UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
The Self from Philosophical Perspective
Philosophers
Concept of Self
Concept of Self
A. Socrates
(496-399 B.C.)
He believed that the Self exists in two parts:
1. Physical (body) – tangible and mortal
aspect of a person is or can be constantly changing.
2. Soul – is immortal
“Our TRUE SELF is our SOUL”
-“Know thyself” is to question oneself and others
which is the highest form of human excellence
- “An unexamined life is not worth living”
-“To live but to die inside” can be the
worst thing that can happen to man
Two Dichotomous Realms:
Physical Realm: The body is changeable,
transient, and imperfect. The body and
soul are attached while the person is
alive.
Ideal Realm: Soul is unchanging, eternal,
and immortal. When a person dies, the
body stays in the physical realm while the
soul travels to the ideal realm which
makes it immortal.
Famous quote: “The unexamined life is
NOT worth living”