An Overview of Self/Identity

The self is a topic that is often taken but largely goes unnoticed. Every time the “I” is
mentioned (e.g. I will go to school) the self is highlighted as the actor. Furthermore, the
pronoun “me” is usually used as the object (e.g. tell me about it, give me something that makes
me feel awesome). Noticeably, the self composes both “I” as an actor and “me” as an object.
The focus on the self is even more evident in the functional word variations of “I “and “me” in
everyday language depending on the purpose (e.g. my, mine, myself, etc.).

The consciousness of the existence of the self has been almost automatic or reflexive.
Thus, people are almost unaware if it that in our everyday lives, we are constantly
acknowledging it.

Scholars like; theorists, scientists, and philosophers in different fields have attempted to
explain and thoroughly expound on several issues and controversies about the nature,
existence, and dimensionality of the self. The most prevalent among issues on self are on
nature vs., nurture and dimensionality of the self.
 Philosophy of the Self

Philosophy is often called the mother of disciplines simply because all field of study
began as philosophical discourses. Ancient philosophers attempted to explain natural and social
phenomena coming up with their own definitions of how the world works and what factors
contribute to such phenomena. Thus, it was inevitable to come up with various conceptions of
what it means to be human and in so doing, the different definitions of the self.

The self has been defined as a “unified being essentially connected to consciousness,
awareness, and agency (or at least with the faculty of rational choice)”. Different philosophers
introduce specific characteristics and meanings of the self, which over time, transformed from
pure abstractions to explanations that have scientific proofs.

The philosophy of the self, defines the essential qualities that make one person distinct
from all others. There have been numerous approaches to defining these qualities. The self is
the idea of a unified being which is the source of consciousness.

According to Plato, at least in many of his dialogues, held that the true self of human
beings is the reason or the intellect that constitutes their soul and that is separable from their
body.

Socrates believed that the “self” exists in two part, body and soul are attached,
therefore making both parts of our “self” present in the physical realm. When we die however,
our body stays in the physical realm while our soul travels to the ideal realm, therefore making
our soul immortal.

Aristotle's concept of the self is hylomorphic, that is, the self or the human person is
composed of body and soul. The two are inseparable. Thus, we cannot talk about the self with a
soul only or a self with a body only. For Aristotle, the self is essentially body and soul.