The Philosophy of the Self PDF
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University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
Emmanuel R. Santos, LPT, MBA
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This document provides an overview of the philosophy of self, covering key concepts and perspectives. It outlines the ideas of prominent thinkers like Socrates and Plato, offering insights into their views on the nature of the self and its relationship with the world.
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The Philosophy of the Self EMMANUEL R. SANTOS, LPT, MBA TEACHER Nota bene: This Instructional material (IM) is not entirely written by the course specialist but is just a compilation of reading materials only for purposes of research and study of the course UNDERSTANDING THE SELF. The attache...
The Philosophy of the Self EMMANUEL R. SANTOS, LPT, MBA TEACHER Nota bene: This Instructional material (IM) is not entirely written by the course specialist but is just a compilation of reading materials only for purposes of research and study of the course UNDERSTANDING THE SELF. The attached materials are credited to the author of said articles as properly acknowledged in the parenthetical citation, relevant links in the slides and reference page. This material is not for sale. Students are not allowed to reproduce or duplicate the same. For strict confidentiality and compliance. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to: Define the Self based on the philosophical perspective Recognize the similarities and differences of self-conceptualizations according to the point of view of philosophy Examine one’s self against the different views of self that were discussed in the class What is Philosophy? The original meaning of the word philosophy comes from the Greek roots philo- meaning "love" and -sophos, or "wisdom." the study of knowledge, or "thinking about thinking“ (Philosophybasics.com) the study of the ultimate nature of existence, reality, knowledge and goodness, as discoverable by human reasoning (Penguin English Dictionary) https://www.slideshare.net/auroracslk/introduction-to- the search for knowledge and philosophy-54355159 truth, especially about the nature of man and his behavior and beliefs (Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary) The Philosophers Let’s get to know them! Socrates Born: 469 BC; Death: 399 BC According to Socrates, the highest form of human existence is to question oneself and others. (Maxwell 2013) Man has to look at himself to understand his long-standing mission- that is to “Know Yourself”. “An unexamined life is not worth living”. (Vlastos & Graham, 1971) The most horrible thing that can happen to anybody is to “live but https://www.britannica.com/biography/Socrates die inside”. (Alata, et.al 2018) Socrates Born: 469 BC; Death: 399 BC To preserve our souls for the afterlife, we must be fully aware of who we are and the virtues that come with its attainment. Individual’s personhood is composed of the body and soul. The soul is immortal and death is not the end of existence. He raised the point that just because something seems true does not mean it is true. (Rowe,2007) https://www.britannica.com/biography/Socrates Plato Born: 428/427 or 424/423 BC; Death: 348/347 BC The soul is immortal and separated from the body. The soul does not exist with the body. It exists prior to being joined to the body. Resembling the idea of reincarnation. The soul lives within a body and upon death, the soul moves onto another body afterwards. The human soul or psyche is divided into three parts: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Plato appetitive, spirited and rational. Plato Born: 428/427 or 424/423 BC; Death: 348/347 BC He emphasizes that justice in the human person can only be attained if the three parts of the soul are working harmoniously with one another. The RATIONAL SOUL forged by reason and intellect has to govern the affairs of the human person. The SPIRITED SOUL which is in charge of emotions should be kept in control at all times. The APPETITIVE SOUL in charge of https://www.britannica.com/biography/Plato base desires like eating, drinking, sleeping and having sex should be controlled as well. Augustine Born: 13 November 354 AD ; Death: 28 August 430 AD Like Plato, he also asserted that the soul is immortal. However, he does not believe that the soul jumps from one body to another. Instead, one person is made up of one body and one soul. The body is that imperfect aspect of man that is bound to perish on earth, which incessantly longs to be in communion with the spiritual realm of the Divine God. (Mennel,1994) https://qspirit.net/augustine-hippo-queer-saint/ Augustine Born: 13 November 354 AD ; Death: 28 August 430 AD The soul, on the other hand, is capable of reaching immortality by staying after death in an eternal realm with the all- transcendent God. (Mennel, 1994) The purpose, therefore, of every human person is to attain this spiritual union with God by living his life according to virtues. https://qspirit.net/augustine-hippo-queer-saint/ Thomas Aquinas Born: 1225 ; Death: 7 March 1274 In his theory of self-knowledge, he claims that all our experiences about the world around us determine our self-knowledge. Our experiences greatly shape our awareness of ourselves- the more experience we have, the more we get to know ourselves. Who am I? can only be unravelled from the inside by me, the one https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/St-thomas- asking the question. aquinas.jpg Thomas Aquinas Born: 1225 ; Death: 7 March 1274 “Who am I?” can be resolved by reasoning taken from life encounters as evidences. Our being is not composed of isolated minds or selves, rather, we are agents interacting with the environment. (Torrel, 2005) Answering the “Who am I?” question requires becoming more aware of ourselves as we engage with real-life experiences. This is Aquinas’ deeper sense of self. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/St-thomas- aquinas.jpg Rene Descartes Born: 31 March 1596; Death: 11 February 1650 “Father of Modern Philosophy” Dualist Thinker; Dualism is the concept that reality or existence is divided into two parts: the mind and the physical body. According to Dualism, the mind is somehow separate from the physical attributes of the body. The body is nothing but a machine attached to the mind, while the mind is part of the unseen creation. https://www.biography.com/scholar/rene-descartes Rene Descartes Born: 31 March 1596; Death: 11 February 1650 The mind is the seat of our consciousness because it houses our drives, intellect, passion and understanding. It gives us our identity and our sense of self. In short, all that we are comes from the mind. Thus, his famous, cogito ergo sum, “I think, therefore I am” “But what then, am I? A thinking thing. It has been said. But what is a thinking thing? It is a thing that doubts, understands (conceive), affirms, denies, wills, refuses; that imagines also and perceives” (Descartes, 2008) https://www.biography.com/scholar/rene-descartes John Locke Born: 29 August 1632; Death: 28 October 1704 IDENTITY. To Locke, identity means being one thing and not another. It is what makes you “you” and me “me”. Our identity is tied with our consciousness, which to him, is the perception of what passes in a man’s own mind. (Anstey, 2011) In other words, it comprises our memories. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke#/media/File:John_Locke.jp g John Locke Born: 29 August 1632; Death: 28 October 1704 Am I still the person I once was? To answer this question, he used his principle of individuation, the idea that a person keeps the same identity over time. For instance, would we be a different person if we lost an arm or a leg? Locke’s answer was simple: of course not! Our identity is not defined by our physical being. Whether we grow taller, loses hair, go blind or get a face lift, our memories are still the same. Therefore, Locke simply tells us that OUR MEMORIES GIVE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke#/media/File:John_Locke.jp g US OUR IDENTITY. (Ayers, 1993) David Hume Born: 07 May 1711; Death: 25 August 1776 Empiricist Only through our physical experiences using our sense of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell that we know what we know. Experiences can all be categorized into two: IMPRESSIONS AND IDEAS. Impressions- everything that originate from our senses. Ideas- which are just faint images https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/P ainting_of_David_Hume.jpg of thinking and reasoning based on impressions. David Hume Born: 07 May 1711; Death: 25 August 1776 When one touches an ice cube, the cold sensation is an example of impression. When one imagines the feeling of being in love for the first time, that is still an idea. We perceive a sense of self depending on how our mind put impressions together and makes https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/P ainting_of_David_Hume.jpg sense of them as “me”. Immanuel Kant Born: 22 April 1724; Death: 12 February 1804 Thinking of the “self” as a mere combination of impressions was problematic for him. He recognizes the veracity of Hume’s account that everything starts with perception and sensation of impressions. BUT he thinks that the things that men perceive around them are not just randomly infused into the human person without an organizing principle that regulates the relationship of all of these impressions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant#/media/File:Ka For him, there is a necessarily a mind nt_gemaelde_3.jpg that organizes the impressions that men get from the external world. Immanuel Kant Born: 22 April 1724; Death: 12 February 1804 Kant’s supporters advocated RATIONALISM. Rationalism is theory which states that REASON is the foundation of all knowledge rather than experience. INNER & OUTER SELF Inner Self- is comprised of our psychological state and our rational intellect. (Carver & Scheier, 2014) Outer Self- includes our sense and the physical world.(Carver & Scheier,2014) Inner and Outer Self combine to give us our consciousness instead of self being one or the other. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant#/media/File:Ka nt_gemaelde_3.jpg Gilbert Ryle Born: 19 August 1900 ; Death: 6 October 1976 While many philosopher support, “I think, therefore I am”. Ryle in a way said, “I act, therefore I am”. It is our behaviors and actions that give us our sense of self. Mind does not exist separately from the body. He claims that this is a category mistake. https://movingonfrombowlby.files.wordpress.com/20 14/03/ryle.png Gilbert Ryle Born: 19 August 1900 ; Death: 6 October 1976 The idea that “there is something called MIND over and above a person’s behavioral dispositions” is questionable. Mind does not exist and therefore cannot be the seat of self. We do neither get our sense of self from the mind nor from the body, but from our behavior in our day-to-day https://movingonfrombowlby.files.wordpress.com/20 activities. 14/03/ryle.png Paul Churchland Born: October 21, 1942 Instead of DUALISM, he holds the belief that the PHYSICAL BRAIN is where we get our sense of self. This is known as ELIMINATIVE MATERIALISM, the belief that nothing but MATTER exists. (Churchland, 1981) In short, if it cannot be recognized by our senses, then it is simply a fairy tale. Therefore, since the mind cannot be experienced by our senses, https://open-mind.net/om-contributors/Paul_M_Churchland then it does not really exists. Paul Churchland Born: October 21, 1942 It is the PHYSICAL BRAIN and not the IMAGINARY MIND that gives us our sense of self. To prove this, Churchland points out that if the mind is the seat of the self: How can personalities be altered by physical injuries or brain trauma? https://open-mind.net/om-contributors/Paul_M_Churchland Maurice Merleau-Ponty Born: 14 March 1908; Death: 3 May 1961 Asserts that the MIND and BODY division that has been going on for a long time is a futile endeavor and an INVALID problem. Instead, he said that the MIND and BODY are so intertwined that they cannot be separated from one another. He believed that the physical body to be an important part of what makes up the subjective self. (Carbone, 2004) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Merleau- Ponty#/media/File:Maurice_Merleau-Ponty.jpg Maurice Merleau-Ponty Born: 14 March 1908; Death: 3 May 1961 His concept contradicts EMPIRICISM and RATIONALISM. Both MIND and BODY are our seat of knowledge, and they both give us our sense of self. Like LOVE and MARRIAGE, you cannot have one without the other. The self and perception are encompassed in a physical body. The physical body is part of the self. The body is NOT the prison house https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Merleau- Ponty#/media/File:Maurice_Merleau-Ponty.jpg of self, rather, it is the subject that embodies self. PETA 1 Socrates 1. Among the philosophers specified on Merleau- Ponty Plato the image on the left (or even those who were not part of our discussion), to whom do you agree the most? Churchland Augustine 2. To whom you disagree the most? Defend your answer. Philosophers Ryle Aquinas 3. Choose two philosophers. Specify the similarities and differences by constructing a Venn Diagram. Kant Descartes Hume Locke Reference List: 1. Alata EJP, Caslib BN, Serafica JPJ & Pawilen, RA. Understanding the Self. Manila: Rex Publishing. 2. Anstey, P. (2011). John Locke and Natural Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 3. Ayers, M. (1993). Locke: Epistemology and Ontology. New York: Routledge 4. Carbone, M. (2004). The Thinking of the Sensible Merlau- Ponty’s A Philosophy. Evanston: Northwestern University Press. 5. Carver, C. & Scheier, M. (2014). Perspectives on Personality (7th Ed.), Edinburgh Gate: Pearson Education Limited. 6. Cherry, K. (2019). Augustine of Hippo: Saint who rejected his bisexual past, defended intersex people. Retrieved 15 July 2020 from: https://qspirit.net/augustine-hippo-queer-saint/ 7. Chesterton, G.K. Thomas Aquinas. Retrieved on 17 July 2019 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquinas 8. Cruz, B.L. (2018). Understanding the Self, First Edition. Paranaque: JTCA Publishing. 9. Descartes, Rene (2008). Meditations on First Philosophy: With Selections from the Objections and Replies. New York: Oxford University Press. 10. Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary. The Basics of Philosophy. Retrieved 15 July 2020 from: https://www.philosophybasics.com/general_whatis.html Reference List: 11. Penguin English Dictionary. The Basics of Philosophy. Retrieved 15 July 2020 from: https://www.philosophybasics.com/general_whatis.html 12. Philosophybasics.com. The Basics of Philosophy. Retrieved 15 July 2020 from: https://www.philosophybasics.com/general_whatis.html 13. Maxwell, M (2013). The Fundamentals of Education: A Socratic Perspective on the Cultivation of Humanity. Retrieved from: http://www.socraticmethod.net/how_to_use_the_socratic_method/[agel.html. 14. Mennel, S (1994). Journal of Early Christian Studies, vol.2 no. 3, pp. 291-324, doi: 10.13553/earl.0.0138 15. Torrell, J. (2005). Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Person and His Work. Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press. 16. Vlastos, G & Graham, D. (1971). “The Paradox of Socrates”, in the Philosophy of Socrates: A Collection of Critical Essays. Melbourne: Anchor Books. The Sociology and Anthropology of the Self EMMANUEL R. SANTOS, LPT, MBA TEACHER Nota bene: This Instructional material (IM) is not entirely written by the course specialist but is just a compilation of reading materials only for purposes of research and study of the course UNDERSTANDING THE SELF. The attached materials are credited to the author of said articles as properly acknowledged in the parenthetical citation, relevant links in the slides and reference page. This material is not for sale. Students are not allowed to reproduce or duplicate the same. For strict confidentiality and compliance. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to: Explain the relationship between and among the self, society, and culture Describe and discuss the different ways by which society and culture shape the self Compare and contrast how the self can be influenced by the different institution in the society Examine one’s self against the different views of self that were discussed in the class What is Sociology and Anthropology? SOCIOLOGY ANTHROPOLOGY Sociology is the study of human social Anthropology is the systematic study relationships and institutions. (sociology.unc.edu) of humanity, with the goal of understanding our evolutionary study of social life, social change, and origins, our distinctiveness as a the social causes and consequences of species, and the great diversity in human behavior. Sociologists investigate our forms of social existence across the structure of groups, organizations, the world and through time. and societies and how people interact (anthropology.ucdavis.edu) within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of “the science of humanity,” which sociology ranges from the intimate family studies human beings in aspects to the hostile mob; from organized crime ranging from the biology and to religious traditions; from the divisions of evolutionary history of Homo sapiens race, gender and social class to the to the features of society and culture shared beliefs of a common culture. (21st that decisively distinguish humans Century Careers with an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology, 2014) from other animal species. (britanica.com) What is the Self in contemporary literature and even common sense? According to Stevens (1996), the “Self” is commonly defined by the following characteristics: SEPARATE SELF-CONTAINED INDEPENDENT CONSISTENT UNITARY PRIVATE counsellingtutor.com/ HOWEVER… The last characteristic of the self From this perspective then, one being “private” suggests that the can see that the self is always at self is isolated from the external the MERCY of external world. That it lives within its own circumstances that bump and world. collide with it. BUT we also see that this potential It is ever-changing and dynamic, clash between the self and the allowing external influences to external reality is the reason for the take part in its shaping. self to have a clear understanding of WHAT IT MIGHT BE, WHAT IT CAN BE and WHAT WILL IT BE. The concern then of our WEEK 3 lesson is in understanding the vibrant relationship between the self and external reality… The perspective is known as the SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONIST PERSPECTIVE… “Social Constructionist argue for a MERGED VIEW of ‘the person’ and their ‘social context’ where the boundaries of one cannot easily be separated from the boundaries of the other” (STEVENS, 1996) The self should not be seen as a static entity that stays constant through and through. The self is always in participation of with social life and its identity subjected to influences here and there. http://jeesusjalutasallveelaeval.blogspot.com/ The self is truly MULTI-FACETED. THE SELF AND CULTURE Let’s consider this… Graphic Design Professor at a Catholic University Johannes has He serves in a beautiful the church as a lector and Johannes wife who he met in an commentator internship He is blessed with 2 doting kids (a son and a daughter) Let’s analyze… As a man of different roles, one can expect Johannes to change and His kids fear him. As a father, he can adjust his behavior, ways, and even be stern. language depending on his social situation. As a lector and commentator, on the other hand his church mates When he is in the university, he knew him as a guy who is calm, all- conducts himself in a matter that smiles, and always ready to lend a befits his title as a professor. helping hand to anyone in need. As a husband, Johannes can be intimate and touchy. His wife considers him sweet, something that his students will never conceive him to be. Marcel Mauss “Moi” and “Personne” Remaining the same person and MOI- refers to a person’s sense of turning chameleon by adapting to who he is, his body, and his basic one’s context seems identity, biological givenness. It is a paradoxical… person’s basic identity. However, French Anthropologist, PERSONNE- on the other hand, is Marcel Mauss, has an explanation composed of the social concepts for this phenomenon. of what it means to be who he is. It has much to do with what it means to live in a particular Every self has two faces: institution, a particular family, a PERSONNE and MOI particular religion, a particular nationality, and how to behave given expectations and influences from others. Good point to consider! How we see ourselves shapes our lives, and is shaped by our cultural This is because we will never ever context. see ourselves being exactly the same as the others since we all have different EXPERIENCES. Self We all have probably asked perceptions influence how we ourselves “Who am I?” a dozen think about the world, our social times. relationships, health and lifestyle choices, community engagement, Certainly, we have heard the political actions, and ultimately saying, “No two people are alike”, our own and other people’s well from our personal encounter with being. (Vignoles et Al, 2016) other people in different situations. Good point to consider! It has been a given fact that social scientists are well-aware that people in different parts of the world see themselves in different ways. https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/kids-from-all-over-the- world-vector-4242925 THE SELF AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIAL WORLD Let’s think about it! How do people actively produce their social worlds? How do children growing up become social beings? How can a boy turn out to be just like an ape? How do twins coming out from the same mother turn out to be terribly different when given up for adoption? everydayhealth.com/healthy-living Good point to consider! More than his givenness (personality, tendencies, and Recent studies, indicate that men propensities, among others), one is and women in their growth and believed to be in ACTIVE development engage actively in participation in the shaping of the the shaping of the self. The self. unending terrain of metamorphosis of the self is mediated by language. “Language as both a publicly shared and privately utilized symbol system is the site where the INDIVIDUAL and the SOCIAL make and remake each other” (Schwartz, White and Lutz 1993) in.pinterest.com/pin/569001734173931024/ POWER OF LANGUAGE George Herbert Mead In his Social Self Theory, believed that the sense of self is developed through social interactions, such as observing and interacting with others (Ritzer, 2008) The self is not yet present at birth. Rather, it is developed over time from social experiences and activities. He identified three activities that develop the self: LANGUAGE, PLAY https://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Children_Learn_ and GAMES. Best_by_Observing_Behavior_of_Adults https://images.app.goo.gl/2d7PH3ndbf3ZFVoj6 Charles Cooley Looking-Glass Self (Cooley, 1998) People develop a sense of self having 3 elements: 1. How we imagine we appear to others. 2. Judgment we imagine that other people may be making about us. 3. Self-image based upon the evaluations of others. https://images.app.goo.gl/g3njw9MLobdis1CU7 https://images.app.goo.gl/3bNsavCaCcvKbVmv8 THE SELF AND FAMILY, GENDER, ETHNICITY, NATIONALITY, SOCIO-ECONOMIC CLASS FAMILY A family, by definition, is a group of people affiliated by a specific relationship. Basically, the family is Getty Images/iStockphoto the most fundamental unit of social organization that with which we most intimately identify. Your family influences your personal, emotional, intellectual, and social development. (study.com) https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/role-of- family-in-childs-development/ https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/for- educators/partnering-with-families/family-engagement-and-student- success FAMILY While every child is born with certain givenness, disposition coming from his parents’ genes and general condition of life, the impact of one’s family is still deemed as a given in understanding of the self. The kind of family that we are born in, the resources available to us (human, spiritual, economic), and the kind of development that we will have will certainly affect us as https://disneyprincess.fandom.com/wiki/Tarzan we go through life. Without a family, biologically and sociologically, a person may not even survive or become a human person. https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/User_blo g:Ratigan6688/My_Favorite_Superheroes TYPES OF FAMILY 1. Nuclear Family 2. Single Parent http://parentpumpradio.com/myths-beliefs-and- 3. Extended Family perceptions-regarding-single-parent-families/ 4. Childless Family 5. Stepfamily 6. Grandparent Family https://family.lovetoknow.com/advantages- disadvantages-nuclear-family https://www.huffpost.com/entry/childless-couples- happier-kids-study_n_4589368 https://www.learningliftoff.com/unity-blended-family/ https://cmfblog.org.uk/2018/02/08/nhs-crisis-the-role-of-the-extended-family/ Getty Images/BananaStock RF Share your thoughts… On Facebook Group for teachers in the Philippines, somebody posted this picture asking if this teaching material should be utilized or not? Comments were varied and intense. What do you think? Justify your answer. GENDER SEX GENDER Gender, on the other hand, is a social interpretation that varies Sex is a biological term for a across cultures. This term is person’s genetic condition of personal, social and cultural. being male or female. Hence, two sexes. Concepts under gender: Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Gender Expression Sexual Behavior Let’s dig deeper. https://theconversation.com/rules-of-how-to-be-a-dad-are- changing-as-gender-roles-continue-to-blur-72907 https://fairplayforwomen.com/biological-sex-differences/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rediscovering- love/201509/rigid-gender-roles-enemies-the-new-intimacy https://thoughtcatalog.com/lorenzo-jensen-iii/2015/06/13-real- differences-between-male-and-female-brains/ ETHNICITY Ethnicity also contributes to how an individual interacts with others. Ethnicity is a social construct determined by a person’s ancestral origins, culture, and physical attributes inherited from their ancestors (Banaag & Cruz, 2016) Various studies say that racial or ethnic differences affect one’s self image. https://fatenalmosawi.home.blog/2018/08/22/the-journey-begins/ ETHNICITY In a research by Gray-Little & Hafdahl (2000), African Americans, who believe that they belong to https://letsbuildnaija.wordpress.com/2016/08/29/rebuild-the-child-self-esteem/ ethnic minorities, are found to have lower self-esteem when they compared themselves to Whites, who are more advantaged. https://www.eskimi.com/ecc/post?club_id=27361&post_id=935963 NATIONALITY Nationality combines with Ethnicity to further define a person’s identity within his or her larger community. Filipinos have a distinct identity of being hospitable, making sure that https://balay.ph/filipino-hospitality-culture/ something is offered to visitors in the house. (Garcia, 2015) In Mediterranean countries, people consider you unkind if you avoid touching someone’s arm when talking to them or do not greet them with kisses or warm embrace. (Pitta, et. Al, 1999) https://www.cntraveler.com/story/a-guide-to-kissing-etiquette-around-the-world NATIONALITY In the Philippines, when introduced to a person we just met, we sometimes tap their backs to show acceptance for but do this to someone who is not a family member or a good friend in Korea will keep them uncomfortable. In Philippines, we can pat a child on his or her head even if we are stranger to them. In Thailand, the head is considered sacred- patting a child on the head is a https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AffectionateGestureToTheHead big NO (Pitta, et Al, 1999) Nice to know! Stereotypes are assumptions that are made about individuals because they belong to a particular social group. (Cruz, B., 2018) https://twitter.com/pspsehun/status/1266102209072304131/photo/1 PETA 2 Paste a picture of you when you were in elementary, in high school, and now that you are in college. My My Below the picture, list down your My High Elementary College salient characteristics that you School Self Self Self remember. PETA 2 After having examined your “self” in its different stages. Answer the following questions honestly. The similarities and differences of all stages of my “self”. 1 What do you think are the influences of family in your development as an individual? 2 What social pressures help shape your self? Would you have wanted it otherwise? 4 Can you provide a time when you felt you were not living your “true self”? Why did you have to live a life like 5 that? What did you do about it? What aspects of your self do you think may be changed or you would like to change? 6 Reference List: 1. Alata EJP, Caslib BN, Serafica JPJ & Pawilen, RA. Understanding the Self. Manila: Rex Publishing. 2. American Sociological Association (2005). 21st Century Careers with an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology. Retrieved 01 August 2020 from: https://uh.edu/class/sociology/undergraduate/careers/21st_century_careers.pdf 3. Banaag, L. & Cruz, M. (2016). Socio-Anthro. An Integrated and Interdisciplinary Approach to the Study of Society, Culture and Politics. Mandaluyong: Books Atbp. Publishing Corporation. 4. Cooley. C. (1998). On Self and Social Organization. Ed. Schubert Hans-Joachim. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 5. Cruz, B.L. (2018). Understanding the Self, First Edition. Paranaque: JTCA Publishing. 6. Muscato, C. What is Family? Definitions, Characteristics and Types. Retrieved on 01 August 2020 from: https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-family-definition-characteristics-types.html 7 Oelze, P. (2020). There Are 6 Different Family Types And Each One Has A Unique Family Dynamic. Retrieved on 01 August 2020 from: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/family/there-are-6-different-family-types-and-each-one-has-a-unique-family- dynamic/ 8. Pitta D., Hung-Gay, F. & Isberg, S. (1999). Ethical Issues Across Cultures: Managing the Differing Perspectives of China and the USA. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 16 (3),240-256. MCB University Press. 9. Ritzer, G. (2008). Sociological Theory. New York: McGraw-Hill 10. Schwartz, T. & White, G & Lutz, G. New Directions in Psychological Anthropology. Cambridge England; New York: Cambridge University Press. Reference List: 11. Steven, R. (1996). Understanding the Self. California: SAGE Publications. 12. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Lists of Anthropologists. Retrieved 01 August 2020 from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-anthropologists-2055190 13. The University of North Carolina & Chapel Hill, Department of Sociology. What is Sociology?. Retrieved 01 August 2020 from: https://sociology.unc.edu/undergraduate-program/sociology-major/what-is-sociology/ 14. UCDavis.edu. What is Anthropology. Retrieved 01 August 2020 from: https://anthropology.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate The Psychology of the Self EMMANUEL R. SANTOS, LPT, MBA TEACHER Nota bene: This Instructional material (IM) is not entirely written by the course specialist but is just a compilation of reading materials only for purposes of research and study of the course UNDERSTANDING THE SELF. The attached materials are credited to the author of said articles as properly acknowledged in the parenthetical citation, relevant links in the slides and reference page. This material is not for sale. Students are not allowed to reproduce or duplicate the same. For strict confidentiality and compliance. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to: Evaluate the various concepts of the self as define by psychology Explore how the distinct psychological factors contribute to the development of the self Create your own definition of the self based on the definition from psychology After philosophical, sociological and anthropological perspective… Each discipline has their own representations and conceptualizations of the self. Similarities and differences may have been identified. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9cM_kUvg9c But then again, one cannot deny the fact that there are cognitive and affective aspects of one’s identity that still contribute in the development of one’s self rather than just pointing out to the relation of the mind and soul, or of https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/maki ng-change/201308/all-self-improvement-starts- the society or culture to the “self”. here https://www.lifecoachcode.com/2017/02/12/real-reality/the-self-2/ What is Psychology? The scientific study of the human mind and its function, especially those affecting behavior in a https://www.self.com/story/take- given context. (English Oxford Living Dictionary) care-of-your-mental-health In Psychology, the “sense of self” is defined as “the way a person thinks about and views his or her traits, beliefs and purpose within the world” (Dash & Tripathy, 2012) https://utsged101portfolio.wordpre ss.com/module-6-2/ In this lesson, we will explore the https://www.technologynetwor ks.com/neuroscience/articles/ ‘’self’’ using the perspective of the what-if-consciousness-is-not- what-drives-the-human-mind- mental, emotional and spiritual 307159 aspect of one’s personality. https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.c om/managing-diabetes/emotional- health/spiritual-self-care-and-the-use-of- prayer/ William James Known as the father of American Psychology. He believed that the self has two aspects: “I Self” and “Me Self” I Self- is a reflection of what people see in one’s actions in the physical world. (e.g. recognizing that one is reading, running or drinking. Me Self- represents an individual’s reflection about himself or herself (e.g. branding oneself as risk-taker, intelligent, kind) http://www.philosopher.eu/others-writings/william- james-does-consciousness-exist/ Carl Rogers He believed that there are three contributing components to the development of the sense of self: self-image, self-esteem and the ideal self. (Rogers, 1959) SELF- IMAGE- how we view ourselves. https://www.britannica.com SELF-ESTEEM- refers to a person’s /biography/Carl-Rogers overall sense of his or her value or worth. It can be considered a sort of measure of how much a person “values, approves of, appreciates, prizes, or likes him or herself”(Adler & Stewart, 2004). IDEAL SELF- is the person that you aspire to be. (McLeod, 2008) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/making- https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/10-ways- change/201512/five-ways-help-become-your-ideal-self that-will-instantly-boost-your-self-esteem.html Self-Esteem and Social Comparison One of the ways in which our social relationship affects our self- esteem is through social comparison. https://cassdunn.com/dont-let-comparison-steal-joy/ According to social comparison theory, we learn about ourselves, the appropriateness of our behaviors, as well as our social status by comparing aspects of ourselves with other people (Jhangiani and Tarry 2014: Hogg and Vaughan 2010) https://www.superwoman.school/blog/5-ways- to-stop-obsessing-over-what-others-think-of-you https://dailyillini.com/wpcontent/uploads/2019/03/Comparison-01-900x900.png Self-Esteem and Social Comparison The downward social comparison is the more common type of comparing ourselves with others. As the name implies, we create a positive self-concept by comparing ourselves with those who are worse off than us. (Jhangiani and Tarry 2014) The upward social comparison is comparing ourselves with those who are better off than us. (Jhangiani and Tarry 2014) https://tinybuddha.com/blog/the-truth-about-body-positive-activists-on-social-media/ Self-Esteem and Self-Evaluation Maintenance Theory We can feel threatened when someone outperforms us, especially when that person is close to us (i.e. a friend or a family) (Tesser 1988 in Jhangiani and Tarry 2014) In this case we usually react in 3 ways: 1. We distance ourselves from that person or redefine our relationship with them. (Jhangiani and Tarry 2014); 2. We may also reconsider the importance of the aspect or skill in which you were outperformed. (Jhangiani and Tarry 2014); 3. We may also strengthen our resolve to improve that certain aspect of ourselves. (Jhangiano and Tarry 2014) https://dorkdiaries.com/2014/05/when-your-best-friend-is-better-than-you/ Self-Esteem and Narcissism However, in our attempt to increase or maintain self-esteem, some people become narcissistic. Narcissism is a “trait characterized by overly high self-esteem, self-admiration, and self-centeredness. (Jhangiani and Tarry 2014) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201609/meet-the-real- narcissists-theyre-not-what-you-think Sigmund Freud According to Freud, human personality is complex and has more than a single component. https://www.verywellmind.co https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sig https://www.verywellmind.com/books-by- m/freudian-theory-2795845 mund-Freud sigmund-freud-2795862 In his famous psychoanalytic theory, Freud states that personality is composed of three elements known as the id, the ego, and the superego. These elements work together to create complex human behaviors. (Boag, S. 2014) Each component adds its own unique contribution to personality and the three interact in ways that have a powerful influence on an individual. (verywellmind.com) https://www.verywellmind.com/the-id-ego-and-superego-2795951 Sigmund Freud- Id The first part of the self to develop. Known as the seat of all our desires and wants. In a nutshell, collection of urges that need to be fulfilled. https://medium.com/one-table-one-world/the- ultimate-bubble-tea-handbook-cce7f8fc8b01 This part of the self has no awareness other than it wants what it wants. There is an instant need for instant gratification as it deals more on a person’s instincts. The problem is, it does not care about morals or societal norms. As they say, id is the little devil on everyone’s shoulder. https://vocal.media/filthy/how-the-darkness-of-your-sexual- (Cruz, B. 2018) desires-can-shed-light-on-vaginismus Sigmund Freud- Ego It is the part of us that functions in reality. While id, is totally irrational , the ego has the capability to distinguish what is right or wrong based on the given context. Because of the rigidity of the superego and the uncontrolled passions of the id, the ego somewhat acts as the gatekeeper for both, which maintains the balance between the two. https://fractalenlightenment.com/31071/issu es/the-illusion-of-right-and-wrong Sigmund Freud- Superego The super ego seeks to attain the ideal of a perfect ego. If the id is the little devil on everyone’s shoulder, the superego is often portrayed as the little angel whispering on our shoulder that plagues us with shame and guilt when we fail to meet its standards. The superego can be rigid and punishing as it is irrational in its view of perfection. https://cbtworld.wordpress.com/cbtmo/cbt-move-on-sigmund-freud-id-ego-superego/ UNIFIED SELF VS MULTIPLE SELF Theorists such as Descartes and Locke, view the self as unified. An individual, including the things that he or she thinks, wants, hopes and so on and so forth, are all part of a unified being. The unified self theory states that the identity of a person develops in a continuity of consciousness. https://caringpeopleinc.com/blog/caregiver-shortage- alert-who-is-caring-for-our-seniors/ What makes me “me” is the network of memories, hopes, expectations, fantasies, convictions and other thoughts that comprise my own consciousness. In other words, we think of ourselves as one person, whose thoughts, hopes, expectations and feelings are just a part of who we are. (Baumeister, et Al, 2011) http://www.khabar.com/magazine/features https://www.kotatv.com/content/news/Finding-the- /views-the-great-canadian-dream abilities-in-people-with-challenges-401344935.html UNIFIED SELF VS MULTIPLE SELF The question is, is there just one “self” in each person or are we really consist of many different selves? Part of the answer to this question is to understand that the self is not one thing, but a complex of multiple definitions and parts- in short, we develop a divided self or multiple self. Remember that our sense of self identity has developed out of past experiences. Other parts of our “self” may even be hidden or masked. https://livingmeanings.com/fragmentation-lives-identities/ UNIFIED SELF VS MULTIPLE SELF According to Sedikedes & Spences (2007) and Katoch & Katoch (2017), some describe the multiple self as having separate domains: 1. Experiential self- the part of you that disappears when you enter a deep sleep and flashes on and off as you dream and then come back again as you wake. 2. Private self- the “interpreter” part of your being that narrates and makes sense of what is going on. 3. Public self- the person that you attempt to project to others, which in https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/07/10/740214 turn, interacts with how other people 086/the-famous-big-5-personality-test-might-not-reveal-the-true- you see you. PETA 3 Curious to know your character strengths? Try this character strength test on this link: https://www.viacharacter.org/survey/acc ount/register Capture the result. (TOP 4 character strengths and answer the following: 1. Do you completely agree, partly agree or completely disagree with the result? Share your thoughts by giving examples. 2. If you agree with the result, cite some examples on how you can use these to make our place a better world. 3. If you do not agree with the result, choose among the options for yourself and cite some examples on how you can use these to make our place a better world. Reference List: 1. Alata EJP, Caslib BN, Serafica JPJ & Pawilen, RA. Understanding the Self. Manila: Rex Publishing. 2. Baumeister, R. & Bushman, B (2011). “The Self”. Social Psychology and Human Nature. 2nd ed. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. 3. Cherry, K. (2019). Freud's Id, Ego, and Superego. Retrieved on 05 August 2020 from: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-id-ego-and-superego-2795951 4. Cruz, B.L. (2018). Understanding the Self, First Edition. Paranaque: JTCA Publishing. 5. Dash, B. & Tripathy, G. (2012). Essentials of General Psychology. New Delhi: Wisdom Press. 6. Hogg, M. & Vaughan, G. (2010). Essentials of Social Psychology. Italy: Pearson Educated Ltd. 7. Jhangiani, R. & Tarry, H. (2014). Principles of Social Psychology. Retrieved on 12 October 2017 from: https://pzacadpitzer.edu/-hfairchi/courses/Spring2015/Psych%20103/Principles-of-Social-Psychology-lst-International- Edition-1415042666.pdf 8. Katoch, S. & Katoch, K. (2017). Understanding the Self. India: Shipra Publication. 9. Lexico.com. Oxford English and Spanish Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Spanish to English Translator. Retrieved on 05 August 2020 from: https://www.lexico.com/definition/psychology 10. McLeod (2008). Self Concept. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/self-concept.html Reference List: 11. Rogers, C. (1959). “A Theory of therapy, personality, relationships as developed in the client-centered framework.” In (Ed) S. Koch. Psychology: A study of science. Vol. 3: Formulations of the person and the social context. New York: McGraw Hill. 12. Sedikides, C. & Spencer, S.J. (Eds.) (2007). The Self. New York: Psychology Press The Western & Eastern Thoughts About The Self EMMANUEL R. SANTOS, LPT, MBA TEACHER Nota bene: This Instructional material (IM) is not entirely written by the course specialist but is just a compilation of reading materials only for purposes of research and study of the course UNDERSTANDING THE SELF. The attached materials are credited to the author of said articles as properly acknowledged in the parenthetical citation, relevant links in the slides and reference page. This material is not for sale. Students are not allowed to reproduce or duplicate the same. For strict confidentiality and compliance. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to: Differentiate the concept of self according to Western thought against Eastern perspective Explain the concept of self based on Asian thoughts Examine the Filipino self and construct one’s own representation of the Filipino self Introduction Different culture and varying environment tend to create different perceptions of the “self” and one of the most common distinctions between cultures and people is the EASTERN vs WESTERN dichotomy wherein Eastern represent Asia and Western represent Europe and North America. It must be noted that some countries who are geographically close to each other may share commonalities, there are also a lot of factors that create differences. In the Philippines alone, each region may have a similar or varying concepts about the “self”. https://www.globalfromasia.com/east-west-differences/ (Alata, et Al 2019) Introduction In this lesson, we will look at religious belief and political philosophies that greatly influenced the mindset of each nation or culture. Since almost all the theories about the self, which were discussed in the previous lessons, also came from Western scientific research, we will highlight the Eastern thoughts in this lesson. (Alata et. Al, 2019) https://www.shutterstock.com/image- vector/religious-symbols-114874192 Western Thought The “self” based on Western thought is focused on individualism. People view the “self” as autonomous relative to others and the environment, stressing separateness from the social world. In Western beliefs, people tend to think that we are separate and unique from each other. What one person does or experiences is completely independent of other people and the world at large. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-individualistic- cultures-2795273 (Walter 2013, Page & Berkow, 1991) Eastern Thought https://family.lovetoknow.com/chinese-family-values https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78haKZhEqcg The self in Eastern cultures is dominated by the “we” idea, that the self is part of a larger network of people who all help shape each other. https://focusedcollection.com/212427560/stock-photo-young-happy-asian-family-praying.html Eastern Religious View of the “Self” Hinduism It is a major religion common in the south Asian countries like India and Sri Lanka. Just like Christianity, Hinduism has many different branches with varying principles. To help understand the Hindu view of the self, two important concepts must be recognized: 1. the BRAHMAN (considered as the sacred, the god spirit or the universe) and 2. the ATMAN (which is the human soul or the self). https://www.history.com/topics/religion/hinduism Hinduism The Hindu belief states that each time a person dies and is reborn, it comes closer to Brahman. Eventually, when the person completes the cycle of reincarnation, they stop being reborn and are fully reunited with Brahman. While we have the tendency to think about our “self” today or tomorrow, the Hindus think in terms of centuries and lifetimes. The “self” in Hinduism is just a part of a larger whole (the Brahman), which embodies everything. The Atman of the self is tied to everything. http://emilywheelershistorywebpage.weebly.com/brahman.html Buddhism Buddhism is a common Eastern religion and philosophy where the self is often thought of as an illusion. There are two concepts that are agreed on in most Buddhist branches: the ideas of INTERCONNECTEDNESS and a LACK OF SELF. INTERCONNECTEDNESS simply means that everything is connected. To Buddhists, humans are just a stream of consciousness and not a separate entity. Our interconnection with each other eliminates the idea that there is us and there is others. https://www.noted.co.nz/culture/culture-books/why-buddhism-is-true-robert-wright-secularist-perspective Buddhism Humans are just a single part of a larger whole. Alone, we are nothing but a thought, interconnected with everything else. Since the self is an illusion, we should therefore forget about the self, the cravings of the self, and its attachment to human- centered desires, which ultimately cause suffering. In doing so, one can attain the highest state called NIRVANA, a place of perfect peace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMM-pfkNl6I and happiness akin to HEAVEN. (Walter,2013, No author,2001) Confucianism Does not teach the worship of any particular deity (Yao,1996) Instead, it is focused more on human behavior, causing many scholars to consider it more of an ethical system or a code of conduct rather than a religion. A human being is seen as a social being, whose personality is not inherently existing, but is being formed through upbringing and environment (Fung, 2014) https://www.ancient.eu/Confucius/ Confucianism In essence, the self will develop through the practice of the virtues of compassion, righteousness, propriety and wisdom to bring harmony to family, community and empire. Self-cultivation is our supreme goal-any person is a “gentleman” if his or her conduct is noble and unselfish. This is the characteristic of CHUN-TZU, a man of virtue or noble character. (Ho, 1995) http://cavemengo.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-is-class.html Taoism It is an ancient Chinese philosophy that stresses the importance of living simply and honestly and in harmony with nature. (Ho, 1995) Due to its focus on harmony and proper way to live, it is often referred to as the Way. https://gohighbrow.com/philosophy-of-taoism/ Taoism Three of most important tenets of https://thriveglobal.com/stories/wu-wei-lao-tzu-s- wisdom/ Taoism are: 1. The First Principle 2. The Yin-Yang classification 3. The Wu Wei concept http://ginkgoacupuncture.blogspot.com/2018/05/wu- wei-action-less-action.html https://www.tapinto.net/towns/montville/events/taoism- yin-and-yan-wu-wei-and-the-founding-philo-6 In a nutshell… WESTERN EASTERN Individualistic culture Collectivistic culture since their focus is on since the group and the person and social relations are given individual needs and importance. wants. https://www.ulatus.com/translation-blog/conducting-business-between-eastern-and-western-cultures/ Values competition and Values cooperation and is straightforward when tends to go around the communicating with bush when exploring others. things to others. Emphasizes equality Emphasizes on hierarchy even if the individual is as the culture wants to seen to rise above keep things in harmony everything else. and in order https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/411164640953111201/ Source: Cruz, B, 2018. Understanding the Self. JTCA Publishing: Paranaque City More concepts of East vs West https://pediaa.com/difference-between-eastern-and-western-culture/ https://today.yougov.com/topics/international/articles-reports/2015/12/25/what- world-most-wants-west-love-east-health (Will Dahlgreen, 2015) High Context vs Low Context Culture High and low context cultures refer to the value cultures place on direct and indirect communication. An individual with a low context orientation values direct communication and believes people should “say what they mean and mean what they say”. The United States and Australia are often highlighted as low context cultures. A person with high context orientation pays attention to what isn’t said as much as what is said and a great deal of attention is put on where people are seated, how people are dressed, and reading between the lines. Asian, African, central European and Latin American cultures are generally considered to be high-context cultures. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-we-move-beyond-high-low-context-cultural-tanya-finnie/ https://historyplex.com/difference-between-high-context-low-context-cultures https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-we-move-beyond-high-low-context-cultural-tanya-finnie/ PETA 4 What characteristics/practices do you wish to adapt from “western thoughts” and “eastern thoughts”? Create your own list with a simple explanation. Feel free to research further. Cite your sources in APA format. Reference List: 1. Alata EJP, Caslib BN, Serafica JPJ & Pawilen, RA. Understanding the Self. Manila: Rex Publishing. 2. Cruz, B.L. (2018). Understanding the Self, First Edition. Paranaque: JTCA Publishing. 3. Dahlgreen, W. (2015). What the world most wants: in the West, love; in the East, health. Retrieved on 05 August 2020 from: https://today.yougov.com/topics/international/articles-reports/2015/12/25/what-world-most-wants-west-love-east- health 4. Fung, A. (2014). The Influence of Confucianism on Identity Formation of a Multi-skill Migrant: An Autoetnography. The Qualitative Report, 19(50),1-19. Retrieved from: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol19/iss50/l 5. Hasa (2016). Difference Between Eastern and Western Culture. Retrieved on 05 August 2020 from: https://pediaa.com/difference-between-eastern-and-western-culture/ 6. Ho, D. (1995) Selfhood and Identity in Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism: Contrasts With the West, Journal for the Theory of Social Behavior, 25 (2). Retrieved from on 05 December 2017: https://doi.org/10.111/j.1468-5914.1995.tb00269.x 7. Walter, D. (2013). In search of the Self-Esteem versus Western Perspectives. Oglethorpe Journal of Undergraduate Research, I (I). Retrieved on 08 December 2017 from: https://digitalcommons.Kennesaw.edu/ojur/voll/issl/l Reference List: 8. Yao, X. (1996) Self-construction and identity: The Confucian self in relation to some Western Perceptions. Asian Philosopy, 6 (3): 179-195: Retrieved on 16 July 2018 from DOI:10.1080/09552369608575442 : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233128303_Self- construction_and_identity_The_Confucian_self_in_relation_to_some_western_perceptions 9. Finnie, T. (25 Sep 2019), "The Culture Map": Moving Beyond High Context/Low Context. Retrieved on 05 September 2022 from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-we-move-beyond-high-low-context-cultural-tanya-finnie/