Lesson 1: Philosophical Perspectives of the Self Immanuel Kant

1. Pre-Socratics o Consciousness: Divided into Internal Self (psychological states) and External Self
 Thinkers: Thales, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Pythagoras, Empedocles. (physical world).
 Focus: Understanding the fundamental substance (Arche) of the world. o Organizing Principle: Regulates the relationship of impressions.
2. Classical Philosophers o Apparatus of the Mind: Built-in ideas in our mind, not derived from the external
world.
Socrates
John Locke
o Key Ideas:
 "Know Thyself." o Personal Identity: Based on psychological continuity and consciousness.
 "An unexamined life is not worth living." o Tabula Rasa: The mind starts as a blank slate, shaped by experience.
 Dualism: Human existence consists of both body and soul. Gilbert Ryle
o Method: Socratic Method - Question and Answer to stimulate critical thinking. o Denied the existence of a separate self-entity; the self is merely a collection of
Plato (Student of Socrates) behaviors.
o Key Ideas: Maurice Merleau-Ponty
 Supported dualism: Body and Soul. o Mind-Body Unity: Mind and body are inseparable; experiences, thoughts, and
 Tripartite Soul: emotions form one unit.
 Rational part (Ruling Class) seeks truth and wisdom. LESSON 2- Sociological Views of the Self
 Spirited part (Military Class) seeks honor. 1. The Self, Society, and Culture
 Appetitive part (Commoners) seeks physical pleasures.
 Characteristics of the Self:
Aristotle o Separate: Distinct from other selves; unique identity.
o Key Contributions: o Self-contained and Independent: Exists on its own with unique thoughts and
 Foundation of symbolic logic and scientific thinking. volition.
 Belief that knowledge is gained through natural philosophy (science). o Consistent: Personality and characteristics remain stable over time.
o Happiness: o Unitary and Private: Central to all experiences and thoughts, isolated from the
 Central purpose of human life, achievable through virtue. external world.
3. St. Augustine 2. Social Constructionist View
 Integration: Combined Greek philosophy with Christian theology.  The self is not static but constantly evolving, influenced by external realities and society.
 Key Ideas:  The self is multifaceted and in continuous flux.
o Love for God equates to love for others. 3. Marcel Mauss
o Dualism: Body dies, but the soul lives on with God.  Dual Faces of Self:
4. St. Thomas Aquinas o Moi: Personal sense of identity, physical body, and basic identity.
 Christian Philosophy: o Personne: Social aspects of identity, shaped by societal norms and expectations.
o Dual Composition of Man: 4. Sociological Perspectives of the Self
 Matter (Hyle) - Physical body. Self as Product of Modern Society:
 Form (Morphe) - Soul (Essence). o Modernization "delocalizes" the self, freeing it from traditional constraints and
5. Renaissance Philosophers allowing the pursuit of personal identity.
 Rene Descartes (Father of Modern Philosophy) 
o Key Ideas: Self as a Necessary Fiction
 Dualism: Separation of mind (cogito) and body (extenza). o The self is an imagined role or persona, shaped by social interactions and
 "Cogito, ergo sum" - "I think, therefore I am." expectations.
6. Modern Philosophers o The self is created through socialization, not something inherently discovered.
David Hume Self as Artistic Creation:
o Empiricism: Knowledge is based on sensory experience. o The individual actively creates their identity, akin to an artistic process, involving
o Belief that self is a "bundle of impressions." personal choices and self-definition.
 Post-Modern View of the Self:  Superego: Moral conscience, societal norms.
o The self is a narrative, constantly rewritten and influenced by digital and 4. Symbolic Interactionism (G.H. Mead)
multicultural environments.  Core Idea: The self develops through social interaction.
o Post-modern selves are "pluralized," reflecting the diverse influences of global  Key Concept: Communication and symbols are central to the formation of self-identity.
migration and technology. 5. Self-Esteem and Social Comparison
Self-Creation and Collective Identity:  Self-Esteem: How one feels about oneself.
o The self is formed within "imagined communities," where collective memory and  Social Comparison Theory:
shared experiences play crucial roles in identity formation. o Downward Social Comparison: Comparing with those worse off to boost self-
5. George Herbert Mead and the Social Self esteem.
Social Emergence: o Upward Social Comparison: Comparing with those better off, can motivate or
o The self emerges from social interactions and experiences, rather than being a pre- lower self-esteem.
existing entity.  Self-Evaluation Maintenance Theory:
o The self is a product of social processes. o Responses to Being Outperformed:
Mead’s "I" and "Me": 1. Distancing from the person.
o "Me" Self: Represents societal expectations and learned behaviors. It is the 2. Revaluating the importance of the skill.
socialized aspect of the individual.
o "I" Self: Represents individuality and creativity, the spontaneous and 3. Striving to improve in the area.
unpredictable aspect of the self. 6. Narcissism
6. The Self and the Development of the Social World  Traits: High self-esteem, self-centeredness, charismatic.
 Language: A crucial tool in the formation and reformation of the self, both publicly shared  Impact: May lead to poor relationships, focusing only on self-serving purposes.
and privately used. 7. Self-Concept Over Time
 Families: The primary environment where individuals learn selfhood and social norms. The  Malleability: Self-concept and identity are fluid, changing over time and experiences.
family is vital for survival and socialization.  Self-Schema: Organized knowledge about oneself, including interests, roles, and traits.
 Gender: Shapes self-perception and must be personally discovered and asserted, rather than 8. Self-Awareness
being solely dictated by societal norms.
 Private Self: Internal standards, thoughts, and feelings.
Lesson 3: The Self as a Cognitive Construct  Public Self: Public image, how you present yourself to others.
1. The Johari Window  Types of Self-Awareness:
 Four Quadrants: o Actual Self: Who you are now.
o Open Self: Known to self and others. o Ideal Self: Who you want to be.
o Blind Self: Known to others but not to self. o Ought Self: Who you think you should be.
o Hidden Self: Known to self but not to others. Lesson 4: The Self in Western and Eastern Thoughts
o Unknown Self: Unknown to both self and others.
1. Key Differences Between Western and Eastern Thought
 Purpose: Enhances self-awareness and understanding in interpersonal relationships.
 Western Thought (Europe, North America):
2. The Self in Psychology o Individualism: Focuses on the individual, personal achievements, and self-
 Self-Concept: What comes to mind when you think of who you are. expression.
 William James' Theory: o Rational Thinking & Democracy: Emphasizes logical reasoning and individual
o I: The thinking, acting, and feeling self. rights.
o Me: The physical and psychological traits that define who you are. o Dualities: Distinct separation between the self and others, as well as between the
 Carl Rogers' Theory: creator and the created.
o Real Self: Who you are currently. o Personal Attributes: People often describe themselves based on personal traits
o Ideal Self: Who you aspire to be. and achievements.
3. Freud's Structural Model o Value of Equality: Promotes the idea that all individuals can rise above and
compete fairly.
 Id: Instinctual desires and needs.
 Eastern Thought (Asia):
 Ego: Balances Id and Superego, represents reality.
 o Collectivism: Emphasizes group harmony, social roles, and cooperation. Rene Descartes:
o Integration of Self: Sees the self as interconnected with others and the universe. o Famous for "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am).
o Subdued Self: Personal desires are often repressed for the greater good. o Emphasized the mind-body dualism, where the mind and body are distinct
o Hierarchy and Order: Social structures are respected, and individuals maintain entities.
harmony within the group. o Mind is the seat of consciousness; body is a machine interacting with the physical
o Indirect Communication: Eastern cultures may avoid direct confrontation, world.
valuing subtlety in communication. Plato:
2. Philosophical Foundations o Believed in the tripartite soul:
Confucianism:  Rational Soul: Governs logic and reasoning.
o Focuses on ethical conduct and harmonious social life.  Spirited Soul: Controls emotions and passions.
o Emphasizes the importance of virtue, social roles, and self-cultivation.  Appetitive Soul: Manages desires and basic needs.
o The self is interwoven with the community, prioritizing the collective good over Aristotle:
individual desires. o A student of Plato but with a more empirical approach.
Taoism: o Focused on the form and matter of objects and beings.
o Advocates for living in harmony with the Tao (the universe). o Believed that the soul was the form of a living being, not separable from the body.
o Rejects rigid definitions and embraces a fluid, paradoxical view of life. St. Augustine:
o The self is seen as part of the larger universe, with the ideal self being selfless and o Integrated Christian doctrine with philosophy.
in balance with nature.
o Described humans as having a bifurcated nature: body (material) and soul
Buddhism: (spiritual).
o Views the self as an illusion, a source of suffering due to attachment and desire. b. Eastern Philosophy
o The goal is to transcend the self and achieve Nirvana by letting go of these Buddhism:
attachments.
o The self is seen as an illusion created by ignorance.
3. Concepts of Self in Different Cultures
o Belief in Anatta (no-self), which suggests that there is no permanent self.
Western Individualism: o Nirvana: The highest state of being where one is free from suffering and the cycle
o Self is seen as separate and distinct. of rebirth.
o Emphasis on personal development and self-reliance. Confucianism:
Eastern Collectivism: o Focuses on ethical conduct and the importance of relationships (family, society).
o Self is seen as part of a larger social and cosmic order. o The self is not isolated but seen in the context of its social relationships.
o Emphasis on social harmony, family, and community roles. o
4. Filipino Perspective Taoism:
 Hybrid Culture: o Emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (the way, the fundamental nature of
o The Filipino self-concept is influenced by both Western individualism (due to the universe).
colonization) and Eastern collectivism. o The self is part of a larger cosmic order and should align with it.
o Variations exist among different regions, reflecting the diverse influences of 2. Self and Identity in Psychology
geography, history, and culture. a. Theories of Self
5. Modern Implications  Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory:
 Globalization Effects: o Id: The primal desires and drives (pleasure principle).
o Social media, migration, and intermarriages are blending Western and Eastern o Ego: The reality principle, balancing the Id and Superego.
perspectives. o Superego: The moral conscience, internalizing societal rules and values.
o Cultural differences may become either blurred or more pronounced, leading to
 Carl Rogers' Concept of Self:
both conflict and opportunities for mutual understanding.
o Self-Concept: An organized system of beliefs about oneself.
1. Philosophical Foundations
o Ideal Self: Who you aspire to be.
a. Western Philosophy o Actual Self: Who you are in reality.
 o Congruence: The alignment between the actual self and ideal self.
 William James:
o Distinguished between the "I" (the self as subject) and the "Me" (the self as
object).
o The "I" is the active, thinking self, while the "Me" consists of the known aspects of
self.
b. Social Identity and Comparison
 Social Comparison Theory (Festinger):
o Upward Social Comparison: Comparing ourselves to those who are better off to
aspire and improve.
o Downward Social Comparison: Comparing ourselves to those worse off to boost
our self-esteem.
 Deindividuation:
o Loss of self-awareness and individual accountability in group settings, leading to
behaviors not typical when alone.
3. Cultural Views on the Self
a. Western Culture:
 Emphasizes individualism, where the self is seen as autonomous and independent.
 Focuses on personal achievement, self-promotion, and dualistic thinking (self vs. others).
b. Eastern Culture:
 Values collectivism, where the self is defined in relation to the group and community.
 Emphasizes harmony, social roles, and interdependence.
Buddhism: Focuses on the self as an illusion and the source of suffering.
Confucianism: Emphasizes ethical conduct based on relationships with others.

4. Key Psychological Measures