Self (philosophy)

In philosophy, the self is the idea of a unified being which is the source of an idiosyncratic consciousness. Moreover, this self is the agentresponsiblefor 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 Locke). As the notion of subject, the "self" has been harshly criticized by Nietzscheat the end of the 19th century, on behalf of what Gilles Deleuzewould call a "becoming-other".

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

The particular characteristics of the self determine its identity.

To know oneself...

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

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 Buddhain particular disagreed with the concept of an enduring self.

See also

• Other
• Self (psychology)
• Self-realization
• Subject (philosophy)
• Thoughts Without a Thinker

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self+%28philosophy%29 Wikipedia article Self (philosophy).