An Overview of Self/Identity

The Self is one of the most interesting topics that people talk about everyday. We
may not be conscious about it but every time we mention the ‘I’ e.g., I will go to
school, I hangout with my friends, I like to eat burger, we are talking about the self
as “actors”. Further, we always mention the ‘me’ as the object, e.g., tell me about
it, give me something, it makes me feel awesome. Noticeably, the Self composes
both the I- as an actor and the Me- as the object. Our interest about the self is
even more evident in the functional word variations of I and Me that we use in
our everyday language depending on our purpose (e.g., my, mine, myself, etc.).

Our consciousness of the existence of the Self has been almost automatic or
reflexive and we are almost unaware that in our everyday lives we are constantly
talking about it.

Issues on Understanding the Self

Many scholars (i.e., theorists, scientists, philosophers) in different fields and

across generations have attempted to explain and thoroughly expound on several
issues and controversies about the nature, existence, and dimensionality of self.
The most prevalent among issues on self, are the issues on:

NATURE

Biological sciences which explain that our traits are passed on to humanity from
one generation to another, and these transmitted traits served as a blueprint of
our self and make us predispose to certain self-expressions (e.g., attitude,
behavior, tendencies, etc.). Here, the self is being studied structurally and
functionally, from the molecular level to the entirety of human physiological
systems. Genetics for example contributed so much information about the
descriptions of the self. This field of biology primarily deals with the study of
heredity (transmission of traits and characteristics from generation to another) as
a process, as well as on the characterizations (similarities and differences) of
organisms.
NURTURE

Social Sciences argue though that the self should be principally viewed as an
outcome of various nurturing factors in the context of one’s social life. Social
Sciences have provided manifold of insights and explanations about the self both
on the micro and macro level of one’s social life. Different fields of social science
stresses how group life (formal and informal) affects individuals’ behavior and
attitude, and emphasizes on the impact of various social institutions to the self-
construal of an individual.

While arguments about the predominance of either nature or nurture are still
unresolved, we could settle for an eclectic standpoint on this issue. We can safely
assume that our self is BOTH a product of NATURE and NURTURE.

THE ISSUE ON SELF VS. IDENTITY

While some insist that the self is predominantly a product of natural processes to
which people are inherently predisposed, some argue that the self is largely
influenced and principally constructed by one’s social environment. Self and
Identity are topics that remain popular not only among psychologists (authors of
psychology articles) but also to other social scientist like sociologists, cultural
anthropologists, economists, among others. Noticeably, the term self and identity
in various literatures have been loosely interchanged by many authors. For many,
there is a very thin conceptual and functional distinction between the two
concepts and many people perceive them as synonymous

Identity: Based on lexical definition, Identity (noun, iden·ti·ty\ī-ˈden-tə-tē, ə-, -ˈde-

nə-\) referred to “the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or
group different from others… or the distinguishing character or personality of an
individual”

Self: Based on lexical definition, Self (noun) is “the person that someone normally
or truly is… or the entire person of an individual”.
SELF VS. IDENTITY

A comprehensive definition that underscores the distinctions and overlap of self

and identity was given by Oyserman, Elmore, and Smith (pg. 69, 2012) which
states that:  

“Identities are the traits and characteristics, social relations, roles, and social
group memberships that define who one is. Identities can be focused on the past-
what used to be true of one, the present-what is true of one now, or the future-
the person one expects or wishes to become, the person one feels obligated to try
to become, or the person one fears one may become; together, identities make up
one's self-concept variously described as what comes to mind when one thinks of
oneself’.

DIMENSIONALITY OF THE SELF

We are what we are right now not just because of a single factor. We are
developed by many factors…

Some people believe that the Self or Identity can be more accurately depicted
using a single factor or aspect. For example, we often hear people ask another to
describe a particular person using a number of words. Can we really describe
someone using only a few words?

You now being are asked to describe a particular person using only one word
(e.g., Your Best Friend), how will you describe him/her?

My Best Friend is: -----------------

Many people tend to provide

Physical Description…

Physical Appearance – Refers to how we physically present our self to other

people. Though we can consider that the physical appearance is just a surface
description that we can use to describe a person, this dimension of the Self tends
to be very critical for some practical purposes (e.g., easy recall, creating
impression, making judgement, etc. ) .
Our Self cannot be singly represented by a certain trait because our Self/Identity is
composed of multidimensional aspects and that we are a PRODUCT of
multidimensional FACTORS

MULTI-DIMENSIONALITY OF THE SELF

Social Factor of the Self

Refers to the influences of significant people in a person’s life. This particularly

includes the social groups where and individual identifies oneself. Social factors
are strong foundations of one’s being. The characteristics that we acquired from
the influences of the social groups where we interact with during the growing up
years are integrated to form our identity, or our uniqueness and similarities with
others.

 Family

 Peer Groups

 Organizations

 And other significant people in a person’s life (e.g., teacher, role-

model, relatives, etc.)

Environmental Factor of the Self

Broadly includes the physical and communal elements present in our everyday
surrounding, and is invariably dealt with by individuals in a specific geographic
region or area. This is not only about the physical properties of the surrounding
(i.e., climate and temperature, forms of land, etc.) but this factor principally
includes the larger society or community and the expectations and norms
operating in that particular locality or place.

For example: person who grew up in a city, where competitiveness and resiliency
are needed in order to survive would tend to adapt in to that kind of environment
by consciously strengthening certain traits and skills that will manifest
competitiveness (e.g., communicative, intellective, etc.). In the process, the
harnessed characteristics become an integral part of one’s Self or Identity.

Hereditary Factor of the Self

Heredity is a biological process by which certain traits and characteristics are

passed on from one generation to another. This factor compared with the two
previously discussed factors can be depicted as the non-negotiable factor. If one
has the choice whether or not to adopt the influence of social groups and to
change (improve) one’s environment, heredity as a factor of one’s being and
identity is relatively fixed and permanent.

• Physical Attributes (e.g., height, complexion, color of eyes, etc.)

• Some Cognitive Traits (e.g., I.Q)

Some other Personal Characteristics

Person-Volition Factor of the Self - is the most controversial factor of the Self or
Identity. This refers to the inclination of a person to form and construct a specific
identity, which will set him apart or unique compared with others. Such factor
emanates from within the mentality of an individual, but also brought about by
the aggregated social-life experiences. Social scientists (e.g., sociologist) may refer
to this type of person as deviant and non-conformist. But being one is not
necessarily negative, in fact, some of the people of this type turned in to trend-
setters, discoverers and inventors

Things to Ponder About

We have learned that our Self or Identity is a product of both nature and nurture,
and an outcome of various factors (multidimensionality).

• If we are a product of both nature and nurture, which between the two
contributed more to our Self-development?

• How do the different factors (of the self) interact in the development of the
self or identity?
THE PHILOSOPHICAL SELF
The Philosophy of the Self

The Self has been defined as “as a unified being, essentially connected to
consciousness, awareness, and agency (or, at least, with the faculty of rational
choice) “. Different philosophers have come up with more specific characteristics
of the Self, and over time, these meanings have transformed from pure
abstractions to explanations that hold scientific evidences.

SOCRATES

The Philosophy of the Self

The ancient philosophy of self can be traced back from the ancient Greek
aphorism (one of 147 aphorisms prominently inscribed in the temple of Apollo at
Delphi), “know thyself” (Greek: γνῶθι σεαυτόν, transliterated: gnōthi seauton).

• The aphorism (or principle) was used by Socrates as his guiding principle
that he passed on to his students. Since Socrates as a guru preferred to
engage his students in endless discussion, it is said that he had never
written down any of his ideas but instead untiringly discussed concepts and
principles with his students. Socrates believed that the real self is not the
physical body, but rather the psyche (or soul). He further posited that the
appearance of the body is inferior to its functions.

PLATO

It was Plato, Socrates’ prized student who thoroughly expound on Socrates ideas
of self. Plato’s conceptualization of the Self was profoundly introduced in his
dialogue Phaedrus, which has been a popular text for many decades in the subject
of Philosophy. The main idea in this dialogue is about truth-seeking, and that the
truth can be can be distinguished in two forms: the metaphysical realm (mind)
and the physical world (body). Plato suggested that the existence or the truth
about the human self is fundamentally an intellectual entity whose nature exists
independent from the physical world. Plato bifurcated the truth or reality into
two: the “ontos” (ideal), the ultimate reality which tend to be permanent and
spiritual, and the “phenomena” which refers to the manifestation of the ideal. In
contrast with ontos, phenomena is imperfect, impermanent and inferior to the
latter.

ARISTOTLE

Plato’s idea of truth about the human self was even more expounded and
formalized by his prized student, Aristotle. While Plato emphasized the
separation of ideal and phenomenal existence (or being), Aristotle suggested that
the ideal is subsumed in the phenomena. Aristotle called ideal as “essence” and
the phenomena as “matter”. He also emphasized that the two co-exist and are co-
dependent, the essence provides meaning and purpose to the matter, and the
matter provides substance and solidity to essence.

The Philosophy of the Self

Philosophy of the self has been defined through two distinct philosophical lens:

 Empiricism - derives explanations of the self from sensory and bodily responses.
We know things because we have experienced it through our bodily senses.
Rationalism - there is innate knowledge; they differ in that they choose different
objects of innate knowledge. Rationalism explains self from the standpoint of
what is “ideal” and the “truth”, not rooted in what is felt by the senses nor our
body

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE SELF

What are the different philosophical views of the Self? There is abundance in
literature that highlights the similarities and contrasting standpoints of the self.
Socrates and Plato have explained the Self from a theoretical and logical
orientation; Aristotle was an empiricist, deriving views of the self from physical
and scientific underpinnings. St. Augustine adopted the views of Plato and
infused it to his religious philosophy. John Locke, David Hume, and Immanuel
Kant were empiricist philosophers; Rene Descartes was a dominant rational
philosopher during the Middle Ages. Among contemporary philosophers, majority
are empiricists: Gilbert Ryle, Patricia Churchland, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty
have incorporated biological and neuroscience in their philosophies.

       
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description
Classical Antiquity
Socrates Idealism Socratic  Knowledge is the personification of
Philosophy good while Ignorance is that of evil.
 Self-knowledge is the ultimate
virtue. As the ultimate virtue, it will
lead to ultimate happiness.
Plato Idealism Dualism and  Moral virtue is rooted in the intellect
Idealism and leads to happiness.
 Wisdom and knowledge leads to
virtue which will lead to happiness.
 
Aristotle Empiricist Aristotelian  Ideal is found inside the phenomena
Philosophy and the universals inside the
particulars.
 Ideals are ESSENCE.
 Phenomena is MATTER.
 Matter has no form. Essence has no
mass.
 Matter and Essence need each other.

Identify and explain the biological and environmental factors that shape one’s physical self.

2. Identify and explain the biological and environmental factors that shape the sexual development.

3. Identify and explain the social and environmental factors that shape oneself.

Identify and discuss the different concepts of the social self.

2. Identify and discuss the different concepts of the socio-digital self.\

3. Discuss the factors that contribute to one’s material / economic sel

Explain how cognition, memory and intelligence are manifested in various aspects of one’s life.

Identify and explain the factors that influence the learning process

       
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description
Middle Agess
St. Platonism Neoplatonis  All knowledge leads to God.
Augustine m  Only the pure in heart can see God.
 Love of God, faith in Him and
Understanding of his Gospel will
ultimately lead to Happiness.
 
 

Renaissance
Descartes Rationalist Mind-body  “I think, therefore, I am.”
Dualism  The mind and soul can exist without
the body.
 Establishing the distinction of soul
from the body can make people
believe in the afterlife and the soul’s
immortality.
Locke Empiricist Theory of  It is in consciousness alone that
Personal identity exists, not on the body and
Identity soul.
 There is a distinction between man
and person.
  The soul may change, but
consciousness remains intact.
Hume Empiricist Skeptical  All knowledge passes through the
Philosophy senses.
 Separate ideas can be joined in the
mind.
 There is no self, only a bundle of
perceptions.
Kant Rationalist Metaphysic  Reason is the final authority of
/ s of the Self morality.
Empiricist  There is the inner self and outer self;
 The inner self includes rational
reasoning and psychological state.
 The outer self includes the body and
physical mind, where representation
occurs.
 

       
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description
Modern Times
Ryle Empiricist The Concept of  “I act, therefore, I am.”
Mind
 The mind is not the seat of self.
 It is not a separate, parallel thing to our
physical body.
 The mind is a category mistake,
brought about by habitual use. The
only way it can affect the other is
through the external world.
Churchland Empiricist Neurophilosophy  A fully matured neuroscience will
eliminate the need for beliefs since
“they are not real.”
 The physical brain gives us a sense of
self.
Merleau- Existentialism Phenomenology  Both empiricism and intellectualism
Ponty Empiricist of Perception are flawed in nature.
 “We are our bodies.”
 Our bodily experiences do not detach
the subject/object, mind/body,
rational/irrational.

       
Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description
Classical Antiquity
Socrates Idealism Socratic  Knowledge is the personification of
Philosophy good while Ignorance is that of evil.
 Self-knowledge is the ultimate
virtue. As the ultimate virtue, it will
lead to ultimate happiness.
Plato Idealism Dualism and  Moral virtue is rooted in the intellect
Idealism and leads to happiness.
 Wisdom and knowledge leads to
virtue which will lead to happiness.
 
Aristotle Empiricist Aristotelian  Ideal is found inside the phenomena
Philosophy and the universals inside the
particulars.
 Ideals are ESSENCE.
 Phenomena is MATTER.
 Matter has no form. Essence has no
mass.
 Matter and Essence need each other.

Things to Ponder About

We have seen how philosophy of the self has evolved from ancient to modern
times. From conceptual hypotheses of the self, modern times have seen the self
from scientific and biological standpoints.

 Do you agree with what these philosophers have concluded about the self?

 Do you see how their explanations of the self apply to you in the present?

If you are to choose one particular philosophy of the Self, what would it be and
why?

WHAT SCIENCE SAYS ABOUT THE SELF

The Science of the Self

Science has invested much of its efforts in understanding world phenomena, but
none more so than in explaining how human beings have evolved from its basic
life forms to its more complex make-up today. Science has been lexically defined
as “the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of
the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation
and experiment.” Thus, attempts to explain Self have been made from the
perspective of scientific methods. Further, scientific approaches to the study of
the Self is of two-fold: physical sciences and social sciences. The former focuses
on biological factors that make up the human body, the underlying growth and
maturational mechanisms of people, and environmental influences that
contribute to human development, central focus of which is the Self. On the other
hand, social sciences is concerned with institutions, society, and interpersonal
relationships of people living within society.

Biological Science

Science has made sufficient advances in explaining human beings in the biological
context. Beginning with the tenets of Aristotle and his scientific approach to the
study of human experience, to the Natural Selection within the Evolutionary
theory of Charles Darwin, human development, individuality, and inevitably the
Self, has been defined, analyzed, and explained according to specific mechanisms.
  The human body has been explained from a number of scientific standpoints.
From a biological perspective, genetics has been studied extensively by scientists
and doctors on how genes from both parents contribute to the characteristics of
their offspring.

Biological Science

New breakthroughs in the understanding of the self has resulted in the emergence
of new scientific fields of study: NEUROPHILOSOPHY and PSYCHO
NEUROIMMUNOLOGY.

NEUROPHILOSOPHY

The study of Neurophilosophy is attributed to Paul and Patricia Churchland.

Neurophilosophy is concerned with the association of the brain and the mind; in
order to understand the workings of the human mind, we must first understand
the brain, its functions, and wave activity. They further argued that philosophical
notions of free will, common sense, and conscientiousness, we must be able to
explain it in the context of neuroscience as advances in this field seemingly
converge with how people think, feel, and behave. In the context of the self, our
consciousness, worldviews, beliefs, and other human attributes are distinctly
connected to our brain physiology and functioning.

The study of the human body from a physical perspective has paved the way for a
fuller understanding of the self, as consciousness, deemed to be a fundamental
core of the self, is influenced by inner dynamics and environments.

PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY

Psychoneuroimmunology draws its assumptions from how our immune systems

function, similar to the shaping of self. Our body is made up of nucleotides, and its
composition make up our DNA. In the context of our immune system, our human
bodies “reject” foreign matter that can harm our bodies and build up on the
existing molecules, leading to a healthy bodily system. However, there times
when foreign matter that enters our system can be helpful for our bodily
maintenance and thus, becomes a permanent fixture within the body. In the
context of the self, individuals capitalize on their innate attributes and are likely to
reject environmental factors seen to be harmful to the body and their well-being.
In discovering our self, we are likely to imbibe external experiences that are seen
to be helpful to us and reject those that we do not like or those we do not derive
pleasure from.

Social Sciences

  Whereas physical science has devoted much of its time to understanding the
physical nature of people, social science is concerned with human functioning in
the context of society and social institutions. Psychology, sociology, anthropology,
politics, and economics are some of the social sciences that have contributed
much to the study of the Self.

Psychology is one of the most popular social sciences, defined as “the study of
human behavior”. A number of theoretical perspectives have been introduced
within this field of interest to explain the “self”. Psychology has contributed a lot
in the study of the self as a theoretical construct. In fact, the development of the
so called Science of Self is significantly rooted from various psychological theories
and principles. In many psychological theories (e.g., social and personality
psychology), the term self has been used as a predicate of several psychological
constructs (e.g., self-awareness, self-construal, self-esteem, self-efficacy, self-
regulation, etc.). Such usages of the term indicate not only an acceptance of its
existence but also signify its importance in characterizing human psychological
and personal attributes.

Sociology is the study of collective behavior of people within society and focuses
on social problems encountered by people. It does not see the individual on his
own, but rather, how social institutions and his social relationships within society
create an impact on his thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It provides tools for
understanding human experience and how society shapes the person and vice
versa.

Anthropology is the “science of human beings; especially the study of human

beings and their ancestors through time and space and in relation to physical
character, environmental and social relations, and culture.” In the context of
studying the self, anthropology provides the lens of the developmental
advancements society has made and how it has impacted generations who
existed within that society.

Political Science is concerned with participation of individuals in establishing a

government and making political choices. It is not about political affiliations but
rather, the factors involved in how one arrives at his political choices and
behavior. In studying self, how an individual participates in government, his
ideologies and advocacies, are significant contributors to his selfhood.

Economics is “concerned chiefly with description and analysis of the production,

distribution, and consumption of goods and services". Nature of goods, how we
manufacture them, how we share in its consumption, our state of finances and
purchasing power, and its equitable distribution to society shapes our self
through valuation of products and services that society has to offer. Our
economic activities have shaped our value system, and sense of self.

Things to Ponder About

In this unit, we have outlined the impact of the sciences to our self- discovery and
self-understanding.

 Do our physical bodies define who we are?

 Do our societal identities change?

 To what extent does society shape our self and identity?