Course Instructor: JULY ANN CARMEL B.

BENDAL
Course Code: GE 1
Course Title: UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
Term: 1st Semester SY 2020-2021
Email: july.binas13@gmail.com
FB Account: July Ann Carmel Biñas-Bendal
Mobile No.: 0995-541-6920

Module 6: THE SELF IN WESTERN AND EASTERN THOUGHTS

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Differentiate the concept of self, according to western thought against Eastern/Oriental thoughts
2. Explain the concept of self as found in Asian thoughts
3. Create a representation of the Filipino self. Religious Beliefs and Political Philosophies
1. Confucianism – code of ethical conduct of how one should properly act according to their relationship with other people
- the identity and self-concept of the individual are interwoven with the identity and status of his/her
community or culture, sharing its pride and failure.

2. Taoism – living in the way of the “Tao” or the universe

- rejects the hierarchy and strictness brought by Confucianism and would prefer a simple lifestyle and it’s
teaching thus aim to describe how to attain that life.

3. Buddhism – the self is in as an illusion, born out of ignorance, or trying to hold and control things, or human-centered
needs.
- there is a quest to forget about the self, forget the cravings of the self, break the attachment with the world
and to renounce the self which is the cause of all sufferings and in doing so obtain the state of NIRVANA

Difference Between Eastern and Western Culture:

❖ Their differences can be noted mainly in people’s behavior and attitude.

❖ However, since east and west refers to various countries and cultures scattered around the globe, only a broad
generalization can be made to compare the two cultures.

The East is East and the West is West – Neither is better or worse than the other

WESTERN – people from Europe and North America

- people are more liberated

EASTERN – people from Asia and Middle East

- people are conservative and traditional

ATTRIBUTES OF THE EASTERN CULTURE ATTRIBUTES OF THE WESTERN CULTURE

1. Be independent 1. Humble and exercise restraints

2. Speak your mind 2. Immersed yourself in the culture
3. Stand up for yourself 3. Embrace the lifestyle and adapt their situation
4. Fight for your right 4. Work for each other to benefit the whole society
5. Feel superior and arrogant 5. Don’t like people who think they are better than others

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 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EAST and WEST
EAST WEST
10. Larger than life The leader assumes supreme Concept of equality is taken
status of the leaders status more seriously and a
Has a great bearing on general leader is just one among
public the rest,
Men is elevated to God-like status He is not looked as above and
over the general public
9. Relationships Family-centric – couples used to The self is given preference
pass through family approvals over family, hence division
before marriage, on priority and relevance
This is the reason why arrange of relationships are of the
marriage still exists individual;

8. Travelling and Luxury of travelling depends on the
Location workplace approval, nature of
individual and mindset of society
It took years before any long break
is taken by people from the East.
Takes timeout for travelling
as an indispensable part of
their lives
Vacations are days that one
looked forward to

7.Individual worth The community and family are The individual is given more
given more worth worth

Both has its set of pros and cons as the importance given to family forms a support

6. Spirituality Religion in t6he eastern society is Religion has not been

given more importance compared stretched to the extent of
to west. intelligence just like
others.
Riot and killings in the name of faith
still occurs

5. Independence Independence come with “if” and Due to strong family bond,
“buts” independence in the east is
not possible.

4. Status of Female Women sacrifices profession and Women are free to decide for
career in favor of rearing children priorities and something as
basic as when to marry or
even bear children.

3. Forthrightness Discussing sex and child birth is still Known for its openness and
taboo. the ease to which several
Lack of openness – conservative by topics are discussed across
nature generation

2. Attitude Known for its Analytical and data. We focus

“HOLISTICS VIEW? to the problem at
Come to a well-rounded and hand
allinclusive solution

1. Rigid Beliefs Rigid in their ideologies and beliefs Things are looked from a
rational perspective where
decisions and actions are not

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 emotionally driven

Module 7: The Physical and Sexual Self?

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Discuss the developmental aspect of the reproductive system;

2. Explain human sexual behavior;
3. Characterize the diversity of sexual behavior;

THE PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL SELF

❖ From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic make-up. It influences the way we treat ourselves and others.
❖ However, there are individuals who do not accept their innate sexual characteristics and they tend to change their sexual
organs through medications and surgery.
❖ Aside from our genes, our society or the external environment helps shape ourselves.

Male reproductive system:

The male reproductive system consists of a number of sex organs that play a role in the process of human reproduction. These
organs are located on the outside of the body and within the pelvis. The main male sex organs are the penis and the testicles which
produce semen and sperm, which, as part of sexual intercourse, fertilize an ovum in the female's body; the fertilized ovum
(zygote) develops into a fetus, which is later born as an infant.

Penis
The penis is the male intromittent organ. It has a long shaft and an enlarged bulbous-shaped tip called the glans penis, which
supports and is protected by the foreskin. When the male becomes sexually aroused, the penis becomes erect and ready for sexual
activity. Erection occurs because sinuses within the erectile tissue of the penis become filled with blood.

Scrotum
The scrotum is a pouch-like structure that hangs behind the penis. It holds and protects the testicles. It also contains numerous
nerves and blood vessels. The scrotum remains connected with the abdomen or pelvic cavity by the inguinal canal.

Internal genital organs

Epididymis
The epididymis, a whitish mass of tightly coiled tubes cupped against the testicles, acts as a maturation and storage for sperm
before they pass into the vas deferens, that carry sperm to the ampullary gland and prostatic ducts.

Vas deferens
The vas deferens, also known as the sperm duct, is a thin tube approximately 30 centimeters (0.98 ft) long that starts from the
epididymis to the pelvic cavity. It carries the spermatozoa from the epididymis to ejaculatory duct.

Accessory glands
Three accessory glands provide fluids that lubricate the duct system and nourish the sperm cells. They are the seminal vesicles, the
prostate gland, and the bulbourethral glands (Cowper glands).

Development

Sexual determination
Sexual identity is determined at fertilization when the genetic sex of the zygote has been initialized by a sperm cell containing
either an X or Y chromosome. If this sperm cell contains an X chromosome it will coincide with the X chromosome of the ovum
and a female child will develop.
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A sperm cell carrying a Y chromosome results in an XY combination, and a male child will develop.

External structures
At six weeks post conception, the differentiation of the external genitalia in the male and female has not taken place. At eight
weeks, a distinct phallus is present during the indifferent stage. By the 10th-12th week, the genitalia are distinctly male or female
being and derived from their homologous structures. At 16 weeks post conception, the genitalia are formed and distinct.

Testes
At nine weeks, male differentiation of the gonads and the testes is well underway. The descent of the testes to its final location at
the anterior abdominal wall, followed by the development of the gubernaculum, which subsequently pulls and translocate the
testis down into the developing scrotum. Ultimately, the passageway closes behind the testis.

External genitalia
The external genitalia of the male are distinct from those of the female by the end of the ninth week. Prior to that, the genital
tubercle in both sexes is a phallus.

The urethral groove forms on the ventral surface of the phallus early in development during the differentiation of the external
genitalia. This is caused by the androgens produced and secreted by the testes.

Androgen induced development causes the elongation and differentiation of the phallus into a penis, a fusion of the urogenital
folds surrounding the urethral groove along the ventral surface of the penis, and a midline closure of the labioscrotal folds. This
closure forms the wall of the scrotum the external genitalia. The external genitalia are completely formed by the end of the 12th
week.

At birth, the development of the prepubertal male reproductive system is completed. During the second trimester of pregnancy,
testosterone secretion in the male declines so that at birth the testes are inactive.
Gonadotropin secretion is low until the beginning of puberty.
Female reproductive system

The female reproductive system is made up of the internal and external sex organs that function in reproduction of new
offspring. In the human the female reproductive system is immature at birth and develops to maturity at puberty to be able to
produce gametes, and to carry a fetus to full term. The internal sex organs are the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The uterus
or womb accommodates the embryo which develops into the fetus. The uterus also produces vaginal and uterine secretions which
help the transit of sperm to the Fallopian tubes. The ovaries produce the ova (egg cells).

Fertilization usually occurs in the Fallopian tubes and marks the beginning of embryogenesis. The zygote will then divide over
enough generations of cells to form a blastocyst, which implants itself in the wall of the uterus. This begins the period of gestation
and the embryo will continue to develop until full-term. When the fetus has developed enough to survive outside the uterus, the
cervix dilates and contractions of the uterus propel the newborn through the birth canal (the vagina).

External organs

Vulva The vulva consists of all of the external parts and tissues and includes the mons pubis, pudendal cleft, labia majora, labia
minora, Bartholin's glands, clitoris, and vaginal opening.

Internal organs

Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular (made up of fibrous and muscular tissue) canal leading from the outside of the body to the cervix of
the uterus or womb. It is also referred to as the birth canal in the context of pregnancy. The vagina accommodates the male penis
during sexual intercourse. Semen containing spermatozoa is ejaculated from the male at orgasm, into the vagina potentially
enabling fertilization of the egg cell (ovum) to take place.

Cervix
The cervix is the neck of the uterus, the lower, narrow portion where it joins with the upper part of the vagina. It is cylindrical or
conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall. Approximately half its length is visible, the remainder lies
above the vagina beyond view. The vagina has a thick layer outside and it is the opening where the fetus emerges during delivery.
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Uterus
The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ. The uterus provides mechanical protection, nutritional support, and
waste removal for the developing embryo (weeks 1 to 8) and fetus (from week 9 until the delivery). In addition, contractions in
the muscular wall of the uterus are important in pushing out the fetus at the time of birth.

Ovaries
The ovaries are small, paired organs located near the lateral walls of the pelvic cavity. These organs are responsible for the
production of the egg cells (ova) and the secretion of hormones. The process by which the egg cell (ovum) is released is called
ovulation. The speed of ovulation is periodic and impacts directly to the length of a menstrual cycle.

Module 8: The Physical and Sexual Self ?

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe sexually transmitted diseases

2. Differentiate natural and artificial methods of contraception

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE

STDs are sexually transmitted diseases. This means they are most often -- but not exclusively -- spread by sexual intercourse.
HIV, chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, some forms hepatitis, syphilis, and trichomoniasis are
STDs.

STDs are a significant global health priority because of their overwhelming impact on women and infants and their inter-
relationship with HIV and AIDS. Aside from HIV and AIDS, there are other STD in humans.
Bacterial STDs can be cured with antibiotics if treatment begins early enough. Viral STDs cannot be cured, but you can manage
symptoms with medications. There is a vaccine against hepatitis B, but it will not help if you already have the disease.

1. CHLAMYDIA - is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis. Usually, it
doesn't cause any symptoms and can be easily treated with antibiotics. However, if it isn't treated early it can spread to
other parts of your body and lead to long-term health problems.

2. GONORRHEA - is an infection caused by a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects both males and females.
Gonorrhea most often affects the urethra, rectum or throat. In females, gonorrhea can also infect the cervix.

3. SYPHILLIS - is a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore — typically
on your genitals, rectum or mouth. Syphilis spreads from person to person via skin or mucous membrane contact with
these sores

4. HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS - is a viral infection that's passed between people through skinto-skin contact. There are
over 100 varieties of HPV, more than 40 of which are passed through sexual contact and can affect your genitals, mouth,
or throat

5. HERPES SMPLEX VIRUS - The herpes simplex virus is categorized into 2 types: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)
and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by oral-to-oral contact to cause oral herpes
(which can include symptoms known as “cold sores”), but can also cause genital herpes

6. TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS - is an anaerobic flagellated protozoan that can affect the female urethra, vagina and
paraurethral glands and the male urethra and underneath the foreskin. Urethral infection is present in nearly all cases and
in women there is often infection at more than one site.

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 NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION

Natural

1. Abstinence - is simply not having sexual intercourse. If you're abstinent, it means you've decided not to have sex - this
includes vaginal, oral and anal sex. Abstinence prevents pregnancy by not giving the opportunity for semen to enter the
vagina. A sperm can't fertilize an egg if you don't have intercourse.

2. Calendar Method - Rhythm method. - This natural birth control method is based on ovulation cycle. This involves
abstaining from sex on the days when you're most fertile and most likely to become pregnant.

3. Basal Body Temperature - To use the basal body temperature method: Take your basal body temperature every
morning before getting out of bed. Use a digital oral thermometer or one specifically designed to measure basal body
temperature. Make sure you get at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to ensure an accurate reading

4. Cervical Mucus Method - is based on careful observation of mucus patterns during the course of your menstrual cycle.
Before ovulation, cervical secretions change — creating an environment that helps sperm travel through the cervix,
uterus and fallopian tubes to the egg.

5. Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) - is a natural and healthy fertility awarenessbased method (FABM) of family
planning that makes use of a woman's observations of her cervical fluid, basal body temperature (waking temperature)
and other biological signs

6. Ovulation Detection - An ovulation home test is used by women. It helps determine the time in the menstrual cycle
when getting pregnant is most likely. The test detects a rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. A rise in this
hormone signals the ovary to release the egg

7. Coitus Interruptus - also known as withdrawal, pulling out, or the pull-out method, is a method of birth control in
which a man, during sexual intercourse, withdraws his penis from a woman's vagina prior to ejaculation and then directs
his ejaculate (semen) away from the vagina in an effort to avoid insemination

Artificial

1. Oral Contraceptives - A pill used to prevent pregnancy. It contains hormones that block the release of eggs from the
ovaries. Most oral contraceptives include estrogen and progestin.

2. Transdermal Patch - are a highly effective form of estrogen-progestin contraception. Most individuals who desire a
reversible, non-event-based method of contraception and who have no contraindications to use of estrogens or
progestins can safely use this method

3. Vaginal Ring - works by stopping sperm from joining with an egg (which is called fertilization). Like most birth control
pills, the ring contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. These are similar to the hormones our bodies make
naturally.

4. Subdermal Implants - refers to a body modification that is placed underneath the skin, therefore allowing the body to
heal over the implant and creating a raised design. Such implants fall under the broad category of body modification.
Many subdermal implants are made out of silicone, either carved or mold injected.

5. Hormonal Injections - is a shot that contains hormones, either a progestin alone, or a progestin and an estrogen
together, that stop your body from releasing eggs and thickens the mucus at the cervix. You need one shot either once
every month or once every three months from a healthcare provider

6. Intra-uterine Device - also known as intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD or ICD) or coil, is a small, often T-
shaped birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. IUDs are one form of long-acting
reversible birth control (LARC).

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 7. Chemical Barrier - or spermicides are sperm-killing substances, available as foams, creams, gels, films or suppositories,
which are often used in female contraception in conjunction with mechanical barriers and other devices. Spermicides
are usually available without a prescription or medical examination.

8. Diaphragm - or cap is a barrier method of contraception. It fits inside your vagina and prevents sperm passing through
the cervix (the entrance of your womb). You need to use it with a gel that kills sperm (spermicide).

9. Male and Female condom - Condoms are the best way to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
and unwanted pregnancy. Condoms are a barrier contraceptive made from latex rubber, a synthetic rubber called
polyisoprene, or a very thin plastic called polyurethane.

10. Surgical methods - is tubal ligation, in which the fallopian tubes are cut or sealed. It's sometimes referred to as getting
your tubes tied. The procedure is usually performed using a minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopy.

For male it is Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male sterilization or permanent contraception. During the procedure,
the male vasa deferentia are cut and tied or sealed so as to prevent sperm from entering into the urethra and thereby
prevent fertilization of a female through sexual intercourse.

Module 9: MATERIAL OR ECONOMIC SELF?

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Explain the association of self and possessions;

2. Identify the role of consumer culture to self and identity;
3. Appraise one’s self based on the description of material self

The material self, according to William James, pertains to the objects, places, or even people which have the label “mine”. Such
possessions are viewed as extensions of individuals' identities. For instance, your clothes reflect certain aspects of your
personality and you designate them as “my wardrobe”

The material self according to William James primarily is about our bodies, clothes, immediate family, and home. We are deeply
affected by these things because we have much investment of our self to them.

• The innermost part of our material self is our body. Intentionally we are investing in our body. We are directly attached to
this commodity that we cannot live without. There were people who get their certain body parts insured.
• Next to our body are the clothes we use. Clothing is a form of self-expression. We choose and wear clothes that reflect
our self.
• Third in the hierarchy is our immediate family. Our parents and siblings hold another great important part of our self.
What they do or become affects us. When an immediate family member dies, part of our self dies too.

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 • The fourth component of material self is our home. Home is where our heart is. It is the earliest nest
of our selfhood. The home thus, is an extension of self, because in it, we can directly connect
our self.

William James described self: “A man’s self is the sum total of all what he can call his” Possessions then become a part of an
extension of the self.
Rusel Belk posits: “... we regard possession as part of ourselves. We are what we have and what we posess”