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Week

1
Lesson 1 Knowing Oneself 3
Strengths and Limitations
As an individual, we commonly see other people9s manner of doing things,
belief, and lifestyle. Most of the time, we give comments and/or judgment on how
they behave and react in certain scenarios. However, it is observed that most
people find it hard to make good and sound evaluation towards their own behavior,
traits, and personality. In this lesson, we will try to know ourselves better by having
careful reflections on how we see ourselves as an individual and understanding
our characters particularly as young and late adolescent.

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the nature of Biology. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary
level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the
course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with
the textbook you are now using.

The lesson in this module is about Knowing Oneself. After going through
this module, you are expected to:
1. Explain that knowing oneself can make a person accept his/her
strengths and limitations and dealing with others better.
What’s In
Start knowing yourself better. Kindly work with a partner (anyone who is
available to give you some assistance) and assess how well you know yourself by
listing down your values, characteristics and/or traits using the Four Quadrants
of Oneself. (Be guided by the instructions below.) Be able to discuss to your
teacher/guide or partner/buddy the result of this activity using your output.

I. Values you know well you possess

II. Values you and others knew you possess
III. Values you and others hardly knew you possess
IV. Values others knew well you possess

I II
self and others
Well-known by

Well-known by
self alone

Well-known by
Hardly known by
self and others

others alone

III IV

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What’s New
Self-Development
As an adolescent, it is undeniable that during this year, you find it most
important to know yourselves deeper. You most of the time find yourself asking 8what
do you really want9 or 8why do you really like doing these things
or being with these people9.

You may find it queer that you are starting to ask yourself questions, but you
have got to understand that you are not the only person who experienced it. In other
words, what you are experiencing is just normal. Now that you are in your middle
or late adolescence we can say that you may have discovered changes in your life,
or in your behavior or attitude that compel you to discover more.

Self-development is a process of discovering oneself by realizing one's

potentials and capabilities that are shaped over time either by studying in a formal
school or through environmental factors. Along this realization, an individual
encounters gradual changes deep within him/her that may help him/her overcome
unacceptable practices or traits which lead him towards positive change
for his growth or self-fulfillment. It is also called personal development.

On the other hand, examining yourself, most specifically how you react on
things, your belief, traits, and values is one of the most complicated things to do
in the world. You must understand, though, that it is not that simple.
In fact, it follows a process.

This lesson will be of great help for you to rediscover yourself better. Let us
start by knowing some concepts of understanding oneself.

Know Thyself
<An unexamined life is not worth living=, this is one of the famous lines once
uttered by one of the greatest philosophers of Ancient Greek, Socrates.

Know Thyself is an old maxim or aphorism which in time has been used
in varied literature and consequently gained different meanings. One of its meanings
is recorded in the Greek encyclopedia of knowledge called <The Suda=.

Thomas Hobbes also discussed his own views about the maxim from
which he used the phrase <read thyself= in his famous work The Leviathan. He
stressed that an individual could learn more by studying others and that he/she can
do this by engaging himself/herself to reading books. However, Hobbes emphasized
that a person learns more by studying oneself.

He further elaborates his views about know thyself from which he states
that a man who looks into himself/herself and considers contemplating on what
he/she did or what he/she thinks, reasons, hopes and/or fears and to what grounds
he/she feels all these can consequently learn how to read and learn others9 thoughts
and passions in similar occasions.

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Thus, this statement leads us to the realization that knowing oneself

is the open door that leads us to knowing others better.

Authors of other materials related to this idea believe that 8know thyself9 is a
moral epistemological injunction. This suggests that the philosophy is the acquiring
the skills of way of questioning or challenging the person to gain careful
understanding of oneself. It is a form of self-concern.

Self-Concept
Self-concept is ones abstract and general idea about him/herself particularly
toward his/her unique personality and his/her own perception about his/her set
of values, point of views and behavior.

This theory began as Rene Descartes, the Father of Modern Philosophy,

proposed his theory that a person9s existence depends on his/her perception. Rene
Descartes stated that mind is the seat of consciousness.

This means that it is in the mind that we know everything about ourselves like
our identity, passion, interest, feelings, and/or intellect, thus everything that we are
comes from the mind.

Self-concept theory has a lot of suppositions regarding how people learn

to judge themselves. Among these Sincero named three aspects such as:

Self-concept is learned. This explains that no individual is born

with self-concept. A person will soon develop this as he/she grows old. This
means that self-concept can only be acquired as soon as the person learns how
to mingle with others and so this indicates that self-concept is influenced
by the person9s environment and can be a product of the person9s socialization.

Self-concept is organized. This stresses out that one9s perception towards

himself/herself is firm. This means that a person may hear other people9s point
of view regarding himself/herself but will keep on believing that what he/she thinks
of himself/herself is always the right one. Change on one9s perceptions towards
himself/herself, however, may also be possible but it takes time.

Self-concept is dynamic. As an individual grows older, he/she continues

to encounter problems or challenges that may reveal his/her self-concept
in that particular time or situation. A person will respond to the scenario
based on his/her own insights and how he/she perceives himself/herself
in the situation. Thus, self-concept undergoes development as the person goes
through different experiences.

Aside from the philosophers above, Sigmund Freud who is a well-known

psychologist, neurologist and the creator of Psychoanalysis Theory and the father
of psychoanalysis, proposed that there are three components of personality within
us: the Id, Ego and Superego that certainly play a vital role of how we think
of ourselves.

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The Id. Freud explained that man's personality is driven by pleasure principle.
This means that the nature of Id is to satisfy man's desire without thinking much
of the situation. This nature is being developed at a young age or present from birth.
To illustrate this idea let us take this as an example. An infant will cry if he/she
wants to be fed to satisfy his/her hunger. An infant cannot exactly explain what
he/she really wants. Also, infants do grab things and would want to get things on
their hands not minding if they hurt nor if they are important or not. All they want
is to get them for they want them. This is the nature of Id, when the id wants it the
rest are no longer important. However, this instinct is controlled by the ego and
superego as these aspects are developed in man9s life later.

The Ego. This is the second component of the personality that is developed
at approximately the age of three. This operates according to reality which makes
it possible for the Id to work in a more proper and satisfactory ways. The ego will give
a more socially accepted means of getting the desires and wants of a person without
getting to hurt other9s feelings. In other words, it is the job of the
ego to provide a man some guidelines on how to behave accordingly
while he fulfilled his pleasure.

This component of our personality is manifested whenever we try to satisfy

our cravings without compromising our self-image to others.

The Superego. Freud believed that this aspect of man begins to manifest
as a child turns 5. This is the last component of personality which holds our moral
judgments or concept of right and wrong that are believed to be acquired
from the family and the environment.

This personality is developed as man learns the culture of distinguishing right

from wrong based on the set of guidelines and standards that are known to people
which might have been probably imposed by the people in the community like
parents, teachers, elders or the community as a whole. Therefore, superego directs
a man9s life for him to avoid hurting others.

What is It
Various artists use arts to express their innermost thoughts
through painting, photos, cartoons, murals, and the likes. Our appreciation
and judgment of others9 works might reveal our innermost thoughts
and theirs, as well.

Challenge 1: Editorial Cartoon Analysis

Directions: Study the editorial cartoon below. Answer the questions that follow.
Do this on your answer sheet.

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1. What do you think is the message of the cartoon? Do you agree

with the cartoonist?
2. How would you describe the thought of the cartoonist
toward adolescents?

Intelligence is not having the mind to see other

people’s mistakes but learning to have the
heart to accept them. #Stopcyberbullying.
1. How would you interpret the line in connection to cyber bullying?
Do you agree with it? Give concrete situation to justify your answer.
2. Visualize the situation being presented by the author.
3. In what certain scenario do you think would this line be applicable?

What’s More

Activity 1 Discussing and Understanding Terms and

Philosophies of Knowing Oneself
Knowing Oneself is quite an easy task but it requires a lot of self-assessment
and some <me= time in order to be very much adept with how one must analyze
his/her way of behaving, interacting and living his/her life with other people in
his/her community.
In this part of the module you are to do the following things to enable yourself
to measure the things you gained about Knowing Oneself.
Activity 1.1. Define the following terms below in your own words.
1. Self ____________________________________________________________
2. Knowing Thyself ____________________________________________________________
3. Ed ____________________________________________________________
4. Ego ____________________________________________________________
5. Superego ____________________________________________________________

Activity 1.2. Briefly discuss the principles and concepts

of the famous philosophers. Do this on your paper.
1. <Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering
others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.= - Lao Tzu
2. <Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.= - Aristotle

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Activity 1.3. Learning the Skill: Understanding Conceptual Paradigm

1. Study the conceptual framework below. Analyze the connections of the elements
and explain it in a concise manner.

What I Have Learned

1. Self-development means is taking steps to better yourself. It also
means efforts toward self-fulfillment.
2. Know Thyself is an old maxim or aphorism gained different
meanings.
3. <The Suda= is the encyclopedia of Greek knowledge wherein the concept
of Know Thyself is interpreted in different meanings.

4. Thomas Hobbes used the phrase <read thyself= to stress out that an
individual can learn more by studying others and that he/she can do this by
engaging himself/herself to reading book.

5. Knowing oneself is the beginning of all wisdom according to Aristotle.

6. Know thyself is a moral epistemological injunction according to some
writers which means acquiring the skills of way of questioning or
challenging the person to gain careful understanding of oneself.

7. Self-concept is ones abstract and general idea about him/herself

particularly toward his/her unique personality and his/her own perception
about his/her set of values, point of views and behaviour.

8. Rene Descartes states that mind is the seat of consciousness.

9. Self-concept have three aspects as enumerated by Sincero namely: Self-
concept is 1.) learned, 2.) organized, and 3.) dynamic.

10. There are three components of self, according to Sigmund Freud

namely: 1.) The Id, 2) The Ego, and 3.) The Superego.

What I Can Do
Now that you have a better grasp of yourself, you are to do
this activity. Recall the most important event/s of your life which you believe to have
helped you discover yourself more. Complete the road map below. Consider
the instructions given. Do this on a sheet of paper.

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____________________________________
Title of the Road Map

Name three traits/values you Justify why you

will constantly and consistently would still choose
share with others so that they the road you have
will also overcome the chosen to take.
challenges of their lives. ____________________
___________________________ _____________
Describe how your traits
State one good reason why you which you have gained
won9t choose to change yourself through your
or your present thoughts. experiences, have helped
___________________________ you surpass your
life9s challenges.
________________________
Name the changes you have
___
noticed in yourself after
encountering challenges you List down things/activities
have indicated in part 5 you do that make/s you
<Bridge.= strong whenever you feel
___________________________ so down...
__________________________
State things you have realized _
after overcoming problem/s List down the positive things
when no one was there to help that happened to you after
you. ___________________________ learning the lessons you have
in Gas Station 1.
___________________________

Describe yourself before you Name the first problem you

have encountered the have encountered that has
problem. given you a good lessons in
life.
__________________________
___________________________

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Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter
on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What explains the phrase <read thyself= of Thomas Hobbes?
a. It is the effort toward self-fulfillment.
b. an individual can learn more by studying others.
c. must not boast and attend to the opinion of others.
d. learning through one9s experiences and achievements

2. Which does NOT state the nature of The Id?

a. starts from birth
b. focuses on one9s desire
c. develops at the age of 5
d. satisfies pleasure principle

3. Which states FACT about The Superego?

a. acquired from birth
b. holds persons moral judgment
c. developed for a long period of time
d. affected by persons unique identify

4. Which statement can define The Ego?

a. satisfies ones wants
b. operates according to reality
c. develops according to one9s desire
d. affects persons opinion toward himself

5. Which statement is true about mind as the seat of consciousness as defined

by Rene Descartes?
a. through our minds we perceive the future
b. through our minds we know ourselves better
c. through our minds we realized our past experiences
d. through our minds we keep on discovering people9s belief

6. Which is NOT true about self-development?

a. Every people will undergo this process.
b. Everybody will look for ways to understand himself/herself.
c. Everyone will find it difficult to know himself/herself better.
d. Every individual has the chance of knowing himself/herself better.

7. What is likely to happen when one gained complete understanding

of himself/herself?
a. He/She will seek professional help.
b. He/She will find difficult knowing others.
c. He/She will build a better life on his/her own.
d. He/She will take his/her part in the society successfully.

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8. To where a person is believed to acquire his/her first and primary concept of

right and wrong?
a. from his/her family
b. from his/her school
c. from his/her friends
d. from his/her society

9. Why should a person develop The Ego?

a. He/She will become more mature
b. He/She will appear more educated
c. He/She will gain be more successful
d. He/She will learn how to control his/her instincts.

10. Why is The Superego important?

a. This gives person guidelines of distinguishing right from wrong.
b. This teaches an individual to be more careful of his/her actions.
c. This provides concept of communities9 rules for judging people9s actions.
d. This helps one realize whether actions of others are needed to be
judged.

11. Why did Lao Tzu say that Mastering yourself is true power?
a. Mastering one9s personality will give you courage to do everything.
b. Knowing yourself will effectively increase your strength and positive
traits.
c. Being familiar with one9s personality is really an advantage for one to
outstand the rest.
d. Knowing oneself will allow one to respond to a situation according to
his/her behavior.

12. What idea is embedded in the phrase, <Mastering others is strength.=

a. Knowing others is gift
b. Knowing others is ability
c. Knowing others is a talent
d. Knowing others is mastery

13. What is the probable reason why The Suda reminds people not to be affected
by others opinion?
a. Other people point of view is very belittling.
b. People have tendency to forget old teachings.
c. Self-concept does not concentrate on people9s opinion.
d. Self-concept does not value the point of view of others towards oneself.

14. What is meant by <Knowing others is intelligence.=?

a. Having ideas towards identify of others is just a mental state.
b. Getting to know others is also a gift that only few are blessed.
c. Knowing how to deal with different personalities is a special talent.
d. It is not easy to know others it requires mental capability to do this.

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15. What is meant by <Knowing yourself is true wisdom.=?

a. Self-concept is a great power of mind.

b. Knowing oneself is achieving a higher level of thinking.
c. Knowing oneself is a process that is developed self-discovery.
d. Self-concept is a kind of intelligence that developed through
education.

Additional Activities
You are indeed successful in studying this lesson, now you are to do a certain
task to enhance your skills in knowing yourself better.

They say that people do live in accordance or opposite to what their names
suggest. Kindly ask your parents, guardian, or relatives of a short history of how they
name you. You may also surf the net of the meaning of your name.

After having the knowledge regarding the definition of your name, face the
mirror, contemplate, and relax for a moment. You are to recall happy thoughts and
the lowest moment of your life. In your mind, try to list down things that makes you
familiar with your behavior, personality, actions, and values.

Then, after a moment of contemplating make a diary note and write down your
thoughts there. Be guided by the instructions below.

Write a three-paragraph reflection on how you lived your life for the past five
years. Please take note of the guide questions given below.

1. Have you lived in accordance or opposite of your name?

2. What delivered you to having this kind of life?

3. What would you like to retain the same or to change your life?
4. What best quote can sum up your life?

My Life

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