Chapter 1: Defining

Self:
Personal and
Developmental
Perspective on Self
Identity
Objectives

To introduce the concept,

definition, and processes of self-
understanding encompassing
the scientific and philosophical
explanations about the Self and
Identity. The module also broadly
introduces the factors that
contribute to one’s being and
identity.
Module 1. Introduction to
Understanding the Self
This module tackles the fundamental
concepts and principles of the Self. This covers
the different factors that contribute to one’s
being, the philosophical and theoretical
explanations about the self across generations
of philosophers and theorists, as well as the
explanations of different fields of sciences
Unit 3. What Science Says about
about the self and identity.
the Self
Unit 1. Social, Environmental, and other
Life Factors (S.E.L.F)
This unit introduces you to the journey of
understanding the self. This will highlight the
different factors (Social, Environmental,
Biological, and other life factors) that contribute
to the development of the Self.
Unit 2. What Philosophy Says
about the Self
This unit highlights how classical and
modern philosophical models defined
the Self, the evolution of these
philosophical frameworks from
ancient to contemporary times, and
the relevance of the philosophy of the
self to how the younger generation
define their own sense of self
This unit discusses the different aspects
of science and how they explain the
concept of the Self. Natural science and
social sciences encompass a number of
disciplines that have deliberated on the
nature of the Self. Such discourses will
be tackled in this section.
Unit 1. Social, Environmental, and
other Life Factors (S.E.L.F)
This unit introduces you to the journey
of understanding the self. This will
highlight the different factors (Social,
Environmental, Biological, and other
life factors) that contribute to the
development of the Self.

Human beings have been progressing on this earth since ancient time.
Human being has been into research since time in memorial, due to this;
there were various discovery modes; as a result of this world has become
quite accessible. We can say that the world has become a smaller place for
us. But desires are unlimited in spite of all the luxury we have. In search of
fulfillment of this vicious circle, we leave behind mental peace,
consequently our heart cries for peace.
 
2 What is "Self"?
A name no matter how intimately bound it is
with the bearer, however, is not the person . It is
only signifier. A person who was named after a
saint most probably will not become an actual
saint. He may not even turn out to be saintly!
The self is thought to be something else than
the name. The self is something that the person
perennially molds, shapes and develops. The
self is not a static thing that one is simply born
with like a mole on one’s face or is just assigned
by one’s parents just like a name. Every one is
tasked to discover one’s self. HAVE YOU TRULY
DISCOVERED YOURS?
Our ultimate aim in life is to bring peace,
happiness and satisfaction in our life. To bring
this satisfaction and happiness in our life, we
have to be quite adjustable. Self awareness is
necessary for well adjustment. Self awareness
is closely concerned with self-concept.
The concept of self, its development and
related terms such as ego and character, from
perhaps the most controversial area of current
psychological theory and research. Self-
concept helps everybody to grow properly and
adjust properly. Positive self-concept always
strengthens the ability of reasoning, problem
solving and efficiency of a child. High self-
esteem leads a person towards great success.
Various researches have showed that hypnosis
helps to enhance self-concept and self-esteem.
Do you truly know yourself?

 How
How would
would you
you characterize
characterize yourself?
yourself?

 What
What makes
makes you
you stand
stand out
out from
from the
the rest?
rest? What
What makes
makes your
your
self
self special?
special?

 How
How has
has yourself
yourself transformed
transformed itself?
itself?


 How
How isis your
your self
self connected
connected to
to your
your body?
body?


 How
How isis your
your self
self related
related to
to other
other selves?
selves?


 What
What will
will happen
happen to
to you
you after
after die?
die?
An Overview of Self/Identity
The Self is one of the most interesting topics that people
talk about everyday. We may not be conscious about it but
every time we mention the ‘I’ e.g., I will go to school, I
hangout with my friends, I like to eat burger, we are talking
about the self as “actors”. Further, we always mention the
‘me’ as the object, e.g., tell me about it, give me something,
it makes me feel awesome. Noticeably, the Self composes
both the I- as an actor and the Me- as the object. Our
interest about the self is even more evident in the
functional word variations of I and Me that we use in our
everyday language depending on our purpose (e.g., my,
mine, myself, etc.).

Our consciousness of the existence of the Self has been

almost automatic or reflexive and we are almost unaware
that in our everyday lives we are constantly talking about it.

Self
Self-esteem- refers to
general feelings of self-worth
or self value
Self-efficacy- is belief in one's
capacity to succeed at tasks.
General self-efficacy is belief
in one's general capacity to
handle tasks. Specific self-
efficacy refers to beliefs about
one's ability to perform
specific tasks (e.g., driving,
public speaking, studying,
etc.)
Self-concept- is the nature and
organization of beliefs about one's self.
A person’s self concept is his knowledge
about himself.
They can be influenced not only by
observing one’s own self and behavior
objectively, but also by observing the
reactions that other people have to you
and your behavior, or imagining what
other people might think of you, or what
you would think of yourself if you saw
yourself outside.
Self-confidence- refers to belief in one's
personal worth and likelihood of
succeeding. Self-confidence is a
combination of self-esteem and general
self-efficacy.

Self
Self-concept- is the nature
and organization of beliefs
about one's self.
A person’s self concept is his
knowledge about himself.
They can be influenced not
only by observing one’s own
self and behavior objectively,
but also by observing the
reactions that other people
have to you and your
behavior, or imagining what
other people might think of
you, or what you would think
of yourself if you saw yourself
outside.
Self- identity- refers to the
global understanding a person
has of themselves.
Self identity is composed of
relatively permanent self-
assessments, such as
personality attributes,
knowledge of one skills and
abilities, one’s occupation and
hobbies, and awareness of
one’s physical attributes.
The self identity is not
restricted to the present. It
includes past selves and future
selves.
Self image--the way you think about
yourself and your abilities and
appearance.
One’s conception of oneself or of
one’s role
 JOHARI WINDOW

Known to self Not known to self

Known to others OPEN BLIND

Not known to others HIDDEN UNKNOWN

THE MODEL CAN BE LOOKED UPON AS A COMMUNICATION WINDOW THROUGH

WHICH YOU GIVE AND RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF AND OTHERS.
Issues on Understanding the Self
Many scholars (i.e., theorists, scientists, philosophers) in
different fields and across generations have attempted to
explain and thoroughly expound on several issues and
controversies about the nature, existence, and dimensionality
of self. The most prevalent among issues on self, are the issues
on:

NATURE vs. NURTURE

Uni vs. Multi

DIMENSIONALITIES
SELF vs. IDENTITY
Issue
Issue No.
No. 1.
1.
NATURE vs. NURTURE NATURE
Biological sciences which explain that our traits
While some insist that the self is predominantly a product are passed on to humanity from one generation
of natural processes to which people are inherently to another, and these transmitted traits served as
a blueprint of our self and make us predispose to
predisposed, some argue that the self is largely influenced
certain self-expressions (e.g., attitude, behavior,
and principally constructed by one’s social environments.
tendencies, etc.). Here, the self is being studied
structurally and functionally, from the molecular
level to the entirety of human physiological
systems. Genetics for example contributed so
much information about the descriptions of the
self. This field of biology primarily deals with the
study of heredity (transmission of traits and
characteristics from generation to another) as a
process, as well as on the characterizations
(similarities and differences) of organisms.
Issue
Issue No.
No. 1.
1.
NATURE vs. NURTURE
NURTURE
While some insist that the self is predominantly a product
Social Sciences argue though that the self should
of natural processes to which people are inherently
be principally viewed as an outcome of various
predisposed, some argue that the self is largely influenced nurturing factors in the context of one’s social
and principally constructed by one’s social environments. life. Social Sciences have provided manifold of
insights and explanations about the self both on
the micro and macro level of one’s social life.
Different fields of social science stresses how
group life (formal and informal) affects
individuals’ behavior and attitude, and
emphasizes on the impact of various social
institutions to the self-construal of an individual.
LET’S REFLECT : What is your stand on the issue?
Issue
Issue No.
No. 1.
1.
We are what we are right
NATURE vs. NURTURE now because of….
NATURE
NATURE NURTURE
NURTURE
Issue
Issue No.
No. 2.
2.
SELF vs. IDENTITY IDENTITY
While some insist that the self is predominantly a product Identity: Based on lexical definition, Identity
(noun, iden·ti·ty\ī-ˈden-tə-tē, ə-, -ˈde-nə-\)
of natural processes to which people are inherently referred to “the qualities, beliefs, etc., that
predisposed, some argue that the self is largely influenced make a particular person or group different
and principally constructed by one’s social environmenSelf from others… or the distinguishing character
and Identity are topics that remain popular not only or personality of an individual”
among psychologists (authors of psychology articles) but
also to other social scientist like sociologists, cultural
anthropologists, economists, among others. Noticeably,
the term self and identity in various literatures have
been loosely interchanged by many authors. For many,
there is a very thin conceptual and functional distinction
between the two concepts and many people perceive
them as synonymous.
Issue
Issue No.
No. 2.
2.
SELF vs. IDENTITY
SELF
While some insist that the self is predominantly a product
Self: Based on lexical definition, Self (noun) is
of natural processes to which people are inherently “the person that someone normally or truly
predisposed, some argue that the self is largely influenced is… or the entire person of an individual”.
and principally constructed by one’s social environmenSelf
and Identity are topics that remain popular not only
among psychologists (authors of psychology articles) but
also to other social scientist like sociologists, cultural
anthropologists, economists, among others. Noticeably,
the term self and identity in various literatures have
been loosely interchanged by many authors. For many,
there is a very thin conceptual and functional distinction
between the two concepts and many people perceive
them as synonymous.
LET’S REFLECT : What do you think, similar or different?
Issue
Issue No.
No. 2.
2.
SELF vs. IDENTITY I am my__________
LET’S REFLECT : What do you think, similar or different?
Issue
Issue No.
No. 2.
2. A comprehensive definition that underscores the
SELF vs. IDENTITY distinctions and overlap of self and identity was given
by Oyserman, Elmore, and Smith (pg. 69, 2012) which
states that:
 

“Identities are the traits and characteristics, social

relations, roles, and social group memberships that
define who one is. Identities can be focused on the
past-what used to be true of one, the present-what is
true of one now, or the future-the person one expects
or wishes to become, the person one feels obligated to
try to become, or the person one fears one may
become; together, identities make up one's self-
concept variously described as what comes to mind
when one thinks of oneself’.
Issue
Issue No.
No. 3.
3.
UNI vs. MULTI
Dimensionality of the Self DIMENSIONALITIES OF SELF
We are what we are right now not just because of a single Some people believe that the Self or
factor. We are developed by many factors… Identity can be more accurately
depicted using a single factor or
aspect. For example, we often hear
people ask another to describe a
particular person using a number of
words. Can we really describe
someone using only a few words?
Issue
Issue No.
No. 3.
3.
UNI vs. MULTI
Dimensionality of the Self DIMENSIONALITIES OF SELF
We are what we are right now not just because of a single You now being are asked to describe
factor. We are developed by many factors… a particular person using only one
word (e.g., Your Best Friend), how
will you describe him/her?

My Best Friend is:

__________________________
Issue
Issue No.
No. 3.
3.
UNI vs. MULTI
Dimensionality of the Self DIMENSIONALITIES OF SELF
We are what we are right now not just because of a single My Best friend is _______________
factor. We are developed by many factors…
How will you categorize this
description in terms of aspect of the
self?
a. Physical
b. Emotional
c. Social
d. Intellectual
e. Spiritual
LET’S REFLECT : Do you think it’s fair to describe a person
using only a few words?
Issue
Issue No.
No. 3.
3.
UNI vs. MULTI Our Self cannot be singly
Dimensionality of the Self represented by a certain trait
because our Self/Identity is
composed of multidimensional
aspects and that we are a
PRODUCT of multidimensional
FACTORS.
Multidimensionality of the Self

Society
Heredity

Env
iro nm
e l iti on
nt Vo
Multidimensionality of the Self

Social Factor of the Self

Refers to the influences of significant people in a person’s
life. This particularly includes the social groups where and
individual identifies oneself. Social factors are strong
foundations of one’s being. The characteristics that we
acquired from the influences of the social groups where
we interact with during the growing up years are
integrated to form our identity, or our uniqueness and
similarities with others.
 Family
 Peer Groups
 Organizations
 And other significant people in a person’s life (e.g.,
teacher, role-model, relatives, etc.)
Multidimensionality of the Self

Environmental Factor of the Self

Broadly includes the physical and communal elements present in
our everyday surrounding, and is invariably dealt with by
individuals in a specific geographic region or area. This is not only
about the physical properties of the surrounding (i.e., climate
and temperature, forms of land, etc.) but this factor principally
includes the larger society or community and the expectations
and norms operating in that particular locality or place.

For example:
A person who grew up in a city, where competitiveness and
resiliency are needed in order to survive would tend to adapt in to
that kind of environment by consciously strengthening certain
traits and skills that will manifest competitiveness (e.g.,
communicative, intellective, etc.). In the process, the harnessed
characteristics become an integral part of one’s Self or Identity.
Multidimensionality of the Self

Hereditary Factor of the Self

Heredity is a biological process by which certain traits and
characteristics are passed on from one generation to
another. This factor compared with the two previously
discussed factors can be depicted as the non-negotiable
factor. If one has the choice whether or not to adopt the
influence of social groups and to change (improve) one’s
environment, heredity as a factor of one’s being and
identity is relatively fixed and permanent.
• Physical Attributes (e.g., height, complexion, color of
eyes, etc.)
• Some Cognitive Traits (e.g., I.Q)
• Some other Personal Characteristics
Multidimensionality of the Self

Person-Volition Factor of the Self

The most controversial factor of the Self or Identity. This
refers to the inclination of a person to form and construct
a specific identity, which will set him apart or unique
compared with others. Such factor emanates from within
the mentality of an individual, but also brought about by
the aggregated social-life experiences. Social scientists
(e.g., sociologist) may refer to this type of person as
deviant and non-conformist. But being one is not
necessarily negative, in fact, some of the people of this
type turned in to trend-setters, discoverers and inventors
Multidimensionality of the Self

Things to Ponder About

We have learned that our Self or Identity is a product of
both nature and nurture, and an outcome of various
factors (multidimensionality).

• If we are a product of both nature and nurture, which

between the two contributed more to our Self-
development?

• How do the different factors (of the self) interact in the

development of the self or identity?
Unit 2. What Philosophy Says About the Self
This unit highlights how classical and modern
philosophical models defined the Self, the
evolution of these philosophical frameworks from
ancient to contemporary times, and the relevance
of the philosophy of the self to how the millennial
generation define their own sense of self.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this Unit, students are expected to

demonstrate the following:
 

1. Define and explain the different philosophical standpoints about the Self.
2. Trace and explain how philosophical models have transformed from classical to contemporary times.
3. Synthesize and evaluate the different perspectives of the Self.
4. Analyse the relevance of various philosophical standpoints to their sense of the Self.
Diagnostics

 Learning
Learning Checkpoint
Checkpoint
  Do you AGREE or DISAGREE?


 Different
Different Philosophers
Philosophers hold
hold the
the same
same views
views about
about the
the Self.
Self.


 Philosophers
Philosophers have
have used
used empirical
empirical and
and rational
rational lens
lens in
in explaining
explaining the
the self.
self.


 Philosophy
Philosophy of
of the
the Self
Self as
as explained
explained by
by modern
modern philosophers
philosophers are
are more
more
relevant
relevant than
than the
the standpoint
standpoint of
of ancient
ancient philosophers.
philosophers.


 Philosophical
Philosophical views
views of
of the
the self
self are
are useful
useful guide
guide to
to aa better
better life.
life.


 Philosophy
Philosophy of
of the
the self
self should
should only
only be
be studied
studied by
by older
older individuals
individuals and
and not
not
for
for younger
younger generations.
generations.
The Philosophy of the Self
The Self has been defined as “as a unified being, essentially
connected to consciousness, awareness, and agency (or, at
least, with the faculty of rational choice) “. Different
philosophers have come up with more specific characteristics
of the Self, and over time, these meanings have transformed
from pure abstractions to explanations that hold scientific
evidences.
The Philosophy of the Self
Philosophy of the self has been defined
through two distinct philosophical lens:
 
Empiricism - derives explanations of the self
from sensory and bodily responses. We
know things because we have experienced it
through our bodily senses.
 
Rationalism - there is innate knowledge;
they differ in that they choose different
objects of innate knowledge. Rationalism
explains self from the standpoint of what is
“ideal” and the “truth”, not rooted in what is
felt by the senses nor our body.
The Philosophy of the Self
What are the different philosophical views of the Self?
There is abundance in literature that highlights the
similarities and contrasting standpoints of the self.
Socrates and Plato have explained the Self from a
theoretical and logical orientation; Aristotle was an
empiricist, deriving views of the self from physical and
scientific underpinnings. St. Augustine adopted the
views of Plato and infused it to his religious philosophy.
David Hume, and Immanuel Kant were empiricist
philosophers; Rene Descartes was a dominant rational
philosopher during the Middle Ages. Among
contemporary philosophers, majority are empiricists:
Gilbert Ryle, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty have
incorporated biological and neuroscience in their
philosophies.
The Philosophy of the Self
The ancient philosophy of self can be traced back from the
ancient Greek aphorism (one of 147 aphorisms prominently
inscribed in the temple of Apollo at Delphi), “know thyself”
(Greek: γνῶθι σεαυτόν, transliterated: gnōthi seauton).

• The aphorism (or principle) was used by Socrates as his

guiding principle that he passed on to his students. Since
Socrates as a guru preferred to engage his students in
endless discussion, it is said that he had never written down
any of his ideas but instead untiringly discussed concepts
and principles with his students. Socrates believed that the
real self is not the physical body, but rather the psyche (or
soul). He further posited that the appearance of the body is
inferior to its functions.
The Philosophy of the Self
It was Plato, Socrates’ prized student who thoroughly expound
on Socrates ideas of self. Plato’s conceptualization of the Self
was profoundly introduced in his dialogue Phaedrus, which has
been a popular text for many decades in the subject of
Philosophy. The main idea in this dialogue is about truth-
seeking, and that the truth can be can be distinguished in two
forms: the metaphysical realm (mind) and the physical world
(body). Plato suggested that the existence or the truth about
the human self is fundamentally an intellectual entity whose
nature exists independent from the physical world. Plato
bifurcated the truth or reality into two: the “ontos” (ideal), the
ultimate reality which tend to be permanent and spiritual, and
the “phenomena” which refers to the manifestation of the
ideal. In contrast with ontos, phenomena is imperfect,
impermanent and inferior to the latter.
 For Socrates, every man is composed of
body and soul. This means that every
human person is dualistic, that is, he is
composed of two important aspects of his
personhood. For Socrates, this means all
individuals have an imperfect, impermanent
aspects, the body, while maintaining that
there is also a soul that is perfect and
permanent.
Plato, Socrates’ students basically took off
from his master and supported the idea
that man is a dual nature of body and soul.
In addition to what Socrates earlier
espoused. Plato added that there are parts
or three components to the soul: the
rational soul, the spirited soul, and the
appetitive soul
 In his magnum opus, Plato emphasize that
justice in the human person can only be
attained if the three parts of the soul are
working harmoniously with one another. The
rational forged by reason and intellect has to
govern the affairs of the human person; the
spirited part, which is in charge of emotions,
should be kept at bay; and the appetitive soul
in charge of base desires, like eating, drinking,
sleeping and having sexual intercourse, is
controlled as well. When this ideal state is
attained, the human person’s soul becomes
just and various.
Augustine and Thomas Aquinas

This view of human person reflects the entire

spirit of the medieval world when it comes to
man. Following the ancient view of Plato and
infusing it with the newfound doctrine of
Christianity, Augustine agreed that man is of a
bifurcated nature. There is an aspect of man,
which dwells in the world, that is imperfect and
continuously yearns to be with the divine while
the other is capable of reaching immortality.
Augustine and Thomas
Aquinas

The body is bound to die and earth and

the soul is to anticipate living eternally
in a realm of spiritual bliss in
communion with God. This is because
the body can only thrive in the
imperfect, physically reality that is the
world, whereas the soul can also stay
after death in an eternal realm with all
transcendent God. The goal of every
human person is to attain this
communion and bliss with Divine by
living his life on earth in virtue.
Augustine and Thomas
Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, the most eminent
13th century scholar and stalwart of
medieval philosophy, appended
something to this Christian view .
Adopting some ideas from Aristotle,
Aquinas said that , indeed, man is
composed of two parts: matter and
form.
Matter, or hyle in Greek, refers to the
common stuff that makes up
everything in the universe. Man’s
body is part of this matter. On the
other hand form or morphe in
Greek, refers to the essence of
substance or thing.
 Rene Descartes
Rene Descartes is the Father of
Modern Philosophy, conceived that
the human person as having a body
and mind. In his famous treatise. The
Meditations of First Philosophy,
Descartes claims that there is so
much that we should doubt. In fact,
he says that much of what we think
and believe, because they are
infallible, may turn out to be false.
One should only believe that which
can pass the test of doubt.
 Rene Descartes
Descartes thought that the only thing
that one cannot doubt is the existence
of the self, For even if one doubts
oneself that only proves that there is
doubting self, a thing that thinks and
therefore, that cannot be doubted,
Thus, his famous cogito ergo sum or I
think therefore, I am. The fact that one
thinks should lead one to conclude
without a trace of doubt that he exist.
The self then for Descartes is also a
combination of two distinct entities: the
cogito or the thing that thinks, which is
the mind and the extenza or extension
of the mind.
 The self is nothing else but a bundle of
David Hume impressions? if one tries to examine his
experiences, he finds that they can be all
David Hume, a Scottish philosopher, has categorized into two: impressions and ideas.
a very unique way of looking at man. As Impressions are the basic objects of our
experience or sensation. They therefore
an empiricist who believe that one can form the core of our thoughts.
know only what comes from the senses
and experience. Hume argues that the
self is nothing like what his predecessors
thought of it.
The self is not an identity over and
beyond physical body. One can rightly
see here the empiricism that runs
through his veins. Empiricism is the
school of thought that espouses the idea
that knowledge can only be possible if it
is sensed and experiences
 Immanuel Kant
Thinking of the self as mere
combination of impressions was
problematic from Immanuel Kant. Kant
recognizes the veracity in Hume's
account that everything start with
perception and sensation of
impressions. However, Kant thinks that
the things that men perceive around
them are not just randomly infused into
the human persons without an
organizing principle that regulates the
relationship of all these impressions.
 Gilbert Ryle

Gilbert Ryle solves the mind-

body dichotomy that has been
running for a long time in the
history of thought by denying
blatantly the concept of an
internal, non-physical self. For
Ryle, what truly matter is the
behavior that a person manifest in
his day-to-day life.
 Maurice Merleau-Ponty

he is a phenomenologist who asserts that the

mind-body bifurcation that has been going on
for a long time is a futile endeavor and an
invalid problem. Unlike Ryle who simply denies
the self. Merleau- Ponty instead says that the
mind and body are so intertwined that they
cannot be separated from one another. One
cannot find any experience is embodied. One's
body is his opening toward his existence to the
world.
        
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description

Philosophy
Philosophy of
of the
the Self
Self
Classical Antiquity

Socrates Idealism Socratic  Knowledge is the personification of good

Philosophy while Ignorance is that of evil.
 Self-knowledge is the ultimate virtue. As the
ultimate virtue, it will lead to ultimate
happiness.

Plato Idealism Dualism  Moral virtue is rooted in the intellect and

and leads to happiness.
Idealism  Wisdom and knowledge leads to virtue
which will lead to happiness.
 

Aristotle Empiricist Aristotelian  Ideal is found inside the phenomena and the
Philosophy universals inside the particulars.
 Ideals are ESSENCE.
 Phenomena is MATTER.
 Matter has no form. Essence has no mass.
 Matter and Essence need each other.
Philosophy
Philosophy of
of the
the Self
Self
       
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description

Middle Agess

 All knowledge leads to God.

 Only the pure in heart can see God.
St. Augustine Platonism Neoplatonism  Love of God, faith in Him and
Understanding of his Gospel will
ultimately lead to Happiness.
 
 
        
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description

Philosophy
Philosophy of
of the
the Self
Self Renaissance
Descartes Rationalist Mind-body  “I think, therefore, I am.”
Dualism  The mind and soul can exist without the body.
 Establishing the distinction of soul from the body can
make people believe in the afterlife and the soul’s
immortality.

Hume Empiricist Skeptical  All knowledge passes through the senses.

Philosophy  Separate ideas can be joined in the mind.
 There is no self, only a bundle of perceptions.
Kant Rationalist Metaphysics  Reason is the final authority of morality.
/ Empiricist of the Self  There is the inner self and outer self;
 The inner self includes rational reasoning and
psychological state.
 The outer self includes the body and physical mind,
where representation occurs.
 
Philosophy
Philosophy of
of the
the Self
Self  
Philosopher
 
Orientation
 
Philosophy
 
Description

Modern Times

Ryle Empiricist The Concept of  “I act, therefore, I am.”

Mind  The mind is not the seat of self.
 It is not a separate, parallel thing to our physical
body.
 The mind is a category mistake, brought about
by habitual use. The only way it can affect the
other is through the external world.

Merleau- Existentialism Phenomenolog  Both empiricism and intellectualism are flawed

Ponty Empiricist y of Perception in nature.
 “We are our bodies.”
 Our bodily experiences do not detach the
subject/object, mind/body, rational/irrational.
Philosophy
Philosophy of
of the
the Self
Self Things to Ponder About
We have seen how philosophy of the self has evolved
from ancient to modern times. From conceptual
hypotheses of the self, modern times have seen the self
from scientific and biological standpoints.

 Do you agree with what these philosophers have concluded

about the self?
 Do you see how their explanations of the self apply to you in
the present?
 If you are to choose one particular philosophy of the Self,
what would it be and why?