GE 1 - UTS

Module 2

Student’s Name: BUSTARGA, POLLYN C.

Course, Year & Section: BSOA 1B Date Submitted: AUGUST 30, 2021

Lesson 1: Concept and Nature of Self The Self from

Various Philosophical Perspectives

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

1. Explain the nature, concept and meaning of the self.

2. Expound on the essence of understanding the self.
3. Discuss the different notions of self from various disciplines and perspectives.
4. Develop a pleasant and wholesome attitude towards self.

Overview:

Philosophy as a subject presents various philosophers offering multiple

perspectives on any topic including the self. Philosophically, the discussion of the self is
a basic research for meaning and purpose in life. Determination, rationalization and
identification of the self set the direction from which an individual travels to fulfill his or
her purpose in life.

What is our identity? Our name represents us. Death cannot even stop this bond
between the person and her name. It is even inscribed into one’s gravestone. A name,
no matter how intimately bound with the bearer, however, is not the person. It is only a
signifier. The self is something that a person perennially molds, shapes and develops.
Everyone is tasked to discover one’s self

Activity 1: Self-examination

Look at yourself in the mirror and answer the following questions:

1. How can you describe yourself based on your own perspective or point of you?
I am a kind-hearted, easygoing, and humorous person who can also be serious, silent, and emotional
at times.
2. What aspect of yourself do you feel good about? Why?
I am content with what I have and who I am. I am proud of my characteristic of being sociable with
others and able to connect with them easily.
3. What aspect of yourself do you believe you have to improve?
I need to work on managing my anger and improving my emotional control.
Analysis:

 Can anyone truly know one self? In my perspective, yes. Internal self-awareness, or
understanding why we behave the way we do, and external self-awareness, or accurately
judging how others see us, are two types of self-awareness, according to psychologist Tasha
Eurich. She estimates that 95% of people believe they are self-aware.
 Were you able to answer the questions above with ease? Yes
Why? Because I'm aware of my own strengths and weaknesses.

Abstraction:

Please read Chapter 1: Defining the Self: Personal and Developmental

Perspectives on Self and Identity

Lesson 1: The Self from Various Philosophical

Perspectives (Pages 1-9) or

The Philosophical View of Self (pages 4-9)

(References stated below)

(See attached powerpoint presentation)
***You may also search from other online sources in case there are no
available reference books.

Application and Assessment:

In your own words, state what is the meaning of Self for each of the following philosophers.

Socrates
“Know Thyself” is what he quote. We have to know our whole selves because according to him also “self-
knowledge is the source of all wisdom” therefore, through knowledge a person can take control of
themselves and become their own master.
Plato
"The Self is an Immortal Soul" According to Plato's definition of self, the soul is divided into three parts:
Reason, Physical Appetite, and Spirit or Passion. Reason is defined as one's ability to think critically and
make wise decisions. Physical appetite refers to a person's basic desires, such as hunger, thirst, and sexual
desires. Finally, the essential emotions that the self encounters are referred to as Spirit or Passion.
Augustine
"The Self has an Immortal Soul" Augustine's sense of self is defined by his relationship with God, which
includes both his recognition of God's love and his response to it, which he achieves through self-
presentation and self-realization. Augustine believed that finding God's love was the only way to achieve
inner peace.
Descartes
“I think, therefore, I am” According to Rene Descartes, there are two parts to one's self: the self as a
reasoning substance and the self as a physical body. He also empathized with the idiom "I think, therefore
I am," which implies that a rationally reasoning individual acting naturally conscious is simply
confirmation that there is.
Hume
 "There is no Self" There is no self, according to David Hume, if a person carefully examines himself using
the method of introspection. He means that the self is nothing more than a product of a person's
humanistic imagination and thoughts that form their characteristics.
Kant
"We construct the Self" People, according to Immanuel Kant, are the ones who create their own selves.
It means that the self creates its own reality, actively producing a predictable world for him or her.
Ryle
"The Self is the Way People Behave" According to Gilbert Ryle, the self is best understood as a pattern of
behavior, or a person's ability to act and move in specific ways and conditions.
Merleau-Ponty
"The Self is Embodied Subjectivity," says the author. All knowledge about the self, according to Maurice
Merleau-Ponty, is based on the "phenomena" of experience. It means that the self is a product of his past
experiences, and that he constructs his identity through all of those past experiences in which he made
decisions and so on.

Reflection:

“For you to understand people, you should first know yourself”.

Answer the following questions:

 What is your concept about self?

The SELF is like a YIN and YANG, it has a dark and bright side.

 Among the following philosophers, which one has the same (or at least similar) with how you
conceived of the SELF? Explain your answer.

Among philosophers, MARLEAU-statement PONTY's "THE SELF IS AN EMBODIED SUBJECTIVITY"

corresponds to my understanding of self, because our living body, thoughts, emotions, and experiences
are all interconnected, and if any of these are not yet mastered, we cannot claim to have fully known
ourselves.
 In your own opinion, why do you need to understand yourself?

In my opinion, it is critical to understand ourselves in order to recognize our limitations and to use this
knowledge as a tool to improve ourselves. Furthermore, if we know ourselves, we are not simply
influenced by what others say because we are aware of who we truly are.

Self and Module Evaluation:

Rate your learning experience in using this module according to the following scale: Put a check
mark on your response.

___ 4 - I learned a lot from this module

___ 3 - I learned just right

___ 2 - I still need guidance on certain topics

___ 1 - I did not understand anything