Understanding The Self PDF

Understanding The Self Sunshine Joy Nicolas – Benosa, MAPsy., LPT Instructor I  Self-Assessment Activity SELF-DISCOVERY SELF-KNOWING 1.What is my strongest asset? 1. The place I would like to see 2. What is my...

Understanding The Self Sunshine Joy Nicolas – Benosa, MAPsy., LPT Instructor I  Self-Assessment Activity SELF-DISCOVERY SELF-KNOWING 1.What is my strongest asset? 1. The place I would like to see 2. What is my greatest ____. accomplishments? 2. The person I would like to meet 3. What is my most unforgettable ____. experience? 3. The food I prefer to eat ______. 4. If I have 5 months to live I will 4. The music I would like to hear _______________. _____. 5. What is my weakest point? 5. The thing I would enjoy doing. References: Tomas et. al (2019). Understanding the self p.9.  ANALYSIS SELF-DISCOVERY SELF-KNOWING Easy or Difficult to answer? WHY? Overview: The most critical issue that anyone can experience in a lifetime is to be in conflict with one’s self. Indeed it is ironic that one can be in conflict with his or herself. Several junctures in our life as a unique individuals lead us to be in contradiction to our own desires, thinking, decisions, goals etc. But as we grow and mature we unfold and become one with our very self (Metamorphosis – a change that lead us to happiness and self determination). Lesson 1: The Philosophy of Self “Knowing the Self and Identity” The Self o The self is a thinking and a feeling within ‘us’ and within ‘ourselves’. o It encompasses the individual as a whole, including all characteristics, attributes, mentality, and conscious and unconscious actions. The Identity a set of behavioural or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable whether individually or as a member of the group. It is also the qualities, characteristics, beliefs, etc. that makes a person or grouped unique from one another. The Philosophy of Self The Philosophy of self refers to the conditions of identity that make the individual distinct from all others. The Nature of the Self Some terminologies 1. Self awareness 2. Consciousness 3. Identity 4. Self-esteem 5. Self-concept 6. Ego Self awareness Understanding your own needs, desires, failings, habits and everything else that makes you tick. Consciousness The awareness of one’s external events, awareness of internal sensations, awareness of one’s self as a unique being having experiences, and of one’s thoughts about these experiences. Self-concept is an organized collection of beliefs about the self. Self-esteem It is popularly stands for the way we view ourselves in relation to others and the world. Consequently, it shapes our beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and value systems. Reference: https://mind.help/topic/self-esteem/#what-is-self-esteem Self-image It is a mental picture of an individual and is quite resistant to change through time regarding one’s abilities, personality, and role. Ego that portion of the human personality which is experienced as the “self” or “I” and is in contact with the external world through perception. In the context of Philosophy: What is Philosophy? Philosophy and the Self Application and Assessment  What is Philosophy? It is about finding answers to questions about ourselves And about the world we live in: What is morally right and wrong? And why? What is a good life? Does God exist? And many more questions! “Questioning existing knowledge and intuitions to get closer to the truth” It allows you to: ✓ Justify your opinions. ✓ Explain to people why you are wrong and they are right. ✓ Philosophy basically teaches you to think! ORIGIN OF PHILOSOPHY Search for truth Search to look for something Search for meaning Philosophy ask a lot of questions!  The Self from Various Perspective St. Augustine The Western Philosophy of Self The Western Philosophy of Self encompasses all views of the self that emanated from the European and American continent, postulated by thinkers from these regions. The Ancient Greek Philosophers  Socrates: The First Moral Philosopher (470-399 B.C.E) -believes that to understand the self is to “know thyself ”. Everyman is dualistic. It composed of body and soul Two important aspects of his personhood: Body – imperfect and impermanent Soul – perfect and permanent Socrates A person can have a meaningful and happy Life only if he becomes virtuous and knows the value of himself that can be achieved through constant soul-searching. -Socrates PLATO (424-347 BCE) A student of Socrates. Believed in the existence of mind and soul. Mind and soul is given in perfection with God. The soul is immortal -Plato Plato stated that the ‘psyche or the ‘mind’ is comprised of three element Rational Soul reason and intellect divine essence that enables us to think deeply, make wise choices, and achieve a true understanding of eternal truths. Spirited Soul emotion and passion basic emotions such as love, anger, ambition, empathy, and aggressiveness. Appetitive Soul Basic needs Includes our basic biological needs such as hunger, thirst, and sexual desire. These three elements of our selves are in a dynamic relationship with one another, sometimes in conflict. When conflict occurs, Plato believes that it is the responsibility of our Reason to sort things out and exert control, restoring harmonious relationship among the three elements of our selves. Plato believes that genuine happiness can only be achieves by people who consistently make sure that their REASON is in control of their Spirits and Appetites.  Aristotle: Father of Western Philosophy (384-322 B.C.E) -the body and soul are not two separate elements but are “one thing” -the soul is simply the Form of the body, and is not capable of existing without the body. SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO (AD 354-430) -was a Christian theologian and philosopher to have greatly contributed to the progress of western Christianity through his writings especially The City of God, On Christian Doctrine and Confessions. -pointed onto sin as the source of human unhappiness as sin impairs human free will. -discovered and developed the concept of individual identity. -he stressed the understanding of the self and the formation of identity is achieved through the process of ‘Introspection’ or ‘self-analysis. -he reiterated that one transforms as he struggles both body and soul to ultimately achieve happiness especially found in God’s love. Body - dies on earth. Soul - lives eternally in spiritual bliss with God.  Aristotle “Kinds of Soul” 1. Vegetative – includes the physical body that can grow. 2. Sentient – includes the sensual desires, feelings, and emotions. 3. Rational – is what makes man human. It includes the intellect that makes man know and understand things.  Rene Descartes John Locke David Hume The Western Philosophers Immanuel Kant Sigmund Freud  Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650) -self is a thinking person. In his writing “Cogito ergo sum” (I think therefore; I am) he stressed that the mind is a substance within the brain capable of thinking (affirming, doubting, judging etc.) Descartes’ two (2) distinct entities The thing that The extension thinks mind body  John Locke: English Empirical Philosopher (1632-1740) -the self can be understood by examining one’s mind, what constitute the mind.  David Hume: Scottish Empiricist (1711-1776) -the self is nothing more than the mental perceptions which are available to our memory. -all perceptions of the mind is divided in two distinct kinds, the “impression” and “ideas”.  Immanuel Kant - A German philosopher who theorized that consciousness is formed by one’s inner and outer sense. - The source of empirical self- consciousness is the inner sense. Kant mentioned the following terminologies: Apperception - a faculty that allows for application of concepts. Transcendental apperception – makes experience possible and allows the self and the whole world to come together. Consciousness is the central feature of the mind. It makes the world intelligible. Kant also believed on the existence of God and Soul. He emphasized that it is only through experience that humans can acquire knowledge.  Sigmund Freud: Drive Theory of Self (1856-1939) -believes that the self has three layers: “id – pleasure principle, ego- reality principle, super ego- moral principle” Sikolohiyang Pilipino The Philippines also has a homegrown psycho-philosophical view of the self. The view was developed by Virgilio Enriquez, who is considered as the Father of Sikolohiyang Pilipino. Virgilio Enriquez (1942-1994) -the self in the Filipino is the unity of the “self ” and “others” expressed in the Filipino word “kapwa”. My Philosophy of Self: In your own words, state what “self ” is for each of the philosophers that has being discussed. After doing so, explain how your concept of “self ” in compatible with how they conceived of the “self ”.  References: Chafee, J. (2013). Who are you? Consciousness, Identity and the self. Csordas, T. (1999). Self and Person Geertz, C. (1973). The Impact of the Concept of Culture & the Concept of Man. Harter, S. (1996). Historical Roots of the Contemporary Issues Involving the Self Concept. Johnson, T. (1985). The Western Concept of Self. Lanuza, G. (2004). The Constitution of the Self. Mead, GH (1972). Mind, Self and Society from the Standpoint of a Social Behaviorist. Magalona, Ethel et.al., (2018) Understanding the Self: Developing Life Skills. Demello, M. (2014). Beautiful Bodies. Ellison, et. al. (2006). Managing Impressions Online: Self Presentation Processes in the Online Dating Environment. Feldman, R. (2008). Understanding Psychology. Kawada, M. (1996). Bayad sa Dili Naton Kaipon: A Visayan Ritual of Offering to the Spirits.