C

SUSIE HOPE R. TOMOL

PREMEL JEAN B. FARILLON
JEREMY C. LAMOSTE
MURIEL M. JOVER
ANALIE S. CORDERO

Photo Courtesy: Google Images (https://www.amazon.in/understanding-Self-Seema-Sharma/dp)

UNDERTANDING
THE SELF

Prepared by

SUSIE HOPE R. TOMOL

PREMEL JEAN B. FARILLON
JEREMY C. LAMOSTE
MURIEL M. JOVER
ANALIE S. CORDERO

First Semester, A. Y. 2020-2021

Module Outcomes

At the end of the unit, the learners must have:

1. discussed the different representations and
conceptualizations of the self from various
disciplinal perspectives;
2. compared and contrasted how the self has been
represented across different disciplines and
perspectives; and
3. examined the different influences, factors, and
forces that shape the self.
1. demonstrated critical and reflective thought in
analyzing the development of one’s self and
identity by developing a theory of the self.
Rationale

The study of the self is something that puts

challenge to the one who would want to do it. Popular
cliché tells that one cannot give what one do not have.
Indeed it is difficult to claim that you understand others
when you do not value the experiences you are going
through. This topic will hopefully lead you into
understanding yourself. But for this to be fully functional
or helpful to you, we will begin our journey into how the
different perspective explain the very concept of the self.

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Lesson 1 WESTERN AND EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the learners must have:
1. distinguished the concept of self-based on the western and
eastern philosophy;
2. examined the influences and factors that shape the self-based
on these philosophy; and
3. described their own experience of the self-using either of these
philosophy.

Introduction
If you are to be asked, who is more intelligent? Would you say the old
civilations or the people at present? You may be amazed by the new
technologies and discoveries nowadays. Human minds has not stopped
imagining and creating amazing inventions. However, the present is a product of
the past. The present is a refined living because of the learnings in the past.
Before you knew about Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Sarah Geronimo, and
many more. There lived Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Shakespeare and etc. whose
names reigned in their own expertise.
Let’s look back in the past and witness how people behaved and their
relative culture. Take a peak as how religion evolved through time, put ourselves
in their own perspectives, and we will know how they have affected our present
views.

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Activate

Activity 1.1:Take a look at this

The Blind Men and the Elephant is a famous Indian fable that tells the
story of six blind sojourners that come across different parts of an elephant in
their life journeys. In turn, each blind man creates his own version of reality from
that limited experience and perspective.

Blind Men and the Elephant – A Poem by John Godfrey Saxe

John Godfrey Saxe’s (1816-1887) version of Blind Men and the Elephant

It was six men of Indostan, The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
To learning much inclined, And felt about the knee:
Who went to see the Elephant "What most this wondrous beast is like
(Though all of them were blind), Is mighty plain," -quoth he,-
That each by observation "'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Might satisfy his mind. Is very like a tree!"

The First approach'd the Elephant, The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
And happening to fall Said- "E'en the blindest man
Against his broad and sturdy side, Can tell what this resembles most;
At once began to bawl: Deny the fact who can,
"God bless me! but the Elephant This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a wall!" Is very like a fan!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk, The Sixth no sooner had begun
Cried, -"Ho! what have we here About the beast to grope,
So very round and smooth and sharp? Then, seizing on the swinging tail
To me 'tis mighty clear, That fell within his scope,
This wonder of an Elephant "I see," -quoth he,- "the Elephant
Is very like a spear!" Is very like a rope!"

The Third approach'd the animal, And so these men of Indostan

And happening to take Disputed loud and long,
The squirming trunk within his hands, Each in his own opinion
Thus boldly up and spake: Exceeding stiff and strong,
"I see," -quoth he- "the Elephant Though each was partly in the right,
Is very like a snake!" And all were in the wrong!

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 What is the message of the story? Indeed we tend to see same thing
differently. Beauty depends on the eye of the beholder as they say. How we view
our self may be different at how others view us. Some say that you are what you
think you are; in fact, it is common to hear that you are what you eat. But which
one are you?

During lockdown, we see different ways people respond to the same

situation. How did you respond to it? With positive thoughts? Or otherwise?

Acquire

According to Socrates, “an unexamined life is not worth living.” Often,

issues and concerns are the results of not knowing and understanding the self.
According to Erik Erikson, a known author of the stages of psychosocial
development, by the time an individual reach early adulthood, that person should
be able to already achieved sense of identity. However, not all is able to achieve
this task, maybe because not all is able to fully understand the dynamics of the
“self”.

Self is often associated with identity, personality. The concept is so

compounded that its nature and development is explained differently by different
people and different perspective. Among the early perspective are those
introduced by philosophers. It seems though that the belief on the nature of the
self differs when viewed in the west and that of the east.

“Who are you then?”. Do you view your self as different and distant to
others? or you believe you are what you are because of your interaction with
others? Do you see yourself as a product of your culture or do you stand out
separately from it?

PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

Philosophy is defined as the rational investigation of the truths and

principles of being, knowledge and conduct (www.dictionary.com). Its history is
replete with men and women who inquired into the fundamental nature of the self
(Alata, et.al., 2018). But since there are so many of them, we will only discuss
few who really made an impact in understanding the nature of the self. First
would be from the western thoughts. This philosophy is self-oriented, values
freedom and choice and wants to free itself from the bondage of society. Most if
not all of those discussed earlier are from the western philosophy.

Eastern philosophy however, has a different way of looking into the nature
of man. Eastern thought is others-oriented. It values relationships and social
obligation and looks into the welfare of society. Here, the self identifies with the
group.

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Confucianism

A way of life propagated by Confucius. It regarded an individual as a

member of a larger whole, not as a separate being. The ethical teachings of
Confucius are based on the human relationship (ruler & ruled, parents & child,
among siblings and among friends). The individual has to perform its indicated
roles so harmony is achieved. According to Confucianism, your identity is defined
by your membership to a group which is called the “relational self”. Another
concept is the “subdued self” which means that you respond to that relationship
not for your own needs and aspiration but of social requirement and obligations
(Corpuz, et.al., 2019). Confucian thought also insisted that human beings are
teachable, improvable, and perfectible through personal and communal
endeavor.

For example, you are your parents child, this is your relational self. As a
child you are expected to follow the standard rules set by the society, that is to
follow and respect your parents, this is your subdued self. On the other hand,
your parents will take on their duty by embracing difficulties to provide you with
your needs, this is their subdued self as well since this idea is a social
requirement.

Taoism/Daoism

Lao-Tzu (also known as Laozi or Lao-Tze) was a Chinese philosopher

credited with founding the philosophical system of Taoism. According to this
philosophy there are no “bad people” only people who behave badly. One can be
a “good person” and can live in harmony with the earth and with others if one is
given approprate education and guidance towards understanding on how the
universe work.

Taoism emphasizes being flexible and submitting self to whatever life will
bring to live life in best possible way. Hence, if the person is able to adjust to
changes, that person will be happy, otherwise if that person resists to changes in
life, that person becomes unhappy. One's ultimate goal is to live at peace with
the way of the Tao and recognize that everything that happens in life should be
accepted as part of the eternal force which binds and moves through all things
(Mark, 2016).

This “New Normal” puts us all in awe. We are shocked with the many
changes that happen brought about by the pandemic like instead of a face to
face education, you are given a module where you have to study lessons on your
own. This may be alright to some, but for some this may be a difficult way of
learning. We heard many people experience mental health issues and succumb
themselves to depression and suicide. According to Taoism, the way to achieve

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peace and move on with life is to accept and adjust to these changes, and
embrace this “new normal.”

Buddhism

Founded in the late 6th century B.C.E. by Siddhartha Gautama (the

"Buddha"). The Buddha teaching includes four noble truths: life is suffering
(dukkha), that suffering is caused by cravings and attachments, but these
suffering has an end, and the path to end this is the eightfold path of right views,
right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right
mindfulness, and right concentration.

In Buddhism, compassion and wisdom go together. When we practice

meditation regularly, we get more space in our mind, and distance from difficult
thoughts and feelings. This then makes us see that everybody has the same
problems as we have, thus we become more compassionate and will try to do
something to help them. When we act with compassion, we focus more on others
than ourselves and by this we get better feedback from the world. If these
happen, disturbing emotions like anger, pride, attachment, and jealousy loosen
its grip. Where there is space that we don’t instantly fill with our own concerns
any more, wisdom has a chance to appear spontaneously.

In the first month of the pandemic, we feel apprehensive of the situation.

Some of you perhaps suffer because lockdown limits you to do the usual thing
you do like malling and enjoying life with your friends. This may be a difficult thing
but according to Buddhism, the suffering that you are going through now has an
end. How? …. Follow the suggested eightfold path. With right mindfulness and
concentration, you will realize that you are not the only one experiencing this. In
the process you will slowly loosen the grip of fear and perhaps angry and you
start to be more understanding of others and see that this happens for a reason.

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 Table below shows the basic differences between the Eastern and
Western Philosophical Perspective.

EASTERN PHILOSOPHY WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

 Everyone is interconnected  Dualities = one is different from the
others.
• Collectivistic Culture“WE” • Individualistic Culture“I”
• True “ME” is in relation to everything • True “Self” is the center as it is already
around or part of the bigger scheme given and part of the divine
• Looks at the welfare of the groups • May loose associations or even loyalty to
and values cooperation the group – competition is the name of the
game
• Emphasis on hierarchy as culture • Values equality, given fair chance
keeps harmony and order
• Talks in general manner and would • Talks more about self and personal
rather keep a low profile (promoting attributions, achievements
self is boastful)

Apply

Who are you? Perhaps when this is asked to you, you will immediately say
your name. but easy as it may seem, in reality may be difficult to answer
especially when asked who are you beyond the name?

But for now, let us take this activity to help you understand in part your
self anchoring it to the perspective that we discussed.

When the COVID 19 became pandemic, Pres. Duterte declared a

lockdown last mid of March. Of course, you know what happened next. We were
not allowed to go out, with very limited or up to none personal interaction and the
usual thing we do were restricted. During that time what were your thoughts?
What were your feelings? Where there changes with the way you view yourself
before the pandemic? Or were there new that you discovered about yourself?

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Activity 1.2

1. List down below how you view your self before the pandemic and during the
pandemic. Limit your answer to 3-5 descriptions

Before the Pandemic During Pandemic

Ex. I usually discuss my problems with Ex. I am more comfortable talking

my friends. about my fears and worries with my
I just took my parents for granted. siblings.
I cooked and sell it online, hence
helping my parents financially.

2. Are there some changes? (It is alright if there is none). What are those
changes you noticed?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

3. Explain why it happened (the changes or no changes). Anchor your

exlanation to any of the philosophy discussed. (limit your answer to up to 5
sentences only)

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

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4. Do you like what are you now? or was it better then? Why so?
(limit your answer to up to 5 sentences only)

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

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Assessment task

Name: Date: _____________

Program, Year and Section: Score: ____________

Direction: Tell what philosophy is described in the following statement. Refer

your answer below. Write your anwer on the space provided.

EP. If your answer is Eastern Philosophy

WP. If your answer is Western Philosophy

_____ 1. I need to study more so I can get the grade that I aspire.

_____ 2. COVID 19 pandemic taught me to be more understanding of

the struggles others experience.

_____ 3. Keeping myself healthy is also keeping my family safe from the
possible COVID contagion.

_____ 4. I fear failure that is why I try to excell in all possible endeavor I
am part of.

_____ 5. I am now a student of ISAT university, as such, I will embrace

its core value so the university achieves its vision.

_____ 6. As a working student I experience difficulties, but I know there

is an end to this if I do what is necessary.

_____ 7. I deserve better grade because I work for it.

_____ 8. Trust and loyalty is gained.

_____ 9. Whatever I achieved now, I owe it to people who helped me.

_____ 10. During a monthlong lockdown, many noticed that Manila’s sky
became clearer as before it.

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References

Alata, Eden Joy P., et.al. (2018). Understanding the Self. (1st Ed.). Manila,
Phil.: Rex Book Store
Corpuz, R.M., Estoque, R.S. and Tabotabo, C.V. (2019). Understanding
the Self. QC: C&E Publishing, Inc.

Internet Sources

Ames, Roger T. Confucius: Chinese Philosopher. Retrieved August 10,

2020. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Confucius)

Mark, Emily (2016). Taoism: Definition. Retrieved August 10, 2020.

(https://www.ancient.eu/Taoism/)

Buddhism Religion: Basic Beliefs and Practices. Retrieved August 10,

2020.
(https://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/religion/eastern/buddhis
m/buddhism/basic-beliefs-and-practices)

What is Buddhism? Retrieved August 10, 2020.

(https://www.diamondway-buddhism.org/buddhism/

Blind Men and the Elephant. Retrieved August 2, 2020.

(https://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/blind-men-and-the-
elephant.htm)

www.dictionary.com

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