NAVARRO, ANNE FRANCOES Y.

BS ARCHITECTURE 3
Exercise 1: Write a short summary for each of the philosophical self-view presented in the
different sections together with what you would consider as its highlights.

Proponent View of Self Highlights

Aristotle Humans are endowed with functions above Aristotle, for his part, insisted
all living things because of their capacity to that the human being is a
reason. Without the body, the self cannot composite of body and soul and
experience and without the body, there is that the soul cannot be
no self to experience in the first place. separated from the body. 

Hylomorphism then emphasizes

that things are composed of
both matter and form.

Plato Plato’s perspective on the idea of “self” is So, the self, according to Plato,
actually best represented in his are the three coexistent aspects
theory/explanation of the “psyche.” Rather of the soul, from which one can
than use the word “self,” he had what some understand one’s own desires
academics call a tripartite theory of the and behaviors.
soul. Humans have 3 divided functions,  
namely, nutritive psyche, sensitive psyche, It reinforces the examination of
and rational psyche; and it behaves in a one’s own life. Self-examination
hierarchical fashion. leads to a better understanding
not only of the self but also of
Knowledge is already within the self, and the world around us.
we could understand the world around us
through reason and introspection.
Therefore, the self contains knowledge and
connects to the dictum “Know thyself.”

Plotinus Claims that the soul and body are together Each human being, Plotinus held,
but not necessarily combined. Soul is is both a compound of body and
merely coexisting with the body therefore soul and a discarnate member of
deeming it independent from each other. the bodily system. 
The soul is superior than of the body.
 The self has to endeavor for higher He claims that the best and
undertakings and pursue life guided by happiest human life is a life of
virtues and values. self-purification, mostly devoted
to the care of the higher self.

St. Augustine Asserts the need for the soul to achieve Augustine believed that humans
of Hippo unity with God through faith and reason. were made in the image and
likeness of God.Unlike inanimate
The soul’s quest for heaven is the need to things, animals perceive and
be contempt of the self, wherein the self react to the sensible world, but
represents the mundane and worldly they still have no knowledge or
demands. desires not tied to their senses.
Humans have an inner
The soul need to go through several steps knowledge that animals lack.
with the end goal of freeing itself from the
demands of self. He believed that that mind is
aware of itself, and it recognizes
that its own existence and
knowledge is good.

St. Thomas All living things possess a soul. Human soul Aristotelian thought emphasizes
of Aquinas continues to exist even in death. It is only that the person is both body and
complete again when it animates a body soul. The soul is the form that all
once more such as resurrection. living things possess.

The soul’s presence in the body

enriches and nourishes the body
when it is joined together. It is
not any kind of punishment for
the body.

Socrates Know thyself through introspection or Examining one’s self is the most
reflection. important task one can
undertake, for it alone will give
Tripartite Structure of the Soul namely the us the knowledge necessary to
manageable self (spirited), appetitive answer the question ‘how
self(unruly), rational (reason). should I live my life’.

Exercise 2: Analysis
1. Which among the different perspectives of the self you find more aligned with your own
beliefs? Explain your answer.

I align my view of self more so with Socrates’ “know thyself”. If we understand

ourselves then we understand all others as well. All human beings suffer from the same
flaws. If we understand others, it is easier to be compassionate with them when they
make mistakes because we make the same ones to a lesser or greater extent.

Therefore, self understanding is an important first step in becoming wise. It also

can lead us to the greatest of all human achievements; self-mastery. One can not master
one’s self if they do not understand that self.

2. What is the self for you? What circumstances, events and situations in your life do you
think are responsible for your perspective?

Like most people, I too am unaware of my shortcomings, excesses and deficits,

rationalizations, and blind spots. I will have the impression that my actions are rightful
simply because it is what I have decided for myself for that circumstance, when it is not
the same rightful case for others. Knowing oneself is not an answer but a process of
maintaining self awareness.

Thus, self-knowledge is a difficult and lifelong challenge. Simple test of how well I
know myself: predict what other people would say about my strengths, weaknesses,
and general character.

3. In your view, discuss the significance of the Socratic statement “Know Thyself”
especially for college students in the typical context of their lives.

Understanding enables the love of our fellows, even as they make mistakes and
fail us at times. We can see ourselves in their situations. Socrates taught me that the
intangibles of truth and integrity were more important than mortal life itself. He knew
that there was a world where those intangibles were the substance of eternity, and that
such a world was the one most worthy of living for.