Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
Module 1
Topic: Philosophical Perspective: Know Thyself
Outline:
I. The self can be viewed in 3 ways
II. Different Philosophical Views of Self
III. Summary
THE SELF CAN BE VIEWED IN 3 WAYS
According to Abella (2016), the self can be
viewed in three ways:
● Self is innate- The self is an important
quality of humans that is present upon
birth and that self-awareness is natural.
- This view of self includes the
philosophies of Socrates, Plato,
Augustine, and Rene Descartes.
● Self is emergent- The self is an outcome
of interaction with the physical as well as
the social world.
- The empiricist perspective of
Aristotle, John Locke, and David
Hume belong to this view of self.
● Self is Integrated and developing- The
self has various components that undergo
change through time.
- Immanuel Kant, Gilbert Rhyle, and
Maurice Merleua- Ponty’s The
Phenomenology of Perception may
fall under this view of self.
DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS OF SELF
SOCRATES (Greek Philosopher)
● He inspired the youth of Athens to “know
thyself” and discover the importance of
their souls by continuous questioning
called the Socratic Method.
● He equates knowledge with virtue and
ignorance with vice.
● For him, “an unexamined life is not
worth living”
PLATO (Greek Philosopher)
● Student of Socrates
● Theory of Forms:
- The world of Forms (nonphysical
ideas)
- The world of Senses
● 3 Basic Elements of the Soul
- Reason
- Spirit (Passion)
- Appetite (Desire)
ARISTOTLE (Greek Philosopher)
● Student of Plato
● He suggests that anything with life has a
soul.
● Threefold of nature of man:
- Vegetative (physical body)
- Sentient (sensation & emotion)
- Rational (intellect)
AUGUSTINE (Early Christian Philosopher)
● Regarded as a saint in the Catholic
Church.
● Integrated the ideas of Plato and the
teachings of the Catholic Church.
● Contemplated that the soul is an essential
element which governs and defines the
human person.
● “Knowledge can only come by seeing the
truth that dwells within us.”
RENE DESCARTES (French Philosopher)
● Father of Modern Philosophy
● Considered as a Rationalist
● Mind-Body Dualism
- Mind and Body are distinct entities
and co-existent
● Cogito ergo sum (I think, therefore, I am)
PREPARED BY: DENDEN “CHESKA” GARCES
Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
JOHN LOCKE (English Philosopher)
● He postulated that the human mind at
birth is a blank slate or tabula rasa
● Sensory experience is the source of all
knowledge
● Personal identity is made by possible by
being aware of the world that our senses
perceived
DAVID HUME (Scottish Philosopher)
● Bundle of Theory (Lack of Self)
- The self is nothing but a bundle or
collection of interconnected and
continually changing sense
impressions of what a human
person is all about.
● Self-knowledge depends on one’s
conscious experience and perception
IMMANUEL KANT (German Philosopher)
● He harmonized the contradicting ideas of
rationalists and empiricists.
- Knowledge can be drawn from the
integration of sensory experience
and conceptual understanding
● The human mind is an active shaper of
experience
● The self transcends experiences
SIGMUND FREUD (Austrian Psychoanalyst)
● The self is multilayered:
- Conscious
- Preconscious
- Unconscious
- Contains repressed memories
and emotions, and instinctual
drives
Note: The goal of psychoanalysis is to release
repressed emotions and experiences to
overcome self-defeating behavior.
GILBERT RYLE (British Philosopher)
● The concept of Mind
- The mind and body are intrinsically
linked; mental states and bodily
actions are one and the same
● “I act, therefore, I am”
- It is through one’s behavior that
self is revealed
PAUL CHURCHLAND (Canadian Philosopher)
● Proponent of Eliminative Materialism
- Materialism maintains that self is
inseparable from the brain and the
physiology of the body
● The self is the brain.
- The physical brain and not the
imaginary mind, gives us our
sense of self.
MAURICE MERLEAU-PONTY (French
Phenomenological Philosopher)
● The Phenomenology of Perception
- The consciousness, the world and
the human body are intricately
intertwined in perceiving the world.
● The self is embodied subjectivity
- Perception is not merely a
consequence of a sensory
experience; rather, it is a conscious
experience.
SUMMARY
● This module intends to give you a wider
perspective in understanding oneself. The
self can be viewed in three ways, namely
self as innate, self as emergent, and self
as integrated and developing. The
different views of prominent philosophers
regarding the nature of the self were also
discussed. For some philosophers, the
self has an immortal soul, while for others,
it is the physical brain and a thinking thing.
Other philosophers regard the self as
PREPARED BY: DENDEN “CHESKA” GARCES
Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
one’s consciousness, sensory experience,
and behavior, or a combination of these
elements. Though there are
disagreements on how philosophers view
the self, most of them agree that
self-knowledge is a prerequisite to a
happy and meaningful life. Upon the
completion of this module, you are
expected to develop your own philosophy
of self that may guide you towards
self-realization.
Module 2
Topic: Sociological Perspective: Looking Glass
Self
Outline:
I. Sociology
II. George Herbert Mead’s theory of the social
self
- Mead’s development of self in a 3
stages process
III. The Self as a product of Modern and
Postmodern societies
SOCIOLOGY
● as a scientific study of social groups and
human relationships, generates new
insights to the interconnectedness
between ourselves and other people.
According to Charles Horton Cooley, we
possess a looking-glass self: the people
whom we interact with become a mirror in
which we view ourselves. Our self-identity
or self-image is achieved through a
threefold event which begins by
conceiving an idea of how we present
ourselves to others. Then, we analyze
how others perceive us. In the end, we
create an image of ourselves. The self is
an outcome of what we think others think
about us.
GEORGE HERBERT MEAD’S THEORY OF THE
SOCIAL SELF
● presents that the self has two divisions:
the “I” and the “me”. The “I” is the
subjective element and the active side of
the self. It pertains to the spontaneous,
and unique traits of the individual.
Whereas the “me” is the objective
element of the self which refers to the
internalized attitudes and demands of
other people and the individual’s
awareness of those demands.
MEAD’S DEVELOPMENT OF THE SELF IN A
THREE-STAGE PROCESS:
1. In the preparatory stage (0-3 years
old), have no sense of self. During this
stage, children are just preparing for
role-taking.
2. During the play stage (3 to 5 years
old), the self emerges as children
pretending to take the roles of specific
people or significant others, those
individuals who are important agents
of socialization. In this stage, the self
is developing.
3. In the game stage (begins in the early
school years; about 8 or 9 years old)
children become concerned about and
take into account in their behavior the
generalized others which refer to the
attitudes, viewpoints, demands and
expectations of the society which
include cultural norms and values we
use as references in evaluating
ourselves. During this stage, the self is
now present.
THE SELF AS A PRODUCT OF MODERN AND
POSTMODERN SOCIETIES
● According to Gerry Lanuza (2004) in
modern societies the attainment and
stability of self-identity is freely chosen. It
is no longer restricted by customs and
traditions. The newfound freedom offers
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Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
infinite possibilities for self-cultivation,
however, problems such as alienation and
dehumanization of the self also appear
which hinder the full development of
human potential. Thus, a need to discover
the “authentic core” of the self for the
individual to freely work towards
self-realization emerged. While an
individual seeks for solid and stable
self-identity in modern society, the
postmodern individual tries to avoid
fixation and keep the options open for
self-improvement.
● French sociologist Jean Baudrillard
explains that postmodern individuals
achieve self-identity through prestige
symbols that they consume. The cultural
practices of advertising and mass media
greatly influence individuals to consume
goods not for their primary value and utility
but to give them a feeling of goodness and
power when compared with others.
Hence, the postmodern person has
become an insatiable consumer and may
never be satisfied in his life. Therefore, the
self may be a never-ending search for
prestige in the postmodern society.
Module 3
Topic: Anthropological Perspective: My
Biocultural Self
Outline:
I. Anthropology
II. The Cultural Construction of the Self
and Identity
III. The Self as Embedded in Culture
ANTHROPOLOGY
● Considered one of the most complex
areas of discipline, and has explored
various meanings of culture, self, and
identity in the desire to come up with a
better understanding of the self.
● Is concerned with how cultural and
biological processes interact to shape
human experience.
● “Anthropology encroaches on the territory
of the sciences as well as humanities, and
transcends the conventional boundaries of
both while addressing questions from the
distant past and the pressing present-
perhaps with implications of future”.
(James L. Peacock 1986, p.10)
● Also contributed indirectly to the
understanding of the nature of self through
ethnographic samplings that discuss the
cultural variations may affect one’s mental
state, language, and behavior (Triandis
1989)
ETHNOGRAPHIC INVESTIGATIONS
EXAMPLES
- Sampling Method
- Sentence Completion
- Interviews
● Most important contribution of
anthropology is providing insights into the
nature of the self, based on continuous
understanding of the basic elements
(Peacock, 1986)
THE CULTURAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE
SELF AND IDENTITY
● British Anthropologist Edward Taylor
defined Culture as… the complex whole
which knowledge, belief, art, morals, law,
customs, and any other capabilities and
habits acquired by a man as a member of
society,
● The self is one of the most
taken-for-granted products of culture
(Robbins, 2012)
● German Anthropologist Martin
Sokefeld (1999) believes that the concept
of self is a necessary supplement to the
concept of culture in anthropology and
should be regarded as a human universal.
● In social anthropology, the concept is used
mostly in the context of “Ethnic Identity”
PREPARED BY: DENDEN “CHESKA” GARCES
Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
● Ethnic Identity- pointing out the
sameness of the self with others, that is, to
a consciousness of sharing certain
characteristics (ex. Language and Culture)
within a group.
● Identity Toolbox- refers to the features of
a person's identity that he or she chooses
to emphasize in constructing a social self.
● Personal Naming- a universal practice
with numerous cross-cultural variations,
establishes a child’s birthright and social
identity.
- Personal names in societies
represent the self.
TWO WAYS OF CONCEPT OF SELF IN
DIFFERENT SOCIETIES
● Egocentric View- the self is seen as an
autonomous and distinct individual. Each
person is defined as a replica of all
humanity but is capable of acting
independently from others.
● Sociocentric View- the self is considered
contingent on a situation or social setting.
THREE-PHASED RITE OF PASSAGE
● Rites of passage usually involve ritual
activities to prepare individuals for new
roles, from one stage to another. Van
Gennep believes that changes in one’s
identity are marked by three-phased rites
of passage: separation, liminality, and
incorporation.
- Separation Phase- people
detached from their former identity
to another.
- Liminality Phase- a person
transitions from one identity to
another.
- Incorporation Phase- the change
in one’s status is officially
incorporated.
● Anthony Wallance and Raymond
Fogelson coined the term “identity
struggle” to characterize interaction in
which there is a discrepancy between the
identity a person claims to possess and
the identity attributed to that person by
others.
Module 4
Topic: Psychological Perspective of Self
Outline:
I. William James’ Concept of Self: The I
Self and The Me Self
II. Carl Roger’ Self Theory: The Real Self
and Ideal Self
III. Multiple Versus Unified Self, True
Versus Self
IV. Self as Proactive and Agentic
V. The Self as the Central Archetype
VI. Sigmund Freud’s Construction of Self
VII. The Role of Erik Erikson’s Theory in
Understanding
WILLIAM JAMES CONCEPT OF SELF: THE
SELF AND THE ME SELF
"I-Self" and the "Me-Self"
1) "I-Self “
● knows his or her identity and goals
accomplished in his or her life.
● Also called “thinking self”
● It reflects to the soul of a person or mind,
which is called ‘pure ego’
2) "Me-Self”
● “empirical self” which refers to the
person’s personal exp. Which was divided
into subcategories (MSS)
a) material self,
● Attributed to the physical attributes and
material possessions that contribute to self
image.
b) social self,
● refers to who a person is and how they act
in social situations
c) spiritual self.
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Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
● Most intimates and important part of the
self
● Includes persons purpose, core values,
conscience, moral behavior
● James believes that the path thru
understanding the SS requires
introspection
CARL ROGERS: REAL AND IDEAL SELF
● Self-concept is yet another aspect of
one's own knowledge and it is important in
adolescent years where they focus on.
Central to achieving self actualization is
the development of SC.
According to Carlos Rogers the self:
a. flexible and changing perception of
personal identity
b. center of experience (Rathus, 2017)
c. develops from interaction w/ significant
people and awareness of one owns
characteristics and level of functioning
d. human beings are always striving for
self-fulfillment or self-actualization
1) Real Self
● Every aspect of one's true self notions,
such as the knowledge of what I am and
‘what can I do’
2) Ideal Self
● wished to be something that is one’s
objectives and goals in life.
● What should be or aspires to be
NOTE: Rogers views the closer the IS to RS, the
more fulfilled and happier an individual becomes.
When it is far, a person becomes unhappy and
dissatisfied.
MULTIPLE VS. UNIFIED SELF
● The many selves and the unified self. The
various elements of the self is a
challenging for you.
WINNICOTT: TRUE SELF VS FALSE SELF
Winnicott found out that the self is composed
of:
1) True Self
● Less likely to show to impress others
2) False Self
● Function is to hide true self
ALBERT BANDURA: THE SELF AS
PROACTIVE AND AGENTIC
AB posits that humans thru agency, are
perceived as proactive agents of experiences.
[Agency]
● Embodies endowments, belief systems,
self regulatory capabilities, and distributed
structures and functions through which
personal influence is exercised, rather
than residing as a discrete entity.
● Enables people to play a part in their
self-development adaptation, and self
renewal
Main Features Of Human Agency
A) Intentionality
- Refers to acts done intentionally
- Center on plans of action w/ anticipation
of possible outcomes
B) Forethought
- Enables a person to anticipate the likely
consequences of prospective actions.
- Through this ppl are guided in their
actions in the anticipation of future events.
C) Self-reactiveness
- Involves making choices and choosing
appropriate courses of action , as well as
motivating and regulating them
D) Self reflectiveness
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Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
- Gives a person the ability to reflect upon, d. Self
and the adequacy of his or her thoughts
and actions. - Central archetype that unites ALL the
● Efficacy – foundation of human agency parts of the psyche.
- plays a central role in - EGO - individuals conscious perception of
self-regulation (ability of an self
individual to control his/her
behavior without relying on others SIGMUND FREUD: CONSTRUCTION OF SELF
for help. AND PERSONALITY
● Self Efficacy – refers to the individual's
Acc. To SF
belief that he or she is capable of
performing a task that influences w/h they 1. dynamic forces within the self = many and
will think pessimistically or optimistically in inevitable conflict
ways that are self enhancing or self 2. he argues the mind is composed of 3
hindering. structures which personality is formed
[id,ego,superego]
CARL JUNG: THE SELF AS THE CENTRAL
ARCHETYPE 3 STRUCTURES OF PERSONALITY

Acc. To Carlo Jung: a. ID

● need to satisfy basic urges and
1. Self is the concept of archetypes.
desires
2. Archetypes – universal models after
● pleasure seeking self, impulsive
which roles are patterned.
childlike, demands instant
- These represent hidden potentials
gratification
of the psyche or total personality
● DEVIL within the self
3. Psyche- continues to develop throughout
b. EGO
life, but it starts to show definite form and
● Operates on the reality principle
content during adolescence.
● Controls ID
4. Archetypes – reside in the personal
● Can conform with existing societal
unconsciousness (forgotten exp) thats
considerations
common to all beings known as “collective
● Person in the middle (either devil
unconsciousness”
or angel)
4 MAJOR ARCHETYPES c. SUPEREGO
● Refers to ‘conscience’ & ‘moral
a. Persona judge’ of one's conduct
- Social roles that individuals present to ● Violation of rules = guilty feeling
others ● Strives perfection rather than
b. Shadow pleasure
- Repressed thoughts that are socially ● ANGEL within the self
unacceptable
[Ego strength] –ego's ability to resolve the conflict
Dark side of archetype between the 3 structures.

c. Anima/animus ID, EGO, SUPER EGO Acc. To Freud, has series

- ANIMA - Feminine side of male psyche of stages called.
- ANIMUS – masculine side of female
psyche

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Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
SERIES OF STAGES

Psychosexual Stages of Development 3rd Stage: PHALLIC STAGE

(OALPAG)
● occurs 3 – 6
● 5 Stages, associated w/ conflicts that ● desire pleasure from examining, fondling,
individuals must resolve so that they can touching, displaying their genitals
successfully move on to the next stage. ● motivated by curiosity about the diff of
anatomy of men and women
● sex curiosity will remain high during elem
1st Stage: ORAL STAGE years (leads to qs like how babies are
made)
● proper education is a must in this stage
2nd Stage: ANAL STAGE
[Fixation] at this stage may lead to abnormal
rd
3 Stage: PHALIC STAGE sexual behavior in later life

4th Stage: LATENCY STAGE

4th Stage: LATENCY STAGE
● 7 – 12 yrs
● Energy is repressed bc children are
5th Stage: GENITAL STAGE occupies with school

5th Stage: GENITAL STAGE

● Adolescence to adulthood
● Pleasure is again derived from genital
area
1st stage: ORAL STAGE ● Individuals seek to satisfy their sexual
drives from sexual relationship
● lasts from birth up to 1st yr of life
● babies derive pleasure orally (sucking, [Sexual problems] may result as a consequence
biting) of inappropriate sexual behavior.
● [Overindulgence of oral needs] may lead
to oral incorporative personality disorder ERIK ERIKSON’S PSYCHOSOCIAL
● Whereas, dissatisfaction may lead to [oral DEVELOPMENT
aggressiveness] (smoking, alcoholism)
Acc to EE.
2nd Stage: ANAL STAGE
● ADOLESCENCE
● occurs 2nd yr of life - Period of identity development
● derives pleasure from the elimination of - Individual goes thru 8
body wastes (toilet training, child learns psychological stages of
basic rules of society) development
- Every stage is important, but he
[Anal fixations] can lead to emphasized on the development of
EGO (positive force that
- anal-retentive personality disorder, e.g.
contributes identity formation and
obsession w/ cleanliness
lays the foundation for cert.
- anal expulsive personality disorder, e.g.
strengths and virtues in life)
clumsiness

PREPARED BY: DENDEN “CHESKA” GARCES

Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
8 Stages Of Psychological Development school usually thought in
years schools

1st: Trust v Mistrust No encouragement =

inferiority
2nd: Autonomy v Shame and doubt
5TH Identity Develop a positive
3rd: Initiative v Guilt Adolesc formation v identity
ence Identity
4th: Industry v Inferiority Finding out who they
confusion
are, what are they,
5th: Identity formation v Identity confusion what they want
6th: Intimacy v Isolation Supported = positive
id.
7th: Generativity v Stagnation
X supported =
8th: Integrity v Despair
insecure, confusion

6thEarly Intimacy v Intimate relationship

adulthoo Isolation with others
d
1st Trust v Child develop trust if Successful = stable
Infancy Mistrust properly take care of
– 18 Inability = mistrust
months Not well cared = and isolation
mistrust
7th Generativity Sense of
nd
2 Autonomy v Assert Middle v generativity
Prescho Shame and independence Adulthoo Stagnation
ol – 3 doubt d Desire to contribute to
yrs Independence of the world by teaching,
thought and leading, guiding
confidence to think
and act for oneself Failure=feel worthless

Overly protected = 8thOld Integrity v Sense of Integrity

shame and doubt Age Despair
Focused on self
reflection in ones life

3rd Initiative v Sense of Satisfied = SoI

School Guilt responsibility, leads
Age 3-5 to dev of initiative Unsatisfied= regrets
yrs & despair
Irresponsible = guilt

4th Industry v Sense of industry

Element Inferiority
ary Face the task of dev
knowledge and skills

PREPARED BY: DENDEN “CHESKA” GARCES

Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
Module 5
Topic: The Western and Eastern Concept of
Self
Outline:
I. Western Concept of Self
II. Eastern Concept of Self
III. The Self in Four Great Systems of
Eastern Thought
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Confucianism
- Taoism
IV. Dichotomy of Western and Eastern
Concept of the Self
1) Individualistic
Gerts (van Meijl,2008) defines western concept of
self as:
● Bounded, unique, more or less integrated
motivational and cognitive universe, a
dynamic center of awareness, emotion,
judgment and action organized into
distinctive whole and set contrastively both 2) Entity distinct from other selves and all
against other such wholes and against its other entities
social and natural being.
● An autonomous, unitary, and stable self in
the west is grounded in contrasting
assumption that non- western people do
not posses an individuated self that is diff
from the other
Western concept of self is holistically defined
Frank Johnson (1985)
1) Analytic
Frank Johnson
● analytic-deductive, with emphasis on
causal links (part-to-whole relationship)
● the whole is differentiated into parts
● one must categorize and make distinctions
to pursue cause
Middle of 19th century
2) Monotheistic
● The belief in 1 supreme being coexisting
with the universe condenses the
supernatural and human capabilities into a
bipolarity of both qualities of existence
(e.g., ugly, beautiful) and categories of
identity or experiences (e.g., god, satan)
3) Individualistic
● Exhibits coexistence of favorable and
unfavorable conditions inherent in
personal freedom
4) Materialistic & Rationalistic
● Focused on material things and favors
rational- empirical approach over magical
and superstitious explanations of
immaterial things
DAVID HO: WESTERN SELF:
● Deeply aware of itself, its uniqueness,
sense of direction, purpose, and volition
● In an individualist pov, self is the measure
of all things, that is, source of all
reflections.
● Self belongs to the individual and no
other
● (as a consequence of complete
ownership)
- It becomes sovereign subject
possessing a sense of personal
control
● All things are well = self coherence &
stability
● Traces earliest historical roots of the
western concept of self to works on
philosophy almost half a million yrs ago
● psychology has provided answers to
philoques about concepts of soul, and
mind,
● Experimental psychology came into
prominence
● Put forth the concept of seld within social
interactionist framework,
PREPARED BY: DENDEN “CHESKA” GARCES
Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
· Multidirectional
3 1940- and continuous
Late 19th century present dev of COS.
a) sociological and
● Growth of sociology, anthropology,
psychological of the
psychology
S encompass 3
● Saw the emergence of various concepts of
levels of S {inner s,
self, among them the western concept.
interpersonal s,
social s}
The Historical Development of the Western b) existentialists and
COS phenomenologists
(philo and psych)
Stage Period Historical Development engagaed HOLISTIC
· Attempted to APP., integrating the
1 Pre Xtian philosophically 3 lvls
times until and theologically c) at present,
1850 characterize the convergence in some
self through the conceptualization of
concepts of soul the S, anthros,
and mind (emp. psychs, socios,
on conscious exp philos, linguis, whos
of the individual) studies focus on the
· Distinction of actual, multivariate,
mind-body situational concepts
dualism and; of the self employing
· Causality of new fws and
human behavior methodologies.
· Est of
2 1850-1940 EASTERN CONCEPT OF SELF
experimental
psychology in mid
● Philo and religion are twisted
19th cent. led
● Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism,
change in
Taoism are common rep of Eastern
emphasis
thought
· FROM abstract
● (altho these 4 systems differ in their app of
concepts of S &
COS they share the same goal – teach
M TO observable
how to be a PERFECT
and measurable
PERSON[Villaba,1995]
aspects oh
● Pluralistic(differ greatly in features and
human faculties
app in issues about selfhood) Garcia,
· Concept of S
2013
re-emerged
within the social The self in:
interactionist fw in
early 1900s 4 GREAT SYSTEM OF EASTERN THOUGHT

HINDUISM

● COS is expounded in VEDANTA (major

school in india)
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Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
● Characterizes human suffering as the - R action
result of failure to realize the distinction - R livelihood
between true self v non true self. - R effort
- R mindfulness
BRAHMAN- absolute reality - R concentration

● The goal is to know the true reality In Buddhist philosophy

(brahman)
● Self realization is being united to
all-embracing brahman. HOWEVER,
realization of true selfhood will result in a
complete dissolution of individual identity.
ATMAN – soul/spirit, true knowledge of self
(identical to brahman)
● Immortal soul
● Reincarnated from lifetime 2 lifetime until it
is freed from cycle of rebirth and reach the
state of nirvana (non-birth)
LAW OF KARMA – important doctrine of H
● ALL actions are subject to this
● Good = rewarded
● Bad = punished
BUDDHISM (root word budh)
● Man is just a title for the summation of 5
parts: (matter,
sensation,perception,mental constructs
and consciousness)that composes an
individual. HOWEVER each of the parts
are distinctly not a man.
● Man has so self nor soul, there is only
nothing, and all else is an illusion
● Change is permanent
● Ignorance of permanence = illusion of
selfhood (this is the cause of life’s misery,
births, and rebirths)
CONFUCIANISM
● Confucian doctrines found in the
ANALECTS (convo of confucius)
● GOLDEN RULE = principle of reciprocity
- “Do not do to other what you
wouldn’t others do to you”

Siddharta Gautama (Buddha) 5 CARDINAL RELATIONSHIP

● Founder BETWEEN:
● Budh = awake [opening eyes would lead
● ü Ruler & subject
to understanding more about the S and
● ü Father & son
world
● ü Husband & wife
● Every person has the seed of
● ü Brothers
enlightenment, hence, potential to be a
● ü Friends
buddha (seed should be nurtured)
- Greatest mission of attaining self realization
4 NOBLE OF TRUTHS
wherein self cultivation = instrumental (self
1. life is suffering cultivation can be accomplished by knowing one’s
2. suffering is caused by attachments to role in society and acting accordingly
desires
- Moral character – perfected by continously
3. suffering can be eliminated
taking opps to improve oneself in thought and
4. elimination of suffering is thru 8th FOLD
action.
PATH:
- Right view - SELF = subdued self
- Raspiration
- R Speech
PREPARED BY: DENDEN “CHESKA” GARCES
Understanding The Self
Reviewer Prelims/ Second Semester
TAOISM ● Against nature, that is, to struggle against
it
● Chinese counterculture
● They reject Confucian idea of relational Western & Eastern
self
● SELF = extension of cosmos ● Appreciates attempts to understanding the
● SELF = limitless forms of the TAO
(commonly regarded as nature = COMPARATIVE MATRIX OF W & E UTS
foundation of all that exists
● Not bounded by time and space
● PERFECT MAN = no self
● Selflessness – attained when the
distinction between ‘i and other’ dissolves
- Leads to a balance life
● Simplicity, spontaneity, and harmony with
nature = should govern ones life
● Must seek to understand and act accc to
natural order
● UNITY AND HARMONY among opposing
elements = yin yang
● Oneness of the Tao

DICHOTOMY OF WESTERN AND EASTERN

CONCEPTIONS OF THE SELF

● Self exists
● Self is not considered not in isolation, but
in relation to others, consciousness,
feelings, and emotions, and ones relation
to other ppl in the world

Eastern philosophers

● Sociocentric view opposing that self exists

as an entity within the concrete situation or
role occupied by the person
● Not utilizing scientific techs of
investigations
● Nature - promotes introspection, wisdom
and enlightenment can be attained thru
this

Western thoughts

● Self = autonomous, unitary, stable

● Examined by renowned theorists
● Importance of scientific methods to
provide satisfactory answers to
understanding the self
● Life = linear
PREPARED BY: DENDEN “CHESKA” GARCES