Unveiling the "self" is broad in the perspective of the philosophers. They have their own say about it which are all making sense since the arguments thrown were rational and that you'll inevitably be swayed by their thoughts.

The following are some of the philosophers I've chosen to share their views about our self.

Socrates, a famous philosopher I've known throughout my existence as a student left a remarkable one. He has this method to guide everyone for a better understanding through a series of questions called "Socratic Method". He believed that the soul is immortal which is somehow parallel in my belief as a Christian. Whenever a person dies, his/her soul will leave the body immediately and goes up to heaven where it stays there forever or whatever God has planned. It is the philosophy's task to take care of the soul accordingly. Aside from that, his quote "the unexamined life is not worth living" has also put something in my heart and mind 'cause indeed, self-knowledge would open your eyes to your true nature. It is necessary to know the inner you in order to have a ground on whatever life will let you face and that you are helped to find your true purpose. That's how you deal with the abstract world! We're just strangers here on earth and our real home is in heaven.

In comparison, Plato, a student of Socrates is known for his "collection and division" method and Theory of Forms. In his method, the philosopher "collects" all the common ideas with common characteristics and then divides them into various genres until a subset of ideas are specified. He believed that the soul is the most divine aspect of the human being in a way that is not spiritual but an intellectual connotation, unlike Socrates. It is then made up of appetitive, rational and spirited. Accordingly, the world we are seeing is not the "real world" we are embracing since there is that ultimate one existing beyond it. Just how deep it is!

He used the allegory of the cave, his own parable, to illustrate 'forms' and the 'cave' which left a powerful impact that everyone must not miss. Life is a never ending process of learning that each must abide. In order to achieve the dreams we are holding to, progress is necessary and it starts in exploring the other sides of the story. Mostly are imprisoned by the cave we created ourselves unconsciously and just let ourselves be fooled by what we only see like the shadows representing the reality. Thus, let us all strive hard to be freed and look at the fire behind throughout adjusting our eyes to what lies beyond. We will witness that there is that sun outside which shines brighter than the fire inside.

Plato's Theory of Forms is realistic for me that even St. Augustine, one of the most significant Christian thinkers, was influenced by it. For him, Plato's existing concepts are pointing within the perfect and eternal God where the soul belonged. His aspects of the soul are its awareness of itself and unity, and the ability to see itself as a holistic one. We humans are under God's power. I can say that since God is the one who molded us, then what we are right now physically like the appearance and our ability to think or move are parallel to God's also.

The philosophers I've mentioned above are one of those whose theories compelled me to ponder deeply and realized that life is not just like that simple wandering ant. We must know the real us, our true selves. This way we have the ability to cope and transcend on what awaits us ahead.

Share some of your thoughts. Comment below.

Thanks a ton!