SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Introduction to the
Philosophy of the
Human Person
Module 2- Quarter 2
Intersubjectivity

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Alternative Delivery Mode
Module 2- Quarter 2 : Intersubjectivity
 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Introduction to the
Philosophy of the
Human Person
Module 2- Quarter 2
Intersubjectivity

activities that promote the formation of a

OVERVIEW dialogue. Afterwards, we will test how far you
Good day learners!
have understood the lesson through short
Congratulations on making it this far in
tests as well as reflective activities.
Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Human Person. We continue now with Specifically, this module consists of the
following lessons:
the next topic at hand, Intersubjectivity.
We will explore how human persons form • Lesson 1: What is
Intersubjectivity?
interpersonal relationships and the • Lesson 2: Elements of
corresponding factors involved in a Interpersonal Relationships
• Lesson 3: Empathy and
philosophical view. Further, we will also
Society
describe and immerse ourselves in
 WHAT I NEED TO KNOW?
The whole world is more
connected now more
than ever in the 21st
century. Using
communication
technology such as the
Internet, we can discover and even interact with
other cultures around the globe.
Look at the picture on the left. Does each person
depicted look the same? Does each person have
different clothing from the other? With the Earth
as the background of the image, what do you
think the image represents?

https://www.shutterstock.com/search/cultural+diversity

In this module, the learner will be able to:

• Realize that intersubjectivity requires accepting differences and not to impose on to
others
• Explain that authentic dialogue means accepting others even if they are different from
themselves
• Performs activities that demonstrate an appreciation for the talents of persons with
disabilities and those from the underprivileged sectors of society
Lesso

n 6 Intersubjectivity

WHAT’S IN?
Lesson 2.1: What is Intersubjectivity?
2
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?
You begin talking to your family member, You begin talking to the piece of paper on
telling him or her about a funny experience your desk, telling about a funny experience
you had in school. 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.

WHAT’S NEW?
Read and reflect on the situations below:

https://cutewallpaper.org/21/boy-and-girl-kiss-cartoon/view-page-21.html
 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?

4
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 https://clipartstation.com/asking-directions-clipart-4/
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 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?
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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.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED?

INSTRUCTIONS: Fill the blanks with the right words to make the statement correct.

➢ A person's ability to engage in meaningful interactions with other people, his or her
surroundings, and things around him or her, is rooted in the human capacity for
______________ and _______________.
➢ __________________ refers to the shared awareness and understanding among
persons. It is made possible by the awareness of the self and the other.
➢ _____________ is the way a person presents himself or herself when dealing with
others, this is considered a natural and often unconscious act.
➢ A deep in general relationship between persons is called a dialogue. _________
happens when two persons truly acknowledge each other’s presence and treat each
other as equals.
➢ ____________ is an important aspect of Inter subjectivity and is driven by a person's
awareness of the emotions and thoughts of other people. It enables a person to
place himself or herself in the shoes of others and leads to a greater understanding
an appreciation of others.
➢ ____________ refers to the willingness of a person to be present for another and to
render assistance to another.
➢ Meaningful and beneficial human relationships are founded on the values of
_________, _________, and ________. As humans, were driven by our shared
dignity to treat each other with respect and acceptance.
ASSESSMENT
INSTRUCTIONS: Write TRUE is the statement is correct and FALSE if it is wrong. Write
your answers on a separate piece of paper.

______1. Intersubjectivity refers to shared awareness and understanding among people.

______2. Man has the natural tendency to establish relationships with other people.
______3. The views and ideas of other people, as well as social context do not influence our
behavior as individuals.
______4. We are primarily aware of people as objects and not as persons.
______5. Seeming refers to the capacity of individuals to engage in genuine interaction with
others.
______6. An authentic relationship is possible only if individuals acknowledge each other's
presence as persons.
______7. Availability refers to the willingness for person to make himself or herself available
for another.
______8. All humans find it difficult to have meaningful relationships with others.
______9. Empathy requires an individual to accept the other as a thinking, feeling person.
______10. It is not important to care about the welfare of others to establish a dialogue.

PERFORMANCE TASK
1. Research on a person with disability who has lived a productive
and meaningful life despite his or her disability. Discussed his or
her background, significant achievements, as well as the traits
that enabled him or her to succeed in life. (Research 5 person)

2. Have you ever engaged in a genuine and meaningful interaction with another person?
Write a reflection paper describing this encounter and how it affected you.