UTS: View Points About the Self

Nowadays, self-identity is
important for an individual to
understand the self within him.
The basic idea
about self-development is that,
“The self is not present at birth,
rather, it develops while
growing through
social experiences”. There are
theories and concepts
describing how self develops
for us to understand the
self and others.
Nowadays, self-identity is
important for an individual to
understand the self within him.
The basic idea
about self-development is that,
“The self is not present at birth,
rather, it develops while
growing through
social experiences”. There are
theories and concepts
describing how self develops
for us to understand the
self and others.
What for you is the "SELF"? How would you define or describe it?
I believe that "the self is not present at birth; rather, it develops while growing through social
experiences." And I think there are theories and notions that describe how the self develops for us to
understand ourselves and others.

Is it important, for you, to understand the self? Why or why not?

Yes, understanding the self is crucial since being self-conscious entails having a solid knowledge and
understanding of oneself, including being aware of one's own feelings and character. Practicing self-
awareness is about learning to better understand why you feel what you feel and why you behave in
a particular way.  Having this knowledge offers you the option and flexibility to alter aspects of yourself,
allowing you to live the life you want. It’s almost impossible to change and become self-accepting if
you are unsure as to who you are. Having clarity about who you are and what you want can be
empowering, giving you the confidence to make changes. 

Honestly, I grow up in a high control home and its not easy. My interaction with people outside is not
that often. I must say that before my life only revolves at home and school but as I learn and grow, I
start to kind of live my life the way how I want it to be. I go out and explore, I start loving nature, the
sunset, the waves, the travel. It gives a new direct of my life, more positive, more determined, and in a
more joyful way. Before, I have this short tempered, but now I can manage my temper and stay calm. I
think that’s the result of my travel, the exploration I took. It hit different when you actually give yourself
time to explore and experience the things you think you would not. And before I always accommodate
others, always agree to want others want. But now I don’t do that anymore, I must say I already pass
that stage now I’m more on preserving myself. I have trust issues but I trust easily, doesn’t make sense
right. I believe once is enough. Second chances might be but it won’t go beyond that. I don’t really have
a lot of friends because quality is better than quantity. I love Arts, I found peace and joy in sketching and
painting I actually do that often before but now I got my priority which is my studies. And in terms of
making choices, I usually ask my family’s guidance it’s not that I can’t make my own choices, it just that
they are the most important person in life.

After hearing some key points about how philosophers over the centuries viewed the
self, try to reflect on yourself this time by completing the following lines:

1. I have always wanted to be free, to do the things I always wanted without holding back.

2. I’m secretly afraid of disappointing the people, I care of.

3. I often look forward to see every sunrise and sunset with my sister.

4. I get my strength from my family.

5. One person couldn’t live without is my sister.

6. I would never get myself drunk.

7. It made me feel great when I go to the beach with my sister and when I do sketch.

8. I love when I care and give my undivided attention to someone.

9. I find it hard to start a conversation with someone I know or not.

10. My dream is to one day that can help the people in every way I can.

11. It makes me angry when I feel like I didn’t do my best, when I can do much better.

12. I sometimes fear that If I fail to earn my degree, I might can’t get the I career dream.

13. When I am alone, I enjoy reading fan fiction or sci-fi books.

14. Something I deeply desire is to travel around the world.

15. I flourish when I step up and make a decision that make me happy even though some say’s
otherwise.

16. This week I hope to see the beauty of everything that makes me feel awful and also to
have new motivation to keep going.

17. Something I do secretly is reading Wattpad.

18. I find it hard to admit that I hate that I love him. I hate that I’m afraid of losing him.

After completing the sentences, review your responses and try to examine how these
responses help you understand yourself more. Based on your self-reflection, answer the
following questions:
19. With whose philosophical view of the self are you more inclined to adhere to?
Based on the things I’ve mentioned above the philosophical view of the self I am more inclined
to adhere to is the valistic view of the self because I am free to act and choose, I have the
consciousness and understanding of want I want. I can distinguish my feelings from my likes
and the things I don’t.
20. What is your philosophy in life?
My philosophy in life is that you should live while you are alive and you should give others that
same opportunity. We should not judge people for the choices they make, since we all make bad
decisions. You should do what you want with your life, as long as it makes you happy and
causes no harm to others. Happiness is all we can hope for in this world and we have to strive to
achieve it. We should help people when we can and graciously accept failures when we have to.
At the bottom-line Life is a matter choice.