Lesson 2.1: What is Intersubjectivity?

In one of the past chapters of this module, we have learned that a human person has self-
awareness, self-determination, externality, and dignity. We have explored that a person recognizes
what he or she is and what he or she can do. Further, we have learned that a person is a social being
and since the establishment of the first form of civilization has thrived because of the links and
relationship one has.
Our ability to engage in meaningful interactions with other people, our surroundings, and
everything around us is rooted in our capacity for self-awareness and transcendence. Before we begin
to relate with others, we must first be aware of ourselves as rational individuals capable of determined
and reasonable action. Interpersonal relations are made possible when the self becomes aware of the
other, which includes everyone and everything outside of the self.
Take a moment to look at one of your family members. Are you aware of his or her existence? If
your answer is yes, then you are correct since you can perceive your family member through your
senses. Your classmate is the other, a being that exists outside of yourself. Now look at an object at your
desk. It may be a pencil, ball-pen, piece of paper, or any object. That object is also another, as it is a
thing that also exists outside of yourself.

Now, which of the following actions is more reasonable?

a. You begin talking to your family member, telling him or her about a funny experience you had in
school.
b. You begin talking to the piece of paper on your desk, telling about a funny experience you had
in school.
Of course, you will select the left statement since it describes a reasonable and logical human act.
You only interact with objects when you need to use them. You reach out for the pencil and paper only
when you need to write, and you do not need to talk to these objects to enable them to function.
Interacting, with other human beings, however, is a more complex act. What drives human persons to
interact with their fellow humans in a more meaningful way?
Our human nature not only enable us to recognize the self that defines our individuality, it also
enables us to recognize that other human beings also possesses a self. We can relate meaningfully with
other human beings because we consider ourselves as essentially the same. This notion of recognizing
the self in the other is how philosophers define interpersonal relations.
Intersubjectivity is a philosophical concept that explore the mutual recognition of each other as
persons. It cannot be denied that we interact with other beings in the world, but some of these beings
that we interact with are persons and must be recognized as such. Intersubjectivity also carries the
meaning of unique relationship between distinct subjects. It refers to the characteristics of the human
person to engage in a very intimate and personal relationship with others who are different from him or
her but who are also like him or her. This is possible because the person has an inner life or interiority.
Having an inner life allows the person to give himself or herself to others.
This also allows the individual to receive others in his or her life and relate with them.
Intersubjectivity also allows a person to become closer to others in many ways. In everyday social
interactions, persons could agree and cooperate with each other. There is also the experience of shared
or “common” knowledge and shared emotions such as grief, joy, and love.
A deeper level of interaction between the self and the other, on the other hand, is the awareness of the
self as being seen by others. Imagine, for instance, that one of the people you are watching suddenly
stops and looks straight at you. You are immediately aware of this person’s action as another which is
the stranger looking at your direction. Also, you are aware of another significant fact that you know that
the stranger staring at you is aware of you as a person. This self-consciousness is considered by
philosophers as a defining characteristic of the self-other relationship.
Intersubjectivity is a condition of man, a subject, among other men, who are also subjects. It
refers to the shared awareness and understanding among persons. It made possible by the
awareness of self and the other.

Elements:
Intersubjectivity has significant contributions to society and relationships, including the following:
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  It validates real and authentic subjective experiences.
 It facilitates interaction among individuals.
 It enables individuals to look at others equally, regardless of any physical or socio-
demographic factor.
 It promotes a sense of community and unity among individuals.
 It emphasizes that anyone can contribute to society.

Intersubjectivity facilitates interaction among individuals which makes us treat each other as real
persons. We are able to look at others equally, regardless of their physical and socio-economic
status and make us realize that anyone can contribute to the society. With this, it promotes a
sense of community and unity among individuals.

Read and reflect on the situations below:

Look at the images above. The image on the left is a boy

staring at his crush while the one on the right is a man
talking to a woman while her child awkwardly stares at
the man. Now, which among the two situations depict
the “self” acknowledging the “other”? Which among
the two situation shows an internal reaction unique
only to the “self” and the “other” he or she perceives?
Lastly, if you are in both situations, which of the two would elicit the most emotions out of you? Would
it be staring at your crush or staring at a stranger?
This unique phenomenon of the human gaze is considered a defining characteristic which sets
apart human interaction from the interaction of other species. Also, the awareness of the “self in the
other” is an important element in all other aspects of interpersonal interactions. The way we act with
other people is often influenced by our ideas of how these people see us.
These actions are referred to as “seeming”, where an individual presents himself or herself in a
certain way when dealing with others. Person's take on role or app out characters when dealing with
certain people or when in certain situations. This is considered as an unconscious, natural app on the
part of humans.

Lesson 2.2: Elements of Interpersonal Relationships

Most human interactions, however, are not based on deception period since our human nature drives
us to uphold dignity and goodness, our interactions with others are also geared toward what is good
and beneficial. This led humans to strive to achieve deeper and more substantial interactions and
relations with other people. This deeper and more genuine interaction is called a dialogue, and this is
made possible when the self realizes that the other is genuine and unique individual. When two
individuals begin to view each other as another that is and truly acknowledging each other’s presence,
then that is the beginning of an authentic relationship and a dialogue.
A dialogue is an interaction between two persons
that happens through speech or the use of words,
expressions, and body language. The person is a being
who is open to others that can receive others in a
dialogue. Ordinarily, we think of it as a kind of
communication that usually occurs through a
conversation. However, it must be noted that dialogue is
not confined to words. Actions, gestures, and other
expressions maybe used to convey a person's inner life.
Because persons are beings with inner lives, the words uttered during a dialogue are rooted in each
person’s inner life. Whenever a person speaks, he or she expresses a personal interiority and
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communicates this part of himself or herself to another person. This is the reason why it is not possible
to have a dialogue with the material, object, a plan, or even a pet. Only beings with interiority or an
inner life can engage in a dialogue.
A dialogue occurs when two persons “open up” to each other and give and receive one another
in their encounter. Genuine dialogue occurs when persons are willing to share themselves with one
another period, the awareness of each other’s presence as a true person defined by the acceptance of
each other's uniqueness and differences. When each individual enters into a dialogue with this mindset,
then it is truly a dialogue between equals.
Philosophers agree that this is important for humans to pursue and achieve genuine
relationships to attain development. Human persons naturally seek and can achieve and maintain
genuine, meaningful relationship with each other. The human person is considered as a “being with
others,” which means that his or her identity and destiny are shaped by relating with others. Human
existence is a continual dialogue with the other, and that the self becomes whole through interaction
with other people and his or her surroundings.

Lesson 2.3: Empathy and Society

Empathy, or the ability to share emotions, is an important aspect of intersubjectivity. This
emotion is driven by a person's awareness that the other is a person with thoughts and feelings. Human
persons are actively aware of the emotional states of other people and they use this information to
determine their own actions and behavior. Empathy enables us to experience another person's
emotions such as happiness, anger, and sadness.
Another characteristic of a meaningful and genuine human
relationship is availability, or the willingness of a person to be
present and be at the disposal of another. For instance, you went to
an unfamiliar place and cannot locate the place where you are
supposed to go. What will you do? You might think of asking
directions from the people living in the area. How will you feel if you
were asking for directions, but the people you were asking kept
ignoring you? What will you think about these people? Let us say a
stranger approach you in the street asking for help. What will be
your first reaction? Will you try and help that person, or will you
ignore him or her?
Important values related to Inter subjectivity include acceptance of
differences and embracing diversity. We understand that each person is unique, therefore, differences
will exist among groups of people. When we look at physical traits and even behavior, we can see that
no two persons look and think the same. When we consider views, beliefs, and ideas the differences
become much more pronounced. We must accept that people will have different views and beliefs.
What unites us all is our shared humanity and dignity.
The recognition of our shared humanity and dignity is what drives us to extend assistance and help with
concern towards others, especially towards individuals or groups that experience hardships and
discrimination. For instance, those who are physically and mentally challenged often experience
hardships because of their condition. You must realize, however, that these individuals, despite their
limitations, can have the same skills as those who are fully able in mind and body. They also have hopes
and aspirations like us, and many of them have successfully transcended their disabilities to become
productive and happy individuals.
Society must be founded on relationships and bonds established through mutual respect and
recognition of human dignity. If we recognize that the other person is the same as ourselves, if we
consider him or her as an individual with dignity as a person, then he is not different from us, and we
will be able to forge ties and build a community of harmony.

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WRITTEN WORK #3
Activity 1: Who are these people? Research about his/her life and works. Write about their significant
contributions in their respective fields and how these people will help you understand and accept
individual differences.
GRACE PADACA _________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________.
FATIMA SORIANO ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________ _____ .
RAYMOND MARTIN _______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________.

Acivity 2: Write the most extraordinary talent of the following PWDs:

1. HELEN KELLER
_________________________________________________________________________

2. NICHOLAS JAMES “NICK” VUJICIC

_________________________________________________________________________

3. ROSELLE AMBUBUYOG
_________________________________________________________________________

IV. POST-TEST. Write the letter of your answers in your study notebook.
1. Which of the following statement is TRUE.
a. Most people with disabilities cannot work
b. Human person can live on his own without the help of others
c. It is impossible to appreciate PWD’s and those from the underprivileged sectors of the society
d. Everybody deserves to be treated as human being no matter what he/she looks like
2. The following are perception about persons with disabilities (PWD) except;
a. PWD are people with the same right as what other people does.
b. PWD’s are less productive.
c. PWD’s could possibly engage into various social activities.
d. PWD’s can contribute to the economic growth of the society.
3. The following are the characteristics of the underprivileged, except?
a. Uneducated
b. Malnutrition and poor health
c. Victims of calamity
d. Lack of shelter
4. Which among the following demonstrates an appreciation for the talents of persons with disabilities
and those from the underprivileged sectors of the society?
a. Mike, a 7-year old gifted child, will continue his education in Singapore.
b. Nicki has been watching a talent show on TV since last year.
c. Jean invited a poor boy, who sings very well, to her show.
d. Dr. Magalang offers a full scholarship program for a debate winner.
5. How do we interact people in meaningful ways?
A. To be hesitant in being attached and have close relationship with other people.
B. To establish attachments and seek close relationships with other people
C. To be worried about what people thinks about you
D. To be anxious about socializing.
6. Who is the Filipino renowned singer, songwriter and radio anchor despite her condition managed to
inspire people to become a better person?
A. Grace Padaca C. Fatima Soriano
B. Helen Keller D. Roselle Ambubuyog
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7. What important values are related to intersubjectivity?
A. Acceptance and recognition that all people are born perfect.
B. Acceptance and embracing the thought that all feel the same and think alike.
C. Acceptance and recognition that one is above the other.
D. Acceptance of differences and embracing diversity.
8. What drives us to reach out to other people and interact with them in meaningful ways?
A. Human nature C. Close relationship
B. Establish attachment D. Mutual recognition
9. What drives us to extend assistance and act with concern towards others?
A. Recognition that one is above the other.
B. Recognition of our shared humanity and dignity
C. Recognition that all people are born perfect.
D. Recognition that differences will not exist among groups of people.
For Item # 10 refer to the statements below,
The philosophical concept of INTERSUBJECTIVITY is related to:
I. The interaction between the self and the other.
II. The recognition that all people feel, look and think the same.
10. Which statement/s is/are TRUE?
A. I only B. II only C. Both I and II D. Neither I and II