POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE OF DAVAO DEL SUR

Mac Arthur Highway, Brgy. Kiagot, Digos City

High School Department

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN

PERSON
Quarter 2 (Week 2)

Lesson 6: Intersubjectivity

Learning Competencies:
a. Realize that intersubjectivity requires accepting differences and not imposing
on others.
b. Appreciate the talents of persons with disabilities and those from the
underprivileged sectors of society and their contributions to society
c. Explain that authentic dialogue means accepting others even if they are
different from themselves.
d. Performs activities that demonstrate an appreciation for the talents of persons
with disabilities and those from the underprivileged sectors of society.

Name: Grade/Strand:
Lesson 6: Intersubjectivity

ACTIVITY 1.

Think of the people you encounter every day. Identify the persons to whom you are
most likely to say the following statements. Write their names on the blanks.
“How are you today?” ___________________
“Did you hear the latest news?” ___________________
“May I see your work?” ___________________
“What must I do with my life now?” ___________________
“I appreciate everything you have done for me.” ___________________
“Without you, my life will have no meaning.” ___________________
1. What sets apart the people whom you are intimate with from the casual
acquaintances in your life?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
2. Who are the people that you consider the easiest to relate to? Who among them
that you find difficult to get along with?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
3. What is the importance of having a meaningful relationship to you?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Filipinos in general love to watch drama on TV. Perhaps, you will agree that
Ang Probinsyano became so popular not just because it is an action-packed soap
opera but also because it is filled with a lot of discussions about relationships or
interpersonal relations that all of us can easily relate to. So, we laughed, cried, felt
threatened, grieved, loved, hoped, rejoiced, etc. together with Lola Flora, Cardo,
Alyana and the rest of the characters.
The word interpersonal is made from the combination of the following:
a. inter = a prefix which means ‘between
b. person = which means ‘human’ or ‘individual’
c. -al = a suffix which means, ‘pertaining to’ or having the ‘character of’

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 Interpersonal thus, is a word we used in describing interactions
(pakikipagugnayan o pakikipag-halubilo) between people. In philosophy however,
when we say interpersonal relations, we are referring to interactions that exist
between the Self (Ako) and the Other (lahat ng nakakasamuha mo, maging tao o
bagay). Can you recall some instances of interpersonal relations that you have
experienced so far? Describe your most unforgettable experience of pakiki-halubilo
below:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
The interaction between the Self and the Other is related to the philosophical concept
of intersubjectivity. Similar to the word interpersonal, the word intersubjectivity is also
comprise of three groups of letters and/or words, namely:
a. inter = again this is a prefix which means ‘between’
b. subject = this refers to a person or thing that is being discussed with.
c. -ity = a suffix used to form nouns which expresses state or condition

From this, we can conclude that intersubjectivity means a condition of

relationship between subjects or persons. If I relate with a friend for example, and he
or she relates back to me, intersubjectivity occurs.
Philosophically, this means that when the Self recognizes the Other and the
Other recognizes the Self, intersubjectivity happens.

Intersubjectivity also carries the meaning of a unique relationship between

separate individuals or subjects. When we say unique, we are referring to the
relationship that a human person may experience when he or she engages in a very
intimate and personal relationship with
others.
When a person, for example, loves
others, he or she gives himself or herself
to them and at the same time receives them
into his or her life and vice versa. This mutual
self-giving and receiving becomes
possible because of the person’s inner life
or interiority (panloob na buhay) where his or
her thoughts, feelings, inner struggles, reactions, and the like “resides.”
I believe that there is someone in your life—a parent, friend, or a mentor— whom
you feel very close with. Maybe because of this closeness, both of you are able to
share to each other your inner thoughts and feelings without any reservation.
• How does it feel then to understand and be understood by someone?
• How does it feel then to love and be loved in return by this person?
Please share some of your thoughts on this on the space provided for below.

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The Application of Intersubjectivity to Society
• Because intersubjectivity looks at others as embedded within the self, it is safe
to say that this concept also promotes a view that all people are equal. This
would imply that people from other sectors of society, such as those who have
physical disabilities or socioeconomic challenges, are seen as individuals with
the same potential and talents as anybody else.
• Intersubjectivity is unbiased everyone has the power to understand
relationships and interactions occurring within society with little regard to social
or physical deficiencies. In effect, people who are marginalized may still be
seen as significant contributors to society through their talents, skills, and
capabilities.
• The following are some authentic examples of disadvantages individuals who
have significantly contributed to society:
➢ Stephen Hawking is a physicist and cosmologist who, despite his rare
medical condition called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), made
significant contributions to contemporary studies of relativity and
quantum physics.
➢ As a child, Oprah Winfrey experienced living in a
poor household and was sexually abused. Despite
this, she motivated herself to succeed and did so
by being one of the richest women alive today.

The Use of Authentic Dialogue

• Authentic dialogue is a form of interpersonal communication wherein
individuals acknowledge that they are part of a greater whole and that they
resonate with others within the whole. This occurs when individuals learn to set
aside their personal biases and begin seeing themselves in others through
communarizatin (a social process wherein the community of other people are seen
as embedded within the self).
• In this sense, other people, including the marginalized sector, are seen as
functional parts of a whole. No biases or preferences are exemplified during the
dialogue because an individual has learned to perceive and communicate with
others with a sense of community and oneness.
Examples:
➢ Accepting your classmate’s opinion on government services because his
experience with transacting with government employees is different from
yours.
➢ Overlooking the fact that your boss yelled at you since you understand
that he only did so out of concern over an urgent matter.

The Importance of Intersubjectivity

Intersubjectivity has significant contributions to society and relationships, including
the following:
• It validates real and authentic subjective experiences
• It facilitates interaction among individuals.
• It enables individuals to look at others equally, regardless of any physical or
socio-demographic factor.
• It promotes a sense of community and unity among individuals.
• It emphasizes that anyone can contribute to society.

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 Embracing Differences

ACTIVITY 2.
“Read Me”
Read the message below and decode its meaning. Write your answer on the blank.

“yahaB obuk tihak itnum, gna namalah nood ya iras-iras.”

______________________________________________________

1. Were you able to decode the message? How long did it take you to do the task?
______________________________________________________________
2. Do you find it difficult? Why? Why not?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
3. If you were someone who endure a learning disability since birth, would it still
be possible for you to have skills and talents and excel from them? Explain.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

I am sure that you are already aware that there are people in our society who have
endured a lot of hardships and discrimination because of their physical or mental
condition. As a group, we call them differently-abled persons (may kakulangan sa
pagkatao). However, have you realized that despite their limitations, these individuals
can actually master the same skills as those who are fully able? Have you also realized
that these individuals are actually having their hopes and aspirations too, like us? And
are you aware that many of them are actually able to rise above their disabilities and
become productive and happy individuals?

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 Another group of people who are of the same condition with that of the
differently-abled persons are the underprivileged (walang kakayahan sa buhay).
They are called like that because they are poor materially. They are constantly
struggling to find means for living. Have you seen some them in your community? How
do you and your neighbors treat them? Why do you and your neighbors treat them
that way? Please share your thoughts on the space below:

The Philippine government supports persons with disabilities (PWDs) to land a

job. It is a negative perception that they are less productive. In reality, PWDs do face
a number of barriers in finding a job whether through inaccessibility of transportation
in the workplace, discrimination, and a negative perception of their capacity. As of
2014, the National Statistics Office estimated that about 1.44 million Filipinos have
some form disability in the employable 15-64 years old age bracket.
The country has enough laws to protect to PWDs, such as Executive Order
417; however, in reality, these are hardly implemented. EO 417 mandates all national
government agencies and state-run corporations to allot at least one percent of their
annual budget for programs that will benefit the sector. Further, EO 417 addressees
the need for government to provide capitalization for PWDs livelihood activities, which
include support for technical skills through labor department.

References:
Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quezon City: Rex Book Store, Inc., 2016, 117-131.
Roberto D. Abella, Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person (Textbook)
Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc., 2016, 93-110.

Prepared by: JOVY B. GISULTURA, LPT

Instructor

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 POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, INC
Mac Arthur Highway, Brgy, Kiagot, Digos City

Name: _________________________________ Grade/Strand: ________________

ASSESSMENT
Direction: Choose the letter of your correct answer. Write your answer on the space
provided before number.

______1. It refers to the unique relationship between distinct subjects.

A. human interaction C. self-awareness
B. intersubjectivity D. transcendence
______2. What is the concept where social interactions among individuals validate
events occurring in society?
A. Intrasubjectivity C. Subjectivity
B. Communarization D. Intersubjectivity
______3. Which scenario demonstrates intersubjectivity?
A. Talking with a friend about the cat you both saw at the pet show
B. Volunteering to be the team leader in a fund-raising project
C. Writing in your blog about a big problem in school
D. Reading four books all by the same author
______4. How is communarization similar to empathy?
A. Both promote cultural and spiritual beliefs.
B. Both involve “being in the shoes” of others.
C. Both are done by a select number of people.
D. Both are done within one’s community only.
______5. Who among the following demonstrates an appreciation for the talents
of persons with disabilities and those from the underprivileged sectors of
society?
A. Mike, a 7-year-old gifted child, will continue his education in
Singapore
B. Nicki has been watching a talent show on TV since last year.
C. Jean invited a poor boy, who sings very well, to her show.
D. Dr. Magalang offers a full scholarship program for a debate winner.
B. True or False. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is wrong.
______6. We have to accept that people have different views and beliefs from us.
______7. Differently-abled persons share with the same dignity with all people.
______8. The act of giving must be done in the spirit of mutual respect.
______9. We help those in need to feel a lot better about ourselves.
______10. Reflecting on our own interactions with others fosters positive
relationships.