Lesson 6 - Self and Filipino Society PDF

SELF AND FILIPINO SOCIETY Lesson 6 §WHO AM I? §WHAT ARE MY STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES? §WHAT ARE MY GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS IN LIFE? JOHARI’S WINDOW Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham (1955) Roots of the Filipino Character 1. Pakikisama – Is yielding to the will of the majority just so...

SELF AND FILIPINO SOCIETY Lesson 6 §WHO AM I? §WHAT ARE MY STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES? §WHAT ARE MY GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS IN LIFE? JOHARI’S WINDOW Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham (1955) Roots of the Filipino Character 1. Pakikisama – Is yielding to the will of the majority just so to get along with everybody and avoid signs of conflict. 2. Bahala na Attitude – Leaving matters/ things as they are because nature will take it course. 3. Bayanihan or Team Spirit – This is the Filipino value of camaraderie or helping one another in time of needs. Roots of the Filipino Character 4. Utang na Loob or Reciprocity/ Debt of Gratitude – Portrays our true identity based on concern and response to others especially in our practice of pagpapakatao and pakikipagkapwa –tao. 5. Bukas-loob na Pagtanggap or Hospitality – It is a welcoming attitude which is a strong Filipino trait where they open their hearts to strangers and visitors and offer them the best in their homes. The Nature of the Human Person § It is essentially difficult to understand the human person, human nature, and the possibility of achieving a productive society through the highest potential of a person § The human person as having physical, spiritual, emotional and intellectual attributes (Estañol, 2007) The Human Person § St. Tomas Aquinas describes the human person as having physical and spiritual substance because he/she has a soul and is created by a Superior Being with a divine purpose. § Dictionaries define the human person as a “self-conscious animal”. Characteristics of a Human Person § Babor (2007) in his book, The Human Person: Not Real, But Existing, discusses the several characteristics of human person, namely: 1. A human person is rational being. He/She is free to think and has the capacity to reason and distinguish between right and wrong. 2. A human person is born free. He/She has the freedom to do or not to do things. However, every person is responsible for his/her own action. Characteristics of a Human Person 3. A human person is unique. He/She possesses an identify that makes him/her unlike any other person. Generally speaking, even if two persons have the same characteristics and physical features, they are not the same because each one has his/her own perception, and a different set of values and priorities in life. Characteristics of a Human Person 4. Every person is intrinsically a social being cannot detach himself/herself from other creatures in the universe. By nature, he/she is characterized by his/her relationships with other creatures, objects, or his/her own fellowmen. Characteristics of a Human Person 5. All living things are sexual by name, but the uniqueness of expression of person’s sexuality makes him/her different. The expression of a person’s emotions, attitudes, feelings, actions, and thoughts in sexual activity best exemplifies his/her uniqueness of animals. Biblical Views § The human person has superiority and dignity inherited from the Supreme Being. § Genesis 1:26-27, “God created man and woman in His own image and likeness and made them masters of the fish of the sea, the birds, the heaven, the earth, the wild beasts, and all the reptiles that crawl upon the earth.” Biblical Views § Agbuya (1997) states that “He/She (human person) is designated by God to exercise domination over other creatures in his/her everyday use of freedom, search happiness, and openness to the world around him/her. And what makes him/her human is his/her being a true person, which includes the special gifts and talents of thinking, loving, longing for happiness, and making decisions. The human nature was patterned after the Image of God”. Philosophical Views § According to Protagoras, a human person is the measure of all things that exist and of all things that do not exist. § Plato, claimed that the perfect human being does not exist in this world because what is in this world is just an imperfect copy of humanity’s original self in the realm of ideas. § Parmenides, posited that a person has knowledge of something that exists, for a person who does not exist is nothing. § Maguigad (2006) in his book, Philosophy of the Human Being, explains the different philosophical views of the human person. These are the following: 1. Conservatism 2. Liberalism 3. Socialism 4. Fascism Conservatism § The conservative view is not entirely and definitely non-egalitarian. Some men contribute more than others to society, and, therefore, must be rewarded and honored by society. All human persons may not be of equal value to society: some men are intended to rule, the rest to obey. Liberalism § It has more egalitarian view of human nature. It believes that all men are capable of reason and rational action and have the capacity to live satisfactory and productive lives if given the opportunity. Socialism § In Socialism, the human being readily engages in cooperative social activities when given the opportunity. Unfortunately, this natural cooperative instinct is not fostered when some people selfishly exploit other people. Fascism § Fascism holds that what matters most is the country itself. The human being can prospers; his/her fate is merely secondary when it comes to the country. Classical Greek Views § The early classical Greeks define the human person as a “rational animal”. An animal’s vegetative sensory and rational element is integrated within his/her being; thus he/she is material (body) and spiritual (soul) being. Classical Greek Views § As a vegetative creature, the human person needs to have food to grow, develop, and reproduce. §As a sentient being, he/she needs sensory perceptions to gain knowledge. § As a rational animal, he/she needs the power of thought , reason and cognition. Classical Greek Views § Due to person’s nobility and his/her special place in God’s kingdom, it is through him/her that the rest of creation enter into a dialogue and relationship with the Supreme Being. Because the human person is given free will to choose, decide, or shape his/her life, he/she is responsible of his/her action. §A human person is capable of knowing, loving, and believing, which leads him/her to be fully aware of his/her humanity. Sociological Views § A perspective is a particular way of looking at and seeing something. § Salcedo (2004), states that people look at this social world or at the various ways that human beings behave in a social way. Hence, when we talk about social world, we are really referring to the behavior of human beings. Sociological Views § San Juan (2007) proposes some common ideas about human person. These are the following: 1. Human persons are social animals. 2. The human person’s social behavior is learned, not instinctive. Sociological Views 3. To understand the human person’s social behavior, we have to focus our attention on the groups to which people belong. 4. Sociology is a discipline that looks into the totality of relationships in an individual’s life. Hierarchy of Needs § The guiding principle in realizing a person’s competence and ability is the exploration of his/her totality in the field of humanistic psychology, which theorizes that a person’s behavior and his/her relationship with others are shaped by his/her inner feelings and self- image. Maslow presented the levels of hierarchy of needs in his theory of personality. Self-Fulfillment needs Psychological needs Basic needs NATIONALISM §is a devotion of love for one’s country. §Nationalism means to give more importance to unity by way of a cultural background, including language and heritage. It implies to a person that his country is the most superior among other countries and he will defend it no matter what. Patriotism § is a devotion to one’s country for no other reason than being a citizen of that country. §It is a common virtue that pertains to the love for a nation, with more emphasis on values and beliefs. THE END