What Philosophy says about the Self
Self – it is defined to as “a unified being, essentially connected to consciousness, awareness, and agency (or, at least, with the faculty of rational choice).
Classical Antiquity
Through Greek times:
Greek philosophy was started by Socrates, with his aphorism/principle of “know thyself,” which is also inscribed in the temple of Apollo at Delphi.
Socrates believed that the real self is not the physical body,but rather the psyche, or the soul.
Plato, a student of Socrates, also studied and explained thoroughly what is the true essence of self, which is then founded by his mentor. Plato suggested that the “self is fundamentally an intellectual entity whose nature exists independent from physical world.”
Furthermore, Aristotle, student of Plato, explained thoroughly how we could see the essence of self. Aristotle suggested that the ideal is subsumed in the phenomena. Aristotle called the ideal as essence, and the phenomena as the matter. He emphasized that these 2 co-exist, and is dependent with one another.
Two lens of Philosophy of Self in Greek Times:
Rationalism – explains self from the standpoint of what is ideal and true, and what not is rooted with senses.
Empiricism – according to it, there is no such thing as innate knowledge; all knowledge are derived from experience – through five senses or what is perceived by our brain.
Towards Modern Philosophy
St. Augustine incoporated the views of Plato to his religious philosophy.
John Locke, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant were empiricists philosophers.
Rène Descartes was a dominant rational philosopher during the Middle
Ages
Contemporary philosophers have incorporated science to their theories in the light of the technological advancements that they have been exposed to.
Majority of contemporary philosopher were empiricists:
Gilbert Ryle, Patricia Churchland, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty have incorporated biological and neuroscience in their philosophies.
Self – it is defined to as “a unified being, essentially connected to consciousness, awareness, and agency (or, at least, with the faculty of rational choice).
Classical Antiquity
Through Greek times:
Greek philosophy was started by Socrates, with his aphorism/principle of “know thyself,” which is also inscribed in the temple of Apollo at Delphi.
Socrates believed that the real self is not the physical body,but rather the psyche, or the soul.
Plato, a student of Socrates, also studied and explained thoroughly what is the true essence of self, which is then founded by his mentor. Plato suggested that the “self is fundamentally an intellectual entity whose nature exists independent from physical world.”
Furthermore, Aristotle, student of Plato, explained thoroughly how we could see the essence of self. Aristotle suggested that the ideal is subsumed in the phenomena. Aristotle called the ideal as essence, and the phenomena as the matter. He emphasized that these 2 co-exist, and is dependent with one another.
Two lens of Philosophy of Self in Greek Times:
Rationalism – explains self from the standpoint of what is ideal and true, and what not is rooted with senses.
Empiricism – according to it, there is no such thing as innate knowledge; all knowledge are derived from experience – through five senses or what is perceived by our brain.
Towards Modern Philosophy
St. Augustine incoporated the views of Plato to his religious philosophy.
John Locke, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant were empiricists philosophers.
Rène Descartes was a dominant rational philosopher during the Middle
Ages
Contemporary philosophers have incorporated science to their theories in the light of the technological advancements that they have been exposed to.
Majority of contemporary philosopher were empiricists:
Gilbert Ryle, Patricia Churchland, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty have incorporated biological and neuroscience in their philosophies.
