In your own words, state what “self” is for each of the philosophers enumerated below.

After doing so, explain how your concept of “self” is compatible with how they
conceived of the “self.”
1. Socrates- Socrates said that an examined life is necessary for us to know our
purpose and value. He believes that reality is divided into two dichotomous
rounds, the physical realm and ideal realm. He also said that self is the essence
of the soul.
2. Plato- Just like Socrates, Plato also believes that reality is divided into two
dichotomous rounds. Plato introduces the concept of tripartite self, the reason,
physical appetite and spirit/passion. Reasons means for Plato is the divine
essence, it helps us to understand eternal truth. Physical appetite an example of
physical appetite is hunger and sexual desires while spirit/ passion an example of
it is your emotions. This are the concept of Plato on self.
3. St. Augustine- He infused Christianity to the knowledge of the Greeks. He said
that body is the spouse of the soul because we are created with the image of
God. St. Augustine said that knowing God is equal to knowing ourselves.
4. John Locke- He said that the self is tabula rasa or blank slate. The mind or the
soul is like a blank slate that nothing is written. He said that self is from our
sense of experiences, like what you see, feel and smell that is part of our
collective experiences that completes our consciousness. All of the things that
complete our self is from our sense experiences.
5. Rene Descartes- He said that self is Cogito Ergo Sum meaning I think before I
am. Descartes said that no one ever doubt his existence because of our ability to
think. He also said that self is a thinking entity and as physical body. He believes
in the body mind dualism.
6. David Hume- Hume said that there is no self. He acknowledged that all of the
sense experiences are just a impressions and ideas. We can’t sense ourselves
because they are just impressions and ideas, as what Hume said.
7. Immanuel Kant- Kant disagree with Hume, there is self because the mind
organizes our experiences. He said that self is a product of reason. The mind is
the organizing principle. The mind constructs reality.

1.Socrates: Socrates focused on understanding the self. He believed knowing yourself is essential for living a
good life. He said many people live without self-awareness and miss out on true wisdom. For him, each person
has a body and a soul, with the soul being the more important part. His famous idea is that “the unexamined life
is not worth living,” meaning you should reflect on your thoughts and actions. My view of the self aligns with
Socrates, I think self-reflection is crucial for personal growth and understanding who we are.

Socrates: He claims that life isn't worth living if we don't strive to know and understand ourselves
better. He also believes in the duality of man wherein there are two parts an individual has. The body
that is imperfect, and impermanent. The soul that is perfect and permanent./ I agree with his concept.
If we don’t have the interest in discovering the purpose of living, and knowing why we exist, our life
would be meaningless.

2.Plato: Plato, Socrates' student, built on his ideas by explaining the soul in three parts: the rational (thinking),
the spirited (emotions), and the appetitive (basic desires). Plato believed that a good person is one whose
rational part controls the other two, creating balance and harmony. This balance leads to a just and virtuous life.
My view of the self aligns with Plato that our thoughts, emotions, and desires must work together in harmony.

Plato: He believes that self is just similar to soul. They only differ from existence, because the self is
transient but the soul is eternal. He also upholds Socrates’ idea that a man is a dual nature of body
and soul. He added the three constituents of the soul. The rational, spirited and appetitive souls. The
appetitive part of the soul is the one that is accountable to a person's desire like hunger and thirst.
The rational is responsible for logical thinking or the intellect. The spirited part is in charge of
emotions, it acts as the facilitator of the rational soul. / He has a good concept for he divided the soul
into three parts to be more specific. Self cannot be considered as self without the ability to control
feelings, to choose what is and to deal with our basic needs.

3.Augustine: Augustine believed that humans have a dual nature. He thought we are made of body and soul,
where the body is tied to the physical world and is imperfect, while the soul yearns for connection with God and
eternal life. Augustine emphasized that our ultimate goal is to live virtuously on Earth so that our souls can
achieve blissful communion with the Divine after death. My understanding of the self aligns withAugustine, I
see the importance of the soul in seeking a higher purpose and meaning in life. I believe that while our physical
existence is limited, our inner selves strive for something greater, like connection or fulfillment.

Thomas Aquinas: Thomas Aquinas expanded on Augustine’s ideas by incorporating Aristotle’s philosophy.
He described humans as being made of two parts: matter (the physical body) and form (the soul). While our
bodies share similarities with other animals, it is the soul that makes us uniquely human. For Aquinas, the soul
is what gives life and essence to the body, and it is essential for our identity as rational beings. Aquinas's view
of the soul as what defines our humanity resonates with me. I agree that our essence—what makes us truly
ourselves—comes from our thoughts, feelings, and consciousness, not just our physical bodies. Thus, I believe
that a fulfilling life involves nurturing both our physical and spiritual aspects, aiming for a deeper understanding
of ourselves and our purpose.

St. Augustine: He also believes in the duality of man but with the context of Christianity. There’s a
body that would be just temporary, and a soul that will remain with God. He also said indirectly that
we need to live our life to the fullest by doing good and showing kindness to other people./ His
perspective of the self was one of my favorites. I couldn't agree more. Just like what they always say,
everyone must leave something behind when he dies. The self may come to an end but the soul
continues to exist.
4. Rene Descartes: Descartes believed that humans consist of two parts: the mind and the body. He argued that
we should doubt everything except our own existence as thinking beings. His famous statement, "I think,
therefore I am," highlights that thinking proves we exist. For him, the mind is what makes us truly human, while
the body is just a machine that the mind uses. My view of the self aligns with Descartes in that I believe our
thoughts and self-awareness are essential to who we are. However, I also think our bodies and emotions are
important parts of our identity. So, I see the self as a mix of mind and body, where both are necessary for a
complete understanding of who we are.
Rene Descartes: He found that he could not doubt that he existed because he was the one doubting
in the first place. /No doubt about his concept of self. We are what we think. Because if we think that
we are, then it is not thought that does all.

5. David Hume: Hume had a different view of the self compared to earlier thinkers. He believed that we can
only know things through our senses and experiences. For him, the self is not a separate entity; instead, it’s a
"bundle of impressions." He divided experiences into two types: impressions (direct experiences, like feeling
something cold) and ideas (memories or thoughts about those experiences).Hume argued that what we think of
as a stable self is really just a collection of changing perceptions. He suggested that people want to believe in a
consistent self, but in reality, our identity is made up of all our different experiences. I agree with Hume that our
experiences shape who we are. However, I believe there’s more to our identity than just those experiences. Our
thoughts, feelings, and values also define us. So, while I appreciate Hume’s focus on experience, I see the self
as a combination of experiences and deeper personal traits.
David Hume; He believes that the self doesn’t have meaning without ideas and experiences./ This is
the self-concept I am most relatable with. Feelings, thoughts, ideas, and those experiences were the
one that really molds us as a person. Those were the things that create self. We can’t be what we are
right now, without it.

6. Immanuel Kant: Kant disagreed with Hume's idea that the self is just a mix of impressions. He believed a
mind is needed to organize these impressions, with concepts like time and space coming from our minds. For
Kant, the self is important because it helps us understand our experiences and defines who we are. / I agree with
Kant that the self is crucial for organizing experiences. While I see the mind as essential for understanding the
world, I also believe our feelings and values are key to our identity. So, I view the self as a blend of mental
processes and personal traits.
Immanuel Kant : He thinks that self isn't all about having impressions and ideas for it needs to have
higher reasoning. /The point is well taken for the mind really needs to organize thoughts to come up
with a better understanding.

7. Gilbert Ryle: Ryle argued against the idea of a separate, internal self. He believed that what really matters is
how we behave in our daily lives. Trying to find a "self" is like searching for a "university" on a campus—you
can explore buildings and meet people, but you won’t find a single thing called the "university." Instead, the
university is made up of all those parts together. So, for Ryle, the "self" is just a way to talk about a person's
actions and behaviors, not something you can pinpoint. / I agree with Ryle that our behaviors show who we are.
Our actions are important for understanding our identity. However, I also think our thoughts and feelings are
key parts of who we are. So, while I appreciate Ryle’s focus on behavior, I see the self as a mix of actions,
thoughts, and emotions.

Gilbert Ryle: He believes that your actions reflect who you are as a person. I agree and disagree at
the same time with this concept. Growing up, we encountered so many things. / I agree because, the
way we utter words, the way we treat others and the way we show ourselves is what we really are.
But it is also true that sometimes we are not what we do. Our actions may vary depending on the
situation that we are in. Sometimes we act based on what they told us to do, or maybe we were left
with no choice. That’s why sometimes I think that we are not what we do.

8. Maurice Merleau-Ponty: Merleau-Ponty believed that separating the mind and body is a pointless idea. He
argued that the mind and body are closely connected and cannot be separated. Every experience we have is
linked to our physical body; our bodies help us engage with the world. He rejected the idea of Cartesian
Dualism, which divides the mind and body, saying it's a misunderstanding. For him, our thoughts, feelings, and
physical experiences are all part of one whole./ I agree with Merleau-Ponty that the mind and body are
connected. I think our physical experiences shape our thoughts and emotions, and they all work together to form
our identity. This view helps me see the self as a mix of body, mind, and feelings, all connected in our everyday
lives.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty: He claims that mind and body are connected to each other to know oneself.
He does not support the concept of duality of man./ His concept is also relatable, it does not make
things complicated because the thoughts, feelings and the body are all in one self.
Elementary Student

1. Curiosity: Eager to explore and learn about the world.

2. Playfulness: Engages in play and imaginative activities.
3. Social Development: Learning to interact with peers and build friendships.
4. Dependence on Adults: Often seeks guidance and support from teachers and parents.

High School Student

1. Independence: More self-reliant and making personal choices.

2. Identity Exploration: Actively seeking to understand their identity and interests.
3. Peer Influence: Strongly affected by friendships and social groups.
4. Academic Focus: Increasing emphasis on grades and preparing for future education or careers.

College Student

1. Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze and evaluate information critically.

2. Time Management: Balancing academics, work, and personal life.
3. Diverse Perspectives: Exposure to different cultures and ideas, fostering open-mindedness.
4. Career Orientation: Focused on career goals and practical experience through internships or networking.

Similarities and Differences in Self Across Educational Stages

Similarities

1. Curiosity and Learning: At every stage, students show a desire to learn and grow, whether through play, academic exploration, or critical
thinking.
2. Social Interaction: Building relationships and navigating friendships is important across all ages, though the depth and nature of these
interactions evolve.
3. Influence of Environment: Guidance from teachers, peers, and family plays a crucial role in shaping the self, regardless of age.
4. Development of Identity: Each stage involves some exploration of identity, whether through play, social groups, or career goals.

Differences

1. Independence:
o Elementary: Heavily relies on adults for support.
o High School: Begins to make personal choices and assert independence.
o College: Fully self-reliant, making significant life decisions.

2. Focus on Identity:
o Elementary: Identity is largely influenced by family and immediate social circles.
o High School: Actively explores interests and social roles.
o College: Engages in deeper self-discovery, often influenced by diverse perspectives.

3. Peer Influence:
o Elementary: Friendships are important but often simple and focused on play.
o High School: Peer pressure becomes more pronounced, impacting choices and behaviors.
o College: Friendships are often based on shared interests and values, with a focus on collaboration and networking.

4. Academic and Career Focus:

o Elementary: Learning is exploratory and fun.
o High School: Emphasis shifts to grades and preparing for the future.
o College: Strong focus on career goals and gaining practical experience.

Possible Reasons for Differences in Self

1. Developmental Growth: As students age, they naturally gain more independence, maturity, and the ability to think critically, shaping
their identities.
 2. Environmental Changes: Transitions from home to school, from high school to college, expose students to new ideas, people, and
challenges, influencing their self-perception and values.
3. Social Dynamics: The nature of friendships and peer interactions evolves, with increased emphasis on meaningful relationships and
collaboration in college.
4. Cultural Influences: Exposure to diverse perspectives in college can significantly broaden one’s understanding of self and the world,
encouraging open-mindedness and adaptability.

Describing Myself

I would describe myself as curious, adaptable, and empathetic. I love learning new things, connecting with
people, and exploring different perspectives. My interests range widely, from literature to technology, and I
value creativity and open-mindedness.

Influences of Family

My family has played a significant role in shaping who I am. They instilled in me values like kindness,
perseverance, and the importance of education. Growing up, they encouraged me to ask questions and pursue
my interests, fostering my curiosity. Their support during challenging times taught me resilience and the
importance of communication.

A Time When I Felt Like My True Self

I felt I was truly myself during a creative project where I collaborated with friends to organize a community art
event. I was passionate about art, and being able to share that with others made me feel alive. The excitement of
working together, exchanging ideas, and seeing our vision come to life confirmed my love for collaboration and
creativity. It was a moment where I felt connected to both myself and the community.

A Time When I Did Not Feel Like My True Self

There was a period in high school when I felt I wasn’t living authentically. I often felt pressured to fit in with
certain social groups, which led me to suppress my true interests and preferences. I acted in ways that didn’t
reflect who I really was, just to gain acceptance.

I had to live like that because I feared being judged or excluded. It took some time for me to realize that this
wasn’t sustainable. Eventually, I started seeking out friendships with people who appreciated me for who I
really was, and I began to express my true interests more openly. This shift helped me feel more comfortable
and confident in my identity.

By embracing my true self, I found deeper, more meaningful connections with others and felt a renewed sense
of authenticity.

branly
1. Joyful, friendly, shy, that's how i describe myself.
2.Showing respect to one another, or respecting their elderly.
3.When we were all having fun in a beach, that was when i thought of myself that i was being true to
myself. Not getting shy, not being rude and all other things i do.
4.Maybe when i was like failing to express myself to my family? I know to myself that i wasn't being
true to myself there, because there's no time that i have not been true to my family, i never lied to
them. So what i did is i talked to them one by one for me to be able to express myself/my opinion.
5. So far i don't have any social that pressured my self.
6. Nothing. I don't want to change anything about myself, as long as im happy about it.