Quarter 2 - Module 2

Intersubjectivity
Lesson 1. Accepting Differences
ACTIVITY 1. Compare Us (30 pts)
2. Which of these situations do you prefer? Explain your
answer. (10 pts)
 WHAT IS INTERSUBJECTIVITY?

• Our human nature not only enables us to recognize the

SELF (that defines our individuality), it also enables us to
recognize that the other human beings also possess a
SELF.

• We are able to relate meaningfully with other human

beings because we consider ourselves as ESSENTIALLY
THE SAME.
Interpersonal relations – according to philosophers, is
the notion of recognizing the SELF in the OTHER .

• Hence, INTERSUBJECTIVITY is the mutual recognition

of each other as persons; a unique relationship
between distinct subjects.
• Levels of “SELF – OTHER” Interactions

1. The simple awareness of the existence of the other. -

This means that when we see other people walking
down the street, we are aware that there are other
beings unique from us, and that they exist outside of
our own perception
2. The awareness of self as being seen by others - For
instance, one of the people you are watching suddenly
stops and looks straight at you. You are immediately
aware of this person’s action as an OTHER.
Also, you are aware of another significant fact – you
know that the stranger at you is aware of YOU as a
person.
- This self-consciousness is considered by philosophers
as a defining characteristic of SELF-OTHER
relationship.
The awareness of “self in the other” is an important
element in all other aspects of interpersonal
interactions. The way we act with other people is often
influenced by our ideas of how these people see us.
SEEMING :

- Actions where an individual presents himself or

herself in a certain way when dealing with others.

- Persons take on “roles” or act out characters when

dealing with certain people or when in certain
situations. This is considered unconscious, natural
act on the part of humans
For example :
(a). When we are with our friends and we think
that they see us outgoing and boisterous, we also
adjust our behavior to conform with how we
think they expect us to act.

(b). Also, how we behave in church is different

from our behavior in a lively party.
 HOW DOES INTER SUBJECTIVITY DEFINE OUR
INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER PERSONS?

• Philosophers agree that it is important for humans to

pursue and achieve genuine relationships to attain
development. Human persons naturally seek and are
able to achieve and maintain genuine, meaningful
relations with each other. The human person is
considered as a "being with others”, which means that
his or her identity and destiny are shaped by relating
with others.
• Human existence is a continual dialogue with the “other” and
that the “self” becomes whole through interaction with other
people and his or her surroundings.

1. EMPATHY – or the ability to share emotions, is an

important aspect of intersubjectivity.
▪ This emotion is driven by a person's awareness that the
other is a person with thoughts and feelings.
▪ Empathy enables us to experience another person's
emotions, such as
happiness, anger, and sadness, in a manner of speaking,
sympathy is "feeling with' and empathy is "feeling in
▪ For instance, how would you behave around a friend who
just informed you
that his or her parent has died?
• Empathy enables you not only to share your
friend's grief and offer him or her comfort
during a difficult experience (sympathy), but
also to feel the grief of that person even if it
wasn't your own relative’s death. Persons can
also share more positive emotions such as joy
and pride.
• Examples include basketball enthusiasts celebrating
their favorite team’s victory, and parents taking
pride in their child’s achievement during
graduation. By allowing us to share in another
person's emotions, empathy also enables us to place
ourselves in their shoes.
 2. AVAILABILITY - is the willingness of a person to be
present and be at the disposal of another. ▪ You may
have encountered a situation where you needed
help. For instance, you went to an unfamiliar place
and cannot locate the place where you are supposed
to go. What will you do? You might think of asking
directions from the people living in the area.
• How will you feel if you were asking for directions,
but the people you were asking kept ignoring you?
What will you think about these people? Let's say a
stranger approaches you in the street asking for help.
What will be your first reaction? Will you try and help
that person or will you ignore him or her?
3. ETHICS FOR CARE – is an ethical theory that
emphasizes the moral dimension of relationships and
interactions.

▪ This moral perspective encourages individuals to help

other people, most especially the vulnerable.
• This theory believes that people have a moral obligations
to respond to the needs of other people; and one cannot
turn a blind eye on the problems of others.
On the other hand,

▪ Alienation - arises when a person ceases to

view the other as a distinct and authentic person
and merely considers the other person as a mere
object or a means to satisfy personal interests.
For instance, people who behave in a rude and
offensive manner against others whom they
consider “different from them”.
• Our human nature drives us to feel indignation against
these kinds of behavior because we know that these actions
are an insult to human dignity. Feelings or views of
alienation, if left unaddressed, give rise to negative views
and actions directed against a person or group of persons.

• Alienation goes against the concept of personhood because

this view
discounts the humanity and dignity of a person and leads to
dehumanization
 PERFORMANCE ACTIVITY ( 100 pts)

• Create your own one page infographics promoting

respect for persons with disabilities and those from the
underprivileged sectors of society. You can use digital
means or cut-out from old magazines, news papers,
brochures and other printed materials. Make it more
creative.
At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1.Understand that intersubjectivity recognizes each

other as persons.

2.Realize that intersubjectivity requires accepting

differences which lead to good relationships.
The interaction between the self and the other is
related to the philosophical concept of
INTERSUBJECTIVITY which is the mutual recognition
of each other as persons.

A good way to think of intersubjectivity is to imagine

how one relates to their family and friends. Maybe
one of the family members enjoyed playing volleyball.
He took one of the members of the family with him
when he practiced, and he always had a good time.
Growing up, he decided to join the school
volleyball team. If that member of the family
had not played volleyball with him growing up,
he may not have grown to like the sport. The
experience with volleyball can be called
intersubjective because it was influenced by
another person
Exercise:

Think of a particular person who made an

influence in your life and how did it change you as
a person. Write your answer on the your notebook.
Important values related to intersubjectivity include
acceptance of differences and embracing diversity. We
understand that each person is unique, therefore,
differences will exist among groups of people. When we
look at physical traits and even behavior, we can see that
no two persons look and think the same. We have to
accept that people have different views and beliefs. What
unites us all is our shared HUMANITY and DIGNITY.
The recognition of our shared humanity and dignity is
what drives us to extend assistance and act with
concern towards others, especially towards individuals
or groups that experience hardships and
discrimination. For instance, those who are physically
and mentally challenged often experience hardships
because of their condition. Despite their limitations,
many of them have successfully transcended their
disabilities to become productive and happy
individuals.
 Lesson 2. Accepting Others

•At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1.Explain that authentic dialogue means

accepting others even if they are different from
themselves
What does the picture tell us?
• The interaction between the self and the other is
related to the philosophical concept of
INTERSUBJECTIVITY which is the mutual
recognition of each other as persons. As humans,
we have the natural and universal tendency to
relate, to establish attachments and seek close
relationship with other people. Our human nature
drives us to reach out to other people and interact
with them in meaningful ways. Through our
interactions with others we understand how and why
people think and act the way they do, thus, we
notice how different we are from each other.
 •Intersubjectivity looks at others as rooted 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 socio-economic challenges are seen as individuals with the
same potential and talents as anybody else.

•A DIALOGUE is an interaction between persons that happens

through speech or the use of words, expressions, and body
language. It occurs when two persons “open up” to each other
and give and receive one another in their encounter. Genuine
dialogue occurs when persons are willing to share themselves
with one another.
• The awareness of each other’s presence as a true
person is defined by the acceptance of each other’s
uniqueness and differences. For Martin Buber,
human intersubjectivity is a true encounter through
the three spheres of dialogue that “I” engages in. The
I-THOU is the encounter between man and man
where language is exchanged and is described as
always mutual, real, and direct; it is an evidence of
the reality of human intersubjectivity through
language.
Lesson 3. Appreciating People With
Disabilities
What is your impression about the picture and statement below?

Question:

How is intersubjectivity relates with care, love, respect and responsibility?

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1.Define and explain the importance of intersubjectivity.

2. Appreciate the talents of persons with disabilities and those

from the underprivileged sectors of society and their
contributions to society.

3. Perform activities that demonstrate the talents of persons

with disabilities and those from the underprivileged sectors of
society.
•INTERSUBJECTIVITTY is a condition of man, a subject, among other
men, who are also subjects. It refers to the shared awareness and
understanding among persons. It is made possible by the awareness of
self and the other.

•A DIALOGUE is an interaction between persons that happens through

speech or the use of words, expressions, and body language. It occurs
when two persons “open up” to each other, give, and receive one
another in their encounter. Genuine dialogue occurs when persons are
willing to share themselves with one another. The awareness of each
other’s presence as a true person is defined by the acceptance of each
other’s uniqueness and differences.
• For Martin Buber, an Australian-born Israeli Jewish
Philosopher, human intersubjectivity is a true encounter
through the three spheres of dialogue that “I” engages in.
The I-THOU is the encounter between man and man where
language is exchanged and is described as always mutual,
real, and direct; it is an evidence of the reality of human
intersubjectivity through language.
The human person is concerned with toward relation and
sharing in the common life for the common good.

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.
 The following are some authentic examples of disadvantaged
individuals who have significantly contributed to society:
1. Stephen Hawking
• He is a physicist and
cosmologist who, despite his
rare medical condition called
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS), made important
contributions to
contemporary studies of
relativity and quantum
physics.
2. Oprah Winfrey

• 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 riches women
alive today.
Research: Write the most extraordinary talent of the
following PWDs:

1.HELEN KELLER
2. NICHOLAS JAMES “NICK” VUJICIC
3. ROSELLE AMBUBUYOG