Understanding the Self

The Modern
Philosophies
October 23, 2023
Ready to go for a Renaissance Tour?
The Renaissance Period - a time where culture, art, politics,
and even economics took a sense of radical change and
transformed itself; a “rebirth” so to speak from the Middle
Ages. This also involved rediscovering classical philosophy,
literature and art.

Taking place during the 14th to the 17th century, this was a
period where the emergence of great thinkers, scientists and
many other prominent figures flourished along with the
beginnings of global exploration among many things.

This was a time where things beginning to transition from the

olden Medieval times into the new and “Modern” Age!
Understanding the Self October 23, 2023

Known as the “human-centered” approach wherein it is ethically believed that

that humans alone possess intrinsic value. From an anthropocentric position,
humans possess direct moral standing because they are ends in and of
themselves; other things (individual living beings, systems) are means to human
ends. In one sense, all ethics are anthropocentric, for arguably humans alone
possess the cognitive ability to formulate and recognize moral value.

Goralnik, 2012

THE ANTHROPOCENTRIC APPROACH

 Man is now understood on his own
terms, but basically on his reason, thus
rationalistic

Understanding the Self 2023

Understanding the Self October 23, 2023

HIS PHILOSOPHY:
RENE DESCARTES (1596–1650)
“I THINK THEREFORE I AM!”
Or ‘Cogito Ergo Sum’

Considered as The “Father of Modern Philosophy”!

The central concept of his philosophy is DOUBT.
Since much of what we think are not infallible, therefore, it may
turn out false.
How to prove that a proposition is true and acceptable? PASS
THE TEST OF DOUBT.
In the end, Descartes thought that the one thing one cannot doubt
is the existence of the self.
The fact that one thinks should lead to conclusion without a trace
of doubt that he exists.
Man in composed of two distinct entities: Mind (Cogito - the
thing that thinks) and the Body (Extenza - the extension; known
as a machine).
Man therefore is a THINKING THING.
Understanding the Self October 23, 2023

HIS PHILOSOPHY:
DAVID HUME (1711–1776)
“THE SELF IS NOTHING BUT A BUNDLE
OF EXPRESSIONS”

An Empiricist who believed that one can only know from

senses and experiences.
If one tries to examine his experiences, he finds that they can
all be categorized into two: impressions and ideas.
Impressions - basic objects of our experience/situation (i.e.
when you touch an ice cube, the cold sensation that you get
is your impression)
Idea - a weaker version of the impression since you haven’t
experienced it directly (think of it as a copy you get from
others).
The self therefore is a combination of all experiences with a
particular reason.
Understanding the Self October 23, 2023

IMMANUEL KANT (1724-1804)

HIS PHILOSOPHY:

“APPARATUSES OF THE MIND!

Adhered to Hume’s philosophy, however Kant thinks that the

things that men perceive around them are not just randomly
Infused into the human person without an organizing
principles. (This is what he calls as the Apparatuses in the
Mind).
Without the self, one cannot organize the different
impressions that one gets in relation to his own existence.
Man synthesizes therefore all knowledge and experience
which would then give him his overall personality and identity
of who he is.
Understanding the Self October 23, 2023

MAN AND THOMAS HOBBES (1588 - 1679)

THE STATE OF NATURE!
People are all equal in terms of status but then often leads to
conflict (ABSOLUTE FREEDOM).
Hobbes considers therefore humans to be naturally vainglorious
and so seek to dominate others and demand their respect.
The natural condition of mankind, according to Hobbes, is a state
of war in which life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”
because individuals are in a “war of all against all”.
STATE OF NATURE - a hypothetical world devoid of any law,
order, and political structure.
This means individuals have a “natural right” to do whatever they
believe is necessary to preserve their lives.
In order to survive, a contract therefore must be made =
MORALITY!
It is to trade in an amount of your own freedom for security.
Understanding the Self October 23, 2023

JOHN LOCKE (1632-1704)

HIS PHILOSOPHY:

“MAN IS A POLITICAL ANIMAL”

He was an Empiricist like Aristotle.

He also believed in the concept of TABULA RASA.
He all human beings are born with a barren, empty,
malleable mind; every facet of one’s character is something
observed, perceived, and learned via the senses.
We humans are not inherently good nor evil.
With this, man is able to rationalize
His idea is deeply connected with every person’s natural
rights (life, liberty & property).
He went against the idea of the “State of Nature“, thus he
concludes that man therefore is capable of bettering himself.
 What is the implication then for all of
these philosophies?

Understanding the Self 2023

Understanding the Self October 23, 2023

That man therefore is a byproduct of rational thinking -

capable of learning from experiences (David Hume) with the
ability to choose what forms and contributes to the
understanding of who he is (Immanuel Kant) regardless of the
circumstances brought about by society (Thomas Hobbes) and
uses the knowledge of good and evil (John Locke) to discover
who he thinks he is. Therefore, he thinks, therefore he is (Rene
Descartes).

A SIMPLE YET CONCISE

CONSOLIDATION
 JOURNAL NUMBER 3

“Which among the Modern Philosophies

would be the most appealing to you after
our discussion and how would you relate
this in understanding yourself?
You may use all or some of the philosophies mentioned and write a one whole
page (or more) reflection based on this question in your journal notebook. Submit
on Monday after Midterms!

Understanding the Self 2023