University of Antique

College of Arts and Sciences

First Semester
Academic Year 2020-2021

Understanding the Self (GEC 1)

FINALS

Contents:
Lesson 6: Material Self/Economic Self
Lesson 7: The Spiritual Self and the Meaning of Life

LESSON 6
Material Self/Economic Self
I. Lesson objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. explain the association of extended self and possessions;
2. identify the role of consumer culture to self and identity; and
3. appraise one‟s self based on the description of material self.

II. Starting AccUrAtely (Introduction)

We are living in world of sale and shopping spree. We are given a wide array of products
to purchase from a simple set of spoon and fork to owning a restaurant. Almost everywhere,
including the digital space, we can find promotions of product purchase. Product advertisements
are suggestive of making us feel better or look good. Part of us wants to have that product. What
makes us want to have those products are connected with who we are. What we want to have
and already possess is related to our self.
Belk (1988) stated that “we regard our possessions as parts of our selves. We are what
we have and what we possess.” There is a direct link between self-identity with what we have
and possess. Ur wanting to have and possess has a connection with another aspect of the self,
the material self.
Let us try to examine ourselves further in the lens of material self.

III. StimUlating LeArning (Motivation)

Activity 1. Debit Card Challenge

A very wealthy person gave you a debit card and told you to use it as much as you want
to make yourself happy. What are you going to do with it?
 A. Instruction: Make a list of what you want to have. Write as many as you want. Write your
answers in a short-sized bond paper. You can have yours answers handwritten or
computerized and submit together with your other outputs in finals.

B. Analysis. Answer the following questions. Write your output on a separate piece of short-
sized bond paper. (Handwritten or encoded).

1. How do you feel as you do the Debit Card Challenge?

2. Which among the items in your list like the most? Why?

3. If ever you were given the chance in real life to have one among the list, which would you
choose? Why?

4. Does your choice different from what your answer in question number 2? Why or why not?

IV. IncUlcAting Concepts (Inputs/Lesson Proper)

A. Material Self

A Harvard psychologist in the late nineteenth century, William James, wrote in his book,
The Principles of Psychology in 1890 that understanding the self can be examined through its
different components. He described these components as: (1) its constituents; (2) the feelings
and emotions they arouse – self-feelings; (3) the actions to which they prompt – self-seeking
and self-preservation. The constituents of self are composed of the material self, the social
self, the spiritual self, and the pure ego (Trentmann 2016; Green 1997).
The material self, according to James primarily is about our bodies, clothes, immediate
family, and home. We are deeply affected by these things because we have put much
investment of our self to them.
The innermost part of our materials self is our body. Intentionally, we are investing in our
body. We are directly attached to this commodity that we cannot lie without. We strive hard to
make sure that this body functions well and good. Any ailment or disorder directly affect us.
We do have certain preferential attachment or intimate closeness to certain body parts
because of its value to us.
There were people who get their certain body parts insured. Celebrities, like Mariah Carey
who was reported to have placed a huge amount for the insurance of her vocals cords and
legs (Sukman 2016).
 Next to our body are the clothes we use. Influenced by the “Philosophy of Dress” by
Herman Lotze, James believed that clothing is an essential part of the material self. Lotze on
his book, Microcosmus, stipulates that „any time we bring an object into the surface of our
body, we invest that object into the consciousness of our personal existence taking in its
contours to be our own and making it part of the self.” (Watson 2014). The fabric and style of
the clothes we wear bring sensations to the body which directly affect our attitudes and
behavior. Thus, clothes ae placed in the second hierarchy of material self. Clothing is a form
of self-expression. We choose and wear clothes that reflect our self (Watson 2014).
Third in the hierarchy is our immediate family. Our parents and siblings hold another great
important part of our self. What they do or become affects us. When an immediate family
member dies, part of our self dies, too. When their lives are in success, we feel their victories
as if we are the holding the trophy. In their failures, we are put to shame or guilt. When they
are in advantage situation, there is an urgent urge to help like a voluntary instinct of saving
one‟s self from danger. We place huge investment in our immediate family when we see them
as he nearest replica of our self.
The fourth component of material self is our home. Home is where our heart is. It is the
earliest nest of our selfhood. Our experiences inside the home were recorded and marked on
particular parts and things in our home. There was an old cliché about rooms: “if only walls
can speak.” The home thus is an extension of self, because in it, we can directly connect our
self.
Having investment of self in things, made us attached to those things. The more
investment of self-given to the particular thing, the more we identify ourselves to it. We also
tend to collect and possess properties. The collection in different degree of investment of self,
becomes part of the self. As James (1890) described self: a man‟s self is the sum total of all
what he CAN call his.” Possessions then become a part or an extension of the self.

B. We Are What We Have

Russel Belk (1988) posits that “…we regard our possessions s part of ourselves. We are
what we have and what we possess.” The identification of the self to things started in our
infancy stage when we make a distinction among self and environment and others who may
desire our possessions.
As we grow older, putting importance to material possession decreases. However,
material possession gins higher value in our lifetime if we use material possession.to find
happiness, associate these things the significant events, accomplishments, and people in our
lives. There are even times, when material possession of a person is closely identified to the
person, gains acknowledgment with high regard even if the person already passed away.
 Examples of these are the chair in the dining room on which the person is always seated, the
chair will be the constant reminder of the person seated there; a well-loved and kept vehicle of
the person, which some of the bereaved family members have a difficulty to sell or let go of
because that vehicle is very identified with the owner who passed away; the favorite pet or
book, among others that the owner placed a high value, these favorite things are symbols of
the owner.
The possessions that we dearly have tell something about how we are, our self-concept,
our past, and even our future.

V. Using/Applying Knowledge (Application/Integration)

Activity 1. Debit Card Challenge List

C. Go back to your Debit Card Challenge List. Put a mark on the left side of each item with the
following categories:
B - if the item is related with your Body
C - if he item is related with Clothes
F - if the item is related or intended to your Family
H - if the item is related with Home

D. Answer the following questions:

a. Which among the categories you have the most in your list?
b. What do you think these things tell you about yourself?

Note: For this activity, write your output in a short-sized bond paper. You can have it encoded
or handwritten.
 LESSON 7
The Spiritual Self and the Meaning of Life

I. INTENDED OUTCOMES/LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to be able to:
A. discuss the significance of the practice of religion in your spiritual life as a person,
B. articulate ways of finding meaning in life and;
C. construct an essay indicating how you could personally and concretely live the great
commandments of love.

II. Starting AccUrAtely (Introduction)

Are you happy with the way you live your life now? Do you find meaning in the things that
you do everyday? What makes you truly happy? Did you ever take these questions seriously
before?
As you go through changes into becoming a better person, you will discover that your
own life that is becoming more improved and empowered can bring about social transformation.
However, everything starts with personal transformation and such experience is spiritual in
nature (Kavar, 2015). This is also referred to as psycho-spiritual integration or development
which leads to a better understanding of oneself regarding these questions: Who am I? What are
my big aims in life? How clear are they? How am I as a Filipino? How truly Christian am I?
This integration seeks answers to basic existential questions in life. It leads into the core
of the human being (Villafuerte, et.al., 2018).

III. StimUlating LeArning (Motivation)

Activity 1: Before we proceed, let us have this activity entitled, “Lifeline”. Please read carefully
and follow the instructions given.

1. Kindly get a piece of short-sized bond paper.

2. Position your paper horizontally (landscape orientation)
3. Draw a horizontal line across your bond paper.
4. Put a dot at each end of the line.
5. Over the left dot, put the number zero. This dot represents your birth. Write your birth date
under this dot.
6. The dot on your right represents your ultimate death. How long do you believe you will
live? At what age do you think you’ll die? Over the right dot, put a number that indicates
your best guess as to how many years you will live. Write
7. Now, place a dot that represents where you are right now on the line between birth and
death. Write today‟s date under this dot.
8. This diagram is your lifeline. Look at it, study it, and think about it. Let it really settle into
your consciousness. With the remaining years you have, what do you have to do to live a
full life?
9. After a minute or two of meditation time, answer the question, “How did you feel and what
did you think as you looked at your lifeline?” Write about your reaction below the diagram.
 _______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

IV. IncUlcAting Concepts (Inputs/Lesson Proper)

You are important. You are part of a society that needs to undergo social transformation.
As you are being exposed to different situations in life, there are instances when the desire to
make a difference may be awakened in you as you take on the search for the meaning of your
life.
Throughout your lifespan as an individual, the development of sense of spiritual identity
has a big contributing factor to your healthy identity development (Poll & Smith, 2003). Having
understanding of what the spiritual self is and how to maintain its well-being are found to be
important considerations as you search for your true identity. Moreover, as you search for
meaning in life, one of the major concerns to consider is the development of a balanced
spirituality because it integrates well with your psychological maturation.

Let us take a look at the concept of spirituality and the spiritual self and what spirituality is.

A. The Concept of Spirituality and the Spiritual Self

Spiritual Self
According to Villafuerte, et al. (2018) and Alata, et al. (2018), spiritual self;
- is who we are at our core.
- is more permanent than the material self and the social self.
- is our subjective and most intimate self.
- is the aspect of self which develops a certain level of spirituality which is
deemed as man‟s way of seeking as well as expressing the meaning and
purpose of his life.
- is concerned with the higher things in life such as the Sacred or the Divine.

Spirituality
- is specified more concretely in deepening the faith.
- leads man to deeper communion with the Divine.
- is a path of direct and personal connection with the Divine.
- embraces all faiths, social and political ideologies.

B. The Spirit and the Soul

The terms spirit and soul are sometimes used interchangeably, but they have
distinctions which need to be recognized.
 SPIRIT SOUL
- “ruach” in Hebrew - “nephesh” in Hebrew which means “living”
- “pneuma” in Greek or “life”
- which means breath (especially the - “psukhe” in ancient Greek
breath of life) - “psyche” in Greek
- “espiritu”, “ispiritu”, - originally meaning “throat” or “neck” which
- The disposition of an individual means “human life”.
- A person‟s habitual attitudes - “kaluluwa” (Tagalogs)
- Man‟s supernatural power which - “kalag” (Visayan, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a)
comes from God - The animating principle of human nature
- It is the part of us through which all - In modern psychology, described as the:
life and power of God flow. - will
- The life-giving part of man (James - mind
2:26) - the seat of emotion
- conscience

Here is the Hebrew concept of the spiritual nature of man:

- Man is viewed as holistic, one totality
- Man is an integrated unit of physical, mental and spiritual components that are
inseparable to make a whole person.
- Genesis 2:7 – “And the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground and
breathed into His nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

On the other hand, here is the Greek concept of the spiritual nature of man:
- Man is viewed dualistic in nature.
- The dualistic view is started by ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle,
Socrates and Plato.
- Pagan Greek philosophy taught that the soul is immortal and that it can live
separately from the body.

Note: Many of the moral ideas of pagan Greek philosophers have been incorporated into
Christian moral doctrine.

D. The Filipino Traditional Understanding of Soul

Here is the Filipino understanding of what the soul is:
– is equivalent to “Kaluluwa” (Filipino), “kadkadduwa” or “kararwa” (Ilokanos), all
come from the root word “duwa”, which means “two”. This is because of the
belief that the soul has two existences: physical (connected to the body) and
spiritual (it exists on its own).
– The Ilocano “kadkadduwa” further derived from kadduwa, meaning “companion”.
– For the Ilonggos and Antiqueños, “kalag” or “dungan” (but “dungan” has a
secondary meaning which is “willpower”).
– The notion of multiplicity of souls is common among Filipinos (Villafuerte, et al.,
2018).

E. “Loob” and Personhood

“LOOB” or “KALOOBAN” is defined as:

– the inner self or inner being.
– the core of one‟s personhood and where the true worth of the person
lies.
– what makes one what he is and who he is as a person.
 – a term used to describe a person in relationship with others, e.g.,
magandang loob or mabuting loob and masamang loob.

On the other hand, PERSONHOOD;

– manifests the unity of the spiritual and the material or physical nature
in human existence.
– gives to the human individual a universal worth and an exceptional
standing.
– is a foundational concept for all that we are and all that we do (White,
2013).

PRAYER – is the Christian‟s acknowledgment and awareness of the true nature of the
“loob” and the richness or weakness of this “loob” as exposed by the light
of faith.
– is our conscious personal communion with God. It is the fruit of the Holy
Spirit working in our hearts, enabling us to turn to God and with
confidence, to call Him our Father. How does this concept of loob and
prayer help us find meaning in life?

F. Finding and Creating Meaning – Viktor Emil Frankl

F.1. According to Viktor Frankl;

 “Meaning is something to discover rather than to invent.” It has the same
concept with inner happiness, life satisfaction, self-actualization and deep
spirituality.
 In life, there is an existential vacuum which means that life empty,
meaningless, purposeless, aimless, and adrift and so on.
 Because of this vacuum, we tend to fill our lives with pleasure or power and
so on.

F.2. Three Ways of Discovering Meaning in Life

 Experiential Values – is an approach that involves experiencing something
or someone we value and the love we feel towards another, e.g., family,
relatives, friends and workmates.
 Creative Values – is the traditional existential idea of providing oneself with
meaning by becoming involved in one‟s projects, or better, in the project
of one‟s own life, e. g., creativity and passion.
 Attitudinal Values – include practicing virtues such as compassion,
bravery, a good sense of humor, and the like.
 Frankl‟s most famous example: Achieving meaning by way of
suffering.
 Ultimate goal: Self-transcendence.

G. The Practice Religion

 The people‟s way of connecting themselves to God as they search for
meaning in life.

G.1. Religion
– beliefs and behaviors related to supernatural beings and powers.
– an organized system of ideas about the spiritual sphere along with
ceremonial practices; our way of relating with the supernatural or the
DIVINE.

G.2 Rituals – are patterned form of behaviors that have something to do with the
 supernatural realm.
– are performed in a repetitive nature.
– can be religious or secular.
G.3. Magic
– commonly referred to as “tricks” and “illusions” that make impossible
things to happen, usually performed as entertainment.

G.4. Witchcraft
– commonly understood as “kulam”.
– refers to the idea that certain people have an inborn power to harness
spirits or energies for specific purposes.

G.3. What the Bible Says about Magic, Rituals and Witchcraft
Since Filipinos are predominantly Christians, we have the Bible as our
guide in the practice of religion (Villafuerte, et.al., 2018). Specifically, passages
from the book of Deuteronomy say that;
“Don‟t sacrifice your children in the fires on your altars; and do not let your
people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in
witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirit
of the dead. Anyone who does this is detestable to the Lord. It is because the
other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive
them out ahead of you. But you must be blameless before the Lord your God”
(Deut. 18:10-13).

V. ACTIVITY 2: Writing Activity. Write your answer in a short-sized bond paper.

1. If you were to choose from the following values, which one would you prefer: beauty,
faith, wealth or wisdom? Why?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

2. Of the many skills, talents and capabilities you have, which of those would like to use to
extend help and serve others? In what instances in your life do you think you can show
your love to God and to your fellowmen?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

REFERENCES:

Alata, E. J., Caslib, B., Serafica, J. P., & Pawilen, R. (2018). Understanding the Self. Quezon
City: Rex Book Store, Inc.

Brawner, D., & Arcega, A. (2018). Understanding the self. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.
Belk, Russel (1988). Are we what we know? Accessed October 10, 2017. http://www.
writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/tingle/courseW2ACEREWE2.pdf.

Belk, Russel (1988). Possessions and the Extended Self. Accessed October 10, 2017.
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type=pdf.

Green, Christopher (1997). Classics in the History of Psychology. An internet resource

developed by Christopher Green York University. Toronto, Ontario. Accessed October 10,
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Jirgensone, Austria (2016). We are what we have. Accessed October 10, 2017.
http://kennisbank.hva.nl/docuents/641720.

Makan, Sunil (2016). ELLE. 13 Celebrities With Insured Body Parts That Are Worth More
Than Your House. Accessed October 1, 2017. http://ww.elleuk.com/life-and-
culture/articles/a30167/marihcarey-jennifer-lopez-doly-parton-celebrities- insured-body-
parts/.

Treatmann, Frank (2016). Empire of things: How We Became a World of Consumers, from the
Fifteenth Century to the Twenty-First (UK: Allen Lane/Penguin; US: HaperCollins).
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Villafuerte, S., Quillope, A., Tunac, R., & Borja, E. (2018). Understanding the self. Quezon
City: Nieme Publishing House Co.

Watson, Cecelia (2004). The Sartorial Self: William James‟s Philosophy of Dress.
Accessed October 10, 2017.
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_James‟s_Philosophy_of_Dress.

White F. J. (2013). Personhood: An essential characteristic of the human species. The Linacre
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APPENDIX
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES AND OUTPUTS IN LESSONS 6 AND 7

NUMBER TITLE INSTRUCTION/S POINTS

Activity 1, Debit Card Challenge Encoded or A. 10 points
Lesson 6 handwritten, short- B. 20 points
sized bond paper C. 15 points
D. 15 points
Activity 1, Lifeline Handwritten, short– 30 points
Lesson 7 sized bond paper
Activity 2, Writing Activity 2 Handwritten 20 points
Lesson 7