NAME: WENCESLAO L.

CANETE III Course/year: BSHM 1

GEC 1 – Understanding the SElf MODULE 1

Pre – assessment

Instructions: Match the philosophical view of self in Column A with the philosopher in column B.
write your answer on the blank provided.

Column A Column B.

C 1.I the think therefore I A. Gilbert Ryle

E 2.The self has an immoral soul. B. Maurice Merlaeau-Ponty

A 3. The self is the way people behave. C. Rene Descartes

B 4. The self is embodied subjectivity. D. Socrates

D 5. An unexamined life is not worth living. E. St. Augustine

Task #1. Using a graphic organizer , write your answer on this question:

1.Why is philosophy important in understanding the concept of self.

Task #2.

Based on the above discussion, what are the different concepts of the self from the philosophical
perspective? Write the key points in bullets form.

*The self is synonymous with the soul.

*Man must live an examined life and a life of purpose and value.
*Reason is the divine essence that enables us to think deeply, make wise choices, and achieve a true
understanding of eternal truths.
*Physical appetite includes our basic biological needs.
*Spirit or passion includes basic emotions.
*Genuine happiness can only be achieve by people who consistently make sure that their reason is in
control of their spirits and appetites.
*Man should give more importance to the soul than the physical body which resides in the world of
sense.

Task #3
Choose three (3) philosophers and summarize their philosophical views of the self. Then
indicate whether you believe or not in that philosophical view of self. Justify your belief.

1 Rene Descartes (father of modern philosophy) For Descartes, the

essence of the human self – a thinking entity that doubts , understands, analyzes,
questions, and reasons. He contends further that if man man reflects thoughtfully, he will
realize that there are two dimensions of the human self: the self as thinking entity and
the self as physical body.

-I don’t believe in this philosophical view of self because our thinking

entity and physical body is dependent of one another. There are times that what we
think is not we do and what we do is not what we think. The soul acts a link between the
material body and our spiritual self, and therefore shares some characteristics of both.
Without the soul or connection to the vital life force, the body is useless so our soul and
body is dependent to each other.

2. St. Augustine (i.e., St. Augustine of Hippo) Augustine describes that

humankind is created in the image and likeness of God. Augustine is convinced that the
self is known only through knowing God. He espouses the significance of reflection, as
well as the importance of prayers and confessions to arrive at a justification for the
existence of God.

-In my own perspective, I believe in this St. Augustine’s philosophical view of self
because God is the one who created us. Through God we know who we are and we know
 what we are in this world. If we lost our paths or self if we pray, God is the one who
brings light to our dim path and self.

3. Aristotle He suggest that anything with life has a soul. Thus, the soul is
the essence of the self. However, humans differ from other living thing because of their
capacity for rational thinking. He introduce the three kinds of soul: vegetative, sentient,
and rational.

-I believe in this philosophical view of self by Aristotle because as what he say all living
things has a soul. Just like in movies that I have watched if someone dies their souls can
transfer into an insects or even animals. But, we humans differ from other living things ,
because a human is doing all the work intentionally. We know everything what we can
do, all our senses are made to provide intention to mankind. We humans can expressed
what we feel.

IV. For further study

Assignment: Identify the philosophical view of self of the following:

1. David Hume- was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, historian economist, and essayist. who is best
known today for his highly influential system of philosophical empiricism,

skepticism, and naturalism

2. Immanuel Kant - Kant believed that reason is also the source of morality, and that aesthetics arise
from a faculty of disinterested judgment.

PosT assessment
Test 1.

THE SELF IS CONSCIOESSSN THE SELF IS EMBODIED SUBJECTIVITY

SIMILARITIES

THE PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW OF SELF GIVES THE PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW OF SELF

EMPHASIS ON THE USE OF ONES INNATE BELIEVES THAT THE PHENOMENA
SENSES IN BUILDING PERSONAL OF EXPERIENCE IS THE REASON
IDENTITY WHY WE ARE RATIONAL AND
KNOWLEDGEABLE BEINGS.

SIMILARITIES
PHILOSOPHYS SOMEWHAT EXPRESSES THE IDEA THAT OUR EXPERIENCE AND
AWARENESS ARE OUR BEST TEACHER.
Test II.

In my life a different experiences came and I learned from it Through the experiences I have. I
learned to use it for the next time I encountered such trouble, I will not repeat the same mistake
anymore. In times of problems I need someone to talk to. That is why I am very thankful to have my
friends and a special person who are always there to listen to my problems. I am not perfect to cry alone
with my problems, instead I need a person who can understand and can give me some advice what to
do.

The importance of having a philosophy of self is It helps us solve our problems and it helps us make
better decisions by developing our critical thinking, self knowledge and self concept.

I am ambitious and driven. I thrive on challenge and constantly set goals for myself, so I have
something to strive toward. I’m not comfortable with settling, and I’m always looking for an opportunity
to do better and achieve greatness.
The meaning of my life is to fulfill my purpose as a person and as a follower of God and also to
accomplish my goals. What I mean is that, we are here with a purpose of why we are living in his land
we have a mission to achieve. None of us will be here if we all didn't have a purpose. To achieve happy
life by not thinking and allowing negative mindset and surroundings and also by focusing and have a
word commitment in life.

The characteristics that I have been contributed to my happiness and success are
gratitude, humor, self-confidence, optimism, focus, and also values that I have like responsible,
active, honest, and responsive towards others.