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The document provides an overview of various philosophical, anthropological, sociological, and psychological perspectives on the concept of self and identity. Key figures such as Socrates, Plato, and Freud present differing views on the nature of the self, while anthropologists like Edward Tylor and Clifford Geertz explore cultural influences on identity. Additionally, sociologists like Cooley and Mead discuss the social construction of self, emphasizing the relational and dynamic aspects of identity formation.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
4 views10 pages

USELF DUE

The document provides an overview of various philosophical, anthropological, sociological, and psychological perspectives on the concept of self and identity. Key figures such as Socrates, Plato, and Freud present differing views on the nature of the self, while anthropologists like Edward Tylor and Clifford Geertz explore cultural influences on identity. Additionally, sociologists like Cooley and Mead discuss the social construction of self, emphasizing the relational and dynamic aspects of identity formation.

Uploaded by

Cypher Bunks
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Philosophers

Socrates

● "The unexamined life is not worth living."


● The self is synonymous with the soul, which is immortal.
● Reality consists of two realms: physical (changeable and imperfect) and ideal (eternal
and perfect).
● Introspection is key to knowing oneself.

Plato

● The self is an immortal soul with three parts: reason, physical appetite, and spirit.
● Happiness comes from reason controlling the other two aspects.
● The world of forms is real and eternal, while the physical world is temporary.

Aristotle

● The body and soul are not separate; the soul is the essence of all living things.
● Three types of souls: vegetative (growth), sentient (desires and emotions), and rational
(intellect).
● The rational soul leads a virtuous life.

St. Augustine

● The soul governs and defines a person; it is superior to the body.


● Human beings are created in the image of God.

Rene Descartes

● "I think, therefore I am."


● The self exists as a thinking entity, separate from the body.
● The self has two dimensions: the thinking mind and the physical body.

John Locke

● The self is formed by consciousness and sense experience.


● The mind is a blank slate (tabula rasa) at birth.

David Hume

● There is no permanent self; it is merely a bundle of perceptions.


● Personal identity is a product of imagination.

Immanuel Kant
● The self actively organizes experiences and perceptions.
● The self constructs its own reality.

Sigmund Freud

● The self has three layers: conscious, preconscious, and unconscious.


● The unconscious governs basic drives and instincts.

Gilbert Ryle

● The self is a pattern of behavior, and mind is the totality of dispositions.


● "I act, therefore I am."

Paul Churchland

● The self is tied to the brain and physiology.


● Without the brain, there is no self.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

● The self is based on embodied experiences.


● Knowledge of the self comes from perception and consciousness.

Anthropologists:

★ James L. Peacock
○ Anthropology is a field that connects the humanities and sciences, as defined by
James L. Peacock.

○ It examines not just the biological but also the cultural aspects of humanity,
exploring how these have changed over time and still influence how we live
today.

○ It focuses on how biology and culture have changed over time and continue to
influence how humans live their lives.

○ Because of its broad perspective, anthropology has the ability to explore a wide
range of issues regarding human existence, from ancient times to the present
and what the future might hold.

○ The goal of anthropology is to fully understand humanity in all of its forms and
contexts.
★ Edward Tylor
○ Culture, according to Edward Tylor, is the entirety of all that individuals learn and
develop into while interacting with a community. This covers all of the knowledge,
belief, art, morals, law, customs, and other skills and habits that people develop
as an outcome of life in a community.

○ Culture influences how we think, act, and interact with one another as members
of a society.

★ Christie Kiefer
○ According to Christie Kiefer, people in Japanese culture believe that they have
an unbreakable connection to the social groupings that they belong to. like
friends, family, or coworkers.

○ These relationships shape their identity, and belonging to these groups is more
significant than being independent.

○ In Japanese culture, it is crucial to behave with caution and restraint when


interacting with others, to respect the harmony of the group, and to refrain from
doing anything that could cause disruptions.

★ Francis Hsu
○ Francis Hsu explains that family relationships are highly valued in Chinese
culture. People prioritize depending on and supporting one another over being
independent because they believe that their relationships with family and other
people are crucial.

○ It's important to honor and yield to authority in the family, putting aside individual
desires in order to maintain peace and carry out family responsibilities.

★ Arnold Van Gennep


○ Arnold van Gennep believes that changes in one's status and identity are marked
by:

○ Separation Phase - is the point at when individuals begin moving from one
identity or way of life to another. They adopt a new identity or role and detach
themselves from their former one.

○ Liminality - Is the point at which an individual transitions between their old and
new identities. It's a transitional period in which they haven't totally embraced
their new role but are no longer in their old one. They are transitioning between
states as they adapt to the changes.

○ Incorporation - Is the stage at which an individual has completely embraced


their new identity or role. At this time, their status adjustment is complete, and
they begin to accept their new responsibilities and behaviors.

★ Anthony Wallace and Raymond Fogelson


○ Anthony Wallace and Raymond Fogelson coined the term "Identity struggles"
is used to describe situations in which there is a mismatch between how
someone sees themselves and how others see them.

★ Golubovic
○ Golubovic believes that in order to genuinely understand oneself, individuals
must deal with challenges such as breaking free from habits and rejecting the self
image imposed by others.

★ Katherine Ewings
○ Katherine Ewing's "Illusion of Wholeness" concept suggests that people's
identities are constantly changing and reshaping in response to both internal and
external stimuli. Because of the continuing transformation, the idea that we have
a single, cohesive, and continuous self is an illusion.

★ Clifford Gertz
○ Clifford Geertz defines culture as a collection of shared ideas and beliefs that
are transmitted through symbols such as language and ritual. These symbols
enable people to communicate, maintain, and expand their understanding and
perspective on life.

★ Max Weber
○ Max Weber believes that humans are like creatures caught in webs of meaning
that they have built. These "webs" represent culture, which consists of the
symbols and meanings that individuals create to make sense of their
surroundings.
○ “Man is an animal suspended in webs of significance he himself has spun”

★ Robbins
○ Robbins describes humans as "cultural animals" because they give meaning to
everything around them, including objects, people, action, feelings, and events,
and then act on the meanings they believe are true.

Sociologists:

* Charles Horton Cooley

● Charles Horton Cooley’s “looking-glass self” highlights that the people whom a person
interacts with become a mirror in which he or she views himself or herself. Self identity or
self image is achieved through an idea of how a person presents themselves to others.
How he or she analyzes how others perceive him or her and how this creates an image
of himself or herself.

*George Herbert Mead

● George Herbert Mead’s “theory of the social self” explains that the self has two
divisions: the “I” and the “me”. The full development of the self is attained when the “I”
and “me” are united. According to Mead, the self is not present at birth. It only develops
with social experience in which language, gestures, and objects are used to
communicate meaningfully.

● The “I” is the subjective element and the active side of the self. It represents the
spontaneous and unique traits of an individual.
● “me” is the objective element of the self that represents the internalized attitudes and
demands of other people and an individual’s awareness of those demands.

*Gerry Lanuza

● Gerry Lanuza’s article “The Constitution of the Self” states that in modern societies,
the attainment and stability of self-identity are freely chosen. They are no longer
restricted by customs and traditions. Self identity continuously changes due to the
demands of multitudes of social context, new information technologies, and
globalization.

*Jean Baudrillard
● Jean Baudrillard explains that “postmodernity” makes individuals achieve self identity
through the society through the quality of prestige symbols that they consume.
Individuals seek a position in society through the quality of prestige symbols that they
can afford to consume. Hence, postmodern person has become an insatiable consumer
and may never be satisfied in his or her life.

Anthropologists:

● James L. Peacock:
○ Anthropology connects both the humanities and sciences.
○ It studies both biological and cultural aspects of humanity, examining changes
over time.
○ Anthropology explores a broad range of human existence, from ancient times to
the present and future.
○ The goal is to understand humanity in all its forms and contexts, including identity
and cultural expressions.
● Edward Tylor:
○ Culture is the totality of learned behaviors, beliefs, art, morals, laws, customs,
and skills acquired through community life.
○ An individual's identity is shaped by these cultural influences, affecting how they
think, act, and interact within society.
● Christie Kiefer:
○ Japanese culture emphasizes a strong connection to social groups such as
family, friends, and coworkers.
○ These relationships are central to identity, making belonging to a group more
important than individualism.
○ Behaving with caution and respect is vital to maintaining group harmony, which is
a key aspect of identity.
● Francis Hsu:
○ Chinese culture places a high value on family relationships, where dependence
on and support for one another are prioritized.
○ Identity is tied to family roles, and honoring authority within the family takes
precedence over individual desires.
○ Maintaining family peace and fulfilling responsibilities are central to one's sense
of self.
● Arnold Van Gennep:
○ Identity changes are marked by three phases:
■ Separation Phase: The individual begins to detach from their old identity
and moves toward a new one.
■ Liminality: The transitional period where the individual is between their
old and new identity.
■ Incorporation: The individual fully embraces their new identity and takes
on new responsibilities and behaviors.
○ Identity is a process of transformation through these stages.
● Anthony Wallace and Raymond Fogelson:
○ The concept of "Identity Struggles" reflects situations where an individual's
perception of themselves does not align with how others perceive them.
○ These struggles highlight the tension between personal and societal views of
identity.
● Golubovic:
○ Understanding oneself involves overcoming challenges such as breaking free
from habits and rejecting externally imposed self-images.
○ True identity is achieved through self-reflection and resisting societal
expectations.
● Katherine Ewing:
○ The "Illusion of Wholeness" suggests that identities are continuously changing
due to internal and external influences.
○ The notion of a single, cohesive self is an illusion because identity is always in
flux.
● Clifford Geertz:
○ Culture is a system of shared symbols, such as language and rituals, that convey
meaning and shape identity.
○ Identity is formed through these symbols, which help individuals understand life
and communicate with others.
● Max Weber:
○ Humans are "creatures caught in webs of meaning" they have spun, with culture
as the web that shapes identity.
○ These webs consist of symbols and meanings that individuals create to make
sense of their surroundings.
○ Identity is intertwined with these cultural webs, constantly evolving based on
societal interpretations.
● Robbins:
○ Humans are "cultural animals" who assign meaning to everything around them,
including objects, people, and events.
○ Identity is formed by these interpretations and actions based on perceived
meanings.
○ Cultural context plays a significant role in shaping self-identity.=
Sociologists (for context):

● Charles Horton Cooley:


○ The "looking-glass self" explains that self-identity is shaped by how individuals
perceive others view them.
○ Identity is formed by reflecting on others' reactions and developing a self-image
based on these perceptions.
● George Herbert Mead:
○ The self is composed of two elements: the "I" (subjective, spontaneous) and the
"me" (objective, reflective of social expectations).
○ Identity is developed through social interaction and the balance between the "I"
and the "me."
● Gerry Lanuza:
○ In modern societies, self-identity is freely chosen and continuously changing due
to social contexts and globalization.
○ Identity is no longer restricted by tradition, evolving with new technologies and
societal changes.
● Jean Baudrillard:
○ In postmodern society, identity is linked to consumption and prestige symbols.
○ Individuals seek status through the quality of the symbols they can afford, making
identity a never-ending pursuit of satisfaction.

Psychologists

William James' Concept of Self

● I-Self: The thinking self, also known as pure ego or mind.


● Me-Self: The empirical self, divided into:
○ Material self (physical attributes and possessions).
○ Social self (how one acts in social settings).
○ Spiritual self (core values and moral behavior).

Carl Rogers' Self Theory


● Self-Concept: A flexible and changing perception of personal identity.
● Real self vs. ideal self.
○ The closer the real self is to the ideal self, the more fulfilled a person becomes.

True Self vs. False Self

● True self: Revealed only to close friends and family.


● False self: A protective facade to impress others.

Albert Bandura's Self as Proactive and Agentic

● Human agency enables people to shape their development and adapt.


● Four features of agency:
○ Intentionality: Actions done with intention.
○ Forethought: Anticipating the outcomes of actions.
○ Self-reactiveness: Choosing appropriate actions.
○ Self-reflectiveness: Reflecting on one’s actions and behavior.

Carl Jung's Archetypes

● Four major archetypes:


○ Persona (social role).
○ Shadow (repressed thoughts).
○ Animus/Anima (male/female aspect of the psyche).
○ Self (unifies all aspects of the psyche).

Sigmund Freud's Structure of the Mind

● Mind divided into:


○ Id: Basic urges, driven by pleasure.
○ Ego: The rational part, mediating between id and societal rules.
○ Superego: The moral conscience, striving for perfection.
● Ego strength: The ability to manage conflict between the id and superego.

Erik Erikson's Theory of Identity Development

● Focus on how individuals form their identity during adolescence.


● External symbols (e.g., possessions) can shape identity formation.

Me perpespective of the self

Perception of the Self:


● Dynamic and Contextual:
○ The self is not fixed; it is a fluid concept that changes based on experiences,
relationships, and environments.
○ Identity evolves through interactions with society, and different aspects of the self
are expressed in different contexts.
● Multifaceted:
○ The self consists of various interconnected layers, including personal identity
(inner beliefs, values, and emotions) and social identity (roles within family, work,
and community).
○ These layers influence one another, and together they form a holistic
understanding of who we are.
● Relationally Defined:
○ The self is shaped by relationships with others. Interactions with family, friends,
colleagues, and society at large influence self-perception and personal growth.
○ Identity is co-constructed with others, meaning that how we see ourselves is
partly a reflection of how others see and respond to us.
● Purpose-Driven:
○ A sense of purpose or direction plays a crucial role in shaping identity.
○ Whether through career, personal goals, faith, or relationships, a person's sense
of self is often aligned with their aspirations and life’s purpose.
● Adaptable and Resilient:
○ The self has an innate ability to adapt to changes, whether they are personal
challenges, societal shifts, or life transitions.
○ Resilience and flexibility are key to maintaining a stable identity in the face of
evolving circumstances.
● Self-Reflective:
○ Conscious reflection on one's actions, thoughts, and emotions is essential for
self-awareness.
○ The ability to engage in self-reflection helps individuals understand themselves
better and make deliberate choices that shape their identity over time.
● Balancing Individuality and Belonging:
○ The self constantly balances the desire for individuality (uniqueness, personal
expression) with the need for belonging (connection to groups, culture).
○ Identity is formed by finding harmony between being true to oneself and
integrating into the wider community.

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