The Decline of Self Essays - 2956 Words

The Decline of Self The Tenth Edition of Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionary has this to say on the subject of self: self n., pl selves 1 a: the entire person of an individual b: the realization or embodiment of an abstraction 2 a (1): an individuals typical character or behavior (2): an individuals temporary behaviour or character b: a person in prime condition 3: the union of elements (as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person 4: personal interest or advantage 5: material that is part of an individual organism. The French existentialist writer Jean-Paul Sartre has this to say on the subject of self: In the state I was in, if someone had come and told me I†¦show more content†¦I think it would not be unfair to assert that almost all human beings -- especially those who lived when existentialism was as yet an unknown philosophical mode, and thus lacked the benefit of being able to consider its proponents arguments -- lay claim to knowledge, to possession, of their own selves. Indeed, to most rational humans, such would seem utterly natural and closed to debate. Our self is who we are, and if someone asks us, Who are you?, do we not say I am Michael or I am Christine, and know precisely what we mean by that? We have lived for our entire lives with our selves, we have experienced all the events that shape them. Do we not, one might say, define, by virtue of our very existence, what our selves are? Renà © Descartes, the famous seventeenth-century French rationalist, employed a self-authorizing philosophy that relied heavily on the assumption that it was possible to know critical information about the core of who we are. But what then am I?, he asked himself, responding with A thing that thinks. He continues to outline some of the other knowledge about himself that comes along with this realization. Clearly, in Descartes time, it is not unusual for one to think of the self as being within ones understanding. Yet even Descartes breaks with previous philosophic tradition, to a degree, in this respect.Show MoreRelatedThe James Irvine Foundation : An Impressive Self Assessment On Diversity, And, After The Decline Of Minority1155 Words   |  5 Pagescolleges in California to support diversity, and, after the decline of minority student enrollment in the late 1990s on some campuses, the foundation began to ask more about how the recipients of the grants dealt with diversity. The recipient colleges were asked to examine their history and data regarding diversity at their institution and identify their strengths and weaknesses. The results of this inquiry saw some schools provide an impressive self-assessment with focus on key issues and development ofRead MoreThe Cultural And Socio Economic Context1457 Words   |  6 Pagesprolong cognitive decline. For example, living a healthy lifestyle with complete dietary requirements is crucial in prolonging decline (Haboubi 2010). Studies have investi gated physiological benefits of physical exercise in cognitive ageing. One research conducted by Yaffe, Barnes, Nevitt, Lui and Covinsky (2001), (as cited in Williams Kemper, 2010) found a significant correlation between walking more and being less likely to demonstrate cognitive decline 6 years on. 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As their name implies, self-help movements involve people trying to improve aspects of their personal lives; examples of self-help groups include Alcoholics Anonymous and Weight Watchers. Religious movements aim to reinforce religious beliefs among their members and to convert other peopleRead MoreThe Decline Of The Roman Empire1020 Words   |  5 Pages Emperor reforms, outside invasions and financial weakness ultimately caused the decline of the Roman Empire in the West, because each of these events chipped away at the center and the longevity of the Roman Empire from 180 AD to the early fifth century. After the death of the last of the five good emperors, Marcus Aurelius in 180 AD, the Roman Empire began to form into a military monarchy, which was not based on prior lineage but loyalty to the army. The familial aspects of choosing the next emperor