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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

MODULE 1: Introduction
to Understanding the
Self

This module tackles the fundamental concepts and principles of the self. It covers
the different factors that contribute to one’s being, the philosophical and theoretical
perspectives about the self across genrations, as well as the explanations of different
fields of sciences about the self and identity.

Section 1: Social, Environmental, and other Life Factors (S.E.L.F.)

 Nature vs. Nurture
 Nature differs from Nurture, since in Nature, a person develops his/her
characteristics biologically (something that has developed starting from the birth of
the child), while in Nurture, a person develops his/her characteristics through the
external factors, such as the environment and the society (family, friends, relatives,
etc.).

 Identity vs. Self

 Identity, also, differs from Self, as what the readings say, Identities are
“qualities, characteristics, beliefs, opinions, etc., that make a person unique from
others.” These is what is distinguishable by others, or what they perceive to us
through our actions. Self, on the other had, is the “person of himself/herself,”
meaning, it is what the others didn’t see in you, because this is personal character;
this is what makes up a person.

 Dimensionalities of the Self/Identity

 There are 4 different dimensionalities of self, namely social factor,
environmental factor, hereditary factor, and person-volition factor. Social
factors are the factors in the development of a person which includes all the person
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around us, like our family members, relatives, friends, teachers or professors, and
even strangers, that might create an impression to you or affects your actions and
thoughts in life. Environmental factors are the factors in the development of a
person that includes the environmental structure, events, and such, which might
give an impact on how a person could grow in all the aspects of his/her
life. Hereditary factors are the factors in the development of the person that
includes biological changes and events, such as growth in height, puberty (growing
of pubic hair, deeper voices for male, broadening of hips and start of menstruation
for female, etc.) that usually affects the physical characteristics of a person. Lastly,
the Person-volition factors are the inclination of a person creates a social
construct which sets him apart to others.

Section 2: What Philosophy says about the Self

 Self – it is defined to as “a unified being, essentially connected to consciousness,
awareness, and agency (or, at least, with the faculty of rational choice).

 Classical Antiquity

 Through Greek times:

 Greek philosophy was started by Socrates, with his aphorism/principle of

“know thyself,” which is also inscribed in the temple of Apollo at Delphi.

 Socrates believed that the real self is not the physical body, but rather
the psyche, or the soul.
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 Plato, a student of Socrates, also studied and explained thoroughly what
is the true essence of self, which is then founded by his mentor. Plato suggested
that the “self is fundamentally an intellectual entity whose nature exists
independent from physical world.”

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 Furthermore, Aristotle, student of Plato, explained thoroughly how we
could see the essence of self. Aristotle suggested that the ideal is subsumed in
the phenomena. Aristotle called the ideal as essence, and the phenomena as
the matter. He emphasized that these 2 co-exist, and is dependent with one
another.

 Two lens of Philosophy of Self in Greek Times:

 Rationalism – explains self from the standpoint of what is ideal and true,
and what not is rooted with senses.

 Empiricism – according to it, there is no such thing as innate knowledge;

all knowledge are derived from experience – through five senses or what is
perceived by our brain.

 Towards Modern Philosophy

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 St. Augustine incoporated the views of Plato to his religious philosophy.
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 John Locke, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant were empiricists
philosophers.

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 Rène Descartes was a dominant rational philosopher during the Middle Ages

 Contemporary philosophers have incorporated science to their theories in the

light of the technological advancements that they have been exposed to.

 Majority of contemporary philosopher were empiricists:

 Gilbert Ryle, Patricia Churchland, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty have

incorporated biological and neuroscience in their philosophies.

Section 3: What Science says about the Self

Natural and social sciences encompass a number of disciplines that have deliberated
on and explained the concet and nature of the self.

 Biological/Physiological Sciences
 Neurophilosophy (attributed to Paul and Patricia Churchland) is concerned
with the association of the brain and the mind.

 Psychoneuroimmunology describes the shaping of the self as similar to how

the human immune system functions.
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 Social Sciences
 Psychology defined as the study of human behavior, sees the self as a
theoretical construct.

 Psychoanalysis (proposed by Sigmund Freud) focuses on the “unconscious”

as a core element of the self.

 Behaviorism maintains that the study of behavior should be made from

an observable and measurable perspective.

 Social Cognitive Theory considers behavior as a function of the

environment and internal attributes.

 Humanistic Perspective draws its assumptions from the observed

criticisms of psychoanalysis and behaviorism. It believes that every individual has
the ability to reach self-actualization and transcendence, and that each person is
inherently good or possesses something that is good.

 Sociology is the study of the collective behavior of people within the society
and focuses on social problems encountered by individuals.

 Anthropology is the study of human beings and their ancestors through time
and space and in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations,
and culture.

 Political Science (PolSci) is concerned with the participation of individuals in

establishing a government and making politicl choices.

 Economics describes and analyzes the production, distribution, and

consumption of goods and services.