Plato: The self is composed of a rational soul distinct from the body, which seeks knowledge and truth through reason.
Socrates: The self is defined by its capacity for self-examination and moral reflection, emphasizing the importance of knowing oneself.
Descartes: The self is fundamentally a thinking entity, encapsulated in his famous dictum "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am").
Augustine: The self is a soul in relation to God, with a focus on inner reflection and the divine as central to self-identity and purpose.
Aristotle: The self is the soul's essence, expressed through the activities and functions of life, with a focus on achieving eudaimonia (flourishing) through virtue.
