GE1 UTS - Chapter 1

Lesson 1: The Self From

Various Perspective

Introduction: Descartes:
This lesson presents the intricacy of • Rene Descartes, often considered the father
understanding oneself through the philosophical of modern philosophy, introduced the famous
perspective. These philosophical viewpoints phrase Cogito Ergo Sum, "I think, therefore I
demonstrate how the process of self-discovery am."
is an ongoing one that is influenced by both • Descartes believed that the self is a
internal and external reflections. The lectures combination of the mind (thinking substance)
that follow will cover more facets of society, and the body (extends into space). The mind, or
culture, and psychology that influence the self. "cogito," is what defines the essence of being
human.
Philosophical Perspectives on the Self:
The question of the self has been central to Hume:
philosophy, with various thinkers presenting
• In contrast, David Hume rejected the idea of a
different ideas about its nature. Below are key
permanent self, arguing instead that the self is
philosophies on the self:
nothing more than a collection of impressions
and experiences that are constantly changing.
Socrates and Plato:
There is no stable, unified self, but rather a
The self is dualistic! bundle of experiences
• Socrates believed that knowing oneself is the
ultimate task of philosophy. He famously stated Kant:
that "the unexamined life is not worth living."
• Kant critiqued Hume's view, arguing that while
• Socrates held that humans consist of a body
knowledge begins with experience, the mind
and a soul, with the soul being the seat of true
actively organizes these experiences. He
knowledge and virtue.
believed the self is the structure that organizes
• Plato, a student of Socrates, expanded this by
impressions into a coherent understanding of
dividing the soul into three parts: the rational,
the world.
spirited, and appetitive soul.
• He emphasized that justice and virtue could
Gilbert Ryle and Merleau-Ponty
only be achieved when these parts work
harmoniously. • Ryle and Merleau-Ponty critiqued the
separation of mind and body.
St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas: • Ryle argued that the self is not an inner entity
but rather a set of behaviors, while Merleau-
• St. Augustine combined Plato’s dualistic
Ponty emphasized the inseparability of mind and
thought with Christian doctrine, emphasizing
body in understanding human existence.
that the soul yearns to be with the Divine, while
the body is bound to earthly existence.
• St. Thomas Aquinas integrated Aristotle’s
ideas, asserting that the human person is
composed of both matter (the body) and form
(the soul), with the soul being what makes
humans unique.
GE1 UTS - Chapter 1
Lesson 2: The Self Society
and Culture

4 Ideas on how the Self Develops Moi

Moi refers to a person‘s sense of who he is, his
1. The Self Develops Solely Through Social body, and his basic identity, his biological
Experience. givenness. Moi is a person‘s basic identity.
2. Social Experience Consists of the Exchange
of Symbols. Personne
3. Knowing Others Intentions Requires Personne, on the other hand, is composed of the
Imagining the Situation From Their social concepts of what it means to be who he
Perspectives. is.
4. Understanding the Role of the Other Results
in Self-Awareness.

Sonia Toltoy’s Anecdote

Societal expectations, especially around gender

roles, shape self- perception. Sonia Tolstoy‘s
diary highlights women‘s internal conflict under
societal pressure. In the Philippines, traditional
gender roles, though challenged by feminism
and LGBTQ+ activism, still strongly influence
family dynamics.

Nancy Chodorow’s Theory

Chodorow’s theory argues that gender roles are

socially constructed through imitation and
reinforcement. Girls, primarily raised by mothers,
internalize caregiving roles, reinforced by toys
and "ladylike" behavior in schools. Boys, on the
other hand, learn masculinity through societal
expectations of emotional suppression, physical
strength, and initiation rites like circumcision, as
seen in the Philippines.

The Sociological View

George Herbert Mead and Lev Vygotsky

For Mead and Vygotsky, the way that human

persons develop is with the use of language
acquisition and interaction with others.
GE1 UTS - Chapter 1
Lesson 3: The Self As
Cognitive Construct

Cognitive-Construction, also known as Social interaction and group afilliation, are

Constructivism, was pioneered by Jean Piaget. virtual factors in creating our self- concept
Constructivists purport that people construct especially in the aspect of providing us with
their own understanding and knowledge of the our social identity or our perception of who
world through their experiences and their weae based on our membership to certain
reflections upon these experiences. groups.
There are various defnition of the “self” and
other similar or interchangeable concepts in CARVER AND SCHEIER IDENTIFIED TWO TYPES
psychology. Simply put “self”is “the sense of OF SELF:
personal identity and of who we are as The private self or your internal
individuals” The public self or you public image

William James (1890): Self Awareness also presents us with at least 3

earliest psychologists to study the self other self-schema:
Conceptualized the self as having two Actual – is who you are at the moment
aspects – the “I”and the “me”. “I” is thinking, Ideal– is who you like to be
acting and feeling self Ought – is who you think you should be
The “me” on the other hand, is physical
characteristics as well psychological Social comparison or self-evaluation
capabilities that makes who you are. maintenance theory - states that we can feel
threatened when someone out-performs us,
Carl Roger’s theory of personality also used the especially when that person is close to us. (.i.e a
same terms: friend or family).
I” as the one who acts and decides
“me” is what you think or feel about yourself The Building Blocks of Self: Your VITALS
as an object. V- alues
I- nterests
Other concept similar to SELF are identity and
T- emperament
self concept.
A- round the clock activities
L- ife mission and meaningful goals S- trengths
Identity
- is composed of personal characteristics,social
roles and responsibilities, as well as affiliation
that defne who one is.
Self-concept
- Is what basically comes to your mind when you
are asked about who you are.

REMEMBER:
Self identity and self concept are not fixed
in one frame.
Theory of symbolic interactionism - G.H
Mead argued that the self is created and
developed through human interaction.
GE1 UTS - Chapter 1
Lesson 4: The Self In Western and
Eastern Thoughts

Confucianism Eastern Thoughts

- influenced by philosophies like Buddhism,
Confucius (Kung Fu Zi), a Chinese philosopher
Hinduism, and Taoism) often views the self as
and the founder of Confucianism philosophy,
interconnected with others and the universe. The
developed a code of ethicall conduct that
self is seen as fluid, with an emphasis on
emphasizes how one should harmoniously act
transcending individual ego and recognizing
according to one's relationships with others.
unity with a larger whole. Concepts like anatta
Although self-cultivation is the ultimate purpose
(no-self in Buddhism suggest that the self is an
of life, social relationships still embed chun-tzu
illusion or temporary state meant to be dissolved
(a man of virtue and noble character). The
to reach enlightenment.
cultivated self, also referred to as the "subdued
self." prioritizes the well-being and balance of
Western Thoughts
society by repressing personal desires for the
greater good. influenced by Greek philosophy, Christianity,
and modern individualism) perceives the self as
Taoism more unique and autonomous. It frequently
highlights the individual's own identity,
Is all about living in tune with the natural world reasoning, and personal growth. Philosophers
and the flow of life, called the "Tao" (or "The such as Descartes stressed the self as a thinking,
Way"). Taoists believe that we should not fight conscious creature ("I think, therefore I am").
against nature or try to control everything.
The comparison between Eastern and
Instead, we should go with the flow, be flexible,
Western thoughts can be summarized as:
and live simply. Imagine life as a river - Taoism
says it's best to let the current guide you rather Eastern Thoughts: Focus on the community,
than fight against it. selflessness, and harmony. People prioritize the
group, respect authority, and value cooperation.
Buddhism
Western Thoughts: Emphasize individualism,
Focuses on understanding and overcoming personal achievement, and independence.
suffering. Buddhists believe that life is full of People focus on self-improvement, personal
suffering because people are always wanting freedom, and challenging authority when
things and are never fully satisfied. To break necessary.
free from this, Buddhists follow the Eightfold
Path, which includes practices like meditation, In essence, Eastern views are more collective
right action, and mindfulness. The goal is to and group-oriented, while Western views are
reach "enlightenment" or "Nirvana," which is a more individualistic and self-focused.
state of complete peace and freedom from
desire.
GE1 UTS - Chapter 2
Lesson 1: To buy or Not to Buy?
That is the Question!

Introduction Immediate Family: Family is deeply

We live in a world driven by sales and shopping connected to our sense of self.
sprees, with endless products available-both in Their successes and failures are felt as our
physical stores and online. Advertisements often own.
make us desire products by implying they'll make
us feel better or look good. Home: Our homes are extensions of
ourselves, tied to our personal experiences
What we want and what we own are and memories
closely connected to who we are. "If walls could talk" reflects how much of
Belk (1988) stated: "We regard our ourselves we embed in our living spaces.
possessions as part of ourselves. We are
what we have and what we possess." Possessions reflect our identity. According to
James (1890), "A man's self is the sum total of all
Let's explore this concept of the material self in that he can call his."
more detail.
We Are What We Have
Abstraction: The Material Self According to Russell Belk (1988), our possessions
are extensions of our identity.
William James, a Harvard psychologist, From childhood, we learn to distinguish
described the self as having several between ourselves and others through our
components: possessions.
1. Material self As we grow, the emotional value of these
2. Social self possessions often increases, particularly if
3. Spiritual self they are associated with important people,
4. Pure ego events, or achievements.

The Material Self: Examples.

A favorite chair or well-kept vehicle may
Body: Our bodies are the innermost part of remind us of a loved one who has passed
our material self. We care for them, away.
investing significant effort to maintain - These objects become symbols of who we are
health and well-being. and who we were.
Example: Celebrities, like Mariah Carey, even
insure certain body parts (Sukman, 2016). Our possessions help to tell the story of our past
and future.
Clothes: Influenced by Lotze's Philosophy of
Dress, clothes are a key part of our material
self.
Clothes reflect our identity and impact our
behavior and attitude (Watson, 2014).