the

transcendental self which is the

necessary condition for the possibility

of experience can't argued that our

experiences of the world are not just

passively received but are actively

shaped by the mind's innate structures

the self forant is the subject that

unifies and organizes these experiences

this transcendental self is not

something we can perceive directly but

is a necessary precondition for any

experience or

knowledge K also

emphasized the moral dimension of the

self he believe that the self is

autonomous meaning it has the capacity

to govern itself through reason this

autonomy is the basis of moral law which

can famously formulated as a kind

categorical imperative Act only

according to the maxim by which you can

at the same time will that it should

become a universal law for C the self is

a rational moral agent capable of self

legislation and responsible for its

actions moving into the 20th century San

Freud presented a more complex and

Dynamic model of the self Freud the

father of

psychoanalysis viewed the self as a

Battleground between different parts of

the psych the Eid the ego and the super

ego the Eid is the Primal unconscious

part of the psych that operates based on

the Pleasure Principle it seeks

immediate gratification of Basic

Instincts and desires while the super

ego represents the internalized moral

standards and ideal of society it acts

as a conscience imposing guilt and

striving for Perfection and lastly the

ego is the rational part of the psych

that mediates between the demands of the

it and the constraints of the super ego

it operates according to the reality

principle trying to find realistic ways

to satisfy the IDS desires with without

the bounds of social

norms Freud's model of the self portrays

it as a sight of constant conflict with

much of this conflict occurring in the

unconscious mind he believed the

understanding the self requires delving

into the unconscious and uncovering the

hidden desires and traumas that shape

our Behavior Freud's ideas have had a

profound impact act on psychology

influencing how we think about the self

in terms of unconscious strives and the

complexities of human

motivation now we have Gilbert Riley

Gilbert rile was a 20th century

philosopher who challenged the critian

dualism of Mind and Body in his book the

concept of Mind riy famously described

the concept of the self as the ghost in

the miss machine a phrase he used to

criticize the idea that the mind is a

separate non-physical substance that

inhabits the body Riley argued that the

self is not a mysterious inner entity

but rather a collection of behaviors and

dispositions he suggested that what we

call the mind or self is simply the way

we behave and interact with the world

the self is not something we have but

something we do it is Manu ested in our

actions habits and the way we respond to

situations ral's view is often

associated with behaviorism which

emphasizes the study of observable

Behavior rather than internal mental

States his ideas challenge the notion of

an inner self that is separate from the

body and has influenced sub um

subsequent philosophical and

psychological theories that focus on the

observ

aspects of human

life next we have Paul Churchland Paul

Churchland a contemporary philosopher

takes a materialist view of the self

arguing that what we consider the self

is actually a complex network of brain

States Churchland is a proponent of

illuminative materialism which suggests

that Common Sense psychological Concepts

like belief

desires and the self are Fulk theories

that will eventually be replaced by a

more accurate scientific understanding

of the brain Church land argues that as

Neuroscience advances we will come to

see that what we think of as the self is

simply the result of neural processes in

the brain the self in this view is not a

distinct entity but a set of brain

functions that produce our or thoughts

emotions and behaviors this perspective

challenges traditional Notions of the

self as a unified enduring entity and

instead presents

it as something that can be fully

explained in terms of physical processes

churchlands ideas are part of a broader

Trend in contemporary philosophy and

science that seeks to understand human

consciousness and identity through the

of biology and Neuroscience this process

or approach raises important questions

about the nature of the self and whether

it can be fully captured by scientific

explanation and lastly Maru ponti

finally we come to Maurice Marlo ponti a

French philosopher who emphasize the

self as embodied in contrast to the

dualistic and mat istic views of the

self Maru ponti argued that the self

cannot be separated from its physical

body or its experience of the world in

his major work phenomenology of

perception Maru Ponte proposed that our

primary way of engaging with the world

is through our body the self is not just

a mind or a brain but an embodied being

that proceedes moves and interacts with

the world

he criticize both cartisan dualism which

separates mind and the body and

reductive materialism which reduces the

self to brain States Maru ponti

introduced the concept of the lived body

which is not an object like other

physical things but the means through

which we experience and understand the

world the self in this view is a being

in the world where consciousness body

and environment are

interconnected this perspective

emphasizes the importance of lived

experiences and the idea that our

identity is shaped but by our embodied

interactions with the world around

us in this lecture we've explored a wide

array of philosophical perspectives on

the self from Socrates call to know the

self to Marlo ponti's idea of the embody

self each philosopher we've discussed

offers a unique Glens through which to

view the self reflecting the richness

and complexity of this fundamental

concept understanding the self is not

just an intellectual Endeavor it's

essential to know how we navigate the

world make decisions and relate to

others whether we view the self as a

rational agent a bundle of perceptions

or a network of brain States these

perspectives invite us to reflect on our

own existence and our place in the world

the philosophical inquiry into the self

is ongoing and as we continue to explore

these ideas we deepen our understanding

of what it means to be human well thank

you for your attention and I look

forward to our discussion on this

fascinating ideas