Formation and

Transformation of
Self
 “Self and
Philosophical Ethics”
DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, the learners are expected to:

1.Explain why ethical consciousness always begins with self-awareness;

2.Relate self-cultivation with ethical responsibility;

3.Identify the relevant theoretical implications of ethics centered on self; and

4.Recognize the dynamic tension between formation and transformation in self-

cultivation.
 Victoria is a fine arts degree holder. She has always loved the arts but does not see herself
pursuing it as a career. To her family’s and friends’ surprise, Victoria took a job in a luxury
cruise as a cabin stewardess after graduation. She told them she has always been fascinated
with traveling and has always dreamed of working abroad. She saw the opportunity of
doing both things aboard a cruise ship. It was her first job and her first time to leave the
country and be away from home for so long. It could likewise be considered her baptism of
fire. From a relatively sheltered life, Victoria was plunged into a job that required her to
make 40 beds a day at a pace that left very little room for her to catch her breath or take a
restroom break. She also met challenges in adjusting to the totally different social
environment aboard a ship. Back home, her interaction was limited only to her kins and
close circle of friends. In the ship, she had to deal with hundreds of strangers with
backgrounds and habits completely different from her provincial upbringing. It took a
while before she could let go of her naïve belief that people who are kind to her also mean
well. She experienced getting the raw end of the deal many times despite efforts of being
considerate and friendly to others. Aboard the ship, Victoria got the chance to confront who
she really was through the different circumstances that tested her resolve to persevere and
also her determination to affirm and re-create herself during this period of transition. Her
case was a long and difficult tale of personal odyssey but it is definitely not hers alone.
Millions of Filipinos who took jobs abroad practically share the same story. Their narrative
of survival, self preservation, and self-transformation is a story of their continuing struggle
Understanding the self is a complex and multifaceted concept
that has been explored by philosophers, psychologists, and
other scholars for centuries. At its core, understanding the self
involves gaining insight into one's own thoughts, feelings,
beliefs, values, and identity.

Self-understanding involves examining your motivations,

desires, fears, strengths, weaknesses, and past experiences to
gain clarity about your identity and purpose in life. It also
involves identifying patterns of behavior, triggers, and biases
that influence your actions and decisions. By understanding
yourself better, you can cultivate self-acceptance, self-
confidence, and self-esteem.
Self-awareness is a key component of understanding the self. It
involves being conscious of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
in the present moment. Self-awareness allows you to recognize how
you are feeling, why you are feeling that way, and how your emotions
impact your actions and interactions with others. It enables you to
make conscious choices and respond in a more mindful and
intentional manner

Introspection is another important aspect of understanding the self.

It involves looking inward, reflecting on your experiences, values,
beliefs, and goals.
Self-understanding is essential for personal growth and self-
improvement. It helps you to identify areas where you may need to
make changes, set goals for self-improvement, and work towards
becoming the best version of yourself. By understanding your strengths
and weaknesses, you can leverage your talents and skills while working
on areas that may need development.

Developing self-awareness and understanding the self can also

improve your relationships with others. When you have a clear
understanding of your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, you are
better able to communicate effectively, empathize with others, and
build meaningful connections based on mutual respect and
understanding.
 The internal struggle of knowing
who one really is a burden from
which he or she cannot escape

People are accustomed to

thinking that the self is something
which can be placed under their
control.

disclose to the world that what

appears as self is but the tip of the
iceberg–the rest of who people
actually are is an uncharted
territory. Sigmund Freud
Freud contested that our
conscious behaviour is only
the visible 10% of our
psyche – the tip of the iceberg
if you like. The mind is like an
iceberg, it floats with one-
seventh of its bulk above
water. The deeper drivers of
our behaviours – the other
90% – lie submerged in our
subconscious or unconscious
mind.
 while centered on knowing, has
important implications for
understanding the self. It suggests
that self-knowledge happens as a
process and is integral to the history
of a person.

JEAN PIAGET AT THE

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
CAMPUS IN ANN ARBOR
 There is no shortcut to maturity; neither does it
happen overnight: it is a process that unfolds through
time.

The mature person is the individual who can

bear with himself or herself as he or she undergoes
the whole experience.
Lawrence Kohlberg

One psychologist
whose theory is
directly and closely
related with ethics.
Kohlberg concentrated on a person’s moral development.

He believed that a person proceeds to moral maturity in

gradual stages, In other words, one does not become a moral
person at once.

The moral quality of a person depends on the quality of his

or her moral reasoning which itself undergoes
transformation.

Therefore, one is not expected to resolve a particular

dilemma if it involves a level of complexity that is not
appropriate for his or her moral stage.
In Kohlberg’s theory, one can find balance between
nature and nurture, between reality and possibility

The main issue for a person

introduced to a new social environment is
accord and conformity
George Herbert Mead
• Mead Studied psychology and sociology,
and traces of these disciplines are notable in
his work. Social experience is central to
Mead’s concept of the development of the
self. For him, the self does not mature on its
own. It requires an environment where
interactions with other selves are possible,
particularly, interactions that allow shared
meanings. Immersion in such a world
enables the self to create itself and, in doing
so, motivates an individual to shape his or
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her world for the better
THANKYOU
FOR
LISTENING!
!!

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