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Philosophy Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [self]

98 questions
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Does personal identity (the self) have to belong to a conscious being?

How can what is empty know itself unless there is some intelligence present? It can't. That's like expecting the eye that can see so many objects, to see it self; it cannot. Likewise, the self cannot see itself unless it does some kind of trick to…
James Brewer
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What is the term for the belief that everyone acts entirely selfishly

There is a term I heard someone use to describe the idea that no none acts selflessly. So under this belief, a mother giving some food to her child, and going hungry herself, only does so because the alternative choice, her eating and her child not,…
Leon Frickenschmidt
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Rousseau, natural goodness, and solitariness?

With a group of friends, we are discussing the text from Rousseau (Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men) and in it, Rousseau explains that the human is good by nature, because he's alone. As soon as he joins others, he starts to…
Cyril N.
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How do I find a philosophy to define my current beliefs?

I recently went from Christianity to Agnosticism. I already know what I do and don't believe: I don't believe in fate. I believe that people should respect each other because life is short. I don't believe that life has inherent value. I believe…
Caleb Way
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What is neither material nor immaterial, is what?

Every history of a world begins to be written after the creation of this world, when a “brilliant mind” appears that realizes it, thus a language and a civilization appear. From this, one fantasizes how this world was created. And this story to…
Maya Rahto
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Beyond the 'self', what remains?

The self and its illusory nature has become a central focus in modern philosophy and has been a concern in Eastern philosophy historically. It may be said that the overall system governing all things demands a personalised will, identity and sense…
Warren van Rooyen
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Can we do anything unselfish?

Can any person do any unselfish act at all in any regards? Think about it honestly: Every single thing we do is more or less for the benefit of the self: .Eating: self survival .Helping others: self-satisfaction, or getting pointers with God (or…
Steve237
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What Are Some Recurring Questions/Themes That Are Explored or Argued for in Renaissance Philosophy?

I suppose this is not necessarily a question, rather I'm looking for inspiration for writing a research paper. I have been assigned with the task of: "Submit a research paper, using at least 3 secondary sources, on a question raised by renaissance…
Clara
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For Mackenzie, what is the self? What role does the imagination play in forming/defining/altering the self?

I'm having trouble answering this question. The relevant reading is “IMAGINING ONESELF OTHERWISE” by Catriona Mackenzie.
James Brewer
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To whom are people talking when they talk to (in) themselves?

It's commonly said that one is talking to (in) his- or himself. Does that mean there are two of the person in question: the one who's talking and the one who's listening?
Deschele Schilder
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