Understanding the Self: Concepts and Processes

Introduction to Understanding the Self

• The presentation introduces the concept, definition, and processes of self-understanding.
• It encompasses scientific and philosophical explanations of the self and identity.
• The module also introduces the factors contributing to one's being and identity.

Module Objectives

• Introduce the concept, definition, and processes of self-understanding.
• The concept encompasses scientific and philosophical explanations of the self and identity.
• The module also introduces the factors that shape one's being and identity.

Specifically, We Will Discuss...

• Fundamental concepts and principles of the self.
• Different factors contributing to one's being.
• Philosophical and theoretical explanations about the self.
• Explanations about fields of sciences about the self and identity.

Highlights of the Lessons

• Unit 1. Social, Environmental, and other Life Factors (S.E.L.F): This unit introduces the journey of self-understanding with a focus on important factors (social, environmental, biological, and other life factors) that contribute to the development of the self.
• Unit 2. What Philosophy Says about the Self: This unit highlights classical and contemporary philosophical models of the self. It discusses their evolution through time, focusing on the relevance of philosophy to younger generations' self-definition.
• Unit 3. What Science Says about the Self: This unit delves into how different aspects of science explain the concept of self. It includes natural and social sciences and their diverse disciplines.

Overview of Self/Identity/Personality

• Self: A person's individual reflective consciousness, viewed as both subject and object.
• Identity: What defines a person over time; encompasses memories, experiences, relationships, and values. Identity also includes external characteristics that are outside of personal control.
• Personality: Consistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make a person unique. This involves understanding individual differences and the interrelation of various personality aspects.

Issues on Understanding the Self

• Nature vs. Nurture: Some argue the self is predominantly a product of natural processes, while others believe it's heavily influenced by one's social environment, making it a combination of both.
• Uni vs. Multi Dimensionalities of the Self: Some believe the self is a single factor, while others perceive it as multi-dimensional, influenced by various aspects.

Self vs. Identity

• Self: Based on a lexical definition, Self is the person one truly is, the whole person.
• Identity: Based on a lexical definition, Identity refers to what qualities make a person different from others, or the distinguishing character or personality.

Dimensions of the Self

• Uni vs. Multi Dimensionalities of the Self: This discussion explores the idea that some believe self can be understood by a single factor, while others understand it as having multiple dimensions. The implication being the complexities of aspects of self and being challenged by whether one can describe another person in just a few words.
• Physical Dimensions of the Self: This presentation touches upon a person's physical description by themselves and others as a way of understanding the self in the context of how people present themselves to each other.
• Social Dimension of the Self: This aspect refers to a person's social interactions, relationships, and the roles that they play in social groups. This notably includes family and other social groups that have an implication or input in the formation of a person's identity.
• Environmental Dimension of the Self: The physical and social environments that influence the development of one's self and how this influences the behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. That is, the environment includes locality and expectations.
• Hereditary Dimension of the Self: A person's inherited traits and characteristics passed down through generations, suggesting that inherited factors shape a person's identity as well as his behavior tendencies.
• Person-Volition Dimension of the Self: The self's tendency to form and construct a specific and personal identity viewed as unique from others. This is a significantly debated viewpoint.
• The self, according to this presentation, is a multi-dimensional product of interaction between heredity, volition, environment, and society.

The Philosophy of the Self

• Classical Antiquity: Major Greek Philosophers (Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle) developed their views of the self through philosophical and logical reasoning.
• Middle Ages: St. Augustine incorporated religious philosophy, integrating it with previous concepts and views from Plato and others.
• Renaissance: Descartes, Locke, Hume, and Kant refined philosophical perspectives on the self, introducing concepts like rationalism, empiricism, and specific views of the mind-body relationship.
• Modern Times: Several empiricists and rationalists continued to explore the philosophical views of the self.

The Science of the Self

• Biological Sciences: Explores the self through the biological perspective, emphasizing physical characteristics influenced by genetics, physiology, and environment.
• Social Sciences: This unit delves into how social interaction and cultural background shape the self through various studies such as; psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, and economics.

Do Task questions

• Do Task 1: Students are urged to reflect on the relationship between self, identity, and personality.
• Do Task 2: How social, environmental, and other life factors contribute to the development of self?
• Do Task 3: What is the relevance of philosophy to understanding the self?
• Do Task 4: What is the relevance of science to understanding the self?