Kornfield No Self

Indeed there is a huge difference between being oneself and identifying who you are? The debate on Nature versus Nurture has been a mystery for years. What is mean by Nature and Nurture? Nature is a word often used to describe the biological aspects which shapes one’s behavior. Nurture is the word often used to describe the social aspect that shape one’s behavior. Every human being was born into this world with no ideas or expectations. As they grow older they eventually developed their own identity. Indeed it is crucial to know about the identity we get was really developed or was it already exists within oneself? Such question will subsequently lead to the great debate in the concept of Nature and

Stephen Prothero explains how Buddhists observe the fact that we have no souls. They also accept that we have no self because the self is just a figment of our imagination. Prothero further describes how words associated with the self like, “I”, “me”, and “mine”, give rise to ego and as a result, contribute to the world’s suffering. He also explains the essence of Buddhist teachings with Four Noble Truths. These truths are not meant, as Prothero mentions, not to be worshipped but rather practiced and experienced, to see whether or not they actually hold some accuracy.

Winnicot introduced the terms “true self” and “false self” into the Psychodynamic language in 1960 ( D. W. Winnicott, 1965, pp. 140-152.). This shows a similarity between the two theories as they both show how those who step away from their real self or true selves and live in the adapted self or false selves, can often become depressed and un-fulfilled in their lives. The adapted self can also be linked to the defence mechanisms used in Psychodynamic therapy as it is a way to protect one’s self from reality.

  1.  Discovering the Self – How do we perceive ourselves and our interactions with others?

In the article, Palmer says that it is very easy to become lost in our quest for selfhood because of the external influences that impose upon each one of us. Human beings strive to not only do what is best for themselves but for the larger population of the world. According to Palmer, however, once the self has been achieved, the individual is a more production member of society and fulfills the role that they were originally designed for. "Only when I know both seed and system, self and community,

Your best self is not someone separate that you must try to become, it is accepting the self that you already have. The author makes this point through discussion of vocation and purpose. He believes that to know what you were meant to do; you have to know your true self. To know your true self, you have to live your own life and not just try to be whatever someone else wants you to be. This is the same message from “Pedagogy of the Oppressed.” Think for, and know, your own self. The problem solving method of teaching will lead to students thinking for themselves, and realizing their true

Who are you? What defines who you are? Why makes you who you are? What is your personal identity? Have you ever sat around pondering the meaning of life, or maybe just your life? Have you asked yourself any of these questions? What were your answers? These are questions that people have been trying to answer since the beginning of time, before me and you were ever born or thought of. People live their whole lives trying to figure out exactly who they are and what their purpose is in life. In the field of philosophy, many philosophers have had theories on personal identity and a person’s “self.” These people have gone down in history books for their theories on a person’s identity: John Locke and Rene’ Descartes. These are two of the most

It makes us through the realization that if we aren’t able to recognize the self; we are living in

     Two things can happen when we are required to base our definition of “self” on others.  One can take others’ ways of living and thinking, process them, and formulate his or her own definition, independent of anyone else.  Or, one can use the relationships he or she has with other people on which to base their own definition of self, thus making him or her dependent on those other people.  As young people, we learn and take in all we can through the world, our experiences, and relationships with other people.  From there, we grow and establish our own identities, our own “selves”, in response to those interactions with others.  This definition is continually growing and progressing as we evolve as people, interacting with different people in different environments and

In the first chapter titled, “The Search for Glory”, Karen Horney explains a human’s potential to develop their own unique thoughts, wishes, interests and feelings, which is their real self. She describes the real self as, “ that central inner force, common to all human beings and yet unique in each, which is the deep source of growth”. The real self is all about the individual’s depth and clarity of their own feelings, strength of their own will power, special talents or gifts they might be born with, and are able to express themselves. The goal as they grow older is to grow toward self-realization. But first to expand their given potentialities, they must be provided with favorable conditions to grow. These conditions include a warm atmosphere, for a feeling of inner freedom and security encouraging them to have their own thoughts and feeling, leading them to better self expression. Next they need the good will of others in order to develop

The relation between the self and the otherness is necessary to define human awareness and more importantly desire. This desire is part of the primordial human

When introducing the concept of self-consciousness, it can be very difficult for individuals to understand that there are many forms of self-consciousness. Many already have a definition in mind as soon as they hear the word self-consciousness. It is made up of many concepts because it isn’t just a cognitive state, rather, many cognitive states. The mind processes many things as opposed to just knowing things. Humans are capable of doing and desiring many things while self-evaluating and questioning oneself. Everyone is able to consider their own actions and to think about themselves. When thinking, humans are able to consider ideas and depictions regarding the self and others. Regarding oneself allows for evaluating self-worth in refinement to common social roles (Bermudez).

Eastern enlightenment religions have been gaining popularity throughout the western world for the past few decades, with many people attracted to a "different" way of experiencing religion. As with many other enlightenment religions, Buddhism requires disciples to understand concepts that are not readily explainable: one such concept is that of no-self. In this essay I shall discuss the no-self from a number of modern perspectives; however, as no-self is difficult to describe I shall focus on both the self and no-self. Beginning with psychological aspects, and neurophysiological research on transcendental meditation, I shall discuss the impact of modern brain science on our understanding of the self and transcendence. Next I will outline

The concept of the ‘self’ is regarded as an “entity which persists through time and change” (Grayling, pg. 540), in spite of other variations, albeit unnecessary ones, that occur in a person. Ones self is alleged to be the backbone of “thinking, perceiving, memory, and the like – the ultimate ‘bearers’ of our psychological properties.” (Grayling, pg. 540) The idea of ‘self’ is a topic of important philosophical debate, and one which Kant and Hume dexterously engage themselves in. This essay will begin by outlining Hume’s philosophical approach and his theory of self. Following that Kant’s theory of self will be looked at.

I certify that this literature review is my own work and contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any degree or diploma in any institute, college or university. Moreover, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the text of the dissertation.