GSELF - prelims

• VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES OF THE SELF:

  Philosophical

  Sociological

  Anthropological

  Psychological

  Western & Eastern Orientation
• 3 philosophical periods:

  Ancient and Medieval

  Modern

  Contemporary
• Ancient and Medieval where SELF = perfection of the soul via self examination and self control
• Ancient Greeks: THE SOUL IS THE ESSENCE OF MAN
• Imperative- one must know the limits of the self
• Requirement - self moderation; good judgment
• Socrates

  • first thinker in western history to focus the full power of reason on human self
  • who we are
  • dualistic reality
  • who we will become
• THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING - Socrates
• Philosopher that recognizes IGNORANCE - Socrates
• Plato - examination of the self is a unique experience
• (Plato) PSYCHE:

  • APPETITIVE
  • SPIRITED
  • MIND
• APPETITIVE - desires, pleasures, physical satisfaction
• SPIRITED - motivated. fights back
• MIND -most superior, controls affairs of the self, understands the LIMITS of the self
• ST. AUGUSTINE - development of the self is achieved through self-presentation and realization & centered on religious convitions
• ST. AUGUSTINE - man's end goal - attained in and through GOD
• MODERN where SELF = dialectic synthesis between RATIONALISM and EMPIRICISM
• Rene Descartes - FATHER OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY

  • deviated from the theocentric views
  • self is understood through rational methods
• Methodic doubt (rene descartes) = everything must be subjected to doubt
• "I THINK, THEREFORE I AM." - Rene Descartes
• JOHN LOCKE - self = empty space that is filled by everyday experience