INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN PERSON

INTER
SUBJECTIVITY
Precy Lass Fontiveros Louie Jean Ferrer Jenny Rose Bellos
12 STEM - FAITH Maria Rica Cusay Nile Dela Cruz Rainbie Ferman
Ana Luisa Gayagaya Kaye Marie Fuyon Ydel Van Viesca
 CONTENT
01 02 03 04
How do we What How does How can
intersubjectivity Philosophy
as human characterize
define our help you
persons s a genuine interactions evaluate your
relate with human with other relationship
others? interaction? persons? with others?
 INTRODUCTION
Humans have a natural and universal tendency to relate, to establish
attachments, and seek close relationships with other people. Our human
nature drives us to reach out to other people and interact with in meaningful
ways.
HOW DO WE AS HUMAN PERSONS
RELATE WITH OTHERS?

Our abilities to engage in meaningful interactions with other people, our

surroundings, and everything around us is rooted in our capacity for self-
awareness and transcendence.

Interpersonal relations are made possible when the self becomes aware
of the other, which includes everyone and everything outside of the self.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING
ACTIONS IS MORE
REASONABLE?

01 02

You begin talking to your You begin talking to the

classmate, telling him or ballpen on your desk,
her about a funny telling it about a funny
experience you had in experience you had in
school. school.
 Interacting with other human beings, however, is more
complex act.

WHAT DRIVES HUMAN

PERSONS TO INTERACT WITH
THEIR FELLOW HUMANS IN A
MORE MEANINGFUL WAY?
Our human nature not only enables us to recognize the
self that defines our individuality, it also enables us to
recognize that other human beings also possess a self.
We are able to relate meaningfully with other human
being because we consider ourselves as essentially
the same.

This notion of recognition the self in the other is how

philosophers define interpersonal relations.
The interaction between the self and the other is related to the
philosophical concept of intersubjectivity, which is the mutual
recognition of each other as persons.

Intersubjectivity also carries the meaning of “a unique relationship

between distinct subjects.” It refers to the characteristic of the
human persons to engage in a very intimate and personal
relationship with others who are different from him or her but who
are also like him or her.
This also allows the individual to receive others in his or her life and
relate with them.
Intersubjectively also allows a person to
become closer to others in many different
ways. In everyday social interactions, persons
have the ability to agree and cooperate with
other. There is also the experience of shared or
“common” knowledge and shared emotions
such as grief, joy, and love.
PHILOSOPHERS IDENTIFY VARIOUS LEVEL
OF SELF-OTHER INTERACTION

SIMPLE AWARENESS THE AWARENESS OF

OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE SELF AS BEING
THE OTHER. SEEN BY OTHERS.

People exist outside of our own A deeper level of interaction between

the self and the other.
awareness or perception.
You are immediately aware of this
person’s action as an other
The self-consciousness is
considered by philosopher
as a defining but someone
familiar: a family member,
a friend, even your crush.
The human gaze is considered a defining characteristic
which sets apart human interaction from the interaction of
other species.

Also, the awareness of the “self in the other” is an

important element in all other aspect of interpersonal
interaction.

The way we act with other people is often influenced by

our ideas of how these people see us.
These actions are referred to as “seeming” –where an
individual presents himself or herself in certain way
when dealing with others. Persons take on “roles” or act
out characters when dealing with certain people or when
in certain situations. This is considered as an
unconscious, natural act on the part humans. However,
there may be instances when people behave a certain
way in order to intentionally deceive or manipulate other
people.
 “plastic” “sipsip”
which refer to manipulative behaviors that are done by
some people in pursuit of selfish interests.
WHAT CHARACTERIZES A GENUINE
HUMAN INTERACTION?
Most human interactions, however, are not based on deception. Since our
human nature drives us to uphold dignity and goodness, our interactions
with others are also geared toward what is good and beneficial.

This deeper and more genuine interaction is called a dialogue, and this is
made possible when the self realizes that the other is a genuine and unique
individual. When two individuals begin to view each other as an other - that
is, truly acknowledging each other's presence - then that is the beginning of
an authentic relationship and a dialogue.
 DIALOGUE
is an interaction between persons that happens through
speech or the use of words, expressions, and body
language.
Actions, gestures and other

NOTE expressions may be used to convey a

A dialogue is person's inner life. Because persons
are beings with inner lives, the words
not confined to
uttered during a dialogue are rooted
words.
in each person's inner life.
Whenever a person speaks, he or she
expresses a personal interiority and
communicates this part of himself or herself to
another person.

This is the reason why it is not possible to have

a dialogue with a material object, a plant, or
even a pet.
Only beings with interiority or an inner life can engage in a
dialogue. A person's words, expressions, and body language
become the means by which he or she is able to express a part of
himself or herself to another person. Apart from expressing and
conveying oneself, the person is also capable of receiving the
words, thoughts, emotions, and ideas of another person.

The dialogue, therefore, becomes a means by which persons are

able to share in each other's lives.
The notion of a dialogue becomes clearer when
we reflect on the nature of our conversations
with other people.

Casual conversations with other people often consist of

discussing news or occurrences. We often conduct our normal
conversations in this manner. But when we are with friends and
family, we are comfortable discussing more personal issues
like life goals, emotional problems, or moral dilemmas.
A dialogue occurs when two persons "open up" to
each other and give and receive one another in
their encounter.

Genuine dialogue occurs when persons are willing to share

themselves with one another. The awareness of each other's
presence as a true person is defined by the acceptance of each
other's uniqueness and differences. When each individual
enters into a dialogue with this mindset, then it is truly a
dialogue between equals.
HOW DOES INTERSUBJECTIVITY DEFINE
OUR INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER
PERSONS?
Philosophers agree that it is important for humans to pursue and achieve
genuine relationships to attain development. Human persons naturally
seek and are able to achieve and maintain genuine, meaningful relations
with each other. The human person is considered as a "being with others,"
which means that his or her identity and destiny are shaped by relating
with others. Human existence is a continual dialogue with the other, and
that the self becomes whole through interaction with other people and his
or her surroundings.
Empathy or the ability to share emotions, is an
important aspect of intersubjectivity.

This emotion is driven by a person's awareness that the other is a

person thoughts and feelings.

Empathy enables us to experience another person's emotions,

such as happiness, anger, and sadness.

In a manner of speaking, sympathy is "feeling with" and empathy

is "feeling in."
By allowing us to share in
another person's emotions,
empathy also enables us to
place ourselves in their
shoes.
 or the willingness of a person to be
Availability present and be at the disposal of
another.

The ethics of care is an ethical theory that emphasizes the moral

dimension of relationships and interactions. Proponents of the ethics of
care believe that people have a moral obligation to respond to the needs of
other people; and one cannot turn a blind eye on the problems of others.
People relate to each other in different ways and this gives rise to varying
degrees of dependence among people. Those who are able to help or give
assistance should consider the specific needs of the people they are
helping.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO LEND ASSISTANCE
TO THESE PEOPLE?
This pessimistic view considers human relationships
frustrating and often inauthentic or deceptive. A person that
adopts this negative view is said to be experiencing
alienation. This arises when a person ceases to view the
other as a distinct and authentic person and merely considers
the other person as a mere object or a means to satisfy
personal interests.
 "matapobre"
used to describe well-off people who look down on
other people that they consider "poor".
 HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU
ENCOUNTERED THESE SITUATIONS?
Our human nature drives us to feel indignation against
these kinds of behavior because we know that these
actions are an insult to human dignity, Feelings or views
of alienation, if left unaddressed, give rise to negative
views and actions directed against a person or group of
persons. Alienation goes against the concept of
personhood because this view discounts the humanity
and dignity of a person and leads to dehumanization.
 "SUPERIOR"
those who do not possess these physical flaws considered themselves
HOW CAN PHILOSOPHY HELP YOU
EVALUATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH
OTHERS?

Important values related to intersubjectivity include

acceptance of differences and embracing diversity. When we
consider views, beliefs, and ideas the differences become
much more pronounced. We have to accept that people will
have different views and beliefs. What unite us all is our shared
humanity and dignity.
The recognition of our shared humanity and dignity is what drives
us to extend assistance and act with concern towards others,
especially toward individuals or groups that experience hardships
and discrimination.
 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO HAVE
SUCCESSFULLY RISEN ABOVE THEIR PHYSICAL
LIMITATIONS TO LIVE PRODUCTIVE LIVES

1
Helen Keller 2
3
Nick Vujicic
Roselle
Ambubuyog
HELEN
KELLER
(1880-1968)
an American author, political
activist, and the first deaf-blind
person to earn a bachelor's
degree. She lost her hearing and
sight when she was an infant due
to an illness. Growing up, she
developed a system of signs to
communicate with her family.
NICHOLAS
JAMES "NICK"
VUJICIC
(born 1982)

an Australian evangelist and motivational

speaker who was born with phocomelia, a
condition in which a person is born with no
arms or legs. Nick's condition meant that
his early years were full of challenges. Nick
was born with two small and deformed
feet, and an operation enabled him to use
his toes to grab and manipulate objects.
ROSELLE
AMBUBUYOG
(born 1980)
the first visually impaired to
graduate as summa cum laude
from Ateneo de Manila University
in 2001. Despite her handicap, she
was a consistent academic
honoree in her school, graduating
valedictorian in both elementary
and high school.
Reflecting on our interactions can better inform us of
the motivations that drive us to reach out and interact
with others. Knowledge of our capacity for
intersubjectivity and the opportunities it provides for
fostering personal growth and welfare will enable us
to make better choices and decisions as we continue
to relate with others and uphold positive relationships
in our lives.
REVIEW
A person's ability to engage in meaningful interactions with
other people, his or her surroundings, and the things
around him or her, is rooted in the human capacity for self-
awareness and transcendence.
INTERSUBJECTIVITY refers to the shared awareness and
understanding among persons. It is made possible by the
awareness of the self and the other.
The relationship between the SELF and the OTHER enables
the person to relate to others and establish and maintain
meaningful relationships.
"SEEMING" action refers to the way a person presents
himself or herself when dealing with others. This is
considered a natural and often unconscious act. Some
people, however, engage in seeming actions to deceive
and manipulate others.
 REVIEW
A deep and genuine relationship between persons is called
a DIALOGUE. Dialogue happens when two persons truly
acknowledge each other's presence and treat each other
as equals.
EMPATHY is an important aspect of intersubjectivity and is
driven by a person's awareness of the emotions and
thoughts of other people. It enables a person to place
himself or herself in the shoes of others and leads to a
greater understanding and appreciation of others.
AVAILABILITY refers to the willingness of a person to be
present for another and to render assistance to another.
REVIEW The theory on the ethics of care emphasizes the
INTERACTIONS. It believes that people have a moral needs
of others, and encourages individuals to extend help to
people in need.
ALIENATION refers to a state when a person ceases and
authentic person. Rather, the person considers others as
merely to satisfy personal interests or desires.
Meaningful and beneficial human relationships are
ACCEPTANCE, OPENNESS, AND RESPECT. As humans, we
are driven by our shared dignity to treat each other with
respect and acceptance.
 Lesson 6

THANK YOU!