Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF BALANGA CITY
INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
2nd QUARTER

Quarter 2 || Lesson 3: INTERSUBJECTIVITY

INTERSUBJECTIVITY
- The interaction between the self and other wherein there is mutual recognition of each
other as equal beings.
- A structure of relationship that is supported by genuine communication founded on
mutual respect for each other as subjects.
- The realm of existence to which the preposition with properly applies (Marcel, 1950).
- Through it, people transcend the labels that society puts on us and we recognize an
incalculable inherent value of a person.
- A state in which one recognizes one’s being as a being-with-others.

CONCEPTS OF INTERSUBJECTIVITY
1. To be with – Signifies co-presence, an openness of my presence to the presence of the
other person.
2. To be –is- to be with – living directed towards something other than self or living outside
self.
3. Genuine Communication – revealing oneself to others without fear of prejudices. Also,
understanding and relating to others with careful and fair conclusions about them.
4. Decentering – displacing oneself from the central position or removing self-centeredness.
Making the welfare of another the center of one’s life.

TOTALIZATION
- A denial of the other’s difference or the “denial of the otherness of the other”.
- Eradicating any possibility of being surprised by the other person.
- Totalitarian rule rests on the assurance that the state knows every single move of its
subjects through strict surveillance. It does not leave uncertainty, does not allow anything
hidden in the dark. It is like overpowering the existence of others.

*** For Emmanuel Levinas, the power over another person cannot be absolute because of the
capacity of a person to resist it. One may find the resistance in the face of the other. The face
resists possession, resists powers. In its epiphany, in expression, the sensible and graspable (like
the face) can turn into total resistance to the grasp.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF BALANGA CITY
INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
2nd QUARTER
Important Aspects of Intersubjectivity
1. Moral Humility – refers to the invitation to imagine ourselves in the situation of others
or the act of putting oneself in the shoes of others. In this manner, we can humble
ourselves as we take part on what they are going though. It is an admission that we do not
know the other person fully. With this admission, we open ourselves to the possibility
that we will learn something different from them.
2. Empathy – An important aspect of intersubjectivity and is driven by a person’s
awareness of the emotions and thoughts of other people. It enables a person to place
herself in the shoes of others and leads to a greater understanding and appreciation of
others.
3. Seeming – refers to the way a person presents himself when dealing with others. This is
considered a natural and often unconscious act. Some people, however, engage in
seeming actions to deceive and manipulate others.

How to Master Genuine Communication and Succeed in Intersubjectivity

1. Do not say that others feelings are invalid. There are no right and wrong feelings. Let
people express how they feel. People should not be judged for emotions they cannot help.
2. Do not give advice unless it is solicited. Sometimes, what people need is a friend who
can be with them, not some expert who can look at them in a detached way.
3. Do not say, “I know how you feel”. Sometimes, this can really be offensive to the other
person because no one can really know how that person feels unless you become that
person.
4. Do not philosophize other people’s situation as if you are above them and you truly know
what has happened. (e.g. Saying to a friend whose mother died, “That is God’s will”.)
5. Do not say, “If I were you…” unless the person asks you what you would do if you were
in his shoes. Doing so would turn the conversation into something about you and not the
person who needed listening to.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III – Central Luzon
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF BALANGA CITY
INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
2nd QUARTER

Activity No.

Directions: Read and answer the question concisely.

Explain the following concepts of intersubjectivity in 3-5 sentences and give an example of situation or
circumstance where one can actualize it.

1. To be with
Explanation:____________________________________________________________________
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Example:
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2. To be is to be with
Explanation:____________________________________________________________________
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Example:
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3. Decentering
Explanation:____________________________________________________________________
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Example:
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4. Genuine Communication
Explanation:____________________________________________________________________
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Example:
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Activity No.

Directions: Read and answer the question concisely.

Cite 3 underlying reasons or hindrances that can cause obstructions to attaining

intersubjectivity. In 3 to 5 sentences, explain each rationally how they serve as obstacle to
intersubjectivity.