PAMANTASAN NG CABUYAO |YOUR COURSE TITLE HERE 1

Course Material No. 6

INTRODUCTION TO
PHILOSOPHY OF THE
HUMAN PERSON
XYRA JEAN S. ORTEGA
Course Instructor
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INTERSUBJECTIVITY 6
LEARNING OUTCOMES

Here’s what I will teach you in this course material:

• Demonstrate an appreciation for the talents

of persons with disabilities and those from
the underprivileged sectors of society
• Explain that authentic dialogue means
accepting others even if they are different
from themselves
• Perform activities that demonstrate the
talents of persons with disabilities and
those from the underprivileged sectors of
society
RESOURCES NEEDED

For this lesson, you would need the following resources:

• Introduction to Freedom of the Human person_W3

• Introduction to Freedom of the Human person_W4
• Reference materials, tools, and equipment
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Pre-Assessment

MODULE CONTENTS

Before you start, try answering the following Pre-Assessment

questions. 3
Direction: Write TRUE f the statement is correct The Meaning of
and FALSE if it’s wrong. Write your answers on 4 Intersubjectivity
a separate piece of paper.
Elements of Interpersonal
________1. Intersubjectivity refers to shared
9 Relationship
awareness and understanding among
people.
________2. Man has the natural tendency to 10 Empathy and Society
establish relationships with other people.
________3. The views and ideas of other
people, as well as social context do not 12 What’s more?
influence our behavior as individuals.
________4. We are primarily aware of people
as objects and not as persons. 12 What I have learned

________5. Seeming refers to the capacity of

individuals to engage in genuine interaction
with others.
13 Assessment

Key Terms
14
References
15
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MEANING OF INTERSUBJECTIVITY

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW?

The whole world is more connected now more than ever in

the 21st century. Using communication technology such as
the Internet, we can discover and even interact with other
cultures around the globe.

Look at the picture on the left. Does

each person depicted look the same?
Does each person have different
clothing from the other? With the Earth
as the background of the image, what
do you think the image represents?
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WHAT’S IN?

What is Intersubjectivity?

In one of the past chapters of this module, we have learned that a human
person has self-awareness, self-determination, externality, and dignity.
We have explored that a person recognizes what he or she is and what he or
she can do. Further, we have learned that a person is a social being and since
the establishment of the first form of civilization has thrived because of the
links and relationship one has.

Our ability to engage in meaningful interactions with other people, our

surroundings, and everything around us is rooted in our capacity for self-
awareness and transcendence. Before we begin to relate with others, we must
first be aware of ourselves as rational individuals capable of determined and
reasonable action.
Interpersonal relations are made possible when the self becomes aware of
the other, which includes everyone and everything outside of the self.

Take a moment to look at one of your family members. Are you aware of his
or her existence? If your answer is yes, then you are correct since you can
perceive your family member through your senses. Your classmate is the
other, a being that exists outside of yourself. Now look at an object at your
desk. It may be a pencil, ball-pen, piece of paper, or any object. That object
is also another, as it is a thing that also exists outside of yourself.

Now, which of the following actions is more reasonable?

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Of course, you will select the left statement since it describes a reasonable
and logical human act. You only interact with objects when you need to use
them. You reach out for the pencil and paper only when you need to write,
and you do not need to talk to these objects to enable them to function.
Interacting, with other human beings, however, is a more complex act. What
drives human persons to interact with their fellow humans in a more
meaningful way?

Our human nature not only enable us to recognize the self that defines our
individuality, it also enables us to recognize that other human beings also
possess a self. We can relate meaningfully with other human beings because
we consider ourselves as essentially the same. This notion of recognizing
the self in the other is how philosophers define interpersonal relations.

In literature, subjectivity means that the story is told from a biased viewpoint,
whether it is told by a character or an unnamed narrator. Everyone in the
world has their own subjective viewpoint. Intersubjectivity means that we all
influence and are all influenced by others to some degree.

The principle of intersubjectivity can be applied to almost any decision we

make, big or small. We always have to consider how our actions will affect
others. We ourselves are constantly affected by the actions and words of the
people around us.

INTERSUBJECTIVITY is a philosophical concept that explore the mutual

recognition of each other as persons. It cannot be denied that we interact with
other beings in the world, but some of these beings that we interact with are
persons and must be recognized as such. Intersubjectivity also carries the
meaning of unique relationship between distinct subjects.
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It refers to the characteristics of the human person to engage in a very

intimate and personal relationship with others who are different from him or
her but who are also like him or her. This is possible because the person has
an inner life or interiority. Having an inner life allows the person to give
himself or herself to others.

This also allows the individual to receive others in his or her life and relate
with them. Intersubjectivity also allows a person to become closer to others
in many ways. In everyday social interactions, persons could agree and
cooperate with each other. There is also the experience of shared or
“common” knowledge and shared emotions such as grief, joy, and love.

A deeper level of interaction between the self and the other, on the other
hand, is the awareness of the self as being seen by others. Imagine, for
instance, that one of the people you are watching suddenly stops and looks
straight at you.

You are immediately aware of this person’s action as another which is the
stranger looking at your direction. Also, you are aware of another significant
fact that you know that the stranger staring at you is aware of you as a person.
This self-consciousness is considered by philosophers as a defining
characteristic of the self-other relationship.
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WHAT’S NEW?

Read and reflect on the situations below:

Look at the images above. The image on the left is a boy staring at his crush
while the one on the right is a man talking to a woman while her child
awkwardly stares at the man. Now, which among the two situations depict the
“self” acknowledging the “other”? Which among the two situation shows an
internal reaction unique only to the “self” and the “other” he or she perceives?
Lastly, if you are in both situations, which of the two would elicit the most
emotions out of you? Would it be staring at your crush or staring at a stranger?

This unique phenomenon of the human gaze is considered a defining

characteristic which sets apart human interaction from the interaction of other
species. Also, the awareness of the “self in the other” is an important element
in all other aspects of interpersonal interactions. The way we act with other
people is often influenced by our ideas of how these people see us.

These actions are referred to as “seeming”, where an individual presents

himself or herself in a certain way when dealing with others. Person’s take on
role or app out characters when dealing with certain people or when in certain
situations. This is considered as an unconscious, natural app on the part of
humans.
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ELEMENTS OF INTERPERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS

Most human interactions, however, are not based on deception period since our
human nature drives us to uphold dignity and goodness, our interactions with
others are also geared toward what is good and beneficial. This led humans to
strive to achieve deeper and more substantial interactions and relations with
other people.

This deeper and more genuine interaction is called a dialogue, and this is made
possible when the self realizes that the other is genuine and unique individual.
When two individuals begin to view each other as another that is and truly
acknowledging each other’s presence, then that is the beginning of an authentic
relationship and a dialogue.

A DIALOGUE is an interaction between

two persons that happens through speech
or the use of words, expressions, and body
language. The person is a being who is
open to others that can receive others in a
dialogue. Ordinarily, we think of it as a
kind of communication that usually
occurs through a conversation.

However, it must be noted that dialogue is not confined to words. Actions,

gestures, and other expressions maybe used to convey a person’s inner life.
Because persons are beings with inner lives, the words uttered during a
dialogue are rooted in each person’s inner life. Whenever a person speaks, he
or she expresses a personal interiority and communicates this part of himself
or herself to another person. This is the reason why it is not possible to have a
dialogue with the material, object, a plan, or even a pet.
Only beings with interiority or an inner life can engage in a dialogue.
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A dialogue occurs when two persons “open up” to each other and give and
receive one another in their encounter. Genuine dialogue occurs when persons
are willing to share themselves with one another period, the awareness of each
other’s presence as a true person defined by the acceptance of each other's
uniqueness and differences. When each individual enters into a dialogue with
this mindset, then it is truly a dialogue between equals.

Philosophers agree that this is important for humans to pursue and achieve
genuine relationships to attain development. Human persons naturally seek
and can achieve and maintain genuine, meaningful relationship with each
other. The human person is considered as a “being with others,” which means
that his or her identity and destiny are shaped by relating with others. Human
existence is a continual dialogue with the other, and that the self becomes
whole through interaction with other people and his or her surroundings.

Empathy and Society

Empathy, or the ability to share emotions, is an important aspect of

intersubjectivity. This emotion is driven by a person's awareness that the other
is a person with thoughts and feelings. Human persons are actively aware of
the emotional states of other people and they use this information to determine
their own actions and behavior. Empathy enables us to experience another
person's emotions such as happiness, anger, and sadness.
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Another characteristic of a meaningful and

genuine human relationship is availability, or
the willingness of a person to be present and be
at the disposal of another. For instance, you
went to an unfamiliar place and cannot locate
the place where you are supposed to go. What
will you do? You might think of asking
directions from the people living in the area.
How will you feel if you were asking for
directions, but the people you were asking kept
ignoring you?

What will you think about these people? Let us say a stranger approach you in
the street asking for help. What will be your first reaction? Will you try and
help that person, or will you ignore him or her?

Important values related to Inter subjectivity include acceptance of differences

and embracing diversity. We understand that each person is unique, therefore,
differences will exist among groups of people. When we look at physical traits
and even behavior, we can see that no two persons look and think the same.
When we consider views, beliefs, and ideas the differences become much more
pronounced. We must accept that people will have different views and beliefs.
What unites us all is our shared humanity and dignity.

The recognition of our shared humanity and dignity is what drives us to extend
assistance and help with concern towards others, especially towards individuals
or groups that experience hardships and discrimination. For instance, those
who are physically and mentally challenged often experience hardships
because of their condition. You must realize, however, that these individuals,
despite their limitations, can have the same skills as those who are fully able in
mind and body. They also have hopes and aspirations like us, and many of them
have successfully transcended their disabilities to become productive and
happy individuals.
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Society must be founded on relationships and bonds established through mutual

respect and recognition of human dignity. If we recognize that the other person
is the same as ourselves, if we consider him or her as an individual with dignity
as a person, then he is not different from us, and we will be able to forge ties
and build a community of harmony.

WHAT’S MORE?

Instructions: Answer the following questions briefly and straight to the point.

1. How does empathy enable persons to establish genuine relationships with

others?
2. What is availability? Have you ever made yourself available for others?
3. What enables human persons to establish meaningful interaction with
others?
4. How is Inter subjectivity related to self-awareness and transcendence?
5. How does establishing dialogue with others benefit a person?

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED?

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the right words to make the statement
correct.
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ASSESMENT
INSTRUCTIONS: Write TRUE is the statement is correct and FALSE if it
is wrong. Write your answers on a separate piece of paper.

______1. Intersubjectivity refers to shared awareness and understanding

among people.
______2. Man has the natural tendency to establish relationships with other
people.
______3. The views and ideas of other people, as well as social context do
not influence our behavior as individuals.
______4. We are primarily aware of people as objects and not as persons.
______5. Seeming refers to the capacity of individuals to engage in genuine
interaction with others.
______6. An authentic relationship is possible only if individuals
acknowledge each other's presence as persons.
______7. Availability refers to the willingness for person to make himself or
herself available for another.
______8. All humans find it difficult to have meaningful relationships with
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others.
______9. Empathy requires an individual to accept the other as a thinking,
feeling person.
______10. It is not important to care about the welfare of others to establish a
dialogue.

SUMMARY

Intersubjectivity is a philosophical concept that explore the

mutual recognition of each other as persons. It cannot be
denied that we interact with other beings in the world, but some
of these beings that we interact with are persons and must be
recognized as such.

Intersubjectivity also carries the meaning of unique

relationship between distinct subjects. It refers to the
characteristics of the human person to engage in a very
intimate and personal relationship with others who are
different from him or her but who are also like him or her. This
is possible because the person has an inner life or interiority.
Having an inner life allows the person to give himself or
herself to others.

A dialogue is an interaction between two persons that happens

through speech or the use of words, expressions, and body
language. The person is a being who is open to others that can
receive others in a dialogue. Ordinarily, we think of it as a kind
of communication that usually occurs through a conversation.

Empathy, or the ability to share emotions, is an important

aspect of intersubjectivity. This emotion is driven by a person's
awareness that the other is a person with thoughts and feelings.
Human persons are actively aware of the emotional states of
other people and they use this information to determine their
own actions and behavior. Empathy enables us to experience
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another person's emotions such as happiness, anger, and

sadness

KEY TERMS

Philosophy Intersubjectivity Dialogue

Empathy Society Availability

REFERENCES

Mariano M. E.D. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human

Person

: Michael S. Bernal, Pacino B. Ferrer, Alejandrina C. Alca (2020).

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/university-of-
pangasinan/world-literature/philo-q1-mod1-doing-philosophy-
1/18328305
https://globalquiz.org/en/top-philosophy-facts/

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/

ANSWERS TO EXERCISES
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Pre-assessment: What I have Learned?

1. True 1. Self-awareness, transcendence

2. True 2. Intersubjectivity
3. False 3. Seeming
4. False 4. Dialogue
5. False 5. Availability

What’s more? Assessment:

Rubric: 1. True
Content- 10 2. True
Coherence- 7 3. False
Grammar- 3 4. False
. 5. False
. 6. True
. 7. True
. 8. False
9. True
10. False