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SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES

MODULE Lesson 1: Philosophical Perspectives
by: Jemimah Pizarro-Ompad

NAME: __________________________________________ DATE: _________________________

COURSE/YEAR/BLK: ___________________________INSTRUCTOR: _________________________

MOTIVATION
GIVE ME A SYMBOL

Draw one thing that symbolizes yourself

This thing symbolizes me because black cats are known for carrying bad luck and an
outcast in our society back then. They say that it brings bad luck because it has
connections to witchcraft and other supernatural beings, but that was in the past. Here I
our society black cats became a normal being. Peoples realize that the uniqueness of
the black cats doesn’t mean any harm. They realize that black cats are still the same as
the others, they are sweet, caring, adorable, and friendly, and that is why it represents
me. When I was a child people often neglect me because I was not as good as the
other kid. I don’t have any special features nor talents. I am not also smart like the other
kids. I am just a strange girl that cries a lot and cause trouble to others. But as time

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goes by, I realize that I don’t have to change myself for others to accept me. I just need
to be who I really am and be happy because I am me. Time past I gain friends, real
friends. People start to notice me and my cheerful and active personality, and I like that,
I like being me.

Let's check if you remember the ideas of the three Greats.

In what ways do I get to know myself? According to:

Socrates: Socrates said that knowing yourself is something you work on all your life. You

can do this by thinking deeply and asking lots of questions. He thought that talking to others

and yourself can help you find out what you really believe and what's important to you. This

means questioning your old ideas and trying to understand yourself and the world better. By

keeping on asking questions and thinking about things, you can learn more about who you

really are.

Plato: Plato was a student of Socrates who thought that knowing yourself is like a journey

to find out what your soul is really like. He believed that our souls are always alive and

existed before we were born. By looking at our thoughts, feelings, and what we do, we can

find out the things that show what our soul is really like. This means thinking about our

experiences, questioning what we believe, and trying to do things that match what we really

think is important. By doing this, we can learn more about who we really are and what matters

most in life.

Aristotle: Aristotle was different from the philosophers before him. He focused on how

philosophy could be used in real life. He thought that understanding our own good and bad

qualities was the key to knowing ourselves, by looking at what we do, our habits, and our

personality, we can see our strengths and weaknesses. Aristotle said that it's important to

be moderate and balanced in our lives. He believed that being good is about finding the

right balance between too much and too little. By watching ourselves and thinking carefully,

we can develop good qualities and live a happy life.

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What are the proofs that the self exists? According to:

Rene Descartes: Rene Descartes was a famous thinker who wanted to find a solid foundation
for knowledge. He started by doubting everything he thought he knew, even if it was about
the world around him or his own body. But he realized that one thing was always true: the
fact that he was doubting. Descartes said, "I think, therefore I am." This means that just by
thinking, he knew that he existed. This simple truth became the base of his philosophy. He
believed that the only thing he could be absolutely sure of was his own existence.

John Locke: John Locke thought that the self isn't a fixed thing, but more like a flowing stream
of thoughts. He said that what makes us who we are is the continuous flow of our thoughts,
memories, and experiences. Locke believed that the self isn't the same as the body. A person
can still be themselves even if their body changes. Instead, the self is the thinking part of us
that notices our own thoughts and actions over time. This idea of the self as a continuous
stream of consciousness has had a big impact on how we think about philosophy and
psychology.

David Hume: David Hume didn't believe in a solid, unchanging self. He thought that all human
experiences are just a bunch of things we perceive, like feelings, thoughts, and emotions.
When we look inside ourselves, we don't find a single, unchanging self that stays the same
over time. Instead, the self is just a collection of these individual perceptions that are
connected because they are similar or follow one after another. Hume's doubt about the
existence of a solid self has had a big impact on how we think about philosophy and
psychology. It has led to a lot of discussions about what it means to be a person and what
consciousness is.

Immanuel Kant: Immanuel Kant thought that the self isn't a thing, but more like a special
connection of awareness. He believed that the self is necessary for all experiences, because
it's the thing that brings together our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Even though we can't
see the self directly, we can know it exists by looking at how our minds are organized. Kant's
idea of the self as a transcendental unity has had a big impact on how we think about
philosophy and psychology. It has helped us understand the mind and how it relates to the
world.

Sigmund Freud: Sigmund Freud thought that the self is a mix of conscious and unconscious
parts. He believed that the conscious mind, which we are aware of, is only a small part of
who we are. The unconscious mind, which we don't usually notice, has hidden desires,
memories, and emotions that strongly affect how we behave. Freud's theory about the self
emphasized the importance of exploring these unconscious parts through psychoanalysis.
He argued that understanding them is necessary for good mental health and well-being.

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 Gilbert Ryle: Gilbert Ryle didn't agree with the traditional idea that the self is a separate,
solid thing, often called the "ghost in the machine." He thought this dualistic view was a
mistake, comparing mental things to physical objects. Instead, Ryle suggested a
behaviorist approach. He said that the self isn't a thing, but more like a pattern of
behavior. The self shows itself in our actions, and thoughts, and is defined by how we
interact with the world. Ryle's criticism of the Cartesian self has had a big impact on how
we think about philosophy and psychology. It has led to new ways of understanding
consciousness and personal identity.

Paul Churchland: Paul Churchland was a philosopher who believed that our traditional
ideas about the mind, including the self, are basically wrong. He argued that these ideas
are based on old and inaccurate folk psychology, which will eventually be replaced by a
more scientific understanding of the brain and how it works. Churchland thought that the
self isn't a separate, solid thing, but rather a complex network of brain processes. As we
learn more about neuroscience, he believed that we will realize that the concept of the
self isn't necessary and can be completely replaced by a more accurate and detailed
explanation of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors using neuroscience.

What happens when you fall in love physically, emotionally, and mentally?

Husserl said Husserl said that falling in love is a complicated experience that affects our whole

body and mind. It's not just about physical attraction, but also about emotional connection and

thinking about the other person. When we fall in love, we become more aware and focused on

the person we love, and we forget about ourselves. It's a life-changing experience that can

change how we see ourselves and the world.

How about Merleau-Ponty?

Merleau-Ponty say that falling in love is like being swept away by a strong wind. We forget who

we are and become completely focused on the other person. It's a strong connection that goes

beyond just physical attraction. It's like our bodies and minds are connected, and we can't

imagine not being together. It's a beautiful and powerful experience that can change our lives

forever.

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 APPLICATION
Which among those philosophies can you relate with? Please share any
personal experiences that may relate to those views.

I like David Hume and Sigmund Freud's ideas about the self. Hume's idea that there might
not be a real, unchanging self matches my own experiences. I often think about the flow
of thoughts, feelings, and sensations in my daily life. It seems like there's no fixed core to
me. This is similar to Hume's idea that the self is a collection of perceptions. I also agree
with Freud's idea about the unconscious mind. I've been surprised by how my
unconscious thoughts and desires have influenced my actions. For example, I once chose
a career without knowing why. Later, I realized it was because of childhood experiences
and unconscious goals I didn't know I had. Freud's theory helps us understand how our
past can affect our present and future behavior.

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 BULLET IT!

Give three statements summarizing everything you have learned from this
module.
❖ The concept of the self has been a central topic of philosophical inquiry for centuries.

Twelve philosophers, from ancient Greece to the modern era, have offered and

showed their different perspective towards the word “self”.

❖ Aristotle, one of the earliest philosophers, believed that the self is defined by its

rational faculties and its pursuit of happiness. He emphasized the importance of virtue

and moderation in achieving a fulfilling life. While Descartes, took a more

individualistic approach, arguing that the self is a thinking substance that exists

independently of the body. He famously stated, "I think, therefore I am."

❖ More recent philosophers have challenged these traditional views. Like Hume, he

argued that the self is not a fixed entity but rather a bundle of perceptions. He rejected

the idea of a substantial, unchanging self, emphasizing the fleeting and ever-changing

nature of our experiences. Freud, a pioneer of psychoanalysis, proposed that the self

is a complex interplay of conscious and unconscious elements. He believed that the

unconscious mind, filled with repressed desires and memories, exerts a significant

influence on our behavior.

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 DEFINE SELF

How will you define the SELF using your ideas gathered from the different philosophical thoughts of the various
philosophers? Create a philosophical theory that contains your definition - your answer to the question "What is a
SELF?" Remember that the theory should be credited to you and not to others. Thus, it should be originally yours.

Our bodies affect how we see the world and ourselves. Our minds, with our thoughts, feelings,

and memories, also shape who we are. But the self isn't just about us as individuals. Our

relationships with others are important too. We learn about ourselves through our interactions with

others, and our sense of self is influenced by the roles we play in society.

These things such as our bodies, minds, and social interactions, are all connected and work

together to create the self. The self isn't something that stays the same; it's always changing and

growing as we experience new things. As we develop, our understanding of ourselves and our

place in the world changes. The self is something that flows and is shaped by our past, present,

and future.

The idea of the self-offers is a complete and detailed understanding of the self. It recognizes how

complex humans are and how all these different things work together to shape who we are. By

understanding that the self is always changing and growing, we can appreciate our own

uniqueness and the uniqueness of others.

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