UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
LESSON 1: THE WESTERN PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES
SOCRATES
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The Father of Western Philosophy
According to the Oracle of Delphi, "no man was wiser than Socrates"
Socrates had a unique way of teaching and exploring subjects, which is known as
SOCRATIC METHOD.
SOCRATES ON HUMAN NATURE
 Socrates stated that the self exists in two parts.
 Body & Soul
 He believed that the human body is the physical, tangible, and mortal aspect that can
be/is constantly changing.
 The second part is the soul, which he believed to be immortal. It is the person's core
identity, unique spirit, and the source of deepest thoughts and aspirations.
 The Unexamined life is not worth living
 Known for his 'dictum ignorance is the beginning of wisdom', and his dictum 'Know thyself'
PLATO
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The pupil and friend of Socrates.
Founded the Academy near Athens, the most influential school of the ancient world.
His most famous pupil was Aristotle.
PLATO AND THE HUMAN NATURE
 Plato is a dualist. He supported the idea that man is composed of body and soul.
 In his book 'The Republic', he emphasized three components of the soul:
 Appetitive Self – biological needs (hunger, thirst, sexual desire).
 Spirited Self – emotions (love, anger, ambition, empathy).
 Rational Self – ability to think deeply and rationally.
PLATO’S CHARIOTEER ALLEGORY
 The noble horse = Spirit (associated with the heart).
 The wild horse = Appetite (belly and genitals).
 The charioteer = Reason, which guides and controls the two independent horses.
ARISTOTLE
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Self is composed of body & soul, sense & intellect, passion & reason.
Human happiness comes from harmonious development of the whole.
Happiness and perfection come from wisdom and virtue.
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Taught the theory of Golden Mean (to live life in moderation).
ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO
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Unlike ancient western philosophers, he emphasized the concept of self in the
context of relation to God.
Happiness is the end-all and be-all of human living, found only in God.
Quote: "You have made our hearts for You, O God and so they will find rest only in You".
He also taught virtue, and virtue is "the order of love".