INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN LEVELS OF SELF – OTHER INTERACTION

PERSON • simple awareness of the existence of the OTHER ( ex.

LESSON 6 - Intersubjectivity when you see people walking on the street )
• awareness of the SELF BEING SEEN BY OTHERS
HUMAN (deeper level of interaction between self and the other)
• has the natural and universal tendency to relate, to ( ex. When one of the people you are watching suddenly
establish attachments, and seek close relationships stops and looks straight at you )
with other people SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS – considered by philosophers as a
• Human nature drives to reach out to other people and defining characteristic of the self – other relationship
interact with them in meaningful ways • awareness of the “ self in the other “
• Harmonious relationship between people is very - the way we act with other people is often influenced
important by our ideas of how these people see us
• Have to maintain good relations with people for activities ( ex. acts quiet and obedient with parent; outgoing
to be productive, meaningful, and beneficial and boisterous with friends – adjust behavior to
conform with how we think they expect us to think )
HOW DO WE AS HUMAN PERSONS RELATE WITH SEEMING
OTHERS? • the way a person presents himself when dealing with
PAKIKIPAGKAPWA-TAO or the ability to engage in meaningful others
interactions with other people and surroundings and the things • the way we act with other people is often influenced by
around him – is rooted in our capacity for SELF - AWARENESS our ideas of how these people see us (SOCIAL
and TRANSCENDENCE CONTEXT)
Before we begin to relate with others, we must first be aware of • an individual presents himself in a certain way when
ourselves as rational individuals capable of determined and dealing with others
reasonable action. • Persons take on “roles” or act out characters when
dealing with certain people or when in certain situations
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS are made possible when the ( unconscious, natural act on the part of humans )
SELF becomes aware of the OTHER
- recognizing the self in the other includes everyone and Some people, however, engage in seeming actions to deceive
everything OUTSIDE OF THE SELF and manipulate others. “ Plastic ” and “ sip-sip ” refer to
- manipulative behavior done by some people in pursuit of selfish
OTHER – a being or thing that exists OUTSIDE of your SELF interest.

• You only interact with OBJECTS when you need to use WHAT CHARATERIZES A GENUINE HUMAN INTERACTION?
them but interacting with other human beings is a more Most human interactions, however, are not based on deception.
complex act Since our human nature drives us to UPHOLD DIGNITY and
• Our human nature not only enables us to recognize the GOODNESS, our interactions with others are also geared toward
SELF that defines our individuality, it also enables us to what is GOOD and BENEFICIAL.
recognize that other human beings also possess a
SELF 1. Dialogue
2. Empathy
Philosophers define interpersonal relations as: 3. Availability
• RECOGNIZING THE SELF IN THE OTHER 4. Ethics of care

INTERSUBJECTIVITY - INTERACTION between the self and 1. DIALOGUE

the other which is the mutual recognition of each other as • deep and genuine relationship / interaction between
persons people
- allows a person to become closer to others many different ways • made possible when the SELF realizes that the OTHER
- a unique relationship between distinct subjects is a genuine and unique individual
- shared awareness and understanding among persons. • happens when two persons truly acknowledge each
- made possible by the awareness of the self and others other’s presence and treat each other as equals
• interaction between persons that happens through
UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTINCT SUBJECTS SPEECH or the USE OF WORDS, EXRESSIONS, and
• refers to the characteristic of the human person to BODY LANGUAGE
engage in a very intimate and personal relationship with • the person is being OPEN to others, and is capable of
others who are different from him but who are also like receiving others
him • communication that usually occurs through a
• relationship between the SELF and the OTHER enables CONVERSATION
the person to relate others and establish and maintain “ whenever a person speaks, he expresses a personal interiority
meaningful relationships and communicates this part of himself to another person”
• the person has an INNER LIFE OR INTERIORITY “ only being with interiority or inner life can engage in a dialogue
“ “ a person’s words, expressions, and body language become
INNER LIFE OR INTERIORITY – allows a person to give himself the means by which he is able to express a part of himself to
to others; receive others in his life another person”
“ a person is capable of RECEIVING the words, thoughts,
Social interactions will give persons ability to agree and emotions, and ideas of another person “
cooperate with each other
There is the experience of shared or “ COMMON ” knowledge
and shared emotions such as GRIEF, JOY, and LOVE

Source : Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Abella, Roberto D., M.Div., D.Min., 2016
“ a DIALOGUE becomes a means by which persons are able to 4. ETHICS OF CARE
share in each other’s lives “ • an ethical theory that emphasizes the moral dimension
“ the notion of a dialogue becomes clearer when we reflect on the of human relationships and interactions
nature of our conversations with other people “ • this moral perspective encourages individuals to help
other people, most especially the vulnerable
CASUAL CONVERSATIONS • it believes that people have a moral obligation to
• discussing news or occurrences respond to the needs of others, and encourages
individuals to extend help to people in need
CLOSE CONVERSATION Ex. PWD crossing a street; child falling from his bicycle
• personal issues:
LIFE GOALS ALIENATION – a state when a person ceases to view the
EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS OTHER as a distinct and authentic person ( matapobre;
MORAL DILEMMAS namecalling )
• seek out a person whose trustworthy and reliable to - the person considers others as merely objects or means to
listen to your thoughts and concerns satisfy personal interests or desires
- pessimistic view that considers human relationships
DIALOGUE – occurs when two persons “ open up” to each other frustrating and often inauthentic or deceptive
and give and receive one another in their encounter
Feelings or views of ALIENATION, if unaddressed, give rise to
GENUINE DIALOGUE – occurs when persons are willing to NEGATIVE VIEWS and ACTIONS directed AGAINST a
share themselves with one another PERSON or GROUP of persons
- acceptance of each other’s uniqueness and differences ( ALIENATION goes AGAINST THE CONCEPT OF
will be a dialogue between equals ) PERSONHOOD because this view DISCOUNTS the humanity
and dignity of a person and leads to DEHUMANIZATION
HOW DOES INTERSUBJECTIVITY DEFINE OUR
INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER PERSONS? Society must be founded on relationships and bonds established
Philosophers agree that it is important for humans to pursue and through MUTUAL RESPECT and recognition of HUMAN
achieve genuine relationships to ATTAIN DEVELOPMENT. DIGNITY.
Human persons naturally seek and are able to achieve and
maintain genuine, meaningful relations with each other If we recognize that the other person is:
Human person is considered as a “ being with others “ which • the same as ourselves,
means that his identity and destiny are shaped by relating with • an individual with dignity,
others . • a person no different from us
then we will be able to FORGE TIES and BUILD a community of
Human existence is a continual dialogue with the OTHER, and harmony
that the SELF becomes whole through interaction with other
people and his surrounding. HOW CAN PHILOSOPHY HELP YOU EVALUATE YOUR
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS?
2. EMPATHY
• ability to share emotions FOUNDATION OF MEANINGFUL AND BENEFICIAL
• important aspect of intersubjectivity RELATIONSHIPS
• this emotion is driven by a person’s awareness that the Values of:
OTHER is a person with thoughts and feelings • acceptance ( acceptance of differences )
• enables us to experience another person’s emotions, • openness ( embracing diversities )
such as happiness, anger, and sadness • respect
• not only to share and offer comfort during a difficult
experience, but also to feel the grief of the person and ACCEPTANCE OF DIFFERENCES – understand that every
PLACE YOURSELF IN HIS SHOES ( ex. feel the grief person is unique ( physical traits, behavior, views, beliefs, ideas)
of the person even if it wasn’t your own relative’s death;
basketball enthusiasts celebrating favorite team’s EMBRACING DIVERSITY – what unites us all is our shared
victory; parents taking pride in their child’s achievement humanity and dignity
)
• leads to a greater understanding and appreciation of The recognition of our shared humanity and dignity is what drives
others us to extend assistance and act with concerns towards others,
especially towards individuals or groups that experience
Sympathy- is the feeling of support for something, the feeling hardships and discrimination.
that you care about and are sorry about someone else’s trouble.
Sympathetic feeling or the “feeling-with” situation. As humans, we are driven by our shared dignity to treat each
other with respect and acceptance.
SYMPATHY is “ feeling with “ and EMPATHY is “ feeling in “

3. AVAILABILITY
• the willingness of a person to
- be present for another
- be at the disposal of another
- render assistance to another
Ex. asking directions or information

Source : Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Abella, Roberto D., M.Div., D.Min., 2016
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO HAVE SUCCEFULLY OTHERS WHO ARE LEFT OUT OR ISOLATED FROM
RISEN ABOVE THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS TO LIVE GROUPS OR SOCIETY BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN
PRODUCTIVE LIVES DEEMED DIFFERENT

1. HELEN KELLER (1880-1968) - American author, political Who among your classmates is considered by many to be “weird”
activist and the first deaf and blind person to earn a bachelor’s or “different”? How does this view affect the way you treat this
degree. She lost her hearing and sight when she was an infant particular classmate? Do you see yourself befriending him or
due to illness. At age 22, she published an autobiography, The her? If you reflect on the way you relate to your classmate, can
Story of my life, which described her life and struggles growing you say that you have been treating him or her as a person?
up. The book became the basis of a popular play titled The
Miracle Worker. Reflect on the people closest to you and evaluate if you have
been engaging in genuine dialogue with them. CAN YOU SAY
2. NICHOLAS JAMES “NICK” VUJICIC (born 1982) - an THAT YOUR FRIENDS HAVE HELPED YOU BECOME A
Australian Evangelist and motivational speaker who were born BETTER PERSON? and HAVE YOU HELPED YOUR FRIEND
with phocomelia, a condition in which a person is born with no BECOME A BETTER PERSON? Think of the other people in
arms or legs. your life. Who do you feel can benefit from having a friend?
Because of his condition he was bullied as he grew up, but it did
not stop him from pursuing his dreams. Pursue a career as a REFLECTING ON OUR INTERACTIONS can better inform us of
motivational speaker and evangelist. In 2005, he founded Life the motivations that drive us to reach out and interact with others.
without Limbs, a non-profit organization and ministry.
Knowledge of our CAPACITY FOR INTERSUBJECTIVITY and
3. ROSELLE AMBUBUYOG (born 1980) - the first visually – the opportunities it provides for fostering personal growth and
impaired Filipino to graduate summa cum laude from Ateneo de welfare will enable us to MAKE BETTER CHOICES and
Manila University in 2001. Roselle lost her eye sight at the age of DECISIONS as we continue to relate with others and uphold
six due to an illness. She initiated “Project Roselle” together with POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS in our lives.
the Rotary Club of Makati. She worked at Freedom Scientific, Inc.
as a consultant in developing software for people who are
visually-impaired and those with learning disabilities.
She worked as a product and support manager at Code Factory,
which is the world’s leading provider of software that allow the
visually-impaired to access mobile devices such as cell phones.
Roselle is a motivational speaker and had given several talks and
seminars to students, teachers and professionals.

VARIOUS ADVOCACIES SUPPORTING PERSONS WITH

DISABILITIES have resulted in the institution of events and
commemorations such as :
• PARALYMPICS, an international sports competition
modeled after the Olympics that features athletes with
disabilities
• United Nation instituted days of awareness
- World Down Syndrome Day ( March 21 )
- World Autism Awareness Day ( April 2 )
- International Day of Person with Disabilities
( December 3 )
Countries around the world are encouraged to celebrate these
days with activities that highlight individuals with disabilities.
Examples of them are talent shows, symposiums and
conventions. These events bring together “ ABLE “ and “
DISABLED “ people in the spirit of friendship and cooperation.

REFLECTING on our interactions can better inform us of the

motivations that drive us to reach out and interact with others.

UNDERPRIVILEGED SECTOR OF THE SOCIETY – another

group of people who experience hardship and
discrimination
- they have less in terms of material possessions
- despite the differences in lifestyle, social class, and
experience, our shared humanity allows us to engage
with each other respectfully and render assistance to
each other.
- The act of assistance or giving, however, must be
done in the spirit of MUTUAL RESPECT. One must
extend help wholeheartedly, without reservation or a
patronizing attitude. We help those in need not because
we need to feel better about ourselves, but we do it out
of an obligation to uphold the dignity of our fellow
persons
Source : Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Abella, Roberto D., M.Div., D.Min., 2016