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Understanding the Self: Perspectives & Influences

The document discusses different perspectives on the self from philosophy and Eastern and Western thought. It states that the self changes over time through experiences and influences from society. Philosophers like Socrates emphasized examining and improving oneself. While society influences identity, it has also allowed more freedom. Jean Piaget's theory noted that experiences shape human development uniquely for each person. Western thought frames the self analytically while Eastern thought sees the self as part of a spiritual journey.

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miles razor
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6 views6 pages

Understanding the Self: Perspectives & Influences

The document discusses different perspectives on the self from philosophy and Eastern and Western thought. It states that the self changes over time through experiences and influences from society. Philosophers like Socrates emphasized examining and improving oneself. While society influences identity, it has also allowed more freedom. Jean Piaget's theory noted that experiences shape human development uniquely for each person. Western thought frames the self analytically while Eastern thought sees the self as part of a spiritual journey.

Uploaded by

miles razor
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MODULE 1

JOURNAL

THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES


CONTENTS

01- The Self According to Philosophies


02- The Self as a Product of Modern Society Among
Other Constructions
03- I am who I am
04- The Self in Western and Eastern Thought
THE SELF TO PHILOSOPHERS
The word self refers to the individual that has its own ubiquitous
traits that makes him distinct to other people. When we grow up,
changes are inevitable and these changes in our selves become
prevalent and apparently becomes far from your initial perspective
of you.
Fret not if you notice these changes, as per indicated
by Socrates “an unexamined life is not worth living”. You just
peered into another version of you, that it may be far or near from
the previous you, you should accept who you are and if you don’t
like your current image of your self, it may be the best time to re-
assess your self and give time on improving yourself.

Do not constrain yourself, explore what you will


become and accept the changes. We are dynamic beings that
dislikes staticness, so be curious to yourself and improve.
The Self as a Product of Modern
Society Among Other Constructions
Society influences us heavily on the establish norms, cultures, and
values, because of this it can change our perception towards our
selves and it can be even destructive as it may ruin one’s perception
of identity.
Though society may have its drawbacks, it allowed us
to become the beings we are today, it allowed the laws of biology
to be overthrown and that we dictate the shape of our fate and
advanced to this newer dawn in which we can become who want to
be.
Modernity of society also enabled us to have more
flexible rules towards different people who orients themselves as
divergent on the influences of society, this greatly decreases odds
of being discriminated and this paved way to a more vocal society
which is essential in nations who allows free-speech.
I AM WHO I AM
Jean Piaget theorized the development of human intelligence, he
indicated that cognitive development is a progressive
reorganization of mental processes resulting from biological
maturation and environmental experience.
This basically means that we humans learn from our
surroundings. That by experiencing from this existence, by feeling
different emotions, be it sadness, happiness, pleasure, etc., we get
to internalize this and reflect from these actions, and from said
actions we can then form out a feedback.
That is why you are you, our experiences differ from
one another. A stimuli would have different reaction within your
body and this differs from people to people, that is why it is blatant
to judge someone else’s experience, because we have different
responses to different experience invoked.
The Self in Western
and Eastern Thought
Western concept of self, Frank Johnson emphasized the four
categories on how the term “self” is used in contemporary western
discussions: the analytical, monotheistic, individualistic and
materialistic or rationalistic.
While Eastern thought, is believed, that life is a journey
toward spiritual truths that are above the realities that we are
acquainted with. In their perspective, they need to discover their
true “Me”.
Though both eastern and western differ, there are
aspects of it that influenced certain perception of the self. That’s
why some people has differing concepts towards their version of
self. That’s why our culture can heavily influence our definition of
self, because it has been constituted to us from our ancestors and
since has been shaped depending upon the need of society.

Common questions

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Cultural heritage influences one's concept of self by providing historical perceptions and norms passed down through generations, which shape the individual in response to the evolving needs of society. These cultural aspects are deeply ingrained, affecting how individuals perceive themselves within the context of tradition and modernity .

Socrates contends that self-examination is essential for leading a meaningful life because it allows individuals to assess their identity, embracing change and personal growth. This introspection is critical for developing an authentic self and moving beyond static perceptions to explore new aspects of oneself .

Modern society's flexibility in norms fosters individual identity by creating an environment that supports diverse expressions of self. Flexible rules reduce discrimination and promote free speech, allowing individuals to navigate, express, and develop their identities in ways that align with personal values rather than rigid societal expectations .

Society plays a significant role in shaping the self by establishing norms, cultures, and values that influence individual perception. Although potentially destructive by altering one's identity perception, societal influence allows for the overthrow of biological determinism, enabling greater individual freedom, flexibility in norms, and reduced discrimination, contributing to individual identity formation in modern contexts .

Western philosophy typically views the self through categories such as analytical, monotheistic, individualistic, and materialistic or rationalistic perspectives. In contrast, Eastern philosophy sees life as a journey towards spiritual truths beyond material realities, emphasizing the discovery of the true 'Me'. These differences lead to diverse concepts of self that are influenced by cultural heritage and the changing needs of society .

The Eastern pursuit of discovering the ‘true Me’ focuses on spiritual enlightenment and understanding deeper universal truths, contrasting with the Western emphasis on individualism, personal achievements, and materialistic success. The former seeks inner harmony and universal connection, while the latter prioritizes self-determined goals and rational self-analysis .

Societal influence can profoundly impact personal identity by altering self-perceptions and creating conflicts between societal expectations and individual desires. This may lead to identity confusion, stress, or loss of authenticity, but it can also promote personal flexibility and adaptability by encouraging diversity and acceptance .

Cognitive development theories, like Piaget's, and philosophical views on the self both emphasize the dynamic and evolving nature of identity. Piaget highlights the role of environmental and biological interactions in forming the self, similar to philosophical viewpoints that see identity as ever-changing and influenced by internal and external factors .

Changes in self-perception are significantly impacted by societal advancements, as these shifts alter cultural norms and values, influence individual identities, and promote more inclusive and diverse conceptions of self. As society progresses, individuals are encouraged to explore identities beyond traditional roles, leading to evolving self-understandings .

Jean Piaget contributed to understanding the self by theorizing that cognitive development involves a progressive reorganization of mental processes resulting from biological maturation and environmental experiences. This suggests that individuals learn from their surroundings, with experiences, emotions, and social interactions shaping the feedback that forms personal identity .

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