PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES

OF THE SELF
Now, identify which among the choices
is the Cabbage?
You may have more than 1 answer.
Which one is a Cabbage?
You may have more than 1 answer.

A B C
Which one is a Cabbage?
You may have more than 1 answer.

A B C
Which one is a Cabbage?
You may have more than 1 answer.

A B C
Which one is a Cabbage?
You may have more than 1 answer.

A B C
Which one is a Cabbage?
You may have more than 1 answer.

A B C
Which one is a Cabbage?
You may have more than 1 answer.

A B C
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
OUTLINE
B. The Protean View
1 Oriental Philosophy
- Hinduism and atman
- Buddhism and anatman
- Taoism
2. The Self-Created Self
- Jean Paul Sartre
3. Postmodernism
- The Protean Self
- Neuro-science and the Self
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
The Protean View
Named after Proteus – the shape –
shifter of Greek mythology (green
tree, a blind man, blinding fire)
depending on the situation
demanding him to change forms
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
The Protean View

Like an artichoke or cabbage, as the

layers are removed, one finds there
is no central core, this view agrees
that we are nothing but layers and
finds this reasonable and healthy
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
The Protean View (Artichoke view)
• This idea says that humans are many layers that function at
• various times in life
• Life is such that we need to be able to react in many
different ways
• This is consistent with the idea that there are no moral
absolutes or certain truth
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
The Protean View (Artichoke view)

Existentialism
- emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice
- views that humans define their own meaning in life
- views that man is able to make rational decisions
despite his existence in an irrational universe
• Mitchell indicates that pluralism is important to modern
thinking.
• It fits with the notion of no moral absolutes
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
The Protean View (Artichoke view)
• We have no fixed essence as human beings
• We live in the moment and create our own selves moment
by moment
• As we choose our path, we are accountable for our choices
• Mitchell summarizes it as “You create a self for yourself.”
• “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.”
(From “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley – 19th cen)
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
The Protean View (Artichoke view)
• Life has no inherent meaning – no core to give purpose or
direction. You can be anything you want to be. But you
have no one to blame but yourself (Mitchell 134).
• Your are the master of your fate.
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
Non-Western Views of Self
Hinduism – an “avocado” view
• There is a core within each of us
• The “atman” – in Hindusim, the Self or soul, which endures
successive reincarnation
- expression of the divine or ultimate reality
- carrier of “karma”
• “karma” -the spiritual principle of cause and
effect where intent and actions of an
individual (cause) influence the future of that
individual (effect).
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
Non-Western Views of Self
Buddhism – an “artichoke” view
• Advocates the impermanence of everything
• “anatman” – the idea that there is no permanent, separate,
individual, ego-self
• We are a collection of various elements called
‘skandhas”temporarily united • form,
• feeling,
• perception,
• impulse,
• consciousness
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
Non-Western Views of Self
• Buddhism – an “artichoke” view
• At death these disperse and are united with other skandhas
(“reincarnation”)
• When we die, we actually continue in many forms
• Everything is dependent on everything else
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
Non-Western Views of Self
• Enlightenment – the Buddhist term for the realization that
comes from seeing the world as it actually is
-is recognizing that happiness is in your own hands
• Nirvana is “blowing out” the flame (desire) of the false self
• The Four Noble Truths
- Life is suffering (continual change)
- Desire (ego) causes suffering
- Ending desire (ego) ends suffering
- Following the Noble Eightfold Path ends desire
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
Non-Western Views of Self
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
TAOISM
Chinese five element view of self
• Five seasons – five elements of nature
• People are made of five elements (Mitchell, 138f)
• As long as these elements are in harmony, we are healthy
• Ch’i flows through us (rather than blood). This is the energy
of the life force.
• Acupuncture tries to eliminate any obstructions of the ch’i
flowing through us
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
African Model
• “In the world all things are two and two” (Tanzanian
proverb)
• This means that everything is a fusion of opposites that
forms a unity but remains separate; similar to yin/yang
• A person is born into a culture or social group that is the
source of his/her being
• Community is extremely important
• A person becomes a fully realized person through
a life lived well in support of a community
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
African Model
• Western culture usually starts with the individual in
understanding the world
• Nonwestern cultures do not begin with the individual
• Nature community
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
What Are We Doing Here?

NonWestern views
• African – purpose of life is creativity
• Children, relationships
• Taoism – the meaning of life is found in aligning oneself
with the wisdom of nature
• Buddhism – the meaning of life is to reach enlightenment –
seeing what actually is
• This means not needing to be reborn (Nirvana)
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
What Are We Doing Here?
Western Views
Rationalism and Religious Essentialism
• Assumes the uniqueness of human nature
• Judaic-Christian view– humans share in the divine
nature (made in the image of God)
• Greek – exalts the power of human reason
• Both traditions say humans have a separate and
essential self that defines us and makes us who
and what we are.
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
What Are We Doing Here?
Western Views

• Permanent existence of a self that is unique to

each individual
• Some say it is eternal
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
What Are We Doing Here?
Western Views

Postmodernism
• James Hillman (psychologist) argues that each
is born with an innate character that calls us to
what we are meant to be
• As we get older we become more ourselves
• Our final years have an important purpose: the
fulfillment and confirmation of our own
character
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF

Neuroscience & the Self

The self is memory.
- Our mind, its contents, and the organization of
those contents are key for understanding what
the self is.
- losing one's memory leads to irrevocable changes
in one's personality, behavior, and ability to
achieve goals
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF
What Are We Doing Here?
Western Views
• Maybe our purpose in life is to grow
into a conscious old age and share the
wisdom we have acquired for the
good of society. (Mitchell)
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF THE
SELF

• Do we have a clearer view of

ourselves?
• Do we find our existence meaningful?
• If we do, then how deep and how wide
have we shared our meaningful life
with others?
• Only you and I can measure it.