Self-Consciousness
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== Berkeley and Descartes == | == Berkeley and Descartes == | ||
| - | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Berkeley George Berkeley] said there are no mind-independent things or substances, and coined the phrase "Esse est percipi" ("To be is to be perceived"). [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Descartes Rene Descartes] | + | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Berkeley George Berkeley] said there are no mind-independent things or substances, and coined the phrase "Esse est percipi" ("To be is to be perceived"). [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Descartes Rene Descartes] supported mind-body dualism, he thought that the mind is a nonphysical substance. He is famous for his "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"). If all perceptions are created by us, and if our perceptions and thoughts exist, than we must exist, too, whether the self is some kind of substance or not. |
| - | all perceptions are created by us, and if our perceptions and thoughts exist, than we must exist, too, whether the self is some kind of substance or not | + | |
Berkeley argues that our knowledge, including our knowledge of ourselves, must be based on our perceptions. He emphasizes the cognitive and social aspects of self-consciousness: to be or to exist means to be perceived - you exist because other people think you exist. Descartes highlights the logical and religious aspect of self-consciousness: to be or to exist means to think - you exist because you believe that you exist. | Berkeley argues that our knowledge, including our knowledge of ourselves, must be based on our perceptions. He emphasizes the cognitive and social aspects of self-consciousness: to be or to exist means to be perceived - you exist because other people think you exist. Descartes highlights the logical and religious aspect of self-consciousness: to be or to exist means to think - you exist because you believe that you exist. | ||
