Understanding The Self PDF

**Saint Louis College of San Fernando, La Union** UNDERSTANDING THE SELF Christian David Brian M. Dayao, LPT, RPm \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\...

**Saint Louis College of San Fernando, La Union** UNDERSTANDING THE SELF Christian David Brian M. Dayao, LPT, RPm \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-- Supplementary/ Motivational Activity: Watch "Wonder" (the story of Auggie, a boy with deformed face/ always wearing a space helmet) and write a reaction paper regarding the movie with the following guide questions: 1. How do you relate to Auggie in the process of finding yourself? 2. If given a chance, would you wish to become a different person, and why? 3. Do you feel at times uneasy to accept and own who you are? Flaws and all? 4. If your younger self could speak to you, what would be his/ her message? 5. If your future self could speak to you, what would be his/ her message? \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-- Introduction to course: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-- Unit 1. Understanding the Self: Philosophical Perspective I. GRECO-ROMAN ERA SOCRATES *"The unexamined life is not worth living."* *"An honest man is always a child."* *"Wonder is the beginning of wisdom."* *"True wisdom comes...when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves and the world around us."* *"To find yourself -- think for yourself!"* Socrates (470-399BC), a renowned Greek teacher, considered as the [father of Western Philosophy], has influenced the way many people view learning by his views on knowledge and truth. He averred that self-knowledge is the ultimate virtue. For Socrates, the goal of his philosophy is to "*know thyself*." To Socrates, he believed that the soul was one's *[thinking and willing subject.]* Socrates believes that [knowledge was the ultimate virtue] and the best means to help people improve their lives. He reinforced his believe by saying that *"the only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."* Knowing and understanding the self denotes that a [man must stand and live according to his nature] -- meaning, **man has to look at himself**. In looking at oneself, two fundamental questions are asked. "To find what?" and "By what means?" Looking at one's self requires inner reflection. This process is known as [introspection] -- which according to Socrates is replated to the platonic [theory of reminiscence]. Moreover, Socrates pointed out that man is aware of himself. What he needs to do to be able to see himself is to recall or remember what has been; what are the result of experiences in life. This is what Socrates meant in his statement "*Wisdom is learning how to recollect."* Man's awareness of himself becomes possible when one is inwardly focused. Similarly, Socrates called this as the [dialogue between the soul and itself]. Knowing oneself can also be realized as man interacts as man interacts with other individuals. Without one's effort to discover who he is, life would be meaningless. Socrates also believed that one becomes [morally wrong due to unawareness] of what should be or how they should behave appropriately. It is only when people get a closer look about their lives that they may avoid doing wrong, making them free of blunder. People who are reflective might ask themselves *"How should I live my life?"* but some seem not to care and just live their lives according to the norms and cultures they were oriented with. According to Socrates, the examination of this question is very important as it is through striving for answers to it that one can hope to improve his life. [This requires that one must attain self-knowledge, or in other words, turn his gaze inward and scrutinize both his nature and the values that direct his life.] Socrates thought that when we focus inward in search of self-knowledge, we would soon discover our true nature. He viewed one's true self as the soul contrary to what many thought of the self as being identified with what we own -- with out social status, reputation, and even with our body. If one devoted themselves to self-knowledge and philosophical inquiry, they would soon be led to a more appropriate view of goodness. Socrates held that while virtue is the greatest good in life because it secured one's happiness, knowledge is the stepping stone to manifest this. To summarize, it is useful to express it in a simple formula: "knowledge=\>virtue=\>happiness". When we arrive at the knowledge of virtue, we will perfect our souls and find true happiness. Socrates was sentenced to death by hemlock by his adversaries because they believed he was corrupting the youth of Athens. After drinking the poison offered to him, he preached to his students until he succumbed to death. His final lesson was a testament and a reminder for what we often fail to do - to live by our own convictions amid the noise of the world. This requires a deep fidelity to oneself and one's beliefs, unwavering and transcending. PLATO *"The measure of man is what he does with his power."* *"It is easy to forgive when a child is afraid of darkness. The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of light."* *"There are two things a man must never be angry at: what they can help, and what they cannot."* *"The first and best victory is to conquer the self."* While Socrates himself did not write anything, it was Plato (348/347BC) who wrote and compiled his teachings after his death. Plato's supplementation to Socrates' philosophy is the identification of the [three distinct elements] of a person's inner life which are unique and can be validated by directly turning inward to one's own experience of the self. Plato's three parts (tripartite nature of the soul/ allegory of the chariot) of the psyche are: - The appetite or the [appetitive soul] which mainly considers man's basic desires such as those for physical or biological satisfaction (eating, drinking, rest, desire for sex etc) - The hot-blooded part or [spirited soul] is concerned with the person's affective or emotional state. According to Plato, one's emotions shall also be safeguarded and keeps the person calm despite the difficulties and challenges of life. - The mind or the [rational soul] is the one that directs and rules the affairs of the person because of reason and intellect. Plato's contribution on the self is an extension to the teachings of Socrates. His tripartite nature of the soul demonstrates how a person can be overcome by his own weaknesses by virtue of his animalistic nature, or transcend it by adhering to virtue and character. ARISTOTLE *"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act - but a habit."* *"Well began is half done."* *"A person's life persuades better than his words."* *"Through discipline comes freedom."* *"Choice, not chance -- determines your destiny."* For Aristotle (384-322BC), the [body and soul are not two separate elements but are one] [thing]. The soul is simply in the form of the body; without the body -- the soul cannot exist. The soul is that which makes a person a person; it is the essence of the self. The soul dies along with the body. Aristotle suggested that anything with life has a soul. His discussion about the self is centered on the kind of soul possessed by man. Along this, he introduced the three kinds of soul: (1) The Vegetative (plants) that includes the [physical body] that can grow; (2) The Sentient (animals) that includes the s[ensual] desires, feelings, and emotions; and lastly, (3) The Rational (human being) that makes man human by [thinking]. It includes the intellect that makes man become more aware/ knowledgeable as well as understanding the things around him. Aristotle advocated that the [rational nature of the self] is to lead *a good, flourishing and fulfilling life.* EPICTETUS *"No man is free who is not a master of himself."* *"Neither does a ship rely only on one anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope."* *"It's not things that upset us; but our judgment on things."* *"Nothing great comes into being all at once."* *"Spiritual death comes to anyone when he does not value his own conscience."* *"Don't explain your philosophy; embody it."* *"There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things beyond the power of our will."* The great Stoic philosopher Epictetus (50-155AD) believed that knowing the self consists of recognizing that there is only one thing that belongs to an individual fully---[his will, or purpose]. Epictetus went on to emphasize one of the key tenets of stoic philosophy: *"Don't demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well."* For Epictetus, the most important task to understand oneself is to know what is and what is not within their control ([dichotomy of control]). Focusing on what you can control, namely your reactions and responses, your attitude and life philosophy - is a powerful tool in never becoming a victim to your circumstances. In accepting that things are just as they are, happiness is found within the individual's state of inner peace. This inner peace and acceptance are what allows humans to live in harmony within an unpredictable world, rather than be at war with it. Most of his writings are compiled in the book *The Art of Living.* Today, we can see the influence of Epictetus's thoughts on control within psychological methods of reappraisal, reframing thoughts and cognitive behavioral therapy. These methods are centered around helping individuals reinforce positive thought patterns and behaviors, necessitated by understanding what is within or beyond one's control. MARCUS AURELIUS *"Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be; be one."* *"We should discipline ourselves in small things, and from this, progress to things of greater value."* *"The happiness of your life depends on the quality of our thoughts."* *"Be indifferent to what makes no difference."* *"Self-reliance always -- and cheerfulness."* *"My true self is free -- I cannot be contained."* *"But if a thing is humanly possible, consider it within your reach."* *"The wise man accepts his pain, endures it but does not add to it."* *"Receive without pride; let go without detachment. Nevertheless, do so with all your heart."* *"The more we value things that are out of our control, the less we have control over it."* *"Characteristics of a rational soul: self-perception, self-examination, and the power to make itself whatever it wants."* *"When you arise in the morning, think of it what a privilege it is to be alive, to breath, to think, to enjoy and to love."* The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161/180AD) addresses himself more directly than any other ancient author. In his compiled books, *Meditations* (literally books to himself) he reviews his life from [subjective and objective perspectives]. He sees himself both as a part of nature's causality, and as an [autonomous agent] whose essence is his internal divinity. His self-model is threefold, consisting of [body (physical self), breath/pneuma (soul), and intellect (faculty of reason)]. His practice of self-management focuses on treating his present consciousness and agency as the only reality that he must confront, in order to adapt himself to his external situation as a rational and social creature. [Marcus Aurelius believed that we each have a purpose;] something we were created for. It is our duty to carry out that purpose. The late emperor's legacy would that be of his [introspective essays] and reflections regarding one's philosophy of life and how we we can all strive to practice and achieve the same. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-- Summative Reflections: 1. Considering Socrates' "know thyself", to you, why is this a crucial aspect of human existence? What personal conviction are you willing to live by and even die for? 2. Recalling Plato's tripartite nature, what are your black horses and white horses, and how do you control the direction of your own life chariot? 3. In view of Aristotle's mortal nature of the soul and body, and assuming this is true (that there is no existence other than in this life only), what step can you take to lead a good, flourishing and fulfilling life? 4. Taking Epictetus's perspective, what past difficult event that you strived hard to control the outcome of, but ended up in a different turn of events -- are you willing to share? What have you learned in the art of acceptance and detachment? 5. Imitating Aurelius' technique of meditation, what would be your daily, perhaps even lifelong affirmation that you are willing to tell yourself every day? \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--