Transcript Concepts of Self (202-211) - Fort Thomas Independent Schools

CONCEPTS OF THE SELF
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Notes from pgs. 202-211
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Ideas about how the self is constructed
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Philosophers who delved into self
Concepts of Self (202-211)
Western Concept: People are born with one real
self this is called The Essential Self/soul
(Man is like a peach)
Hesse: Each of us is a multitude of selves
(Man is like an Onion)
Sartre: Self is determined through choice
(transcendence) instead of the facts that make
up our lives (facticity)
Skeptics (Hume): No self can be found; there is
no material evidence of ‘selfhood’
Concepts of Self (202-211)
Buddhist: No self exists, Self is an illusion that hides
the truth of interconnectedness. “There is nothing that
can be called a ‘Self’, and there is no such thing as
‘mine’ in all the world.
Hindu: Identity is self, but not the Essential self. True
self is transpersonal. Individual self is an Illusion, Self
is not. (How similar to Hegel for both Hindu & Buddhism?)
Rousseau: Self is corrupted by society. Society urges
to behave a certain way, individuality resists.
Confucius: Self is corrupted by individuality & nature.
We learn to be authentic selves within a community.
Self and relationships
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Does hate begin with self-hate? Love
with self-love??
Authentic self is believed to be our
own while relations with others are
secondary or external
2 Broad categories:
 “us versus them”
 Extreme example = war
 Solipsism
 Sartre – relationships are conflict
 “we”
 Teammates
 ‘we are made for each other’ – we reestablish bonds with
specific types of people (based off past relationships + & -)
Questions
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1). Which is the more authentic self Rousseau
or Confucius? Explain your reasoning. If neither
or both, support your proposition
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2). Do you think Man is more like a peach (with a
single core) or an onion (layers)? Explain why.
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3). Define your self through 5 traits you possess.
Define your self through 5 characteristics you
don’t contain. Which is more accurate? Explain