The Self

Philosophical Theories of
Self

Theories of Self
Everyone Believes they have a SELF

and even talk about our SELF. Some

try to explore and understand their
SELF and others try to change it.
The Big question the is, What is the
SELF????

Substance Theory
Proposed by Rene Descartes
The self is a determinate and unitary
thing (substance) that persists over
time.
It is not material but mental
Self controls the body and brain like a captain

of a ship
It cant be split into parts and never changes
It supports changing experiences but doesnt
ever change
Some people have a better understanding of

Bundle Theory
Proposed by David Hume
Self is a bundle/collection of bits and

pieces of experience.
When we think of self we think of a
collection of memories , impressions,
ideas, desires etc.
No thread gives these things continuity,
just loosely bundled/knit of perceptions.

Narrative Theory
Proposed by Paul Ricoeur and other 20thc.

Philosophers
Self is defined by a narrative structure and
unity
Make sense of experiences by narrating them
Narrative situates them in a story that traces
their development and links them to stories of
other.
Narratives starts at birth and ends at death
and is constantly edited with new stories
added and others forgotten.

Project Theory
Proposed by Jean Paul Sartre
Self needs to be thought of in temporary

terms
More an event than a thing. Not static.
Its a dynamic future oriented project, always
under construction until death
Not born with a ready made self but must be
created
Feelings, desires, thoughts etc. are
expressions of this ongoing project.

Self Deception and Self

Knowledge
Inscribed above the entrance to the Oracle at

Delphi in ancient Greece were the words

Know Thyself
What does this mean?
Can we ever objectively
know our self?
Are their limits to our
knowledge?

The Issue of Self Deception

She/he if fooling her/himself. Can

we convince ourselves of something

other than the truth?
Can a person be both the deceiver and the
deceived? Know the truth but believe the lie?
Self-deception is not deliberate. It is not a
conscious decision yet it is NO accident. It has
a goal but is not consciously planned.
How is self deception possible IF the self is
unified???

Self Knowledge
To have self knowledge

you must ask, Who am I?

Must explore beyond superficial name, age,
physical description and roles.
Must gain an understanding of direction of
lives, values that matter, what motivates and
goals you have.
Requires reflective self inquiry and self
evaluation.
More than just relying on what others think

Self Knowledge - Hampshire

Must gain knowledge of causes of desires,

beliefs, emotions and character traits.

Some key things about our selves are
unconscious so must engage in process of
rational, reflective detachment from the first
person point of view, I.
Look at your self from an objective, outside
view and observe self and causal history that
go unnoticed.
Self knowledge is Freedom of Mind. More
knowledge is more power to change.

Hampshire cont
Learning about causal mechanisms that

explain desires, beliefs and character traits

allows one to anticipate and modify or
reinforce the causes of behaviour.
Increase of self knowledge leads to a increase
in self determination.

Self Knowledge - Rorty

Self is a dense text made up of thematic

layers woven and rewoven over time into a

distinctive pattern. No single strand stands
out and the weaving never stops.

Rorty Cont
Self can be known through creative reading.

Who am I? can be What is the meaning of

the text?.
Just like the interpretation of a book, the
interpretation of self changes over time. The
focus changes as we do and the story is never
complete.
There is no final answer to Who am I? We
have an endless variety of ways to talk about,
read and weave our narrative.
Self knowledge is finding newer ways of