VISION

CNSC as a Premier Higher Education Institution in the Bicol Region.

Republic of the Philippines MISSION

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE The Camarines Norte State College shall provide higher and advanced studies
in the fields of education, arts and sciences, economics, health, engineering,
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION management, finance, accounting, business and public administration
ABAÑO CAMPUS fisheries, agriculture, natural resources development and management and
Daet, Camarines Norte ladderized courses. It shall also respond to research, extension and production
services adherent to progressive leadership towards sustainable development.

THE Self fROM VARIOUS PERSPectIVe

Name of Faculty: JHON PAUL M. CASTILLO, MAEd
Instructor

Subject: Understanding the Self

Schedule for Instruction: MWF-8:00-9:00,9:00-10:00,10:00-11:00,11:00-12:00

Topic: The Self from Various Perspective

Objectives: At the end of the lesson the students are expected to;

1. discuss the different philosophical standpoints about

the self;
2. explain how philosophical model have
transformed from classical to contemporary times.
3. synthesize and evaluate the different perspectives of
self; and
4. analyze the relevance of various philosophical
standpoints to your sense of self.

Introduction:

This section highlights how classical and modern philosophical models defined
the self, the evolution of these philosophical frameworks from ancient to contemporary
times, and the relevance of the philosophy of the self to how the youth define their own
sense of self.

Pre-test

Instructions: If you think the statement is correct, write agree. otherwise, write
disagree.

Disagree 1. Different philosophers hold the same views about the self.

Agree 2. Philosophers used empirical and rational lens in explaining the

self.

Agree 3. Philosophy of the self as explained by modern philosophers is

more relevant than that of ancient philosophers.

Agree 4. Philosophical views of the self are a useful guide to having a

better life.

Disagree 5. Philosophy of the self should only be studied by older

individuals and not by younger generations.

ABSTRACTION

Philosophy of the Self

 Philosophy is often called the mother of all disciplines simply because all fields of
study began as philosophical discourses. Ancient philosophers attempted to explain
natural and social phenomena, coming up with their own definitions of how the world
works and what factors contribute to such phenomena. Thus, it was inevitable to come
up with various conceptions of what it means to be human, and in so doing, the different
definitions of the self.

The self has been defined as "a unified being, essentially connected to
consciousness, awareness, and agency (or, at least, with the faculty of rational choice)."
Different philosophers introduced specific characteristics and meanings of the self,
which, over time, transformed from pure abstractions to explanations that hold scientific
proofs.

Classical Antiquity

The ancient philosophy of the self can be traced back from one of 147 Greek
aphorisms prominently inscribed in the temple of Apollo at Delphi-know thyself (Greek:
yvw0I GEAUTóv, transliterated: gnóthi seautón). This aphorism (or principle) was
Socrates's guiding principle that he imparted to his students. Since Socrates as a guru
preferred to engage his students in endless discussions, it is said that he had never
written down any of his ideas but instead untiringly articulated concepts and principles
with his students. Socrates believed that the real self is not the physical body, but rather
the psyche (or soul). He further posited that the appearance of the body is inferior to its
functions.

It was Plato, Socrates's prized student, who thoroughly expounded on Socrates's

ideas of the self. Plato's conceptualization of the self was profoundly introduced in his
dialogue, Phaedrus, which has been a popular text for many decades in the subject of
philosophy. The main idea in this dialogue is that the truth can be distinguished in two
forms: the metaphysical realm (mind) and the physical world (body). Plato suggested
that the self is fundamentally an intellectual entity whose nature exists independent from
the physical world. Plato bifurcated the truth or reality into two: the ontos (ideal), the
ultimate reality which tends to be permanent and spiritual, and the phenomena which
refers to the manifestation of the ideal. Compared to ontos, phenomena are imperfect.
impermanent, and inferior.

Plato's idea of truth about the human self was even more expounded and
formalized by his prized student, Aristotle. While Plato emphasized the separation of the
ideal and phenomenal existence or being, Aristotle suggested that the ideal is
subsumed in the phenomena. Aristotle called the ideal as essence and the phenomena
as matter. He also emphasized that the two co-exist and are co-dependent; the essence
provides meaning and purpose to the matter, and the matter provides substance and
solidity to essence.

The philosophy of the self has been defined through two distinct lens:
empiricism and rationalism. In empiricism, there is no such thing as innate knowledge;
instead, knowledge is derived from experience either perceived with the five senses or
processed with the brain. One knows things because he or she has experienced it
through sensory and bodily responses. On the other hand. rationalism argues that there
is innate knowledge; however, there are different sources of innate knowledge.
Rationalism explains self from the standpoint of what is "ideal" and "true," and not rooted
in what is felt by the senses or body. Conclusions are derived through logic and
reasoning. Some philosophers applied empirical views of the self; others used the
rational.

From classical antiquity to the contemporary era, philosophy of the self has
evolved. From the teachings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, renaissance and
contemporary philosophers also defined the self-according to personal and historical
contexts. As stated by Fromm, "You can only understand humans in the context of their
history. This line is appropriate in understanding how philosophers have shaped their
own viewpoints of the self. The ancient philosophers explained the self from their
conceptual understanding of the world since scientific evidence was hard to obtain due
to the lack of measures. Contemporary philosophers, meanwhile, have incorporated
science to their theories in the light of the technological advancements that they have
been exposed to.

Towards Modern Philosophy

Socrates and Plato have explained the self from a theoretical and logical
orientation. Aristotle was an empiricist, deriving views of the self from physical and
scientific underpinnings. St. Augustine incorporated the views of Plato to his religious
philosophy. John Locke, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant were empiricist philosophers;
while Réne Descartes was a dominant rational philosopher during the Middle Ages.
Among contemporary philosophers, majority are empiricists: Gilbert Ryle, Patricia
Churchland, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty have incorporated biological and neuroscience
in their philosophies.

The varying philosophical standpoints can thus be summarized as follows:

Philosopher Orientation Philosophy Description

Classical Antiquity
Knowledge the
personification
of good while
ignorance is
that of evil.
Socrates Idealism Socratic Philosophy Self-knowledge
is the ultimate
virtue. As the
ultimate virtue,
it will lead to
ultimate
happiness.
Moral virtue is
rooted in the
intellect and
leads to
Plato Idealism Dualism and happiness.
Idealism Wisdom and
knowledge lead
to virtue which
will lead to
happiness.
Ideal is found
inside the
phenomena
and the
Aristotle Empiricist Aristotelian universals
Philosophy inside the
particulars.
Ideals are
ESSENCE and
Phenomena is
 MATTER.
Matter has no
form. Essence
has no mass.
Matter and
essence need
each other.
Middle-Ages
All knowledge
leads to God.
Only the pure
in heart can
see God.
Love of God,
St. Augustine Platonism Neoplatonism faith in Him,
and
understanding
of His Gospel
will ultimately
lead to
happiness.
Renaissance
“I think,
therefore, I am”
The mind and
soul can exist
Rene Descartes Rationalist Mind-Body Dualism without the
body.
Establishing
the distinction
of soul from the
body can make
people believe
in the afterlife
and the soul’s
immortality.
It is in
consciousness
alone that
identity exists,
John Locke Empiricist Theory of Personal not in the body
Identity and soul.
There is a
distinction
between man
and person.
The soul may
change, but
consciousness
remains intact.
All knowledge
Skeptical passes
Empiricist Philosophy through the
David Hume senses.
Separate
ideas can be
 joined in the
mind.
There is no
self, only a
bundle of
perception.
Reason is the
final authority
of morality.
Metaphysics of the There is inner
Immanuel Kant Rationalist/Empiricist Self self and outer
self.
The inner self
includes
rational
reasoning and
psychological
state.
The outer self
includes the
body and
physical mind,
where
representation
occurs.
Modern Times
“I act,
therefore, I
am.”
The mind is not
the seat of self.
Gilbert Ryle Empiricist The Concept of It is not a
Mind separate,
parallel thing to
our physical
body.
The mind is a
category
mistake,
brought about
by habitual use.
The only way it
can affect the
other is through
the external
world.
A fully matured
neuroscience
will eliminate
Patricia Empiricist Nuerophilosophy the need for
Churchland beliefs since
“they are not
real.”
The physical
brain gives us a
sense of self.
 VISION
CNSC as a Premier Higher Education Institution in the Bicol Region.

Republic of the Philippines MISSION

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE The Camarines Norte State College shall provide higher and advanced studies
in the fields of education, arts and sciences, economics, health, engineering,
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION management, finance, accounting, business and public administration
ABAÑO CAMPUS fisheries, agriculture, natural resources development and management and
Daet, Camarines Norte ladderized courses. It shall also respond to research, extension and production
services adherent to progressive leadership towards sustainable development.

Both
Maurice empiricism and
Existentialist/ Phenomenology intellectualism
Empiricist are flawed in
Merleau- Ponty nature.
“We are our
bodies.”
Our bodily
experiences do
not detach the
subject/object,
mind/body,
rational/irration
al.

The table shows how philosophers view the self from different standpoints. It
must be remembered that in studying the theories about the self, one should take into
account the philosophers’ orientation and historical background. Many other scholars’
study and explain the self. Through their ideas, you may examine yourself and
determine whether you fit into the given descriptions.

ACTIVITY 1

Instructions: Read the different statements below and answer the succeeding
questions. In answering, take note of the three discerning points between empiricism
and rationalism.

Rationalism Empiricism
The primary and most superior source of The only source of genuine knowledge
knowledge about reality is reason. about the world is sense experience.
Sense experience is an unreliable and Reason is unreliable and inadequate route
inadequate route to knowledge. to knowledge unless it is grounded in the
solid bedrock of sense experience.
The fundamental truths about the world There is no such thing as innate
can be known a priori: either innate or self- knowledge because knowledge is derived
evident to our minds. from experience. The mind before
experience is tabula rasa, a blank slate.

1. When you are studying or receiving or reviewing lessons, are you more likely to
take the rationalist viewpoint or empiricist viewpoint? Why?
When I’m studying or receiving or reviewing lessons, I am more likely to take the
rationalist viewpoint. Rational viewpoint shoud take when studying is it because lessons are
all about aquired reasoning in something for it to be reliable in students like me. A lesson that
gives knowledge which are fundamental truths about certain topic. Additionally, sense
experience is an uncertain and insufficient means of gaining learning.

2. How do you apply empiricism and / or rationalism in studying your lessons? Be

specific and concrete. Try to remember your habits and how you make sense of the
lessons.
In applying rationalism in studying my lesson, I based my understanding depending what
context that the book or learning materials have. We all know that in lessons it has explanation
that based in truthfulness of the topic. We are not able to change it however we need to apply
and learn something from this lesson. It is a must that we should think and gain new concepts
and knowledge in studying our lesson.
 3. Is it possible to make use of both philosophical approaches? Why? Why or not?
Yes, it is possible to make use of both philosophical approaches, rationalism and
emperisicm. In fact if we both use it, it can can build a stronger knowledge that will leads to
realistic concepts in certain thing. When we use our sense of experience and reasoning in
understanding certain topic it can lead to widen our perspectives in the said topic. Therefor,
rationalism and emperisicm can both possible use in understanding lessons or things.

ACTIVITY 2

Instructions: Read the articles referenced and answer the items that follow.

1. Chaffee, J.(2013) Who are you? Consciousness, identity and the self, In The
Philosopher’s way: Thinking critically about profound ideas (pp.154-155). Boston,
MA: Pearson.

2. Mahdi, M. (1962). Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle. New York, NY: The Free
Press of Glencoe.

3. Speaks, J. (2006). Ryle;s behaviorist view of the mind. Retrieved from

www.3nd.edu/-jspeaks/courses/2006-7/220208/ryle-behaviorism.html

1. List down three things that you significantly learned from the readings.
 Human experience are the product of both exposure to a specific
language and innate.
 The attainment of happiness, is a certain knowledge and a certain way
of life.
 Body and mind are ordinarily harnessed together
2. List down the three things that are still unclear to you.
 The self is multilayered.
 Happiness that gives him his ultimate perfection.
 The Cartesian view as a category mistake
3. List down three questions that you want to ask about the readings.
 Is consciousness really relevant in knowing or understanding the self?
 How happiness leads to ultimate perfection?
 How Cartesian view as a category mistake apply to the case of the
mind?

REFERENCES:

Understanding the SELF outcome-based module, Jonathan Veran Macayan et.al

Understanding the Self, Dalisay G. Bawner et. Al