Chapter 6:

PHYSICAL
SELF

Understanding the Self

PHYSICAL SELF
PHYSICAL SELF - refers to the body which we interface with our environment and fellow being. It is a tangible of the
person that can be directly observed examined.

Arthur Marwick (1988) defends the view that physical beauty is no more than what it is: only “skin deep”. It is a fact of
life that some people are physically beautiful while others are not. Physical beauty is defined as a feature of a
person’s body. This feature can be valued, it seems, independent of others that make a person valuable, such as
intellect, character, or humor. However physical beauty was also considered suspect and dangerous, due to its link to
sexuality and its “merely carnal”, power and seductive side.
PHYSICAL BEAUTY IN ITS OWN RIGHT
A person’s attractiveness depends on many features. We can value a person at different levels with respect to his or
her:
a. Physical looks (body, face, figure)
b. Artistic looks (clothes, make-up, perfume, hair)
c. Personal looks (Appearance, impressions, aura)
d. Performance (voice, attitude, behavior)
e. Personality (charisma, charm, appeal, allure)
f. Relational capacities (contractual skills, communication competence)
g. Friendship abilities (reliable, nice, offbeat, loveable, companionable)

These distinctive evaluations clearly appreciate the levels as independent dimensions. By this we could already say
that evaluating someone’s beauty is difficult because we need to see the person as a whole and not just criticizing
him/her because the way of his/her dress or because of his/her skin color. Beauty is Beauty.

If we then accept the conclusion that physical beauty can be valued, an important implication follows. Intervention
in the body itself is often the only way out for those who want to be physically beautiful, and cosmetic or aesthetic
surgery can be, at least for some people and to some extent, the option par excellence.
AFRICA
they do not celebrate thinness the way
BEAUTY IS
other countries do. Famously the
country of Mauritania has come to be
CULTURE BOUND
known as one that idolizes overweight
women. This is most often seen as a In order to understand their inherent beauty norms,
sign of wealth and fertility
we should study today’s trends and tastes, and their
functions and meanings in our lives. In this broader
context ‘a beautiful appearance’ refers to a beauty
that is man-made. It is artistic in two respects:
BRAZIL
women want to appear fit and toned,
and things like waxing, sculpting 1. it is clearly achieved by ‘cultural’ means and
massages and manicures are everyday reflects our present culture
treatment, not only reserved for the spa

2. it expresses someone’s personal choice and

intentions.

ASIAN & AFRICA

skin lightening has risen in popularity.
PHYSICAL BEAUTY IN WHICH ONE HAS AN
INTEREST
Hannah Ginsborg (1997) shows that – according to Kant – beauty can be attached to living things (organisms) as well as to
artificial things (works of art). The character of the judgement of beauty is the same in both cases.

Kant’s idea of beauty is that beauty gives the observer a feeling of disinterested pleasure or liking. By ‘disinterested’ he
means that the object does not fulfill an aim or satisfy a need. There is, for instance, no ‘wish to possess’, regardless of whether
it is a work of art or a natural object being observed. Finally, according to Kant’s view, beauty judgements are not objective,
but are nevertheless universal.

Physical beauty and Personal Identity

By assuming an attitude towards our bodily looks we more or less integrate our appearance-related experiences in our
lives, and thereby make these experiences part of our personal ‘identity’.
Physical beauty is understood as experienced beauty in primarily a relational perspective. Implied is that not just that ugly
nose or plain face concerns us, but the story that a person tells about his nose or face or other bodily parts, as experienced
by him and others.
The characterization of a person therefore includes experiences, values and beliefs, desires and psychological qualities,
which together constitute someone as a person (Schechtman,1996).
A new sense of identity has to fit the reconstructed image and leave the old self behind: “Altering appearance also
changes the way we see ourselves, and this is a crucial consequence of cosmetic surgery”
Bodily changes may undoubtedly change a person, but these changes do not necessarily imply a denial or loss of his
identity.
SELF-ESTEEM
Self- esteem – is used to describes a person’s overall sense of self-worth or personal value. In other words, how much you
appreciate and like yourself. It involves a variety of belief about yourself, such as the appraisal of your own appearance, beliefs,
emotions, and behaviors.
Inflated Self-Esteem – this people holds high regards of themselves. Better than the other to the point of
underestimating them.

High Self-Esteem – This is a positive esteem, which make the person be satisfied of themselves

Low Self-Esteem – This person does not value themselves and do not trust their possibilities.

Why Self-Esteem is Important

Self-esteem can play a significant role in your motivation and success throughout your life. Low self-esteem may hold you
from succeeding at school or work because you don’t believe to be capable of success.

By Contrast, having a healthy self-esteem can help you achieve because you navigate life with a positive, assertive attitude
and believe you can accomplish your goals.
 SELF ESTEEM
SIGNS OF HIGH SIGNS OF LOW
SELF-ESTEEM SELF-ESTEEM

✓ Avoid dwelling on past, negative experiences
✓ Express your needs
✓ Feel confident
✓ Have a positive outlook on life
✓ Say “no” when you want to
✓ See overall strengths and weaknesses and accept
them
✓ You believe that others are better than you
✓ You find it difficult expressing your needs
✓ You focus on your weaknesses
✓ You frequently experience feelings such as shame,
depressions, or anxiety
✓ You have intense fear of failure
✓ You have trouble accepting positive feedback
✓ You have trouble saying “no”
✓ You put other people’s needs before your own
✓ You struggle with confidence
 SELF ESTEEM
SIGNS OF HIGH SIGNS OF LOW
SELF-ESTEEM SELF-ESTEEM

✓ Avoid dwelling on past, negative experiences
✓ Express your needs
✓ Feel confident
✓ Have a positive outlook on life
✓ Say “no” when you want to
✓ See overall strengths and weaknesses and accept
them
✓ You believe that others are better than you
✓ You find it difficult expressing your needs
✓ You focus on your weaknesses
✓ You frequently experience feelings such as shame,
depressions, or anxiety
✓ You have intense fear of failure
✓ You have trouble accepting positive feedback
✓ You have trouble saying “no”
✓ You put other people’s needs before your own
✓ You struggle with confidence
 Psychological Views on
Self-Esteem

Abraham Maslow
Holistic Dynamic Theory
 Psychological Views on
Self-Esteem

Alfred Adler
Individual Psychology
 Psychological Views on
Self-Esteem

Filipino Psychology
Dangal and Puri
 Self--love is
important!
I LOVE AND ACCEPT ALL OF MY STUDENTS REGARDLESS

OF HOW YOU LOOK, HOW YOU DRESS, YOUR SKIN

COLOR, SOCIAL STATUS ETC. I HOPE YOU LEARN HOW

TO LOVE AND ACCEPT YOURSELF TOO :)

Any question?
Thank you for
listening :)