GEN 002 Understanding the Self Module #1 PDF

GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________...

GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ Lesson title: Self from the Perspective of Philosophy Materials: White Board Marker, White Board, Learning Targets: TV/Projector, Internet Connection, At the end of the module, students will be able to: Module, Pen and paper 1. Apply philosophical concepts to real-life situations. 2. Analyze philosophical concepts by writing clear and concise paragraphs that explain these philosophical References: ideas and their significance. Kraut, R. (2024, April 23). Socrates. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Soc rates https://reasonandmeaning.com/2014/10/1 1/theories-of-human-nature-chapter-7-plat o-part-1/ A. CONNECT A.1. Lesson Preview/Review (10 minutes) Welcome to GEN 002 Understanding the Self! Today, we're delving into the realm of philosophy to explore the concept of self. In this module, we'll examine the self through the perspectives of various philosophers. Moreover, philosophy, a discipline that questions existence, identity, and meaning, offers profound insights into the nature of self. Whether you're new to philosophy or an experienced thinker, this journey promises to be both accessible and engaging. We'll start by reflecting on what the self means to each of us. Then, we'll explore the diverse viewpoints of philosophers Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, and St. Augustine, who have shaped our understanding of self-awareness. Understanding the self is crucial as it influences our beliefs, values, and interactions with the world. By examining philosophical perspectives, we aim to gain deeper insights into ourselves and our place in the world. In this session, expect thought-provoking activities, and reflections, to enrich your understanding. Are you ready to begin our exploration? Let's dive into philosophy and unravel the complexities of the self together! Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ B. COACH B.1. Content Notes (30 minutes) Directions: In this lesson, you are going to read about “Self from the Perspective of Philosophy”. To help us understand what we read, we will use the comprehension strategy of finding the main ideas and the supporting details. When we are able to identify the main idea and supporting details, it will be easier to focus on the important parts of what we read. This means we can organize the information in our heads and have a deeper understanding of the overall meaning of what we read. As you read, use a highlighter to mark important details, key concepts, and any questions or insights that arise. Highlighting will help you identify crucial information and make it easier to review and discuss during our next session. How do we find the main ideas and supporting details? Explore the steps with me! 1. Step one: Read and highlight information. First, I will read the concept notes titled, “Self from the Perspective of Philosophy”. As I read, I will underline what I think the important ideas are. I can circle important words. I can draw arrows that connect ideas. Look at what I did: SOCRATES Often considered the father of Western philosophy, famously declared that "the unexamined life is not worth living." He emphasized the importance of self-reflection and critical thinking in the pursuit of truth and wisdom. Socrates encouraged individuals to question their beliefs, values, and assumptions, challenging them to seek knowledge and self-understanding through dialogue and inquiry. The goal of philosophy was to "Know thyself". Knowing others is wisdom. Knowing the self is enlightenment. Mastering others requires force. Mastering the self requires strength. "Self-knowledge alone eradicates misery". Self-knowledge alone is the means to the highest bliss. "Absolute perfection is the consummation of Self-knowledge." Knowledge of oneself can be achieved only through the Socratic Method, that is to say, the dialogue between the soul and itself, or between a student and his teacher. Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ PLATO He believed that the self is composed of two parts: the rational soul and the irrational appetites. He likened the soul to a charioteer driving a chariot pulled by two horses, representing reason and desire. According to Plato, true knowledge comes from the rational soul's pursuit of truth and virtue, while irrational appetites can lead to ignorance and moral corruption. Plato adopts a dualistic perspective, positing the existence of both an immaterial mind (soul) and a material body. It is the soul that apprehends the forms, existing both before birth and after death. Plato asserts that the soul, rather than the body, is the locus of true knowledge, as it transcends the limitations of the senses. Plato underscores the social dimension of human nature, emphasizing our interdependence and the benefits derived from social interactions, talents, and friendships. He divides the soul (mind) into three distinct parts: reason, appetite (physical urges), and will (emotion, passion, spirit). The will serves as the source of various emotions such as love, anger, and ambition. When these aspects are not in harmony, mental conflict ensues, with the will oscillating between reason and the appetite. Plato employs the metaphor of a charioteer (reason) attempting to control horses symbolizing the will and appetites to elucidate this dynamic. ARISTOTLE He believed that the self is a harmonious integration of various faculties, reason, emotion, and perception. He advocated for eudaimonia, or flourishing, achieved through the balanced development of these faculties. Self-awareness is vital for moral and intellectual growth, enabling individuals to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Aristotle defined the soul as the essence of a living being but argued against its having a separate existence. For instance, if a knife had a soul, the act of cutting would be that soul, because 'cutting' is the essence of what it is to be a knife. The soul is an activity of the body, it cannot be immortal (when a knife is destroyed, the cutting stops). For Aristotle, "humans have bodies for rational activity," and the potential for rational activity thus constituted the essence of a human soul. Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ ST. AUGUSTINE Augustine integrated Christian theology with philosophical inquiry to explore the nature of the self. He viewed the self as flawed due to original sin, a consequence of Adam and Eve's disobedience, but capable of redemption through divine grace. Augustine emphasized the importance of faith, humility, and moral transformation in understanding the self. He emphasizes the importance of faith, repentance, and adherence to divine commandments. Augustine acknowledged the struggle between earthly desires and spiritual fulfillment and emphasized the ongoing battle between the flesh and the spirit. His perspective underscores humanity's inherent frailty and sinfulness, balanced by the hope of divine forgiveness and redemption. RENÉ DESCARTES Descartes proposed a dualistic view of the self, distinguishing between mind and body. He famously asserted, "I think, therefore I am", highlighting the primacy of consciousness in defining the self. Descartes' philosophy laid the groundwork for modern discussions on the nature of consciousness and personal identity. Descartes thought that the self is a thinking thing distinct from the body. His first famous principle was” Cogito, ergo sum", which means “I think, therefore I am." This means that as long as you're thinking, you know you exist. Although the mind and body are physically together as a whole, the mind and body are mentally independent and serve their own function. Man must use his own mind to investigate, analyze, experiment, and develop himself. 2. Step 2: Review and identify the Main Idea and Supporting Details. I will now review what I underlined and encircled. I will ask myself - “What is the most important thing here? What is the author trying to tell me?” - That will give me the main idea. I will ask myself - “What helps me understand that?” - That will give me the supporting details. I will look for sentences that tell me more about the main idea. These sentences give examples, facts, or reasons that help explain the main idea. Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ Look at my notes in column 2. Notes: Main Ideas and Supporting Details: Main Idea 1: Socrates emphasized the SOCRATES importance of self-reflection and self-understanding as fundamental to the Often considered the father of Western philosophy, pursuit of truth and wisdom. famously declared that "the unexamined life is not worth living." Supporting Details: He emphasized the importance of self-reflection and critical thinking in the pursuit of truth and wisdom. 1. Socrates famously stated that "the Socrates encouraged individuals to question their unexamined life is not worth living," beliefs, values, and assumptions, challenging them to necessary for self-reflection in leading a seek knowledge and self-understanding through meaningful life. dialogue and inquiry. 2. Socrates promoted the idea that The goal of philosophy was to "Know thyself". Knowing self-knowledge is the key to enlightenment others is wisdom. Knowing the self is enlightenment. and inner strength, contrasting it with the Mastering others requires force. Mastering the self requires mere accumulation of knowledge about strength. "Self-knowledge alone eradicates misery". others. Self-knowledge alone is the means to the highest bliss. "Absolute perfection is the consummation of Self-knowledge." Knowledge of oneself can be achieved only through the Socratic Method, that is to say, the dialogue between the soul and itself, or between a student and his teacher. Main Idea 2: Plato believed that the PLATO human self has two parts, and true knowledge comes from the rational part, He believed that the self is composed of two parts: the while the irrational part can lead to rational soul and the irrational appetites. ignorance and moral problems. He likened the soul to a charioteer driving a chariot Supporting Details: pulled by two horses, representing reason and desire. According to Plato, true knowledge comes from the 1. The self has two parts: one that thinks rational soul's pursuit of truth and virtue, while irrational logically (the rational soul) and another appetites can lead to ignorance and moral corruption. that feels desires (the irrational appetites). He compared these parts to a charioteer Plato adopts a dualistic perspective, positing the existence of driving a chariot pulled by two horses. both an immaterial mind (soul) and a material body. It is the soul that apprehends the forms, existing both before birth and 2. Real knowledge comes from the part of Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ after death. Plato asserts that the soul, rather than the body, is us that thinks logically and aims for truth the locus of true knowledge, as it transcends the limitations and goodness. But if we let our desires of the senses. control us, it can lead us to not know the truth and do bad things. Plato underscores the social dimension of human nature, emphasizing our interdependence and the benefits derived from social interactions, talents, and friendships. He divides the soul (mind) into three distinct parts: reason, appetite (physical urges), and will (emotion, passion, spirit). The will serves as the source of various emotions such as love, anger, and ambition. When these aspects are not in harmony, mental conflict ensues, with the will oscillating between reason and the appetites. Plato employs the metaphor of a charioteer (reason) attempting to control horses symbolizing the will and appetites to elucidate this dynamic. Main Idea 3: Aristotle believed that the ARISTOTLE self is a balanced mix of reason, emotion, and perception, and achieving a happy life He believed that self is a harmonious integration of (eudaimonia) comes from developing various faculties, reason, emotion, and perception. these parts of ourselves in harmony. He advocated for eudaimonia, or flourishing, achieved Supporting Details: through balanced development of these faculties. Self-awareness is vital for moral and intellectual 1. Self is made up of different parts, like growth, enabling individuals to understand their thinking (reason), feeling (emotion), and strengths and weaknesses. sensing (perception). He believed that to have a good life, we need to develop all Aristotle defined the soul as the core essence of a living these parts equally. being, but argued against its having a separate existence. For instance, if a knife had a soul, the act of cutting would be that 2. He taught that being aware of soul, because 'cutting' is the essence of what it is to be a knife. ourselves, including our strengths and The soul is an activity of the body, it cannot be immortal (when weaknesses, is really important for a knife is destroyed, the cutting stops). For Aristotle, "humans becoming a better person morally and have bodies for rational activity," and the potential for rational intellectually. activity thus constituted the essence of a human soul. Main Idea 4: St. Augustine believed that ST. AUGUSTINE the self is flawed because of original sin but can be redeemed through faith and Augustine integrated Christian theology with divine grace. philosophical inquiry to explore the nature of the self. Supporting Details: Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ He viewed the self as flawed due to original sin, a consequence of Adam and Eve's disobedience, but 1. Humans are born with flaws, but they capable of redemption through divine grace. can be saved by God's help. He stressed the importance of having faith in God, Augustine emphasized the importance of faith, humility, being sorry for doing wrong things, and and moral transformation in understanding the self. following God's rules. 2. Life was a struggle between wanting He emphasizes the importance of faith, repentance, and earthly things and finding spiritual adherence to divine commandments. Augustine acknowledged fulfillment, but he believed that people the struggle between earthly desires and spiritual fulfillment could change and become better with and emphasized the ongoing battle between the flesh and the God's help. spirit. His perspective underscores humanity's inherent frailty and sinfulness, balanced by the hope of divine forgiveness and redemption. Main Idea 5: René Descartes believed RENÉ DESCARTES that the self is made up of two parts, the mind and the body, and emphasized the Descartes proposed a dualistic view of the self, importance of thinking in defining one's distinguishing between mind and body. existence. He famously asserted, "I think, therefore I am", Supporting Details: highlighting the primacy of consciousness in defining the self. 1. The self is made of two parts, the mind Descartes' philosophy laid the groundwork for modern and the body. He believed that even discussions on the nature of consciousness and though they're together physically, they personal identity. work separately mentally. Descartes thought that the self is a thinking thing distinct from 2. "I think, therefore I am," which means the body. His first famous principle is “Cogito, ergo sum", that if you're thinking, you know you're which means “I think, therefore I am." This means that as long real. This idea shows that thinking is really as you're thinking, you know you exist. Although the mind and important in understanding who we are. body are physically together as a whole, the mind and body are mentally independent and serve their own function. Man must use his own mind to investigate, analyze, experiment, and develop himself. Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ B.2. Skill Building Activity (20 minutes) Detail Dive Instructions: In this activity, you'll explore the ideas of famous philosophers about the self and how they apply to everyday life. Fill out the columns below in paragraph form. Thinkers Chart: You'll fill in a chart with the names of important philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Descartes, and Augustine. Self-Concepts: Next to each philosopher's name, write down their main idea about the self. For example, Descartes believed that thinking ("I think, therefore I am") is what defines our existence. Real-life Application: After understanding each philosopher's idea, think about how it relates to your life. For instance, if Plato says the soul is most important, how does that apply to how we treat ourselves and others? Thinkers Chart Self-Concepts Real-life Application Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ C. CHECK C.1. Check for Understanding (15 minutes) Directions: Read and analyze the provided caselet below and answer the questions that follow. Imagine this: You are a 1st-year philosophy student, you've got some knowledge under your belt. You're back home for the holidays, and your two uncles, Tito Bert, and Tito Lino, get into a lively debate about philosophy. Tito Bert is all about Plato, saying that even after we die, our soul keeps on thinking. On the other hand, Tito Lino is all about Aristotle, believing that the soul is very important but not something separate from us. What can you do to help calm things down and add some wisdom to the conversation? ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ D. CONCLUDE D.1. Summary / Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions: 1. What was Socrates' main goal in philosophy? Answer: Socrates believed that the main goal of philosophy was to "Know thyself." He emphasized the importance of self-knowledge as a path to enlightenment and happiness. 2. According to Plato, what is the soul and how does it relate to the body? Answer: Plato viewed the soul as an immaterial essence distinct from the body. He believed that the soul apprehends true knowledge and exists both before birth and after death. 3. What did Aristotle believe about the soul? Answer: Aristotle defined the soul as the core essence of a living being, but he argued against its separate existence. He viewed the soul as an activity of the body, essential for rational activity. 4. How did St. Augustine view human nature and redemption? Answer: St. Augustine believed that human nature was flawed due to original sin but emphasized the possibility of redemption through divine grace. He highlighted the struggle between earthly desires and spiritual fulfillment. 5. How did Descartes describe the relationship between the mind and body? Answer: Descartes viewed the mind as distinct from the body, mentally independent, and responsible for thinking and self-development. He emphasized the importance of using one's mind to explore and understand the world. D.2. Thinking about Learning (15 minutes) Learning Tracker As part of the learning tracker, we prepared some questions to reflect on, please carefully read the question below and give your honest answer. Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  GEN 002: Understanding the Self Module #1 Name:______________________________________________________________ Class number: _______ Section: ____________ Schedule: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ What felt confusing about what you learned today? What subjects or topics do you find most interesting to learn about? D.3. Glossary of Terms Socratic Method: A form of cooperative argumentative dialogue to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. Critical thinking: The ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to form reasoned judgments or decisions. Know thyself: The principle that self-awareness and understanding are fundamental to personal growth and fulfillment. Harmonious integration: The balanced development and coordination of various faculties, such as reason, emotion, and perception. Rational activity: The exercise of reason and intellect, which constitutes the essence of the human soul according to Aristotle. Self-awareness: Conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires. Original sin: The doctrine that all humans inherit a sinful nature as a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience in Christian theology. Divine grace: The free and unmerited favor of God, believed to bring about spiritual renewal and salvation. Faith: Trust and belief in God's promises and teachings, often considered essential for salvation and moral guidance. Repentance: Sincere remorse or regret for past sins, often accompanied by a commitment to change one's behavior. Learning Modules by PHINMA Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.