Introduction to the Philosophy of

the Human Person

QUARTER 2 – Week 3
Intersubjectivity

John Dave L. Bilale,

LPT, CTP
Teacher I
Objectives:

1. Define the meaning of

intersubjectivity.
2. Understand the different
point of view of various
philosophers regarding
intersubjectivity.
DIRECTIONS: Think of the people you encounter every day.
Identify the persons to whom you are most likely to say the
following statements. Write their names on the blanks.

“How are you today?”

___________________________________
“Did you hear the latest news?”
__________________________________
“May I see your work?”
___________________________________
“What must I do with my life now?”
___________________________________
“I appreciate everything you have done for me.”
___________________________________
“Without you, my life will have no meaning.”
___________________________________
 Guide Questions:
1. What sets apart the people whom you are intimate with
from the casual acquaintances in your life?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

2. Who are the people that you consider the easiest to

relate to? Who among them that you find difficult to get
along with?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
3. What is the importance of having a meaningful
relationship to you?
_________________________________________________________
 INTERSUBJECTIVITY
The interaction between the Self and the Other is related to
the philosophical concept of intersubjectivity. Similar to the
word interpersonal, the word intersubjectivity is also
comprise of three groups of letters and/or words, namely:

a.inter = this is a prefix which means ‘between’

b.subject = this refers toa person or thing that is being
discussed with.
c.-ity = a suffix used to form nouns which expresses state or
condition.
 INTERSUBJECTIVITY
Intersubjectivity means a condition of relationship between
subjects or persons. If I relate with a friend for example, and
hero she relates back to me, intersubjectivity occurs.
Philosophically, this means that when the Self recognizes the
Other and the Other recognizes the Self, intersubjectivity
happens.
Intersubjectivity also carries the meaning of a unique
relationship between separate individuals or subjects. When
we say unique, we are referring to the relationship that a
human person may experience when he or she engages in a
very intimate and personal relationship with others. When a
person, for example, loves others, he or she gives himself or
 INTERSUBJECTIVITY

This mutual self-giving and receiving becomes possible

because of the person’s inner life or interiority (panloob na
buhay) where his or her thoughts, feelings, inner struggles,
reactions, and the like “resides.” I believe that there is
someone in your life—a parent, friend, or a mentor — whom
you feel very close with. Maybe because of this closeness,
both of you are able to share to each other your inner
thoughts and feelings without any reservation.
 Intersubjectivity or the Self-Other
interaction comes in two levels, which
are:

a. First Level = this refers to the simple awareness of the Self

about the existence of the Other.
b. Deeper Level = this refers to the awareness of the Self as
being seen by Others.
 Intersubjectivity

Intersubjectivity is a coined word from the prefix “inter” which

connotes “among and between” and the philosophical term
“subject” that is equivalent to a conscious being. Thus,
intersubjectivity would mean in the general sense as “sharing of
subjective states by two or more individuals.” (Scheff 2006). It is
the organic union of the subjective reality and the objective
reality of beings. Meaning to say, as a person, we have a
personal regard to self but we cannot deny the fact (objective –
fact of reality we all share) that we live with others so we also
regard them as part of ourselves.
We tend to place ourselves in others’ shoes and relate to them
in good ways as possible like what is shown in the comic strip
below:
 What Philosophers Say About
Intersubjectivity
Intersubjectivity is universal. It exists when and where humans
exist. It is an undeniable reality which thinkers could not help
but discuss. Here are some philosophers who took philosophical
inquiry on intersubjectivity:
 1. Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.)

One of the main ideas of Confucianism is Ren

or “human-heartedness.” It is a virtue central
to man that can be found in his sociality or
intersubjectivity. In his philosophy, Confucius
stresses order and harmony in the world. His
aims can be achieved through practical,
concrete, particular, and perceptual ways.
This means Confucian thinking on
intersubjectivity is practical humanism. There
is an emphasis on human actions in sociality.
He calls every man to love the other through
actions, not through.
 Martin Buber (1878-1965)

He is a Jewish philosopher who introduced the “I-Thou” and

“I-It” relationships to embody his philosophy of
intersubjectivity. For Buber, we have to treat another
person as a subject (a being different from things or
objects). Persons are not inanimate objects to be used.
They have their own mind and freewill, thus, we have to
respect others as we respect ourselves. “I” refers to the
self and “Thou” or “You” refers to others. This “I-Thou”
relationship is the most meaningful relationship in the
realm of humanity. The “I” is the same with the “Thou” and
there should be mutual relationship between them. We can
only recognize the self in the context of the other. This is a
“person-to-person” relationship, “subject-to-subject”
relation. We need to accept, respect, be sincere, and have
 Karol Wojtyla (1920-2005)
He is also St. John Paul II but as a philosopher,
we use his real name. For Wojtyla, human
action is the foundation of our being. But
human reality is also about being with others,
so our actions are also directed towards others.
This form of action is now called
“Participation.” In the theory of participation,
man has the capacity to share himself to
others. This affirms the reality that man acts
and exists with others. He is a member of the
community of persons, a community of “I-You”
or “We.” Since man is a member of this
community, his experience with others gives
 Post Activity Discussion
Direction: DIFFERENTIATION. State the distinct ideas of the three
philosophers. Write them in the separate columns. Also, write the ideas
where all three philosophers agree using the space provided for.
CONFUCIUS MARTIN BUBER KAROL WOJTLA
Distinct Ideas: Distinct Ideas: Distinct Ideas:

Shared ideas of the three Philosophers:

 Generalization
1. Again, why it is a must that the
human person should know the
intersubjectivity of all of us?

2. Explain the concepts of “inter”,

“subject’ and “-ity”.
 Direction: Love notes making.
Prepare a love note to someone you love or to whom you are
attracted with using the guide questions below. Do this in you’re
a yellow paper.
1. What does he or she bring to your life physically, emotionally,
spiritually, etc.?
2. What do you love about her or him?
3. What are some of the memories or experiences you both share?
Direction: Explain the situation of the image below in
relation to our lesson intersubjectivity of the human
person.
Look at the image below. On the left is a boy staring at his crush while the
one on the right is a man talking to a woman while her child awkwardly
stares at the man. Now, which among the two situations depict the “self”
acknowledging the “other”. Which among the two situation shows an
internal reaction unique only to the “self” and the “other” he or she
perceives? Lastly, if you are in both situations, which of the two would elicit
the most emotions out of you? Would it be staring at your crush or staring at
a stranger?
Evaluation:
Direction: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best
answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Among the statements below, what best describes
intersubjectivity?

A. Intersubjectivity is about how humans treat plants.

B. It is a state of sharing of subjective states by two or
more
individuals.
C. It is about how we judge other persons.
D. We treat others as objects in intersubjective
Evaluation:
Direction: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best
answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
2. Which statement is incorrect about intersubjectivity?

A. Love is an important aspect in intersubjective

relationships.
B. We can put ourselves in the shoes of others.
C. I can disregard others as much as I want.
D. We cannot help but be sensitive with the existence
of the other.
Evaluation:
Direction: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best
answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
3. Who among the discussed philosophers focus on the
concept of human-heartedness in his philosophy of
intersubjectivity?

A. Karol Wojtyla
B. Martin Buber
C. Confucius
D. Martin Heidegger
Evaluation:
Direction: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best
answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
4. Who is the Jewish philosopher who introduced the “I-
Thou” and “I-It” relationships?

A. Karol Wojtyla
B. Martin Buber
C. Confucius
D. Martin Heidegger
Evaluation:
Direction: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best
answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
5. What is the main focus of Karol Wojtyla’s philosophy
of intersubjectivity?

A. Intellect
B. Feelings
C. Participation
D. Contribution
Assignment: Short Research
Assignment
DIRECTIONS: Write your answers in a yellow
paper and answer the question below:

1. Define what is dialogue.

2. What is authentic dialogue?