UNDERSTANDING THE SELF -He suggests that the self is

synonymous with the soul.

PHILOSOPHY
-He believes that every human
-Employs the inquisitive mind to possesses an immortal soul that
discover the ultimate causes, survives the physical body
reasons and principles of
everything. PLATO

-It goes beyond scientific -The self is an immortal soul

investigation by exploring all
areas of knowledge such as For him, the three elements of
religion, psychology, politics, the soul/self are:
physics and even medicine. Reason- the divine
-Hence, the etymological essence that enables people to
definition of philosophy “love of think deeply, make wise choices,
wisdom” could pertain to the and achieve a true
desire for truth. understanding of eternal truths.

-The nature of the self is a topic Physical appetite- includes

of interest among philosophers. the basic biological needs such
as hunger, thirst and sexual
-Philosophical framework for desire.
understanding the self was first
introduced by the ancient Greek Spirit or passion- includes
philosophers Socrates, Plato and the basic emotions such as love,
Aristotle. anger, ambition, aggressiveness
and empathy.
-Most Philosophers agree that
self-knowledge is a prerequisite Note: these three elements of
to a happy and meaningful life. ourselves are in a dynamic
relationship with one another,
Socrates sometimes in conflict. When
conflict occurs, Plato believes it
-An unexamined life is not worth is the responsibility of Reason to
living sort things out and exert control.
“Know thyself” He introduces the concepts of
two worlds:
-World of forms (non-physical -Includes the intellect that allows
ideas) – real and permanent man to understand things

-World of sense (reality) - -He suggests that the rational

temporary nature of the self is to lead a
good, flourishing and fulfilling life
-Since the soul is regarded as (self-actualization)
something permanent, man
should give more importance to it JOHN LOCKE
than the physical body which
resides in the world of sense. -The self is consciousness

Humans differ from other living -The human mind at birth is

things because of their capacity “tabula rasa” or a blank state
for rational thinking -He feels that the self is
ARISTOTLE constructed primarily from sense
experiences
-The soul is the essence of the
self. ● What people see
● Hear
-Do not consider the body and ● Smell
soul as separate entities. ● Taste
● Feel
-Anything with life has a soul.
´ These experiences shape and
-Humans differ from other living mold the self throughout a
things because of their capacity person’s life
for rational thinking
● For him, conscious
Three kinds of soul awareness and memory of
Vegetative soul- the physical previous experiences are
body that can grow. the keys to understanding
the self.
Sentient soul- sensual desires, ● Self-consciousness is
feelings and emotions. necessary to have a
coherent personal identity
Rational soul- what makes man
or knowledge of the self as
human.
a person.
 ● Consciousness is what ST. AUGUSTINE
makes identity a person
similar in different -The self has an immortal soul.
situations. -“I am doubting, therefore I
JOHN LOCKE am”.

Locke is proposing that people -The African philosopher, is

could use the power of reason to regarded as a saint in the
gain knowledge and Catholic Church.
consequently use this knowledge
to understand experiences.
-At first, Augustine believes that
Knowledge is based on careful the physical body is radically
observation of experiences different from and inferior to its
Reason plays an important role inhabitant, the immortal soul.
in helping to figure out the -As his thinking matured, he
significance of sense experience developed a more unified
and to reach intelligent perspective on the body and
conclusions soul.
ST. AUGUSTINE -He ultimately came to view the
-In his work, Confessions, body as the “spouse” of the
Augustine describes that soul, both are attached to one
humankind is created in the another by a “natural appetite”.
image and likeness of God. -He believes that the body is
-He is convinced that the self is united with the soul, so that man
known only through knowing may be entire and complete
God. Philosophical perspectives of:
-Self-knowledge is a ● René Descartes
consequence of knowledge of ● Immanuel Kant
God ● David Hume Gilbert
● Ryle Paul Churchland
● Maurice Merleau – Pont
René Descartes Immanuel Kant

-Father of modern philosophy -We construct the self

-“I think therefore I am” is the -It is the self that makes
keystone of Descartes’ concept experiencing an intelligible world
of self. possible because it is the self
that is actively organizing and
-For him, the act of thinking synthesizing all of our thoughts
about the self- of being self- and perceptions.
conscious- is in itself proof that
there is a self. -In other words, the self
constructs it own reality, actively
-He is confident that no rational creating a world that is familiar,
person will doubt his or her own predictable and most
existence as a conscious significantly, mine
thinking entity while we are
thinking about ourselves. -Through rationality, people are
able to understand certain
abstract ideas that have no
Two dimensions of human corresponding physical object or
self: sensory experience.
David Hume
The self as thinking entity There is no self
(soul)
According to him, what people
● Non-material experience is just a bundle or
● Immortal collection of different
● conscious being, and perceptions.
● independent of the physical
laws of the universe Hume maintains that if people
carefully examine the contents of
The self as physical their experience, they will find
● body material that there are only distinct
● mortal identities:
● non-thinking entity ● Impressions
● fully-governed by the ● Ideas
physical laws of nature
Impressions PAUL CHURCHLAND

● The basic sensations of -The self is the brain

people’s experience such
as hate, love, joy, grief, -Canadian philosopher
pain, cold and heat. advocates the idea of eliminative
● Are vivid perceptions and materialism or the idea that the
are strong and lively. self is inseparable from the brain
and the physiology of the body.
Ideas
-All a person has is the brain,
● Thoughts and images from and so if the brain is gone, there
impressions so they are is no self.
less lively and vivid.
-The physical brain and not the
-Subsequently, the idea of imaginary mind, gives people the
personal identity is a result of sense of the self.
imagination.
-The mind does not really exist
Gilbert RyLe because it cannot be
experienced by the senses.
-The self is the way people
behave Maurice MerleauPonty

-British philosopher, Gilbert Ryle -French philosopher

believes that the self is best
understood as a pattern of -The mind and body are so
behavior. intertwined that they cannot be
separated from one another
-The tendency or disposition of a
person to behave in a certain -One cannot find any experience
way in certain circumstances. that is not an embodied
experience
-Philosophical principle: “I act
therefore I am” -The living body, his thoughts,
emotions, and experiences are
-The mind expresses the entire all one
system of thoughts, emotions
and actions that make up the
human self
PSYCHOLOGICAL  Reflects the soul of a
PERSPECTIVE person or the mind which
OF THE SELF is also called the Pure Ego.
•Me-Self
-Carl Jung
 The empirical self which
For a young person, it is almost refers to the person’s
a sin, or at least a danger, to be personal experiences and
too preoccupied with himself; but is further divided into
for ageing person, it is a duty subcategories:
and a necessity to devote
serious attention to himself. Me-Self subcategories

Psychological Perspective 1.The Material Self

 attributed to an individual’s
 •This chapter outlines the
physical attributes and
Psychological theories that
material possessions that
influence the way people
contributes to one’s self-
understand the self.
image.
 •Consistent with Carl
Rogers’s theory of the self, 2.Social Self
an important aspect of  refers to who a person is
understanding the self is and how he or she acts in
“self-awareness”. social situations.
 •How much an adolescent
is aware of his/her own 3.Spiritual Self
psychological make-up,  refers to the most intimate
what makes him or her and important part of the
unique as a person, as well self that includes the
as his or her strengths and person’s purpose, core
weaknesses. values, conscience, and
CONCEPT OF THE SELF moral behavior.
ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT  James believes that the
PSYCHOLOGISTS path to understanding the
spiritual self requires
William James introspection.
“The Me-Self and I-Self Carl Rogers
•I-Self •The Real Self and Ideal Self
 Refers to the self that •Real Self
knows who he or she is  consists of all the ideas,
also called the Thinking including the awareness of
Self.
 what one is and what one adolescents. These
can do. challenges contribute
heavily to the young
•Ideal Self person’s struggle for a
 the person’s conception of unified self.
what one should be or what
 •The task of integrating
one aspires to be which
one’s multiple selves
includes one’s goals and
naturally causes concern.
ambitions in life.
Given the enormous
challenges of self-
integration, it is important
that adolescents are
supported in their effort to
create a consistent,
coherent, or unified theory
of the self (santrock, 2002)

TRUE VS. FALSE SELF

MULTIPLE VS. UNIFIED

SELF AND
TRUE VS. FALSE SELF

MULTIPLE VS. UNIFIED

•Multiple self
 •The construction of
multiple selves varies
ALBERT BANDURA
across different
interpersonal and THE SELF AS A PROACTIVE
intrapersonal roles and
AND GENETIC
relationships.
•Unified self The main features of human
 •Coping with different agency
selves constitutes a
Intentionally
formidable task among
 • Refers to acts done Persona
intentionally. Intentions
center on plans of action • refers to social roles that
with the anticipation of individuals present to
possible outcomes. others.

Shadow

Forethought • refers to the repressed

thoughts that are socially
• Enables the person to unacceptable. This
anticipate the likely archetype is often
consequences of considered as the dark side
prospective actions. of the psyche.
Through the exercise of
forethought, people are Animus/Anima
guided in their actions in • anima is the feminine side
the anticipation of future of the male psyche
events.
• animus is the masculine
Self-reactiveness side of the female psyche.
• Involves making choices Self
and choosing appropriate
courses of action as well as • the self is the central
motivating and regulating archetype that unites all
them. parts of the psyche.

Self-reflectiveness

• Gives the person the ability

to reflect upon and the
adequacy of his or her
thoughts and actions.

The role of erik Erikson’s

theory in understanding the
self
The self as the central
archetype (carl jung)
Psychosocial stages of become more confident
development and secure in their own
abilities.
• If children are overly
protected, they may
become overly dependent
on their parents and feel a
sense of shame or doubt in
their own abilities.
• Erikson believes that this
BASIC TRUST stage has important
INFANT implications in the
BASIC MISTRUST development of
• Occurs in the first year of independence and identity
life. during adolescence.
• According to Erikson, child
will develop if he or she is
properly cared for.
• If the child is not well-cared INITIATIVE
for, mistrust is likely to PRE-SCHOOLER
develop GUILT
• Occurs around 3 to 5 years
AUTONOMY of age
TODDLER • During this period,
SHAME DOUBT developing a sense of
• Occurs during the first responsibility among
three years of life children lead to the
• Autonomy means development of initiative.
independence of thought • A child who is made to feel
and confidence to think and irresponsible might develop
act for oneself feelings of guilt.
• Children begin to assert •
their independence of INDUSTRY
thought during this stage. SCHOOL-AGER
• Erikson states that if INFERIORITY
parents allow their children • Occurs around elementary
to explore, they will school years
 • During this stage, children
face the task of developing INTIMACY
knowledge and skills YOUNG ADULT
usually taught in schools. ISOLATION
• When children are • Occurs during early
encouraged in their efforts, adulthood when people
they will develop a sense of explore personal
industry. relationships.
• Children who receive little • Erikson believes it is vital
or no encouragement from that people develop
parents and teachers will intimate relationships with
doubt their own abilities others.
and are likely to develop • Those who are successful
inferiority. in this stage will likely form
relationships that are stable
and successful.
• Inability to develop intimate
relationships during this
IDENTITY stage will lead to mistrust
ADOLESCENT and isolation.
ROLE CONFUSION
GENERATIVITY
• Takes place during MIDDLE AGE
adolescence STAGNATION
• At this stage, adolescents
face the task of finding out • Occurs during middle
who they are, what they adulthood
are, and what they want in • Generativity involves a
life. person's desire to
• If parents provide proper contribute to the world by
support, adolescents will teaching, leading and
develop positive identity. guiding the next generation
• If they are not adequately and doing activities that will
supported, they will feel benefit the community.
insecure and identity
confusion will likely
develop.
 • Those who fail to attain this Ego
generativity will feel • Refers to the i and
worthless. operates on the reality
principle and controls the
EGO-INTEGRITY id.
OLDER ADULT
DESPAIR Superego
• Occurs during old age • Refers to the “conscience”
• Focused on self-reflection and “moral judge” of one’s
in one's life conduct.
• At this stage, individuals
reflect on the important Psychosexual stages of
events of their lives. development
• If they are satisfied and
proud of their Oral stage
accomplishments, they will • lasts from birth to the first
feel a sense of integrity. year of life. During this
• Those who are stage, babies derived
unsuccessful in this stage pleasure from oral activities
will feel that their life has like sucking or biting.
been wasted and will
experience regrets and Anal stage
despair. • occurs around the second
year of life. During this
SIGMUND FREUD’S stage, the child derives
CONTRUCTION OF pleasure from the
elimination of body wastes.
SELF AND PERSONALITY Through toilet training, the
Three structures of the mind child learns the basic rules
of society.
Id
• Refers to the component of Phallic stage
the personality • usually occurs around ages
characterized by its need to 3 and 6. Children during
satisfy basic urges and this stage derive pleasure
desires. from examining, touching,
fondling, or displaying their
 genitals. These behaviors
are likely motivated by
curiosity about the
differences between the
anatomy of man and
woman.

Latency stage
• lasts from 7 to 12 years of
age. At this stage, sexual
energy is repressed
because children become
occupied with school.

Genital stage
• starts from adolescence to
adulthood. During this
stage, pleasure is again
derived from genital area
and individuals seek to
satisfy their sexual drives
from sexual relationships.