TOPIC 1

The Philosophical
Perspectives of
the Self
Kit C. Baldonado
 Objectives
At the end of the topic, the student will be
able to:
a. explain why it is essential to understand
the self;
b. describe and discuss the different notions
of the self from the points of-view of the
various philosophers across time and place;
and
c. examine one's self against the different
views of self that were discussed in class.
Guess the world
_oc_at_s
_lat_
St. A _ u _ t _ n e
De_c_r_es
L_c_e
What is your guiding
principle/s?

Why is it important?
 Introduction
• Philosophy is the study of obtaining knowledge
through rational thinking and inquiries that requires
answering questions regarding the nature and
existence of man and the world we live in. It is
derived from the Greek words “Philos” and “Sophia”
which literally means “Love for Wisdom”.

philos loving, sophos wise= loving wisdom

Perspective – a point of view

Socrates
• For him, men’s goal in
life is to obtain
happiness.
• a person’s acceptance
of ignorance is the
beginning of acquisition
of knowledge.
• the only way for us to
understand ourselves is
through internal
questioning or
introspection
Plato
• According to him, a
person who is a
follower of truth and
wisdom will not be
tempted by vices and
will always be just.
• 1. Appetitive Soul
• 2. Spirited Soul
• 3. Rational Soul
St. Augustine
• follows the idea that God
encompasses us all and
that everything will be
better if we are with God.
• to understand who we are
as a person is associated
to our understanding of
who we are and how we
question ourselves.
• He believes that the more
one doubts and question
what his life means, that
person is actually living.
Rene Descartes
• modern dualism or the
existence of body and
mind and its implication to
one’s existence.
• He is known for the
statement “Cogito Ergo
Sum” which means in
English as “I think
therefore I am”.
• He believes that being in a
constant doubt regarding
one’s existence is proof
that a person actually
exists.
 John Locke
• “Tabula Rasa” which
• means a Blank Slate
• He stated that a person
is born with knowing
nothing and that is
susceptible to
stimulation and
accumulation of learning
from the experiences,
failures, references, and
observations of the
person.
 Who am I?
Philosopher Concept

“Tabula Rasa” which means

a Blank Slate
follows the idea that God
encompasses us all
• 1. Appetitive Soul
• 2. Spirited Soul
• 3. Rational Soul

internal questioning or introspection

“Cogito Ergo Sum”

Make a realization about the
topic. (2 to 3 sentences)
David Hume
• according to him, there
is no permanent “self”
• when a person is asked
the question “who you
are?”, that person
tends to answer
different impressions
such as good, happy,
optimistic, contented,
sad, etc.
 Immanuel Kant
• • Kant argued that the sense
called “Transcendental
Apperception” is an essence
of our consciousness that
provides basis for
understanding and
establishing the notion of
“self”
• the idea of Kant about Self,
we can say that we are not
only an object that perceives
and reacts to whatever it is
that we are experiencing,
Sigmund Freud
• • Aspects of
Personality
• 1. ID
• 2. Ego
• 3. Superego
Levels of
consciousness
1. Conscious
2. Pre-conscious
3. Unconscious,
Gilbert Ryle
• Behavioristic
approach to self
• the things that
we do, how we
behave and
react
• “ghost in the
machine”
Ignatian Marian/Bible Verse
Faith Genesis 1:27
• Sees obstacles and • So God created man in
difficulties as his own image, in the
opportunities for growth image of God he created
and greater service him; male and female he
created them.
 Teaching and Learning Activity 1.

Philosophers Concepts Your Insights

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
 Assessment Task 1.
Develop a creative portfolio about
yourself. The portfolio should answer the
following questions:
Q1: How would you characterize yourself?
Q2: What makes you stand out from the rest?
Q3: What makes you special?
Q4: How has your “self” transformed itself?
Q5: What will happen to your “self” after you
die?
Criteria Exemplary (10) Exceeds Standards (8) Adequately Meets Standard (5) Below Standard (3)

Content The presentation The presentation meets The presentation meets The presentation meets
meets the information 80% of the information 50% of the information 30% of the information
requirements of the requirements of the requirements of the requirements of the
assignment. assignment. assignment. assignment.

Organization/ Well organized Thoughtfully organized Somewhat organized Choppy and confusing
Appearance Logical format Easy to follow most of Somewhat incoherent Contains a limited
Contains main the time Contains only a few of number of concepts
concepts Contains most of the the main concepts Many key words and
All key words and main concepts Many key words and concepts from the unit
concepts necessary to Most key words and concepts from the unit are missing.
promote an overview concepts from the units are covered and  
of the unit are used are covered in a are somewhat
and well organized to meaningful way and are organized.
give added meaning. thoughtfully organized.

Shows an Makes some mistakes in Makes many mistakes in Shows no

understanding of the terminology or shows a terminology and shows understanding of the
topic’s concepts and few misunderstandings a lack of understanding topic’s concepts and
principles and uses of concepts of many concepts principles
Concept and appropriate Few misconceptions are  Some misconceptions Many misconceptions
Terminology terminology and evident. are evident. are evident.
notations      
No misconceptions/
errors evident.
The poster is The poster is The poster is acceptably The poster is
exceptionally attractive in terms of attractive though it may distractingly messy or
Attractiveness attractive in terms of design, layout and be a bit messy. very poorly designed. It
design, layout, and neatness. is not attractive.
neatness.