Exam 6: Self

The problem of solipsism or "the egocentric predicament" is a philosophical problem that has echoes in real life problems of relationships-especially isolation and loneliness. Write an essay explaining how both the philosophical and real life problems are related to and arise from certain preconceptions about the nature of the self as an "essential" individual reality,separate from the world. How does Mill's argument from analogy attempt to resolve this problem? Is it successful? How do people in real life attempt to bridge the gap between self and others? Finally,describe a contrasting social conception of the self,and how it makes the problem of solipsism disappear,while changing the understanding of the self in relationships.

Write an essay addressing the question: What is the self? The essay should discuss the various conceptions of the self and self-identity sketched in this chapter,including conceptions that relate selfto body,to self to consciousness and memory,and to emotion. What are the pros and cons of these conceptions? What conception (or combination of conceptions)is the strongest,and why?

The image of man as "an onion," with hundreds of different layers (selves),and no core,was developed by

According to Hegel,we discover our true selves only when we break through social conventions and become individuals free of society's influence. .

What does identity theory say mental states are?

The authors of our text point out that our image of ourselves as individuals is paradoxical because

Describe Aristophanes fable or myth of the origins of love.

There are in general two broad conceptions of relationships: "us versus them" and

The egocentric predicament begins with the assumption that

Why is it false to call emotions irrational or unintelligent?

Aristotle located emotions in the id ("it")as opposed to the ego,suggesting that they threatened the integrity of the self rather than being part of it.

Buddhists would agree with David Hume that

One difficulty for John Locke's memory theory of self-identity is that if Jones were to wake up with Smith's brain,after a brain transplant,even though Jones would have Smith's memories,Jones probably wouldn't be able to say which self she is.

According to Sartre,the way I choose to respond to the facts of my life is my

What is solipsism?

Identity theorists point to the way "wet" and "cold" water is also the same as "H?O" as an example of how something can be identical but have two different descriptions.

When William James argued that emotions were feelings,he meant that they were

What does it mean for somebody to be in bad faith?

Jean-Paul Sartre would argue that theories that identify the self with thinking or with memory are misconceived because

Most philosophers find it necessary to embrace some version of the theory of solipsism.