Introduction to the Philosophy of a Human Person

INTERSUBJECTIVITY

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.
 “Recognizing the self in the other is how philosophers define interpersonal relations
 Perceiving other people or objects using our senses.
 Reasonable and logical human act
 Interacting with other human beings is a more complex act

Human Nature
 Enables us to recognize the self that defines our individuality
 Enables us to recognize that other people possess a self
 Therefore, we are able to relates meaningfully with other human beings because we consider
ourselves as essentially the same

INTERSUBJECTIVITY
 A philosophical concept
 The interaction between the self and the other = mutual recognition of each other as persons
 A unique relationship between distinct subjects
 It refers to the characteristics of a 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 of inner life or interiority. It allows a person to give himself/herself to
others. It also allows individual to receive others in his/her life and relate with them.
 Allows a person to become closer to others in many different ways
 In everyday social interactions:
 Every person have the ability to agree and cooperate with each other
 Experience of shared or “common” knowledge and shared emotions such as grief, joy, and
love.

LEVELS OF INTERACTION
1. Simple awareness of the existence of the other
 When we see other people walking down the street, we are aware that there are other beings
unique from us, and that they exist outside of our own awareness or perception.
Examples: Neighbors, strangers, classmates, other students inside or outside of your
class, teachers, utility, passersby, etc.

2. Simple awareness of the self as being seen by others

 Self-consciousness is considered by philosophers as a defining characteristic of the self-other
relationship.
Example: 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 an other –
this stranger is looking at your direction. Also, you are aware of another significant fact
– you know that the stranger staring at you is aware of you as a person.

 The unique phenomenon of a human gaze is considered a defining characteristic which sets
apart human interaction from the interaction of other species.
 Example: Now imagine that the person is not a stranger but someone familiar: a family
member, a friend, or even a crush. This awareness of a person staring ay you will
initially result in a feeling of self-consciousness, or even shame.

3. Awareness of the “self in the other”

 It 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.
Example: If we have an idea that our parents think of us as quiet and obedient, we often
act that way with them. However, when we are without friends and we think that they
see us as outgoing and boisterous, we also adjust our behavior in order to conform with
how they think they expect us to act.
 Considering social context
Example: How we behave in church is different from our behavior in a lively party.
 Seeming:
 an individual presents himself/herself in a certain way when dealing with others.
 Persons take on “roles” or act out of characters when dealing with certain people or
when in certain situations
 This is considered unconscious, natural act on the part of humans
 However, there may be instances when people behave a certain way in order to
intentionally deceive or manipulate other people.

Dialogue
 Deeper and more genuine interaction or understanding
 Made possible when the self realizes that the other is a genuine and unique individual.
 When two individuals begin to view that the other – that is truly acknowledging each
other’s presence – then that is the beginning of an authentic relationship and dialogue.
 It is an interaction between persons that happens through speech, or the use of words,
expressions, and body language.
 Only beings with interiority or an inner life can engage in a dialogue.
 Genuine dialogue
 occurs when two persons “open up” to each other and give and receive one another in
their encounter.
 occurs when persons are willing to share themselves with one another
 A means by which individuals are able to share in each other’s life.

Obstacles in Dialogue Contrasted with…

Seeming: Taking on roles or creating an image Being: What you really are
depending on the social context or people around
Speechifying: Hearing without listening Personal Making: Fully opening oneself to other
Imposition: Dictating one’s idea/s into the other Unfolding: Seeing other as unique

The awareness of each other’s presence as a true person is defined by the acceptance of each other’s
uniqueness and differences. When each individual enters into dialogue with this mindset, then it is truly a
dialogue between equals.

ASPECTS OF INTERSUBJECTIVITY
A. Empathy
 the ability to share emotions
 this emotion is driven by a person’s awareness that the other is a person with thoughts and
feelings
 enables us to experience another person’s emotions
 Empathy: Feeling in
Sympathy: Feeling with

B. Availability
 Making yourself available for the person who needs you
 Example: A one call away type of friend
 The willingness of a person to be present and be at the disposal of another.

C. Ethics of Care
 An ethical theory that emphasizes the moral dimension of relationships and interactions.
 Encourages individuals to help other people, most especially the vulnerable (PWD,
underprivileged)

Arts of Loving
 We want to be loved than to love
 To love is easy, to find the right person is difficult
 “The experience of love begins from the experience of loneliness.” -Dr Manuel Dy Jr
 Ways to address loneliness:
a. Escapism
b. Conformity with groups
c. Creative Activities

Alienation
 This arises when a person ceases to view the other as a distinct and authentic persona and merely
considers the other person as mere object or a means to satisfy personal interests. (I-It relationship)

I-Thou Relationship  acknowledging each other as a person

I-It Relationship  treating a person as an object

Our human nature drives us to feel indignation against these kinds of behavior because we know that
these actions are an insult to human dignity. Feelings or views of alienation, if left unaddressed, give rise to
negative views and actions directed against a person or group of persons. Alienation goes against the
concept of personhood because this view discounts the humanity and dignity of a person and leads to
dehumanization.

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/her as an individual with dignity, as a person no different from us, then we will be able to forge ties and
build a community of harmony. There are group of people who experience hardship and discrimination, that
is persons with disabilities and underprivileged.

PERSON WITH DISABILITIES

4 Types of Disabilities
1. Intellectual Disabilities
 Limits a person’s ability to learn (practicing, judgement, problem-solving)
 Affects intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior
 Examples: Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and Prader-Will
Syndrome

2. Physical Disabilities
 Indicates any physical limitations or disabilities that inhibit the physical function
 Sometimes caused by brain injuries or accidents
 Examples: Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Scoliosis, Tourette Syndrome, Dwarfism (Proportionate,
Disproportionate)

3. Mental Illness
 Comprises a wide range of mental health conditions
 Disorders that affect mood, thinking, and behavior
 Examples: Depression, Anxiety disorder, Schizophrenia, Eating Disorder (Anorexia Nervosa,
Bulimia Nervosa), bipolar disorder, among others.
 4. Sensory Disabilities
 Neurological disorder that affects the human brain to process sensory information
 Examples: Blindness and low vision
Hearing loss and Deafness
Deaf-Blindness
Sensory Processing Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Challenges faced by PWDs

 Discrimination  Communication Barriers
 Bullying  Opportunities in work
 Difficulty in transportation  Unfair treatment
 Negative Attitude of people around  Facilities

Example PWDs with great achievements:

a. Helen Keller
 1st deaf-blind to attain a bachelor's degree
 Her teacher was Anne Sullivan
 She uses Braille in reading
 A political activist

b. Nicholas James “Nick” Vujicic

 Australian-American motivational coach and preacher
 Life without Limbs is a non-profit organization and ministry
 Tetra-Amelia Syndrome: failure to develop both arms and legs from birth
- An operation enabled him to use his toes and manipulate objects
 Because of his condition he was bullied as he grows up, but it did not stop him from pursuing
his dreams.

c. Roselle Ambubuyog (born 1980)

 First visually impaired Filipino to graduate summa cum laude from Ateneo de Manila
University in 2001 with a course Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
 She lost her eyesight at the age of six (6) due to an illness
 Uses Braille in reading
 “Project Roselle” is a project launched by Roselle Ambubuyog to provide schools with
software equipment, such as computer and printer, that will aid blind students in their studies

UNDERPRIVILEGED
 They have less in terms of material possessions or people who doesn’t given an equal chance to
exercise their rights compared to others.
 Examples: LGBTQ+, the poor, women, children, etc.