Understanding the Self

LESSON 2: Who Am I? -​ belief that it is important for

(Theories of the Self) individuals to examine and

understand their own souls in
order to lead a worthwhile and
What is the self?
fulfilling life.
The self is more than a name — it
evolves and changes.
Plato: The Ideal Self is the Perfect
It's the inner core of a person that
Self
includes thoughts, emotions,
experiences, and values.
‎Plato believed that soul is made up of
The self is dynamic, meaning it
3 parts:
develops over time.
‎1. the rational soul, which governs
reasoning and intellect;
The Philosophical Views of the Self
‎2. the spiritual soul, which governs
Socrates: Know thyself.
emotions;
‎"Every man is made up of his body and
‎3. the appetitive soul, which governs
his soul."
base desires.
‎
-​ He believed that a person's soul
‎Dualism – belief in two substances:
can only be truly just and
‎Mind and Matter (or body).
virtuous.
‎
-​ He believed that there is an
-​ Mind being responsible for
eternal world, the world of
thoughts, beliefs, and
forms and ideas, that is the
consciousness.
foundation of the world that we
-​ Body is responsible for physical
see.
sensations and movements.
-​ He believed that people should
‎strive to imitate their perfect,
He ‎believed that having knowledge of
eternal selves from before they
one's own virtue is necessary for true
were born into the world and
wisdom and self-mastery.
focus on achieving harmony
Quote:
between the three parts of
‎"The unexamined life is not worth
their souls.
living.”
‎
 Understanding the Self
‎Quote: entity that is responsible for thinking,
‎"Love in fact is one of the links reasoning, and consciousness, and that
between the sensible and the eternal is distinct from the physical body.
world."
-​ emphasizing the idea that Love David Hume: the self is the bundle
is a connecting force between theory of mind
the tangible ‎physical world and ‎was an empiricist philosopher, which
the eternal, perfect world of means that he believed that
forms and ideas. knowledge comes only through the
senses and experiences, rather than
Rene Descartes: “Cogito ergo sum/ I through reason or innate ideas.
think therefore I am” ‎
‎was a philosopher who believed that -​ He believed that when a person
the human person is made up of both a sees, hears, or touches
body and a mind, ‎belief that mind and something, they gain ‎knowledge
body are separate entities. of it through those senses and
‎ experiences, rather than
‎"I think, therefore I am" his famous through any other means.
quote ‎
-​ ‎which means that the ability to -​ He believed that the self, or
doubt,‎understand, believe, and the individual person, is nothing
think, is enough proof of one's more than a ‎bundle of
own existence. impressions and ideas.
‎ ‎
‎Cartesian mind -​ He believed that the self is
‎The term "Cartesian mind" refers to just a collection of various
the concept of mind as it is described perceptions that change rapidly
in the ‎philosophy of René Descartes, and are in a constant state of
who is best known for his work on the flux. This means that the self
mind-body problem. is not a fixed or stable entity,
‎ but is instead constantly
‎The Cartesian mind is the concept of changing and made up of all the
the mind as a separate,on-physical
 Understanding the Self
experiences that a person has interprets the raw sensory data
over time. that it receives from the
‎external world.
Immanuel Kant: Respect for Self -​ ‎He argued that certain
‎was a philosopher who believed that concepts such as time and
every person is an end in themselves, space are not things that exist
and should never be treated merely as ‎independently in the external
a means to an end. world, but rather, they are the
-​ ‎He believed that this is in way in which our mind organizes
accordance with the natural and makes sense of the sensory
order of things and the will of a data it receives.
creator. ‎
‎ -​ ‎Kant's theories about the
-​ ‎He believed that the mind plays "apparatuses of the mind" also
an important role in organizing play a central role in his
the impressions that people get ‎explanation of how we come to
from the external world. He know the world, and how we
argued that concepts such as construct knowledge, which is‎a
time and space are not found in fundamental part of his
the external world, but rather Critique of Pure Reason.
in the mind, He called these the
"apparatuses of the mind." Gilbert Rye: The Mind-Body
Dichotomy
-​ He also believed that the self is ‎was a philosopher who argued against
necessary for organizing the the traditional belief in the
different impressions and separation of the mind and body,
experiences that one has in known as the mind-body dichotomy.
relation to one's own existence.
‎ -​ He argued that it is a category
-​ ‎The "apparatuses of the mind" mistake, meaning that it is an
is a term used by Immanuel error in thinking, to treat mind
Kant to refer to the ways in and body as separate entities.
which the mind organizes and
 Understanding the Self
-​ ‎Ryle's position is that the mind abilities, and habits work
is not a "ghost in the together.
machine", a non-physical entity ‎
that controls the body, but -​ ‎Therefore, Ryle's position is
instead, it is a set of that the mind-body dichotomy
dispositions, habits, and is a conceptual mistake and that
abilities that a person has, it is more useful to think of the
which can be observed and mind as a set of abilities and
studied through behaviour. dispositions that are
‎ manifested in behaviour rather
-​ ‎According to Ryle, what truly than as an independent entity.
matters is the behaviour that a
person manifests in their Merleau-Ponty: Phenomenologist
day-to-day life. He believed Philosopher
that trying to understand the was a phenomenologist philosopher
self as a separate, existing who believed that the body and mind
entity is a futile endeavor. are deeply intertwined and that it is
Instead, he said that the self is impossible to separate them.
not an entity that can be
located ‎and analyzed, but -​ ‎He rejected the traditional
rather it is simply a convenient Cartesian dualism which
name that we use to refer to all separates the mind and body
the different behaviours that a and sees them as separate
person exhibits. entities. He argued that body
and mind are not separate
-​ He believed that the idea of entities that interact with each
the mind as an entity, existing other, but instead that they
independently of the body, is a are deeply interconnected and
misnomer and that mind is not mutually dependent.
an entity but rather it is an
aspect of human behaviour, in -​ ‎He stated that all human
which certain dispositions, experience is an embodied
experience and that the body is
 Understanding the Self
the fundamental point of access but rather they are deeply
to the world, meaning that it is interconnected and mutually
through the body that we dependent. He argued that the
interact with the world. Cartesian problem, which
separates mind and body, is a
-​ ‎He insisted that the body is not misunderstanding, and that the
just a physical object but it is living body, thoughts, emotions,
also a ‎subject, having its own and experiences are all one and
perception, intentions, and should be understood ‎together.
action, that is always already in
the world. Augustine: Love and justice as the
foundation of the individual self
-​ ‎Merleau-Ponty believed that was a 4th-century Christian
the body is not just a machine philosopher and theologian, who had a
that receives information from significant influence on the
the outside world, but it is also development of Western Christianity.
an active participant in the
process of perception. He -​ He viewed the human person as
stated that one's body is one's having a dual nature, both
opening towards the world, the imperfect and subject to the
means through which the world and its temptations and
subject is in the world and the also having the capability of
world is in the subject. He reaching immortality through a
believed that the body and the spiritual connection to God.
mind cannot be separated, as all
experiences, thoughts, -​ He believed that the body is
emotions, and perceptions are temporary and will eventually
‎interconnected and are all part die, but the soul is eternal and
of a unified whole. can live in eternal communion
with God.
-​ In summary, Merleau-Ponty's -​ He believed that love and
position is that the body and justice are the foundation of
mind are not separate entities, the individual self.
 Understanding the Self
-​ He believed that loving God comprehensive system of thought
means loving one's fellow human that became known as Thomism.
beings, and loving one's fellow
human beings means never doing Aquinas believed that human beings,
harm to [Link] also believed like all other physical entities, are
that a virtuous life is the result composed of two parts:
of this love, and that loving God
is the dynamic force that allows 1. matter
one to truly love their fellow or "hyle," refers to the physical
human beings. substance that makes up the body.
-​ He tried to unite Platonic ideas [Link]
into the Christian perspective. or "morphe," refers to the essence or
the "what-ness" of the substance. In
"My heart will not be wise until other words, it's what makes
I have You in my heart.” something what it is.
The quote expresses Augustine's
belief that one's heart, or inner self, -​ Aquinas views the human being
cannot be truly wise or enlightened as composed of two parts,
until it is filled with the presence of matter, and form, where
God. matter is the physical
Augustine who believed that having a substance of the body, and
spiritual connection to God is essential form is the essence of a human
for true wisdom and understanding. being, the soul, which is
responsible for the unique
Thomas Aquinas : The Angelic Doctor intellectual, emotional, and
also known as the "Angelic Doctor," spiritual capacities of human
was a 13th-century Catholic beings and animates the body.
philosopher and theologian who is
best known for his work in the field
of metaphysics and his efforts to
reconcile Aristotelian philosophy
with Christianity. He developed a
 Understanding the Self
The Psychological View of Self
-​ The SUPEREGO is the moral
Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalytic and ethical part of the psyche
theory of self that represents our conscience,
was an Austrian neurologist and the values, and ideals. It operates
founder of psychoanalysis, a on the ideal principle, striving
therapeutic technique for treating to live up to internalized
mental illnesses. His psychoanalytic societal expectations and moral
theory of self is focused on codes.
understanding the structure and
functioning of the human psyche, or -​ According to Freud, the psyche
personality. is structured into three parts,
the ID,EGO, and SUPEREGO,
According to Freud, the psyche is that interact and influence
structured into three main parts: the each other. He also proposed
ID, the EGO, and the SUPEREGO. that the individual's
development goes through five
-​ The ID is the primitive and stages, oral, anal, phallic,
instinctual part of the psyche latency, and genital, and how
that represents our internal one experiences pleasure and
desires, impulses, and drives. It frustration at each stage
operates on the pleasure shapes the development of the
principle, seeking immediate psyche.
pleasure and avoiding pain.

-​ The EGO is the rational and Erik Erikson: Psychosocial stages of

realistic part of the psyche self-development
that mediates between the ID was a German-American
and the outside world. It developmental psychologist and
operates on the reality psychoanalyst known for his theory
principle, seeking to balance the of psychosocial development, which
demands of the ID with the describes how individuals develop a
demands of reality.
 Understanding the Self
sense of self and their relationship to criticized, they develop a sense of
the world throughout their lifespan. shame and doubt in themselves.

He proposed that individuals pass Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to 6 years) - In

through eight distinct stages, each this stage, children develop a sense of
of which poses a unique developmental initiative and begin to assert
task and simultaneously presents the themselves more actively. If they are
individual with a crisis that they must encouraged to be independent and
overcome. take initiative, they develop a sense
of self-initiative and purpose. If they
These stages are: are constantly criticized, punished or
not given any opportunity to take
Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to 18 initiative, they develop a sense of
months) - In this stage, infants guilt.
develop a sense of trust or mistrust
based on the consistency and Industry vs. Inferiority (6 to 11
reliability of their primary caregivers. years) - In this stage, children enter
If their needs are met consistently school and begin to compare
and predictably, they develop a sense themselves to their peers. If they
of trust in the world. If their needs feel competent and successful in their
are not met, they develop a sense of tasks and activities, they develop a
mistrust. sense of industry or self-esteem. If
they feel incompetent and inferior to
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (18 their peers, they develop a sense of
months to 3 years) - In this stage, inferiority.
toddlers begin to
assert their independence and explore Identity vs. Role Confusion
their environment. If they are given (adolescence) - In this stage,
the freedom to do so and their adolescents question who they
accomplishments are recognized and are and begin to form their own
valued, they develop a sense of identity. If they are able to
autonomy. If they are not given the successfully integrate their past
freedom to explore and are constantly
 Understanding the Self
experiences and their own aspirations, ego integrity. If they do not, they
they develop a sense of identity. If experience despair.
they are unable to do so, they
experience role confusion.

Intimacy vs. Isolation (young

adulthood) - In this stage, young Lesson 3 – Self, Society, and
adults seek to form close Culture
relationships and develop a sense of
What is the Self?
intimacy with others. If they are
the self is often defined as having
successful in forming these
several key characteristics such as
relationships, they develop a sense of
being separate, self-contained,
intimacy. If they are unable to do so,
independent, consistent, unitary, and
they experience isolation.
private.

Generativity vs. Stagnation (middle

‎Separate- refers to the idea that
adulthood) - In this stage,middle-aged
the self is distinct from other selves
adults focus on creating something of
and has its own unique identity, which
value and contributing to society. If
is not easily replicated or shared. This
they are successful in doing so, they
means that even twins, who share
experience a sense of generativity. If
many similarities, are still distinct
they are unable to do so, they
individuals with separate selves.
experience stagnation.

Self-contained and independent-

Ego Integrity vs. Despair (late
means that the self is able to exist on
adulthood) - In this stage, older
its own, without being dependent on
adults reflect on their lives and either
other selves. This characteristic
feel a sense of satisfaction and
allows the self to have its own
fulfillment or experience feelings of
thoughts, characteristics, and volition.
regret and despair. If they feel a
The self is the source of a person's
sense of fulfillment and meaning in
own inner subjective experiences and
their lives, they develop a sense of
can't be defined by others.
 Understanding the Self
Consistent- means that the self has a According to the French
personality that is enduring and can Anthropologist Marcel Mauss, the
be expected to persist over time. This concept of the self having two faces:
consistency allows the self to be 1. personne and 2. moi.
studied, described, and measured. It
also means that a person's traits,
characteristics, tendencies, and
potentialities are more or less the ‎1. An inherent, biological self (moi)
same over time. and
‎ ‎2. A social self (personne) that is
‎Unitary- refers to the idea that the shaped by the expectations and norms
self is the center of all experiences of the institutions and communities
and thoughts that run through a we are a part of. While the moi stays
certain person. This is similar to the more or less ‎stable, the personne
chief command post in an individual adapts, transforms and changes
where all processes, emotions, and depending on the situation,
thoughts converge. ‎environment, culture, and context the
‎ person finds himself in, in the
Private- refers to the idea that each simplest terms,‎an individual can be
person processes their own seen as a chameleon in that they are
information, feelings, emotions, and able to adapt and change their
thought processes within the self. behavior to conform to the social
This whole process is never accessible expectations of their context without
to anyone else but the self. losing ‎their sense of self.
‎
It is often referred to as the
individualistic [Link] views
the self as an isolated entity that is
separate from the external world and
not influenced by social and cultural
factors.