Understanding the Self

Ma. Theresa T. Ochoa

Assistant Professor
Course Description:

The course deals with the nature of identity, as well as the factors and forces that affect the
development and maintenance of personal identity.

Course Outcomes: At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. Explore and understand the issues and concerns regarding self and arrive at a better understanding
of one’s self.
2. Integrate personal and academic knowledge with everyday experiences for better learning.
3. Develop a more critical and reflective attitude while enabling them to manage and improve their
selves to attain a better quality of life.
4. To apply the learned knowledge to real life and become globally competitive and morally upright
individual.
WHO AM I?
* Prepare one (1/4) sheet of paper and a pen
* Listen well to the instruction.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SUBJECT

Understanding the Self

The root of all change starts with self-understanding.

If you do not understand yourself, your efforts will be lost, and spent on things
that are actually not under your control.
Understanding the Self
Self-understanding is a journey.

Self-understanding is the key to the successful resolution of any emotional

problem which is one of the biggest challenges of the youths today.

We will learn the different perspective

of the human self, the types of self, as
well as strategies and techniques on Our goal:
how to be not only a better student but > to learn
more importantly, to be a better > to reflect
> to have a realization
individual.
> to improve
 Understanding the Self
THE SELF FROM THE VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES

I. PHILOSOPHY
II. SOCIOLOGY
III. ANTHROPOLOGY
IV. PSYCHOLOGY
I. PHILOSOPHY
Greek word PHILO means LOVE Greek word SOPHIA means WISDOM
LOVE FOR WISDOM
- the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, values,
reason, mind and language.
- the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence, especially when considered as an
academic discipline.

- the discipline that looks for reasoned answers to certain very abstract questions, usually left unasked in
everyday life.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS IN PHILOSOPHY:
1. Is there an objective difference between right and wrong?
2. Is the universe sustained in existence by a god?
3. Can we know about things that we cannot see or touch?
4. What is a mind?
5. Why do words mean what they do?
6. Why should we obey the state?
THE EARLY PHILOSOPHERS HAD THE IDEAS THAT THE PROPER WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF
THE MAN – THE SELF IS TO FIRST INQUIRED AND DISCOVER THE TRUE NATURE OF MAN.
 SOCRATES
Socrates, was one of the mankind greatest teachers
in Athens 469 BC.
He confined his teaching in the street of Athens than
in the classroom.
He introduced the
SOCRATIC METHOD or DIALECTIC STYLE of teaching.
= a method of inquiry by answering questions with
another question.
Socratic Method consist of 2 processes:
1. IRONIC PROCESS - is to make the seeker of knowledge, clear his mind for action. It
removes from his mind prejudice and leads to the humble and sincere confession of
ignorance.
2. MAIEUTIC PROCESS – draws truth out of the pupil’s mind which is done by means of
dialogue or conversation.
SOCRATES
The Human Self is a combination of a
living BODY and living SOUL.
SOUL rules the body
- uses the BODY as an instrument of perception

PLATO THEORY OF IDEALISM

The Ideal Perfect Man
1. REASON – Intellect and will

2. PASSION – Drives and emotions

3. APPETITE – Sensual part
PLATO

TRIPARTITE SOUL
1. REASON – our divine essence that enable us to think deeply, make wise choices and
achieve a true understanding of eternal truths.
2. PASSION – Our basic emotions such as love, anger, ambition, aggressiveness and
empathy
3. APPETITE – our basic biological needs such as hunger, thirst and sexual drive.
IMMANUEL KANT
MAN CAN CREATE FOR HIMSELF THE GOOD AND THE
RATIONAL BEING.
HE ATTESTS THAT MORAL OBLIGATION IS UNIVERSAL
AND EXCUSES NO ONE.
Moral Obligation is called DUTY.
SELF is DIVIDED INTO 2:
1. INTERNAL SELF – composed of psuchological states and informed decisions
e.g. EMOTIONS
2. EXTERNAL SELF- made up of orusleves and the physical world where the
representation of objects acton. e.g. family

FOR KANT, ESSENCE OF MORALITY IS FOUND IN THE MOTIVE FROM WHICH ACTION IS
DONE.
CONFUCIUS
the GREAT CHINESE PHILOSOPHER
FAMILY is the bases of
IDEAL GOVERNMENT
Man must have the virtue of:
- Kindness
- Uprightness
- Decency
- Wisdom and faithfulness
- THE GOLDEN RULE

POLITICIAN RULERS should be If RIGHT PRINCIPLES prevail throughout the country,

exemplary models of the citizens. there is no need to change the government.
 ST. AUGUSTINE
He considers the BODY as “SLAVE” to the “SOUL”.

The SOUL makes war with the BODY.

To love God means to love one’s fellowmen, and

to love one’s fellowmen means never to do any
harm to another.
RENE DESCARTES
I is defined as a THINKING THING.

It signifies the comprehension of the existence of the self as a

reality beyond doubt..
DAVID HUME

CAREFUL ANALYSIS ON THE NOTION OF SELF.

JOHN LOCKE
HUMAN MIND AT BIRTH IS A BLANK PAPER OR TABULA RASA.
 WHO AM I?
So who are you?
SELF
It is the person who knows his/her feelings, emotions,
memory and experiences.

SELF SCHEMA
Are mental concept by which one organizes one’s world.

The self-schema that makes self-concept will assist one

to organize and recall one’s experiences.