MAKILALA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Concepcion , Makilala , Cotabato

MODULE NO:1 CREDITS: 3 UNITS

COURSE TITLE: UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
COURSE CODE: SOC SCI 1
DURATION: 1.5 WEEKS
CRIMINOLOGY ENTREPRENEUR, DM, MIDWIFERY
INSTRUCTOR: MYRACHELLE JOYCE C. ESTRADA, RPm INSTRUCTOR: CRYSTELLE MAY NAVARTE-MORANTE RGC,
: estradamyrachellejc@[Link] RPm
: 09052676952 :Crystellenavarte@[Link]
:09672161023
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION SYSTEM
INSTRUCTOR: KYLE NICOLE ABRIL, RPM INSTRUCTOR: SHIELA G. ESTARES
:jennkylenicoleabril@[Link] :09672275193/09502721541
:09339612420 :FB Shiela G. Estares
: FB Jenn Kyle Nicole Abril

AGRICULTURE
INSTRUCTOR: KRYSS JAY YGOÑA, LPT
:kryssjayygona@[Link]
:09075732055
:FB Kryss Jay Anjao YgoÑa

I. TOPIC: S.E.L.F.

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES: Determine the different factors that contribute to one’s being.
: Evaluate the impact of these factors through self- appraisal.
ACTIVITY

Ask yourself. What is the origin of your name/ the reason behind your name?

__________________________________________________________________

Does your name represent or describe yourself now?

__________________________________________________________________

III. READ AND LEARN:

Introduction:

The consciousness of the existence of the self has been almost automatic or reflexive. Thus, people are almost unaware
of it that in our everyday lives, we are constantly acknowledging it. This chapter reveals the role of nature and nurture in
contribution to the self and the Social, Environmental, Hereditary and Person- Volition factors.

Nature VS Nurture

Nature- The self is a product of natural processes to which people are inherently predisposed

• Anchored in biology

• Explains how human traits are passed from one generation to another.

• Serve as blueprint of the self and predisposes one to certain self- expressions.

EXAMPLE: “Your behavior is the same as your mother” that is very common for biology explains that there is a
transmission of traits and characteristics from one generation to another. This proves that even though we haven’t met
or encounter some characteristics of our parents we tend to project/display some of their traits.

Nurture - It is an outcome of various nurturing factors in the context of one’s life.

• Social Science would suggest that group life can affect an individual’s behavior and attitude.
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

EXAMPLE : “ The cheerleading team has the same sassy attitude” When you are with others in a substantial amount of
time you tend to be influenced or adapt to their behavior. Thus, nurture plays a role in who we are.

Identity vs Self

IDENTITY -according to Merriam Dictionary – “ Qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or group different
from others.

Example: In the Illonggo culture, they tend to possess a “malambing” way of communicating even if they are
angry. This is the identity of Illonggo people While Ilocano’s has and identity of being frugal (kuripot) . Though
not all, but these are labelled to the identity of some tribes.

• Distinguishes or compares one from another

• Can be focused on the

• Past- what used to be true of one

• The present – what is true of one now

• The future – the person one expects or wishes to become .

• The person one feels obligated to try to become

• The person one fears one may become

SELF- The person that someone normally or truly is or the entire person of an individual.

Example: The wholeness of a person. The integration of all adjectives that you possess. Such as Mr. Uzumaki is
very brave, versatile ,persistent and hard working. You see that there is no adjectives that were affiliated to their
clans characteristic or her parents.

• Refers to the total characteristics or qualities of a person both known and unknown to others ( but known to
oneself)

• Combined identities make one self concept

• As what comes to mind when one thinks of oneself

Dimensionalities of the Self/ Identity

We have 4 dimensions of the self

ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL

HEREDITARY PERSON-
VOLITON

Social/ Environmental/ Hereditary/ Person- volition

Social

• refers to the influences of significant people in one’s life.

• includes the family in which most of the basic attitudinal and behavioral attributes of individuals are shaped.

- nursery of human nature

- learn both directly or indirectly certain behaviors and characters.

Directly means that we can possess traits because we are taught like saying po and opo because our parents teach us to
do so.

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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Indirectly means that we possess such trait because we see it. Like being hospitable, though are parents didn’t teach us
to treat guests well however we see them treating them this way and we imitate such behaviors. Same is true when we
say bad words, though we are not taught to do so but because we observe it everyday then we possess such trait.

• Personality- Individual patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving.

-No two people will have and identical personality.

-One may share commonalities with other people but will still possess an identity

that sets him or her apart.

-gain through modelling, imitation, and traits integration.

Environmental factors- Known as the natural force

Includes physical and communal elements present in everyday surroundings

Climate, temperature , forms of land

-Expectations, norms operating in that particular locality.

Example- People who lived in the provincial regions and transferred to big cities changed their preferences because
they adapted to the environment and culture of the big cities. Another concrete example is your friend was very shy
and reserved but when she went to college she was more outspoken and very active in events.

A famous Celebrity Andy Eiggemann. When she decided to live in Siargao, she left her luxurious life and lived as a
simpleton.

Heredity factor

• Heredity is a biological process by which certain traits and characteristics are passed from one generation to
another

Person-volition factor

• Inclination of a person to form and construct a specific identity that will set him apart from others.
• Deviant or non- conformist
• Trendsetters, revolutionaries, discoverers and inventors.

Example : People like Jose Rizal, His parents are not as active to revolution but because she chose to be a leader of the
revolution then this is the characteristic the He and only He possess.

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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Activity 1 : In a one whole sheet of paper, copy the format below and answer the following.

Activity 2

Write an essay. Describe yourself as you would. Not by what others say but how you see yourself , as a person, child,
student, and other roles you play. Write at least two (2) paragraphs.

V. REFERENCES
Eden Alata, Bernardo Caslib Jr, Janice Serafica, R.A. Pawilen. (2018). Understanding the Self. Manila City , Philippines: Rex
Book Store, Inc.

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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Jonathan Veran Macayan, J. P. (2018). Understanding the Self. Quezon City, Philippines: C & E publishing , Inc.

[Link]: PHILOSOPHY OF THE SELF

[Link] OUTCOMES: TO COMPREHEND EVERY PROPOSED THEORY BY PHILOSOPHERS ABOUT THE SELF.

TO DIFFERENTIATE VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES FROM ONE ANOTHER.

COMPARE THE PHILOSOPHERS COMPOSITION OF SELF FROM OTHER PHILOSOPHERS.

TO MATCH THE PHILOSOPHERS TO THEIR THEORIES PROPOSED.

III. READ AND LEARN

Introduction:

Theories are can be classified as empiricism or rationalism.

Empericism- Knowledge derived from experiences. Either experienced with the 5 senses or processed with the brain

Rationalism - Knowledge is innate. Conclusions are derived through logic and reasoning.

[Link]

- the first philosopher who ever engaged in a systematic questioning about the self. For Socrates, every man is
composed of body and soul. This means that every human person is dualistic, that is, he is composed of two important
aspects of his personhood. For Socrates, this means all individuals have been imperfect, impermanent aspect to him and
the body, while maintaining that there is also a soul that is perfect and permanent.

SELF FOR SOCRATES

Body Soul

[Link]

- Socrates’s student, basically took off from his master and supported the idea that man is a dual nature of body and
soul. I addition to what Socrates earlier espoused. Plato added that there are three components of the soul: rational
soul, the spirited soul , and the appetitive soul.

Rational soul- forged by reason and intellect has to govern the affairs of the human person
Spirited Soul- is in charge of emotions should be kept at bay
Appetitive Soul- in charge of base desires like eating , drinking , sleeping and having sex are controlled as well.

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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

SELF FOR PLATO

BODY SOUL
SPIRITED

RATIONAL APPETITIVE

3. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas

Augustine view of the human person reflects the entire spirit of the medieval world when it comes to man. Following
the ancient view of Plato and infusing it with the newfound doctrine of Christianity. The body is bound to die on earth
and the soul is to anticipate living eternally in a realm of spiritual bliss in communion with God. The body is to thrive in
the imperfect, physical reality that is the world, whereas the soul can also stay after death in an eternal realm with the
all-transcendent God. The goal of every human person is to attain this communion and bliss with the divine by living his
life on earth in virtue.

SELF FOR AUGUSTINE

TO ANTICIPATE LIVING ETERNALLY IN A

REAL OF SPIRITUAL BLISS

BODY SOUL

TO DIE ON EARTH

4. Thomas Aquinas

He believed that what makes a human person different from animals is his soul, his essence

It is what makes us a human. Man is composed of two parts. First, Matter or Hyle is the common stuff that makes up
everything. Man’s body is part of everything. The other one is the Form or morphe it is the essence of a substance or
thing.

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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

SELF FOR THOMAS AQUINAS

H
MATTE
FORM
U

R
M
A
N

[Link]

• Ideal and phenomena is codependent and co exists. Ideal – Essence provide meaning. Phenomena means the
substance and solidity to essence.

SELF FOR ARISTOTLE

PHENOMENON

IDEAL

6. Rene Descartes

“Cogito Ergo sum” which I think, therefore I am. The mind and self can exist without the body. The only thing that one
cannot doubt is the existence of the self. Establishing the distinction of soul from the body can make people believe in
the afterlife and the soul’s immortality.

Note: That the brain is also part of the body while mind and self can exist without the body.

Descartes believes that there is two components of the self the mind or cogito-meaning the thing that thinks and the
body -meaning the extension of the mind. The machine that is attached in the mind.

SELF FOR DESCARTES

Mind - Body Dualism

Mind/

Cogito

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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Body/ extenza

7. John Locke

He believed that It is in consciousness also that identity exists not in the body and soul. He defined the self like a blank
slate ( Tabula Rasa). This means that when we were born we are like a blank slate- no identity however the formation of
the self relies on our consciousness. If we are exposed to a particular event and is registered to our
consciousness( awareness), then this adds to our identity.

SELF FOR JOHN LOCKE

8. David Hume-Skeptical Philosophy

He believed that all knowledge passes through the senses. There is no self, only a bundle of perception. One can
know only what comes from the senses and experience. Men can only attain knowledge through experience.

9. Immanuel Kant

Reason is the final authority of morality. There is inner self and outer self. Without the self one

cannot organize the different impressions. The self is not just what gives one his personality but the

seat of knowledge acquisition for all humans.

Self for Immanuel Kant

• Inner self- includes rational reasoning

and psychological state

• Outer self- includes the body and physical mind,

where representation occurs

10. Gilbert Ryle

“ I act therefore, I am”. The mind is not the seat of self. It is not a separate , parallel thing to our physical body. The
mind is a category mistake brought by habitual use. The only way it can affect the other is through the external
world. For ryle, what truly matters is the behavior that a person manifests in his day to day life. In short, your
behavior identifies the self.

11. Maurice Merleau-Ponty

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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

“ We are our bodies”. Our bodily experience do not detach the subject/object, mind/body, rational/ irrational. The
mind and body is so intertwined that they cannot be separated. Compared to other theories above. Maurice
believed that there is no separation from mind and body. They co-exist with one another.

Activity 2

Instructions: In a ¼ sheet of paper, Answer the following questions briefly. Defend your answer.

1. Among the following theories, which do you agree the most? Defend your answer
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Among the following theories, which do you disagree with? Why?

____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________

IV. EVALUATION

Read the following questions carefully. Encircle the letter of your answer.
1. According to Gilbert Ryle, the self is based on

a. Behavior b. Cognition c. Emotion d. Personality

2. Which of the following statements agrees with St. Augustine?

a. The Soul is the real self b. The soul longs to be with the Divine

c. The soul is perfect d. All of the above

3. Elisha believes that the mind cannot be separated from the body. What our body does it influences the mind and vice versa. Which belief of the self does He anchor

to?

a. Mind – body Dualism (Descartes) b. Phenomenology of perception (Ponty)

c. Skeptical Philosophy( Hume) d. Socratic Philosophy ( Socrates)

[Link] believes in Descartes Philosophy of the self. Which of the following statements does she agree with?

a. The self is reflected on how we think. b. The self is reflected in our behavior

c. The self is reflected on how we perceive d. The self is reflected on our soul

[Link] believed that the self is dualistic. Which of the following is proposed by Socrates?

a. Mind-body b. Body- Soul c. Matter –Ideal [Link] – Essence

James 1:12
12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the
Lord has promised to those who love him.

V. REFERENCES

Eden Alata, Bernardo Caslib Jr, Janice Serafica, R.A. Pawilen.

(2018). Understanding the Self. Manila City , Philippines: Rex Book
Store, Inc.
Jonathan Veran Macayan, J. P. (2018). Understanding the Self. Quezon City, Philippines: C & E publishing , Inc.

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