Self (philosophy)

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In philosophy, the self is the idea of a unified being which is the source of an idiosyncratic consciousness. Moreover, this self is the agent responsible for the thoughts and actions of an individual to which they are ascribed. It is a substance, which therefore endures through time; thus, the thoughts and actions at different moments of time may pertain to the same self (See John Locke's theory of consciousness as the basis of personal identity). As the notion of subject, the "self" has been harshly criticized by Nietzsche at the end of the 19th century, on behalf of what Gilles Deleuze would call a "becoming-other".

To another person, the self of one individual is exhibited in the conduct and discourse of that individual. Therefore, the intentions of another individual can only be inferred indirectly from something emanating from that individual.

The particular characteristics of the self determine its identity.

Contents 1 To know oneself... 2 Others 3 See also 4 References

[edit] To know oneself...

Many quotations assert that to truly know thyself is the most difficult thing to achieve. Thales of Miletus, when asked what was difficult, answered in a well-known apophthegm: "To Know Thyself" (γνῶθι σεαυτόν), also attributed to Socrates, and inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. Lao Zi in his Tao Te Ching says "Knowing others is wisdom | Knowing the self is enlightenment. | Mastering others requires force | Mastering the self requires strength."

Ramana Maharshi of Thiruvanamalai, Tamil Nadu, India is best known for this 'Who Am I?' ie.. Know Yourself

[edit] Others

Other broader understandings of Self place it to mean the essence of any living being. With this understanding, Self is the hand of God or the expression of life that makes any living entity inherently unique.

The concept of the self has been disputed by some prominent philosophers. The Buddha in particular disagreed with the concept of an enduring self.

[edit] See also

• Other
• Personal Identity
• Self (psychology)
• Self (sociology)
• Self-realization
• Subject (philosophy)
• Thoughts Without a Thinker
• Consciousness as the basis of personal identity (John Locke)
• Being and Time
• Identities: How Governed, Who Pays?

[edit] References

• Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy: Self-knowledge

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This page uses content from the English-language version of Wikipedia. The original article was at Self (philosophy). The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Psychology Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.