St.

Paul University Dumaguete

North National Highway, Bantayan, Dumaguete City
A.Y 2023-2024
2nd Semester

Understanding the Self

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement in the subject Understanding the Self

Submitted To:
Mr. Mario T. Cual, Jr.

Submitted By:
Kurt Matthew E. Paña

Submitted On:
February 12, 2024
 St. Paul University Dumaguete
North National Highway, Bantayan, Dumaguete City
A.Y 2023-2024
2nd Semester

Who Am I?
The question "Who am I?" weighs massive as I stare at the blank sheet in front of me. It's
a loaded topic that comes up more often than I'd like to admit in the echoes of my late-night
thoughts. Discovering the real me in the midst of college life's hectic schedule of classes,
deadlines, and nonstop social contact feels like looking for a hidden star beneath the bright glow
of a city.
Maybe the answer to "who am I" isn't a single, fixed answer. Maybe it is a constellation,
with every point of light representing a different aspect of who I am the son who's with his
mother every day, the friend who offers uncritical listening, the poet who writes poetry in
moments of loneliness. These aspects, at times in harmony, at other times in conflict, combine to
create the constantly changing portrait of who I am.
The path of "who am I" is about accepting the exploration rather than trying to come up
with a final solution. It's about accepting the complexities, inconsistencies, and ongoing change.
It's about learning from the moments of confusion, when uncertainties obscure my path, and
savoring the moments of clarity, when a passion ignites or a connection resonates. I find that the
answer to "who am I" is not found in a single description, but rather in the constant quest of
becoming as I make my way through this unexplored land.
Reflection to Reports
The philosophical quest for self-understanding develops like a great narrative that creates
different historical viewpoints. The expedition investigates the limitations of consciousness, the
relationship between reality and perception, and the impact of social influences. It all started with
the ancient Greeks, who were inspired by Socrates to reflect on oneself and by Plato's idea of a
soul searching for its actual form. Hume's investigation of the complexity of experience and
Marx and Foucault's examination of the social construction of identity follow. Even with the
fresh perspectives offered by contemporary scholars such as postmodern deconstructions and
Buddhist concepts of impermanence. Understanding oneself is a never-ending endeavor that
challenges us to go deeper and write our own story within this always developing narrative.
From the perspective of psychology, Freud goes wide, stating that our thoughts are like
icebergs with underlying struggles and wants. Skinner goes on to demonstrate how rewards and
consequences, such as picking up tricks to receive advantages, mold who we are. Bandura adds
his perspective, describing how we observe and imitate others in an attempt to become more like
them. Maslow goes on to say that while food and safety are basic requirements, love and respect
are what allow us to grow. Along the way, Piaget and Erikson demonstrate how humans evolve
from self-centered babies to teenagers discovering who they are. Lastly, contemporary
philosophers remind us that our views and ideas shape our perceptions of who we are, whether
positive or negative.
With regard to the sociological perspective, the self is explained as a character on a
grand stage that is illuminated by social spotlights. Sociologists demonstrate how these lights
shape us, just way stage directors do. Marx enters the picture, demonstrating how the
experiences of the rich and those who are poor influence how they perceive the world and
themselves. Speaking their voices, feminists pay attention to the ways that our lives and our
perception of ourselves are shaped by our gender. Lastly, socialists serve as a reminder that we
are not alone in the world and that everyone has an influence on who we are. We are social
creations as much as individuals. Even if the stage is set, we still have the freedom to decide how
we want to perform in this beautiful production that is life.
 St. Paul University Dumaguete
North National Highway, Bantayan, Dumaguete City
A.Y 2023-2024
2nd Semester

In Anthropological perspective, as identity explorers, demonstrate how our sense of self

encompasses not only "us," but also the groups we are a part of. Our first guide, explores into
island life, demonstrating how everyday routines and personal convictions combine to shape a
person's identity. Mead then jumps in, illustrating how various cultures have diverse conceptions
of what it means to be "self," such as cooperative or independent. Anthropologists remind us that
as the world becomes smaller, the various cultures we come into contact with shape our
identities, which are constantly evolving. So give up performing alone and join the cultural
dance! Anthropologists describe the self as a beautiful intricate made from the strands of our
societies, encouraging us to embark on an endless path of self-discovery.