The material self: Knowing yourself, Lecture notes of Philosophy

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MATERIAL

SELF

The Self in a Material World

Material possessions signify some aspects

of one’s sense of self and identity.

Parents buy necessities for their family

because it is symbolic of their need to

provide “security”.

The possession of material things also

indicates one’s status in the society.

Process of Acquiring Material

Goods



UTILITY



Concerned with how things serve a practical

purpose.



SIGNIFICANCE



concerned with the meaning assigned to the

object.



It is concerned with how objects become powerful

symbols/icons of habit and ritual which can be

quite separate from their primary function.

Social and Business Value

When money is offered as the motivation,

however, people the start thinking less of

the social aspect and more about the

business value.

The more money received the more tasks

done.

Self-View

Class Essentialism –

the idea that differences

between classes are

based upon identity and

genetics, rather than

circumstances.

Anyone can be rich and

anyone can be poor.

Addiction

Behavioral Process Addiction – is a

compulsive behavior not motivated by

dependency on an addictive substance,

but rather by a process that leads to a

seemingly positive outcome.

Positive feeling that follows obtaining

money can cause a chemical reaction in

the brain that feels good.

Special Cases of Extended

Self

1. Collections ( I shop,

therefore I am )

Humans more often

assemble collections

of non-necessities for

distinction and self-

definition.

Special Cases of Extended

Self

2. Body Parts

Body parts are among the most central parts

of the extended self.

Cathexis – the process of investment of

mental or emotional energy in a person, object

or idea.

When a body part is more highly cathected,

there is greater use of grooming products to

care for this part of the body.