COURSE: VAL01– UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

The Self from Various

Perspectives

A. Explain why it is essential to understand the self.

B. Discuss the different notions of the self from the points of view of the
various philosophers across time and place.
C. Compare and contrast how the self has been represented in
different philosophical schools.

📝 Guide Questions:
1. Have you ever wondered who you really are
beyond your name, looks, and roles in life?
2. Why do you think it’s important to understand
Philosophy: Knowing Who You Are yourself before trying to understand others or
the world around you?

Welcome to our first topic, which is Philosophy. In today’s generation, you’ve probably heard this
word many times, but maybe you haven’t really paused to think about what it truly means.

Now, here’s a question for you:

Who are you?

Sounds simple, right? But the more you think about it, the deeper it gets. That’s where Philosophy
comes in the love for wisdom.

The word itself comes from two Greek words: “Philos” (love) and “Sophia” (wisdom). So literally,
Philosophy means “Love of Wisdom.”

Philosophy helps us search for truth through reason, logic, and reflection — not just by accepting
what others tell us. It asks questions like:

❖ “Why am I here?”
❖ “What does it mean to live a good life?”
❖ “What makes me me?”

So, let’s explore how some of the greatest thinkers in history tried to answer these timeless
questions about the self.

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THE ANCIENT TRIUMVIRATE

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Let’s travel back in time to Ancient Greece — the birthplace of Western philosophy. There, three
brilliant thinkers shaped how we understand ourselves: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

Socrates (469–399 BC): “Know Thyself”

Socrates believed that an unexamined life is not worth living.

He taught that before we try to understand the universe, we must first understand ourselves.
He would often ask probing questions like, “What is justice?” or “What is happiness?” to make
people think deeply. This approach, called the Socratic Method, is still used today — even in
classrooms like ours — when teachers encourage students to question rather than just memorize.

Let’s pause and reflect:

When was the last time you really asked yourself why you
think or act a certain way?
That’s Socrates’ spirit — learning through self-examination.

Plato (427–347 BC): The Body and the Soul

Plato, a student of Socrates, believed that every human being is made of two parts: a body and a
soul.
He taught that true knowledge doesn’t come from what we see or touch, but from what we
understand with our soul. He said, “If we are ever to have pure knowledge, we must get rid of the
body and contemplate things by the soul itself.”

In simpler terms, Plato was saying that wisdom is found within — not just through physical
experience, but through deep thought and inner reflection.

Think about it: Have you ever felt that your heart knew something even before your mind did? That’s your inner wisdom — the
soul that Plato was talking about.

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Aristotle (384–322 BC): The Blank Slate

Next came Aristotle, Plato’s student, who believed that the mind starts as a tabula rasa — a blank
slate.

According to him, everything we know comes from experience. He said that knowledge is acquired
through the senses, and our understanding develops as we observe and interact with the world.

If you’ve ever learned something by doing — like learning to cook, drive, or play an instrument — you’ve
already practiced Aristotle’s idea of experiential learning.

As future professionals, this is important: your growth will depend on what you see, experience, and
reflect on — not just what you read in books.

The Self from Various Perspectives

Now that we’ve heard from the ancient philosophers, let’s move forward in time. Different thinkers
from different eras continued the same quest — to understand the self.

Here are some key perspectives that shaped how we view ourselves today:

St. Augustine (354–430)

He believed that man is made in the image and likeness of God.

He reflected that his own mistakes came from seeking truth and
happiness in worldly things rather than in God.

This reminds us that sometimes, understanding ourselves also

means reconnecting with our spiritual side.

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René Descartes (1596–1650): “I Think, Therefore I Am”

Descartes, known as the Father of Modern Philosophy, believed that our

ability to think proves our existence.

When you say, “I’m thinking right now,” that alone is proof that you exist. For
him, the mind defines who we are — more than the body.

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John Locke (1632–1704)

Locke viewed the self as built from conscious experience.

He said our identity is shaped by our memories, choices, and awareness.
That means who you are today is a reflection of everything you’ve learned
and experienced.

Can you think of one memory that shaped how you see yourself? That’s your
self-knowledge in action.

David Hume (1711–1776)

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Hume disagreed with the idea of a permanent self.

He said we are simply a bundle of perceptions — always changing, never
fixed.

When you think about it, you’re not exactly the same person you were five
years ago, right? Your habits, opinions, and even dreams evolve. Hume
would say that’s perfectly natural — change is part of being human.
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Immanuel Kant (1724–1804)

Kant believed that humans are free agents capable of making their own
decisions.
He said, “All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds to
understanding, and ends with reason.”

So yes, our senses help us experience the world, but our reason helps us
make sense of it. That’s what gives us freedom — the ability to choose what’s
right.
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Sigmund Freud (1856–1939)

Freud, the Father of Psychoanalysis, explored how our mind is divided

into three parts — the id, ego, and superego.

The SUPEREGO is our moral conscience — it tells us

what’s right or wrong.

The EGO acts as the mediator — balancing what we want

with what we should do. Image: AI-generated

The ID is our instinct — it wants pleasure and immediate satisfaction.

Freud believed that much of this battle happens in the subconscious — a place we’re not even
fully aware of.

Have you ever done something and then wondered, “Why did I do that?” That’s your subconscious
at work.

For further learning, you may watch the following supplementary video: [Link]

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Gilbert Ryle (1900–1976)

Ryle focused on language and logic, saying many philosophical problems

come from misunderstanding words. He believed that the mind is not a
separate thing from the body, but something that is expressed through
behavior.

So, the next time you say “I’m thinking,” remember that thought isn’t just in
your head — it’s in your actions, too.

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Paul Churchland (b. 1942)

Churchland brought in a scientific view: he claimed that the brain is the

essence of the self.
For him, who we are — our memories, emotions, and morals — all come
from brain functions.
So, when we talk about “knowing ourselves,” we’re also talking about
understanding our brain’s role in shaping our behavior.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908–1961) Image: AI-generated

Merleau-Ponty took a more experiential approach.

He rejected the idea that mind and body are separate. Instead, he said, we
know the world through our lived experience.

When you touch something warm, hear a song that moves you, or walk
under the rain — you’re experiencing knowledge. Learning, for him,
happens through the body in the world.

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Reflection: Bringing It All Together

As you can see, each philosopher had a unique way of understanding the self.
Some focused on the soul, others on the mind, experience, or even the brain — but all were
searching for the same thing: what it means to be human.

Remember, understanding yourself is not a one-time event — it’s a lifelong journey.

Now, take a moment and reflect:

1. Which philosopher’s view resonates most with how you see yourself?
2. Are you more like Aristotle, who learns by experience? Or maybe Descartes, who believes thinking defines
existence?

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Key Takeaways

Philosophy, as we’ve learned, literally means “love of wisdom.” It encourages us to think deeply,
question meaningfully, and seek truth in our experiences. One of its greatest lessons is that
understanding begins with knowing yourself because before we can make sense of the world,
we must first make sense of who we are.

Throughout history, many great thinkers from Socrates to Freud have explored what it means to
be human. Each one offered unique insights into the nature of the self, helping us see that there’s
no single way to define who we are.

Depending on how you look at it, the self can be understood in different ways: it can be spiritual,
as seen by St. Augustine; mental, as discussed by Descartes and Freud; experiential, like
Aristotle and Merleau-Ponty believed; or even biological, as explained by modern thinkers like
Paul Churchland.

In the end, philosophy reminds us that discovering ourselves is a lifelong journey — one that
combines the mind, the body, and the heart in our search for wisdom.

Final Thought

“Excellence in life begins with understanding yourself. The more you know who you are, the better
you can serve others — and the world.”

Wrap-Up Questions:

1. Which philosopher’s idea about the self do you relate to the most, and why?
2. How does understanding yourself help you make better decisions in real life?
3. If you were to create your own philosophy about life, what would be its main
idea?
4. Do you believe that experience or reason shapes who we are more? Explain
your answer.
5. How can self-awareness contribute to your personal growth as a student and
future professional?

➢ Aristotle. (1999). Nicomachean Ethics (W. D. Ross, Trans.). Batoche Books.

➢ Augustine, St. (1998). Confessions (H. Chadwick, Trans.). Oxford University Pres
➢ Churchland, P. (1988). Matter and Consciousness: A Contemporary Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind. MIT Press.
➢ Descartes, R. (1996). Meditations on First Philosophy (J. Cottingham, Trans.). Cambridge University Press.

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Performance Activity: “Philosophy in Real Life”

Activity Title:
“The Mirror of the Self: Applying Philosophy in Everyday Decisions”

Instructions:
1. Read the real-life scenarios below.
2. Choose two (2) situations and answer the guide questions provided after each.
3. Reflect using the philosophers’ ideas discussed in the module (e.g., Socrates,
Aristotle, Descartes, Freud, etc.).
4. Write your answers in paragraph form (5–7 sentences each).
5. Your reflection must be honest, thoughtful, and connected to philosophical
concepts.
6. Answer the activity in a Word or PDF file, then upload your completed work
on our LMS.

Real-Life Scenarios:

1. Academic Pressure
You’ve been struggling to keep up with your online classes. You start questioning
your purpose and motivation.
o How would Socrates advise you to handle this situation?

o How can self-reflection help you make better decisions?

2. Social Media Identity

You notice that people often post ideal versions of themselves online. Sometimes
you feel pressured to do the same.

o What would Plato say about distinguishing the “real self” from
appearances?

o How does this relate to your self-concept and authenticity?

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3. Peer Influence
Your friends invite you to skip class to hang out. You feel torn between fun and
responsibility.

o How would Immanuel Kant view your freedom to choose in this case?

o What is the morally right decision according to reason?

4. Decision Making and Emotions

You want to pursue a dream course, but your parents want something else for
you.

o How would David Hume’s idea about emotions influence your choice?
o How can you balance reason and passion?

5. Handling Mistakes
You made an error in a group project, and your classmates blamed you. You feel
guilty and ashamed.

o What would St. Augustine teach about guilt and forgiveness?

o How can you turn this experience into personal growth?

6. Temptation and Control

You promised to save money, but you keep spending on things you don’t need.

o Apply Freud’s Id, Ego, and Superego to explain your behavior.

o How can your ego help you make wiser choices next time?

7. Learning by Experience
You failed an exam but learned valuable lessons from it.

o How does Aristotle’s idea of learning through experience apply here?

o How will you use this failure to improve yourself?

8. Body and Mind

You often feel insecure about your physical appearance.

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o How would Merleau-Ponty remind you about the connection between

mind, body, and experience?

o How can you develop a more positive self-view?

9. Conflict with Others

You had an argument with a friend who misunderstood you.

o How would Gilbert Ryle’s philosophy about language and meaning help
you resolve it?

o Why is communication important in understanding the self?

10. Technology and Humanity

You rely heavily on gadgets and social media for almost everything.

• What might Paul Churchland say about how the brain and technology shape your
sense of self?

• How can you maintain balance between digital life and real life?

Criteria Description Points

Philosophical Demonstrates clear understanding and correct 8 pts

Understanding application of philosophical concepts (e.g., Socratic
reflection, Freud’s theory, etc.)

Depth of Reflection Provides meaningful, personal, and well-explained 6 pts

insights; connects theory to real-life experiences

Clarity and Answers are well-structured, coherent, and written in 3 pts

Organization complete sentences

Creativity and Shows unique perspective, honest self-expression, or 3 pts

Originality creative connection between ideas

Total 20 pts

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