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Understanding The Self: Module 1 Contents/ Lessons
Understanding The Self: Module 1 Contents/ Lessons
Sincerely yours,
Sir Michael AS. Enaje
What is philosophy?
∙ Comes from two Greek words philos which means “love” sophia which
means “wisdom”. Thus, a philosopher is a “lover of wisdom”
1| UNDERSTANDING THE SELF MODULE 1
∙ WISDOM connotes knowledge – knowledge directed to the
fundamental and pervasive concerns of existence.
∙ WISDOM in philosophy is in how you help yourself think more clearly,
precisely and systematically.
∙ It is the investigation of normal and fundamental issues concerning
matters, for example, presence, information, values, reason, psyche
and dialect.
1. SOCRATES (470-399BC)
∙ Socrates is known as one of the most important philosophers in history.
He is often described as the father of Western philosophy.
∙ Concerned with the problem of the self. His philosophy underlies in the
importance of the notion ―KNOWING ONESELF‖
∙ pointed out that human choice was motivated by the desire for
happiness – for him, man’s goal is to obtain happiness.
∙ Happiness motivates us to act towards or avoid things that could have
negative effects in our lives.
∙ Thus, by fully knowing oneself, a person will be able to achieve
happiness
∙ Possession of knowledge is a VIRTUE, Ignorance is DEPRAVITY ∙
“the unexamined life is not worth living”
∙ A person’s acceptance of ignorance is the beginning of acquisition of
knowledge
∙ Knowing our self, lies in our abilities and wisdom
∙ Understanding ourselves through INTERNAL QUESTIONING OR
INTROSPECTION
∙ Socratic Method – a method of inquiry by answering a question with a
question to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and
underlying presumptions
2. PLATO (428-348BC)
∙ Student of Socrates
∙ He believed in the division of a person’s body and soul which forms a
person aside from the material things and that could be observed &
associated with the person.
∙ He believed that the soul is divided into 3 different parts, that has
different views leading to different behaviors.
o appetitive soul – the part of the person that is driven by desire
and need to satisfy oneself – physical needs, pleasures (food,
drink, sleep, sexual needs, etc.)
o spirited soul – courageous part of the person. One who wants to
do something or to right the wrongs that they observe. This is very
competitive and is very active. Competitiveness drives one to
expect positive results and winning.
o rational soul – The drive of our lives. The part that thinks and
plans. It decides what to do, when to do it and the possible
results one could have depending on their actions.
3. (ST.) AUGUSTINE
∙ A Saint and a Philosopher of the Church
∙ He followed the view of Plato but adds Christianity
❖ idea
- copies of impressions
- not as “real” as impressions - feeling mo lang yun!
7. SIGMUND FREUD
∙ Austrian Neurologist and the Father of Psychoanalysis
∙ He believed that man has different constructs of personality that
interacts with each other
∙ used the analogy of an iceberg to describe the three levels of the
mind.
∙ He believed that we are a by-product of our experiences in the past
and that actions are driven by the idea of resisting or avoiding pain
and are molded from our need for pleasure.
3 LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
3 ASPECTS OF PERSONALITY
ID – first part of the self to develop
o Seat of all our desires and wants
o Operates the Pleasure Principle – the idea that all your needs
should be met immediately
o Wants instant gratification and does not care about morals or
societal norms
o Unconscious collection of urges fighting to be fulfilled
Activities:
PART 1: Discuss the perspective on self of the following philosophers.
a. Socrates
b. Plato
c. St. Augustine
d. Rene Descartes
e. John Locke
f. David Hume
g. Sigmund Freud
PART 5: Learning Bank: (Summary of learning) Please write down about what you
have learned in this topic/ lesson.