This consultant paper for a curriculum development project in the war/peace field is concerned with the concept of self, and the seeming conflict between demands of the individual self and demands of the political order, or the sense of community. Both classical and modern political philosophy are explored in discussing the difficulties of definition. Main interpretations investigated include: 1) the idea of the soul as a substitute for self, historical works of Socrates and Plato; 2) the unique individual, or the autonomous self, derived through Nietzschean philosophy; 3) the notion of the self as role player, a viewpoint of Kariel; and, 4) the inter-connection of self and order, called the social self, or the genuine self as envisioned by Etzioni. Additional factors in understanding the meaning of self are investigated such as, basic human needs, autonomy, freedom, social values, socialization, equality, responsibility, social stability, and a counter culture philosophy. Appended to the paper are critical comments and analysis by David Marvin and Stanley Coppersmith. Other consultant papers from this Inquiry session are SO 001 262 through SO 001 265. Related documents from the Diablo Valley Education Project are SO 001 259 through SO 001 267. (Author/JSB)