COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118
Week 1-3: Unit Learning Outcome (ULO)
At the end of the unit you are expected to:
A. Discuss the self across disciplines and perspectives that examine the different
influences, factors, and forces that shape the self.
B. Explain critical and reflective thought in analyzing the development of one’s
self and identity by developing a theory of the self.
C. Assess the differences between western and eastern orientation.
BIG PICTURE IN FOCUS!
A. Discuss the self across disciplines and perspectives that examine the
different influences, factors, and forces that shape the self.
Metalanguage
Self-awareness is the ability to see yourself clearly and objectively through
reflection and introspection.
Self-Knowledge - as defined as understanding one’s own motives, character,
beliefs grants one the freedom to live their life without regrets. Additionally, it gives
one a sense of direction and makes it extremely difficult to be manipulated.
Self-concept is a general term used to refer to how someone thinks about,
evaluates or perceives themselves. To be aware of oneself is to have a concept of
oneself.
Self-esteem (also known as self-worth) refers to the extent to which we like, accept
or approve of ourselves, or how much we value ourselves. Self-esteem always
involves a degree of evaluation and we may have either a positive or a negative view
of ourselves.
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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118
Essential Knowledge
A. Multi-disciplinal approach
So why is a multidisciplinary approach to education so important?
Because it gives you a more deep and wide reference framework for considering
the causes and effects of problems, and thus find alignments between these points
to articulate solutions. It improves your ability to consider things from multiple
perspectives at the same time, as well as measure various ripple effects, as you can
consider how those manifests through different domains and collective relationships.
It also makes you more able to consider seemingly diametrically opposite views
in terms of similarities. Because as a multi-disciplinarian, you will recognize how two
opposite views can be accurate at the same time, from different perspectives
(something that might illuminate the political debate?). You learn to think more
holistically around problems and solutions. You become someone that can integrate
things, which means you will make sense out of things. And this is something that
will always be in demand. Especially in a highly complex and interconnected world
that in many cases - does not make sense. (Markus Modin, 2018).
As Mike Colagrossi 2019 detailed, Alan Wats believed that we can comprehend a
greater sense of the self. The self is not alienated from the universe, but a part of the
whole process. Watts believed that we could shed the illusion of self and the other
through simple comprehension. No need for any difficult yoga meditations or even
mind-shattering psychedelics.
What is self?
The “self” has many aspects. These aspects make up the “self’s” integral parts, such
as self-awareness, self-esteem, self-knowledge, and self-perception. With these
aspects, the person can alter, change, add, and/ or modify himself or herself for the
purpose of gaining social acceptance.
The “self” is an important study in psychology. It holds that the “self” is either the
cognitive or the affective representation of the individual. Cognitive is relating to or
involving conscious intellectual activity while affective is relating to or arising from
feelings influenced by emotions (Merriam-Webster, 2017).
B. Integral Parts of the Self
Self-awareness is the ability to see yourself clearly and objectively through reflection
and introspection.
While it may not be possible to attain total objectivity about oneself (that is a
debate that continues to rage throughout the history of philosophy), there are
certainly degrees of self-awareness. It exists on a spectrum.
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 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118
Although everyone has a fundamental idea of what self-awareness is, we do not
know exactly where it comes from, what its precursors are, or why some of us seem
to have more or less than others.
Self-Knowledge - as defined as understanding one’s own motives, character, beliefs
grants one the freedom to live their life without regrets. Additionally, it gives one a
sense of direction and makes it extremely difficult to be manipulated. The more self-
knowledge one obtains the smoother they can transition through difficult times. This
is because one can naturally TRUST, understand, and comprehend the best course
of action for THEIR best benefit. Self-knowledge is considered one of the few ways
to break through societal conditioning and achieve higher levels of
happiness/consciousness. (Which are not necessarily the same thing.)
Self-concept is a general term used to refer to how someone thinks about, evaluates
or perceives themselves. To be aware of oneself is to have a concept of oneself.
(1) The Existential Self
This is 'the most basic part of the self-scheme or self-concept; the sense of being
separate and distinct from others and the awareness of the constancy of the self'
(Bee, 1992).
(2) The Categorical Self
Having realized that he or she exists as a separate experiencing being, the child next
becomes aware that he or she is also an object in the world.
Just as other objects including people have properties that can be experienced (big,
small, red, smooth and so on) so the child is becoming aware of himself or herself as
an object which can be experienced, and which has properties.
Self-image (how you see yourself)
This does not necessarily have to reflect reality. Indeed, a person with
anorexia who is thin may have a self-image in which the person believes they are fat.
A person's self-image is affected by many factors, such as parental influences,
friends, the media etc.
1) Physical Description: I’m tall, have blue eyes...etc.
2) Social Roles: We are all social beings whose behavior is shaped to some extent
by the roles we play. Such roles as student, housewife, or member of the football
team not only help others to recognize us but also help us to know what is expected
of us in various situations.
3) Personal Traits: These are the third dimension of our self-descriptions. “I’m
impulsive...I’m generous...I tend to worry a lot” ...etc.
4) Existential Statements (abstract ones): These can range from "I’m a child of the
universe" to "I’m a human being" to "I’m a spiritual being"...etc.
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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118
Self-esteem (the extent to which you value yourself)
Self-esteem (also known as self-worth) refers to the extent to which we like, accept
or approve of ourselves, or how much we value ourselves. Self-esteem always
involves a degree of evaluation and we may have either a positive or a negative view
of ourselves.
High self-esteem (we have a positive view of ourselves)
This tends to lead to
• Confidence in our own abilities
• Self-acceptance
• Not worrying about what others think
• Optimism
Low self-esteem (we have a negative view of ourselves)
This tends to lead to
• Lack of confidence
• Want to be/look like someone else
• Always worrying what others might think
• Pessimism
How well do you know yourself? Are you aware of your talents? Skills? Weakness?
Strengths?
The persistent question, “Who am I?” is rooted in the human need to understand the
basis of the experiences of the “self.” When people are asked to explain their
understanding of the word, the usual answers are: “It’s who I am.” “It’s me, my
essence.”
“It’s what makes me unique and different from everyone else.”
For a more meaningful understanding of the “self,” numerous studies have
been conducted and various approaches have been developed from concepts about
it. Important philosophers from ancient to contemporary times sought to describe the
essential qualities that compose a person’s uniqueness. On the other hand,
sociology sees the “self” as a product of social interactions, developed over time
through social activities and experiences.
Anthropology views the “self” as a culturally shaped construct or idea.
Anthropologists assert that it is an autonomous participant in the society as much as
it is submerged in the community. Meanwhile, rather than giving a definition,
psychology sees the “self” as having characteristics or properties that can be used to
describe it. Pioneers in the study pointed out that the “self” is related to its physical
and social environment, it is unique, and it is necessary to its experience.
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 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City 2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118 Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118

A. Socrates “the unexamined life is not worth living”

BIG PICTURE IN FOCUS!
B. Explain critical and reflective thought in analyzing the development of one’s Some of Socrates ideas
self and identity by developing a theory of the self. 1. The soul is immortal
2. The care of the soul is the task of philosophy
3. Virtue is necessary to attain happiness
Metalanguage The state of your inner being (soul/self) determines the quality of your life
Two kinds of existence
Theory of forms -Asserted that the physical world is not really the “real” world • Visible
because the ultimate reality exists beyond the physical world. • invisible
The goal of life is to be happy
The virtuous man is a happy man
The appetitive (sensual) – the element that enjoys sensual experiences, such as
food, drink, and sex. B. Plato “good actions give strength to us and inspire good actions in others”
The rational- the element that forbids the person to enjoy the sensual experiences; Collection and division
the part that loves truth, hence should rule over the other parts of the soul using The philosopher would collect all the generic ideas that seemed to have common
reason. characteristics and then divided them into different kinds until the subdivision of
ideas became specific
The spirited (feeling) – the element that is inclined toward reason but understands
the demands of passion; the part that loves honor and victory. Theory of forms
Methodological Skepticism- It is one’s beliefs in order to determine which beliefs Asserted that the physical world is not really the “real” world because the ultimate
could be ascertained as true. reality exists beyond the physical world.
The soul is indeed the most divine aspect of the human being
Empiricism- the idea that the origin of all knowledge is sense experience. It The self/soul/mind according to Plato is the aspect of the human beings by which
emphasized the role of experience and evidence (especially sensory perception) in the forms (ideas) are known
forming concepts, while discounting the notion of innate ideas. The three parts of the soul according to Plato are:
• The appetitive (sensual) – the element that enjoys sensual experiences, such
as food, drink and sex.
Apperception- the mental process by which a person makes sense of an idea by
assimilating it to the body of ideas he or she already possesses.
• The rational- the element that forbids the person to enjoy the sensual
experiences; the part that loves truth, hence should rule over the other parts
Essential Knowledge of the soul through the use of reason
• The spirited (feeling) – the element that is inclined toward reason but
Philosophical View of Self understands the demands of passion; the part that loves honor and victory

Philosophy makes a central contribution to the educational enterprise through

its demands upon intellectual activity. Education in philosophy involves becoming
aware of major figures and developments in the history of philosophy, learning up-to-
date techniques and accepted answers to philosophical questions, and learning
critical, interpretive, and evaluative skills that, in the overall scheme of things, may
be of greatest value.
C. St. Augustine of Hippo all knowledge leads to God”
He adopted Plato’s view that the self is an immaterial (but rational) soul
Theory of forms- saint Augustine asserted that these forms were concepts
existing within the perfect and eternal god where the soul belonged.

The soul held the truth and was capable of scientific thinking.

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 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City 2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118 Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118

Saint Augustine’s concept of the “self” was an inner immaterial “i” that had self-
knowledge and self-awareness.”
Human beings through the senses could sense the material and temporal
objects as we interacted with the material world; the immaterial but intelligible God
would only be clear and obvious to the mind if one tune into his / her immaterial
self/soul.
Aspects of the soul according to saint Augustine are:
• It can be aware of itself
• It recognizes itself as a holistic one
• It is aware of its unity
• Saint Augustine pointed out that a person is similar to god as regards to the
mind and its ability; that by ignoring to use his/her mind (or the incorrect use
of the mind) he/she would lose his/her possibility to reach real and lasting
happiness.
C. Renee’ Descartes “cogito ergo sum”
Often regarded as the first thinker to emphasize the use of reason to describe,
predict and understand natural phenomena based on observational ad empirical
evidence.
Hyperbolical/metaphysical doubt or methodological skepticism- it is a systematic
process of being skeptical about the truth of one’s belief to determine which belief
could be ascertained as true.
He asserted that everything perceived by the senses could not be used as proof of
existence because human senses could be fooled.
There was only one thing we could be sure of in this world, and that was everything
could be doubted.
D. John Locke “no man’s knowledge can go beyond his experience”
Locke believed that the self is identified with consciousness and this self
consists of sameness of consciousness. This is usually interpreted to mean that the
self consists of memory; that the person existing now is the same person yesterday
because he/she remembers the thoughts, experiences or actions of the earlier self.
For Locke, a person’s memories provide a continuity of experience that allows
him / her to identify himself/herself as the same person over time.
According to Locke since you are the same “self” in the passing of time, you can be
held accountable for past behavior. However, Locke insisted that a person could only
be held accountable for behaviors he/she can remember.
Self-Help
You can also refer to the sources below to help your further understand
the lesson:
Alata, E. J. (2018). Understanding the self. Rex Book Store.
Bataga et al (2015) Introduction to Psychology: Concepts and Theories
Otig, et al (2018). A Holistic Approach in Understanding the Self. Mutya Publishing
House.
Let’s Check! Identify the philosophers asked in each statement below.
Write your answers before each number.

The soul
It is a conscious, thinking substance
that is unaffected by time.
It is only to itself (only you know your
own mental event and others cannot
correct your own mental states.
It is not made up or parts, it vies
entirely itself with no hidden or
separate compartments. It is both
conscious and aware of itself at the
same time.
The body
It is a material substance that changes
through time.
It can be doubted; the public can
correct the claims about the body.
It is made up of physical, quantifiable,
divisible facts.
___________1. The state of your inner being (soul/self) determines the quality of
your life.
___________2. He held that the soul held the Truth and was capable of scientific
thinking.
___________3. He believed that the “self” is identified with consciousness and this
“self” consists of sameness of consciousness.
___________4. He emphasized the use of reason to describe, predict, and
understand natural phenomena based on observational and empirical evidence.
___________5. The “soul” is indeed the most divine aspect of the humans being.
___________6. He is known for his method of inquiry.
___________7. His goal is the fulfillment of happiness.

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 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City 2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118 Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118

Essential Knowledge
E. David Hume “a wise man’s proportions his belief to the evidence”
BIG PICTURE IN FOCUS!
B. Explain critical and reflective thought in analyzing the development of one’s He was a fierce opponent of Descartes’ Rationalism. Rationalism is the
self and identity by developing a theory of the self. theory that reason, rather than experience, is the foundation of all knowledge,
Hume, along with John Locke and Bishop George Berkeley, was one of the three
main figureheads of the influential British Empiricism movement. Empiricism is the
idea that the origin of all knowledge is sense experience. It emphasized the role of
experience and evidence (especially sensory perception) in forming concepts, while
Metalanguage discounting the notion of innate ideas.

Rationalism - is the theory that reason, rather than experience, is the foundation of
all knowledge
Bundle theory - as a bundle or a collection of different perceptions that are moving
in a very fast and successive manner.
Impressions– These are perceptions which are the strongest. It enters the senses
with most force
Ideas – The less forcible and less lively counterpart of impressions
Inner self - The “self” by which you are aware of alterations in your own state
Outer self - includes your senses and the physical world
Id- pleasure/ desire
Ego -reality principle
Superego -Incorporates the values and morals of society
bundle theory wherein he described the “self” or person (which Hume
assumed to be the ‘mind’) as a bundle or a collection of different perceptions that are
moving in a very fast and successive manner.
David Hume concluded that the “self” is merely made up of successive impressions.
Hume divided the mind’s perceptions into two groups stating that the difference
between the two “consists in the degrees of force and liveliness with which they
strike upon the mind (Hume, pg. 10)”:
Impressions– These are perceptions which are the strongest. It enters the senses
with most force. These are directly experienced; they result from inward and outward
sentiments.
Ideas – The less forcible and less lively counterpart of impressions. These are
mechanisms that copy and reproduce sense data formulated based upon the
previously perceived impressions.
Hume did not believe on the existence of the “self”. He stressed that your
perceptions are only active for as long as you are conscious.
Hume's “self” is a passive observer similar to watching one's life pass before the
eyes like a play or on a screen; whereby the total annihilation of the “self” comes at
death.

Eliminative materialism - the claim that people's common-sense understanding of
the mind (or folk psychology) is false and that certain classes of mental states that
most people believe in does not exist.
Embodied- is a verb that means to give a body to (usually an immaterial substance
like a soul).
Subjectivity-in philosophy, is the state of being a subject - an entity that possesses
conscious experiences, such as perspectives, feelings, beliefs, and desires
F. Immanuel Kant
Kant’s view of the “self" is transcendental which means the “self” is related to a
spiritual or nonphysical realm.
The self is outside the body and it does not have the qualities of the body. Despite
being transcendental, Kant stressed that the body and its qualities are rooted to the
“self”.it is knowledge that bridges the “self” and the material things together.
Two kinds of consciousness of self (rationality):
1. Consciousness of oneself and one's psychological states in inner sense
2. Consciousness of oneself and one's states by performing acts of
apperception.

Apperception is the mental process by which a person makes sense of an idea by

assimilating it to the body of ideas he or she already possesses.
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 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City 2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118 Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118

Two components of the “self”:
1. Inner self - The “self” by which you are aware of alterations in your own state.
This includes your rational intellect and your psychological state such as
moods, feelings, and sensations, pleasure, and pain.
2. Outer self - includes your senses and the physical world. It is the common
boundary between the external world and the inner self. It gathers information
from the external world through the senses, which the inner self interprets and
coherently expresses.
• The relation between mind and body are not isolated processes.
• Mental processes were intelligent acts and are not distinct from each other.
• The operation of the mind is itself an intelligent act.
Knowledge, memory, imagination, and other abilities or dispositions do not reside
"within" the mind as if the mind were a space in which these could be stored or
located.
If Ryle believed that the concept of a distinct “self” is not real, where do we get our
sense of self? Ryle asserted that it is from our behavior and actions.

Kant proposed that the “self” organizes information in three ways: I. Paul Churchland “There is nothing beyond the sensory experience.”

1. Raw perceptual input In Churchland’s view the immaterial, unchanging soul/self does not exist
2. Recognizing the concept because it cannot be experienced by the senses.
3. Reproducing in the imagination
Churchland’s idea is called eliminative materialism or the claim that people's
G. Sigmund Freud common-sense understanding of the mind (or folk psychology) is false and that
certain classes of mental states that most people believe in does not exist.
Psychoanalytic theory
Explained thought the iceberg analogy: Churchland asserted the sense of “self” originated from the brain itself and
Ego that this “self” is a product of electrochemical signals produced by the brain.
• Reality principle
• It works out realistic ways to satisfying the id’s demands often compromising J. Maurice Merleau-Ponty “We know not to our intellect but through our
or postponing satisfaction to avoid negative consequences of society. experience.”
• Considers social realities and norms, etiquette, and rules in deciding how to
behave. Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s idea of “self” is an embodied subjectivity. The term
‘embodied’ is a verb that means to give a body to (usually an immaterial substance
Psychoanalytic theory like a soul). Subjectivity, in philosophy, is the state of being a subject - an entity that
Superego possesses conscious experiences, such as perspectives, feelings, beliefs, and
• Incorporates the values and morals of society. desires. Moreover, a subject act upon or affects some other entity, which in
• Control the id’s impulses. philosophy is called the object. A subject therefore is something that exists, can act,
• Persuades the ego to choose moralistic goals and to strive for perfection and can cause real effects (on an object).
rather than simply realistic ones.
• Component system of superego: Human beings are embodied subjectivities, and that the understanding of the
• Conscience – if ego gives in to the id’s demands, the superego may make the “self” should begin from this fundamental fact. He added that the body is not a mere
person feel bad though guilt.
• Ideal self – an imaginary picture of how you ought to be. Presents career
aspirations, how to treat other people and how to behave as a member of
society.
“house” where the mind resides. Rather it is through the lived experience of the body
H. Gilbert Ryle “In searching for the self, one cannot simultaneously be the that you perceive; are informed; and interact with the world. According to Merleau-
hunter and the hunted.” Ponty, the body acts what the mind perceives as a unified one.

Ryle called the distinction between mind and matter a “category-mistake" because of
its attempt to analyze the relation between "mind" and "body" as if the two were
terms of the same categories.
Ryle’s points against Descartes theory are:

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 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City 2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118 Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118

Keywords: Essential Knowledge

Theory of forms appetitive (sensual) Broadly,

speaking,
The rational spirited (feeling) Western society
strives to
Rationalism Bundle theory
find and prove
Impressions Ideas "the truth", while
Eastern society
Inner self Outer self accepts the truth
as given and
Id Ego is more
interested in
Superego Eliminative materialism finding the
balance.
Embodied’ Subjectivity Westerners put
more stock in
individual rights;
Easterners in
social
BIG PICTURE IN FOCUS! responsibly.
C. Assess the differences between western and eastern orientation.
EASTERN PHILOSOPHY WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

Metalanguage Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Christianity**, Rational, Scientific,

Integral Yoga, Islam, Taoism, Zen Logical schools

East MAIN PRINCIPLES West

● Cosmological unity
● Feeling oneself as an element of
● Life is a journey towards eternal realities
Eastern Orientation- accepts the truth as given and is more interested in finding the the Divine
that are beyond the realities that surround
balance. ● Life is a service (to the God,
us
money, business, etc.)
Western Orientation- strives to find and prove “the truth”. ● Circular view of the universe, based on
● Linear view of the universe and
the perception of eternal recurrence
life, based on the Christian
● Inner-world dependent
philosophy where everything has its
● Self-liberation from the false "Me" and
beginning and the end.
finding the true "Me". The highest state is
● Outer-world dependent
believed to be a state of 'no-self', where
● Self-dedication to the goal (big
neither self-worth nor self-importance have
dream, life vision, happiness,
any real meaning.
personal success, etc.)
● Behavioral ethics

East LIVING PRINCIPLES West

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VIRTUE
"To be able under all circumstances to
practice five things constitutes perfect
virtue; these five things are gravity,
generosity of soul, sincerity,
earnestness and kindness." ~ how
Confucius
"Be satisfied with whatever you have,
and enjoy the same. When you come
to know that you have everything, and
you are not short of anything, then the
whole world will be yours." ~ Lao Tzu
"The thought manifests as the word;
The word manifests as the deed; The
deed develops into habit; And habit
hardens into character. So, watch the
thought and its ways with care, and let
it spring from love born out of concern
for all beings." ~ Buddha
East The "Me" concept
Eternal reality of the universal truth:
self-liberation through getting rid of the
false "Me" and discovering the true
"Me"
East Relationship with RELIGION
Integration
East Search for ABSOLUTE TRUTH
● HOLISTIC approach – all events in
the universe are interconnected
● Searching INSIDE YOURSELF – by
becoming a part of the universe
through meditation and right living
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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City 2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118 Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118
"Man is made by his belief. As he
believes, so he is." ~ Bhagavad Gita
ETHIC "The superior man understands what is "Happiness lies in virtuous activity,
right; the inferior man understands and perfect happiness lies in the best
what will sell." activity, which is contemplative."
~ Confucius ~ Aristotle
"One can live magnificently in this "By chasing desires, you will meet only
world if one knows how to work and the outer surface." ~ Lao Tzu
to love." "Though he should live a hundred
~ Leo Tolstoy years, not seeing the Truth Sublime; "The truth that survives is simply the lie
"Refrain from doing ill; for one all- yet better, indeed, is the single day's that is pleasantest to believe." ~
powerful reason, lest our children life of one who sees the Truth Helminen
should copy our misdeeds; we are all Sublime." ~ Buddha
to prone to imitate whatever is base
and depraved." The main values are success and
~ Juvenal achievement. These that can be
The true key is INSIDE. The inner
"There is no real excellence in all this achieved in many ways, but rarely
world of a human being and his or her
world which can be separated from through developing inner strength. The
ability to control and develop it is of the
right living." majority of success and achievement
highest value. The way to the top is
~ David Starr Jordan criteria have an external nature
inside yourself, through self-
(money, faith, popularity, etc.). The way
development.
to the top is through active OUTSIDE
intervention.
West
East Search for TRUTH & Fundamental Research West
"Me" is here and now. The true “Me” in
The truth is GIVEN is does not to have
every human being is a part of the The truth needs TO BE PROVED.
be proved.
Divine that need to become apparent.
True “Me” is given and doesn’t have The philosophic base for and culture of
The philosophic base for and culture of
to be cognizable. fundamental research is STRONGER.
fundamental research is WEAKER.
West
East FUTURE West
Opposition
Your future is unknown, it was
Your future is determined by the past and
predetermined by God and is not much
your deeds today.
West influenced by your deeds.
"Study the past if you would like to divine "You can never plan the future by the past."
● More focused on INDIVIDUAL the future." ~ Confucius ~ Edmund Burke
EVENTS and the role of the person
● Searching outside yourself - East JUSTICE West
through research and analysis
SPIRITUAL practice CEREBRAL practice
31 | G E 1 : U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e S e l f

"There is a higher court than courts of
justice and that is the court of conscience.
It supersedes all other courts." ~ Mahatma
Gandhi
East INDIVIDUALISM / COLLECTIVISM
A human being is an integral part of the
universe and the society. People are
fundamentally connected. Duty towards
all others is a very important matter.
COLLECTIVISM is stronger.
East IMPROVEMENT / EVOLUTION
CYCLIC development, hence
improvement is a never ending
journey that has no limits.
East RADICAL INNOVATION / REVOLUTION
The fundamentals of the status quo
should not be questioned. The culture
of considering and introducing radical
changes is WEAKER.
East PASSION & VENTURING
Entrepreneurial creativity and venturing
is CONTAINED by the habit to control
one's passions.
"Desires are the cause of suffering. If
desire, which lies at the route of all
human passion, can be removed, then
passion will die out and all human
suffering will be ended."
~ Buddhism
"Vain indeed is all overweening pride in
the conquest even of the entire
universe if one has not conquered
one's own passions."
~ Sri Aurobindo
32 | G E 1 : U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e S e l f
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118
"At his best, man is the noblest of all
animals; separated from law and justice he
is the worst. " ~ Aristotle
West
A human being has an individualistic
nature and is an independent part of
"Though he should conquer a thousand
the universe and the society.
men in the battlefield a thousand times,
INDIVIDUALISM is stronger.
West
LINEAR development, hence
who conquers himself is mighty." ~ Lao
improvement has a goal. Development
stops when the goal is reached.
"The most excellent Jihad is that for the
West
The fundamentals of the status quo
can – and often should – be
questioned. The culture of considering
and introducing radical changes is
STRONGER.
West
Entrepreneurial venturing is
ENCOURAGED emotionally.
"Nothing is ever achieved by
reasonable men."
~ J Fred Bucy of Texas Instruments
"Nothing great was ever achieved
without enthusiasm... Always do what
you are afraid to do... Do not go where
the path may lead, go instead where
there is no path and leave a trail." ~
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"If you want to succeed, you have to
forge new paths and avoid borrowed
common man cannot be deprived of his
33 | G E 1 : U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e S e l f
East ACHIEVEMENT & WINNING
Winning is INSIDE yourself. >>>
yet he, indeed, who would conquer
himself is the noblest victor."
~ Buddha
"He who conquers others is strong; he
Tzu
conquest of self." ~ Mohammad
East IMPLEMENTATION
SPIRITUAL and MISSIONARY
approach.
"To create and develop without any
feelings of ownership, to work and
guide without any expectation and
control, is the best quality"
~ Lao Tzu
To achieve self-liberation and nirvana
you need to perform your duties without is to carry them out extraordinary well."
expecting any reward for it. ~ Vedanta,
Hinduism
"Action can be achieved by inaction,
where the result is achieved by "Not-
Me" ~ Zen
East GOALS & Key to SUCCESS
SPIRITUAL
"Live a virtuous life and adhere to
performing your duties." ~
Confucianism
"The Three Armies can be deprived of
their commanding officer, but even a
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118
ones." ~ John Rockfeller
West
Winning is OUTSIDE yourself.
"You're not a star until they can spell
your name in Karachi."
~ Roger Moore
"Life affords no higher pleasure than
that of surmounting difficulties, passing
from one stop of success to another,
forming new wishes and seeing them
gratified."
~ Samuel Johnson
West
PRAGMATIC and EMOTIONAL
approach.
"The supreme accomplishment is to blur
the line between work and play."
~ Arnold Toynbee
"Since most of us spend our lives doing
ordinary tasks, the most important thing
~ Henry David Thoreau
"Every minute you spend in planning
saves 10 minutes in execution." ~ Brian
Tracy
West
MATERIALISTIC
"The secret of success in life, and
subsequently of making money, is to
enjoy your work. If you do, nothing is
hard work – no matter how many hours
you put in." ~ Sir Billy Butlin
"Success is that old ABC – ability,
 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Social Science Discipline
2/F DPT Bldg., Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone: (082) 3050647 Local 118

purpose." ~ Confucius breaks and courage." ~ Charles

"If you really want everything, then give
up everything." ~ Lao Tzu
"He is able who thinks he is able." ~
Buddha
Luckman
"Flaming enthusiasm, backed by horse
sense and persistence, is the quality
that most frequently makes for
success." ~ Dale Carnegie

East Establishing Control Over Your EMOTIONS West

Through MEDITATION Through ANALYSIS

A man can separate his/her mind from "I can control my passions and
his/her emotions and control them. ~ emotions if I can understand their
Taoism nature." ~ Spinosa

East LEADERSHIP West

SPIRITUAL
Walking behind people; silence is golden
"In order to guide people, the leader
must put himself behind them. Thus,
when he is ahead, they feel no hurt." ~
Lao Tzu
HANDS-ON
Walking ahead of people; speech is
golden
"Leadership is done from in front.
Never ask others to do what you, if
challenged, would not be willing to do
yourself." ~ Xenophon

Let’s Check!
Identify the word being ask in each statement below. Write your answers
before each number.

___________1. It refers to the generalized view of self.

___________2. It is the divine universal consciousness.

___________3. It refers to the mental processes that perceive one’s own traits.

___________4. It embodies specific values, thoughts, or ideas that play an important

role in determining the person’s sense of “self.”

___________5. These are the earliest religious writings in the East.

___________6. It refers to the extent that we value our duty to groups to which we
belong.

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