The Concept of Self – Indian Perspectives

Abstract : In this article, an attempt is made to introduce the various concepts of the 'self', offered by different Indian philosophers and as a context for the background of the various thinkers. It is still uncertain when man became conscious of his self and started inquiring about it. The main factor that made man think of his 'self' is the phenomenon of death. This is because the primitive man saw the body of his fellow beings remaining intact, but the vital and mental activities of the man, which he saw just a few minutes ago, are no more. Now, what is the difference? A moment ago, he was there with all his physical and mental activities, but now, his body lies but no activity. Was there something in the body a few minutes ago? Is it departed or disappeared now, so that he is dead? What was that something? Where was it residing, and where is it now? These questions were raised, and he started thinking about them. This process of thinking paved the way for many interesting and varied theories of the 'self'.