The purpose of this discussion assignment is to reflect upon your understanding of the two main philosophical approaches to the self. After completing your readings, write a 1-2 page paper comparing and contrasting the avocado/modernist idea of the self with the artichoke/postmodern view. 

As you develop your response, you might find some of the following questions to be relevant:

• What is the avocado idea of the self? What is your understanding of Plato and Aristotle’s belief that reason is the core essence of human beings?
• What is the artichoke idea of the self? What is your understanding of the existential idea that our existence determines our essence?
• What do you make of the concern that the avocado idea of the self values reason over emotion? What are the implications of this view for women?
• Are you an avocado or an artichoke? Or do you find the non-Western views of the self to be more compelling?