UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

LESSON OVERVIEW

 Philosophical Perspective
 Sociological Perspective: The Self as a Product of Society
 An Anthropological Conceptualization of the Self as Embedded in
Culture
 Psychological Perspective of the Self
 The Western and Eastern Concepts of Self
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the chapter, you should be able to:

 Demonstrate understanding of the range of representations and conceptualizations of
the self from various disciplinal perspectives;
 Compare and contrast how the concept of self has been represented across disciplines
and perspectives;
 Examine the different influences, factors, and forces that contribute to the
development of self; and
 Analyze the development of one’s self and identity by creating a theory of self
 THE BOOK

Our primary reference is:

 Understanding the Self by Ma. Joycelyn A. Go-Monilla and Normaliza C.
Ramirez (2018)
THE BOOK
THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES
1. Philosophical
Perspective

4. Psychological 2. Sociological
Perspective Perspective

Who am I
SELF
What am I?

5. Western &
3. Anthropological
Eastern
Perspectivve
Perspective

The Concept Map

JAMBOARD (PRE-LESSON ACTIVITY)

Who am I?
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

What is Philosophy?
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Conceptual Definition
 Philosophy means “love of wisdom”
 Employs the inquisitive mind to discover the ultimate causes, reasons and
principles of everything.
 Philosophy goes beyond scientific investigation by exploring all areas of
knowledge such as religion, psychology, politics, physics, and even
medicine
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Since Philosophy seeks the truth about something

 Is there always only one answer for every question? (Please Explain)

(For example: Is there a God? What is truth? Do we have free will?)

 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Socrates: “Know thyself”

 For Socrates the self is synonymous
with the soul.
 He was the first to focus on the full
power of reason on the human self
“who we are, who we should be, and
who will become.”
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Two Realms:
1. Physical Realm – changeable, transient, and imperfect
2. Ideal Realm – unchanging, eternal, and immortal
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE
Physical Realm: Our physical body
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE
Ideal Realm: Intellectual essences of the universe,
concepts of truth, goodness, and beauty. The soul
belongs to this realm
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Ideal Realm:
 The soul is the immortal entity
 It strives for wisdom and perfection
 The REASON is the main tool of the soul
 Now the SOUL is tied to the body – the quest
for wisdom is inhibited by the imperfection of
the physical realm, where it wanders and is
confused.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Socrates suggests that WE must live an examined life

and a life of purpose and value
 An unexamined life is not worth living – we can have a
meaningful and happy life only if we can become
virtuous and value ourselves. (BUT HOW?)
 We must begin at the source of all knowledge and
significance – THE SELF
 The Socratic Method – the so-called introspection, a
method of carefully examining one’s thought and
emotions – to gain SELF-KNOWLEDGE
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Plato: “The Self is an Immortal Soul”

 He also believes that the self is synonymous
with the soul – elaborates on Socrates’ concept
of the soul.
 His philosophy can be explained as a process of
self-knowledge and purification of the soul.
 He introduces three-part of the soul: reason,
physical appetite, and spirit or passion.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Spirit

DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP

Reason SOUL Physical

 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Soul
 Reason – divine essence that enable us to think deeply,
make wise choices, and achieve a true understanding of
eternal truths.
 Physical appetite – includes our basic biological needs
such as hunger, thirst, and sexual desire.
 Spirit – include basic emotions such as love, anger,
ambition, aggressiveness, and empathy.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 Reason must maintain a harmonious relationship

between the physical appetite and the spirit
 Reason should always be in control – to ensure
HAPPINESS
 Under control of Reason is Plato’s concept of
JUSTICE.
 “As such, if man lives in accordance to his nature, then
he is giving justice to his existence”.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

To elaborate his vision of Soul:

o f
ld
 Theory of Forms – What is it?
• The World of Forms (non-physical ideas) – real r
o s
and permanent
e W m
• The World of Sense (reality) – temporary and Th For
only a replica of an IDEAL WORLD.

Therefore, the REAL WORLD is only dependent on s e

the IDEAL WORLD – where the concept of the soul e n
S
of
belongs, and the SOUL is regarded as something
PERMANENT.
l d
Hence, we should give more importance to it rather or
than the physical body which resides in the
e W
Th
WORLD OF SENSE.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Aristotle: “The Soul is the Essence of the Self”

 For him, the soul is merely a set of defining features
and does not consider the body and the soul as separate
entities.
 Anything with life has a soul – soul is the essence of all
living things, thus, the SOUL is the essence of the
SELF
 However, humans differ from other living creatures
because of our capacity for rational thinking.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Aristotle’s discussion of the self centers on the kind of soul possessed

by a person:
 Vegetative Soul – includes physical body that can grow
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 Sentient Soul – includes sensual desires, feelings, and emotions

 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 Rational Soul – is what makes man human – includes the intellect

that allows man to know and understand things.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Aristotle suggests:

Rational
Lead to a good, flourishing and
Nature
fulfilling life
(SELF)

Self-
Actualization
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Aristotle: “The Soul is the Essence of the Self”

 How to achieve happiness?
 The pursuit of happiness is a search for a good life that
includes doing virtuous actions
 Therefore, a part of the rational soul is characterized by
moral virtues such as justice and courage
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Short reflection: What is/are the similar concept/s they suggest about self?
• How to live life?
• What aspect/s of life should we give more importance?
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

St. Augustine – The Self has an Immortal Soul

 He integrates the ideas of Plato and teachings of
Christianity
 He believes that the physical body is radically different
from and inferior to its inhabitant, the IMMORTAL
SOUL.
 As his thinking matured, he developed a more unified
perspective on the body and soul.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 St. Augustine viewed the body as the spouse of the soul.

 He also believes that the body is united with the soul so
that people will become complete.
 Therefore, the soul is an important element of a person.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 St. Augustine – humankind is created in the image and

likeness of God, thus, humans are always geared
towards the good.
 He is also convinced that the self is known only through
knowing God.
 Self-knowledge = Knowledge of God
 The TRUTH of which Augustine speaks refers to the
truth of knowing God.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Rene Descartes: I think therefore I am

 French philosopher, considered the father of modern
philosophy – brought an entirely new perspective to
philosophy and the self.
 Cogito ergo sum, - the act of thinking about the self – of
being self-conscious – is in itself proof that there is a
SELF.
 The essence of the human self – is a thinking entity that
doubts, understands, analyzes, questions, and reasons.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

For Descartes, there are two dimensions (separate) of the

human self
 The self as a thinking entity; and
 The self as a physical body
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

The Soul – the thinking self, non-material,

immortal, conscious being, and independent of
the physical laws of the universe.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

The Physical Self – the physical body,

material, mortal, non-thinking entity, fully
governed by the physical laws of nature.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Therefore, the soul and the body are

different/independent from one another, and each can exist
and function without the other
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

John Locke - The Self is Consciousness

 English Philosopher, the human kind at birth is tabula
rasa or a blank slate.
 The self or personal identity, is constructed primarily
from sense experiences shape and mold the self
throughout a person’s life.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Visual Representation of Locke’s philosophy

 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Memories of
previous experiences
Conscious Understanding
awareness the Self

• The essence of the self is its conscious awareness of

itself as a thinking, reasoning, and reflecting identity.
• Locke contends that consciousness accompanies thinking
and makes possible the concept people have of a self.
• Self-consciousness = self/identity or knowledge of the
self as a person
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

John Locke - The Self is Consciousness

• THEREFORE, USING THE POWER OF
REASON AND INTROSPECTION ENABLES
ONE TO UNDERSTAND AND ACHIEVE
ACCURATE CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE
SELF (PERSONAL IDENTITY)
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

David Hume – There is no self

 He suggests that if people carefully examine
their sense of experience through the process of
introspection, they will discover that there is no
self.
 What people experience is just a bundle or
collection of different perceptions.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

IF people will carefully examine the contents of

their experience, they will find that there are only
two distinct entities:
Ideas
Impression
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 Impression – are the basic sensations of

people’s experience such as hate, love, joy,
grief, pain, cold, and heat.
 It is also considered as vivid perceptions and
are strong and lively.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 Ideas – are thoughts and images from

impressions so they are less lively and vivid.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 Hume argues that it cannot be from these

impressions that the idea of self is derived,
hence, there is no self.
 There is no simple experience or single
impression that they can call the self where the
self is the totality of a person’s conscious life.
 Subsequently, the idea of personal identity is a
result of imagination.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Immanuel Kant – We Construct the Self

 A German philosopher, argues that the self makes
experiencing an intelligible world possible
 It is the self that actively organizing and synthesizing
all of our thoughts and perceptions.
 The self – in the form of consciousness, utilizes
conceptual categories which he calls transcendental
deduction of categories.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Immanuel Kant – Transcendental deduction of

categories
 Construct an orderly and objective world that is stable
and can be investigated scientifically.
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Environmental Stimuli

Sensation/s

Filter, order, relate,

organize and synthesize
sensation

SELF (REALITY)
(Familiar, predictable, and
most significantly, MINE)
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Sigmund Freud - The Self is Multilayered

 The self consists of three layers: conscious,
unconscious, preconscious
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Freud’s Representation of our mind

 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 Conscious Self – governed by the reality principle

 It is organized to be rational, practical, and appropriate
to the environment
 It also takes into account the realistic demands of the
situation, the consequences of various actions, and the
overriding need to preserve the balance within.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 Unconscious Self – contains the basic instinctual drives

including sexuality, aggressiveness, and the self-
destruction; traumatic memories; unfulfilled wishes and
childhood fantasies; and thought and feelings that
would be considered socially taboo.
 Most primitive level of human motivation governed by
“pleasure principle”
 Freud also believes that much of the self is determined
by the unconscious.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

 Preconscious Self – contains the material that is not

threatening and is easily brought to mind.
 This level of consciousness is located between the
conscious and unconscious level.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Gilbert Ryle – The Self is the way people behave

 The self is best understood as a pattern of behavior, the
tendency or disposition of a person to behave in certain
way in certain circumstances.
 The mind and body are intrinsically linked in complex
and intimate ways.
 The mind expresses the entire system of thoughts,
emotions, and actions that make up the human self.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Paul Churchland – The Self is the Brain

 He advocates the idea of eliminative materialism – or the
idea that the self is inseparable from the brain and the
physiology of the body.
 His simple logic in the Self is – All person has a brain,
therefore, no brain means no self.
 The physical brain and not the IMAGINARY MIND
gives people the sense of self.
 The MIND does not really exist because it cannot be
experienced by the senses.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Maurice Merleau-Ponty – The Self is embodied

subjectivity
 Ponty argues that all knowledge about the self is based
on the phenomena of experience.
 The I is a single integrated core identity, a combination
of mental, physical, and emotional structures around a
core identity of the self.
 Furthermore, Ponty emphasized that when people
examine the self at the fundamental level of direct
human experience, we will discover that the mind and
the body are unified, and not separated.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Maurice Merleau-Ponty – The Self is embodied

subjectivity
 Phenomenology of Perception – everything that people
are aware of is contained within the consciousness.
 Consciousness – a dynamic form responsible for
actively structuring conscious ideas and physical
behavior
 Therefore perception is not merely a result of sensory
experience; rather, it is a conscious experience. Thus,
the self is embodied subjectivity.
 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Asynchronous activity title: Look Within!

 From what you have learned from the discussion about philosophical perspective of
the self, create a reflection paper about which philosophy regarding the self do you
believe the most? Otherwise, you can create your theory based on your general
understanding of the topic.
 The reflection must not exceed 200 words.
 You are free to use visual representations
 Your output must be submitted in PDF, JPEG, or PNG FORMAT ONLY (failure to
comply will receive deductions)
 Submit your paper in LMS within the submission period.
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF