Lesson 1: Self from the perspective of philosophy

• Socrates is often considered the father of Western philosophy
• Socrates: '"The unexamined life is not worth living."'
• Socrates' philosophy


  Emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and critical thinking in the pursuit of truth and wisdom
• Socratic Method


  The dialogue between the soul and itself, or between a student and his teacher
• Goal of philosophy


  • Know thyself
  • Self-knowledge alone eradicates misery
  • Self-knowledge is the means to the highest bliss
  • Absolute perfection is the consummation of Self-knowledge
• Plato's view of the self

  Composed of two parts: the rational soul and the irrational appetites
• Plato's metaphor


  • The soul is likened to a charioteer driving a chariot pulled by two horses
• Plato's perspective on knowledge


  True knowledge comes from the rational soul's pursuit of truth and virtue
• Plato's dualism


  • Existence of both an immaterial mind (soul) and a material body
  • The soul apprehends the forms, existing both before birth and after death
• Plato's division of the soul


  • Reason
  • Appetite (physical urges)
  • Will (emotion, passion, spirit)
• Aristotle's view of the self


  A harmonious integration of various faculties: reason, emotion, and perception
• Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia


  • Flourishing achieved through balanced development of faculties
• St. Augustine's integration


  Christian theology with philosophical inquiry to explore the nature of the self
• St. Augustine's view of the self


  • Flawed due to original sin
  • Capable of redemption through divine grace
• René Descartes' dualism


  • Distinguishing between mind and body
• René Descartes: '"I think, therefore I am."'
• Descartes' philosophy


  Primacy of consciousness in defining the self
• Descartes' view of the self

  • A thinking thing distinct from the body
  • Mind and body are mentally independent
• Finding main ideas and supporting details


  1. Read and highlight information

  2. Review and identify the main idea and supporting details
• Understanding the self influences our beliefs, values, and interactions with the world
• Philosophy questions existence, identity, and meaning
• Philosophy offers profound insights into the nature of self
• Students will engage in thought-provoking activities and reflections
• Plato asserts that the soul, rather than the body, is the locus of true knowledge, as it transcends the limitations of the senses.
• Plato's division of the soul

  • Reason
  • Appetite (physical urges)
  • Will (emotion, passion, spirit)
• The will serves as the source of various emotions such as love, anger, and ambition.
• When aspects of the soul are not in harmony

  Mental conflict ensues
• Charioteer metaphor

  Reason attempts to control horses symbolizing the will and appetites
• Aristotle believed that self is a harmonious integration of various faculties, reason, emotion, and perception.
• Eudaimonia

  Flourishing achieved through balanced development of faculties
• Self-awareness is vital for moral and intellectual growth, enabling individuals to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
• Aristotle defined the soul

  The core essence of a living being, not having a separate existence
• Augustine integrated Christian theology with philosophical inquiry to explore the nature of the self.
• Original sin

  The consequence of Adam and Eve's disobedience, making the self flawed
• Augustine emphasized the importance of faith, humility, and moral transformation in understanding the self.
• Divine grace


  The free and unmerited favor of God, believed to bring about spiritual renewal and salvation
• René Descartes proposed a dualistic view of the self

  Distinguishing between mind and body
• René Descartes: '"I think, therefore I am"'
• Descartes' philosophy laid the groundwork for modern discussions on the nature of consciousness and personal identity.
• Self is made of two parts

  The mind and the body