Understanding the Self

1. M O D U L E 1 :
F U N D A M E N T A L S O F
UNDERSTANDING
THE SELF

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
● Determine the different factors that contribute to one’s
being.
● Discuss the different philosophical standpoints about the
self.
● Define and explain the different scientific standpoints
about the self.

3. S E C T I O N 1 :
S O C I A L ,
E N V I R O N M E N TA L , A N D
L I F E FA C T O R S
( S . E . L . F. )

4. NATURE VS. NURTURE
● Nature
○ People are predominantly a product of natural processes
to which people are inherently predisposed.
○ This concept is anchored on Biology and explains that
traits are passed from one generation to another.
○ The self is studied structurally & functionally.

5. NATURE VS. NURTURE
● Nurture
○ The self should be viewed as an outcome of various
nurturing factors in the context of one’s life.
○ This basically refers to the how the person’s environment
(including relationships and experiences) impacts their
development.

6. IDENTITY VS. SELF
● Identity
○ The qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or
group different from others.
○ The distinguishing character or personality of an individual.
● Self
○ The person that someone normally or truly is.
○ The entire person of an individual.

7. DIMENSIONALITIES OF THE SELF/IDENTITY
● Social Factor - Influences of significant people in one’s life.
● Personality - Individual patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
● Environmental Factor - Includes physical and communal elements
present in everyday surroundings.
● Hereditary Factor - Heredity; Passing of certain traits from generation
to another.
● Person-Volition Factor - Person’s inclination to construct a specific
identity that will set him apart from others.

8. S E C T I O N 2 :
T H E S C I E N C E A N D
P H I L O S O P H Y O F T H E
S E L F

9. W H AT P H I L O S O P H Y
S AY S A B O U T
T H E S E L F

10. WHAT PHILOSOPHY SAYS ABOUT THE SELF
● Self - “a unified being, essentially connected to consciousness,
awareness, and agency (or at least, with the faculty of rational
choice.)”
● THETHREE GREAT “GOLDEN AGE” GREEK
PHILOSOPHERS
○ Socrates
○ Plato

11. SOCRATES
● Believed that the self is not the physical body, but rather
the psyche (the soul).
● Used Greek aphorisms inscribed in the temple of
Apollo at Delphi.
○ This was Socrates’ guiding principle that he
imparted to his students.

12. PLATO
● Socrates’ student who suggested that the self is
fundamentally an intellectual identity whose nature
exists independent from the physical world.
● Plato’s 2 divisions of the truth or reality:
○ ontos - ideal
○ phenomena - manifestation of the ideal.

13. ARISTOTLE
● Student of Plato who expounded the truth of the human
self.
● Emphasized that the ideal is subsumed in the phenomena.
● He referred to:
○ ideal = essence - provides meaning & purpose to
matter
○ phenomena = matter - provides substance and solidity
to essence
■ Further emphasized that the two co-exist and are

14. EMPIRICISM & RATIONALISM
● Empiricism
○ The knowledge that is derived from experience and
experimentation.
○ Aristotle was an empiricist; explaining the self from physical
and scientific foundations.
● Rationalism
○ The knowledge that is derived from reason and logic.
○ Socrates and Plato were rationalists; explaining the self
from a theoretical and logical perspective.

15. W H AT S C I E N C E S AY S
A B O U T
T H E S E L F

16. BIOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGY
● Charles Darwin - Theory of Evolution & Natural Selection
● Biological Perspective: Doctors & Scientists explain how genes
from both parents contribute to the characteristics of their
offspring through genetics.
● DNA - Self replicating material that carry genetic information
present in almost all living things and the unique identifying part
of every individual.

17. BIOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGY
● Neurophilosophy
○ Paul & Patricia Churchland
○ Association of the brain and the mind.
● Psychoneuroimmunology
○ Describes the shaping of the self as similar to how the
human immune system functions.

18. SOCIAL SCIENCES
● Psychology
○ The study of human behavior.
■ Self-Awareness - Consciousness of individuals about
their strengths, weaknesses, potentials, etc.
■ Self-Concept - An implicit personality theory that one
holds towards oneself.

19. SOCIAL SCIENCES
● Psychology
○ Psychoanalysis
■ Sigmund Freud
■ Focuses on the “unconscious” as a core element of the self.
○ Behaviorism
■ Emphasizes studying observable behaviors and how they are
influenced by environmental stimuli, focusing on learning through
conditioning and reinforcement.

20. SOCIAL SCIENCES
● Psychology
○ Social Cognitive Theory
■ Considers behavior as a function of the environment
and internal attributes.
○ Humanistic Perspective
■ Believes that everyone is inherently good, and has the
ability to reach self-actualization.

21. SOCIAL SCIENCES
● Sociology
○ Study of collective behavior of people within society and
focuses on social problems encountered by individuals
● Anthropology
○ Study of human beings and their ancestors through time and
space and in relation, and culture.

22. SOCIAL SCIENCES
● Political Science
○ Concerned on the participation of individuals in establishing
a government and making political choices.
● Economics
○ Describes and analyzes the production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services.

23. THE SELF
AMIDST THE
NEW NORMAL

24. THE PANDEMIC AND THE NEW NORMAL
● “The New Normal”
● The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a global crisis affecting all
individuals across all demographics.
● The most observed changes were found in the areas of education and
employment.
● The disruptions caused by the pandemic affected both people's’ physical
and mental health.
● Amidst all the chaos and disruptions, people still endeavor to cope,
survive, and thrive.

25. THE SELF AND THE NEW NORMAL
● Biological Perspective
○ People are more mindful and careful of their health.
● Social Perspective
○ Protocols implemented resulted in people avoiding physical
contact as people were ‘social distancing’.
● Mental Perspective
○ Cases of depressive symptoms, paranoia, anxiety, and stress
escalated.

26. HOW TO MAINTAIN SOUND PHYSICAL HEALTH
Tips provided by the DOH for securing our physical safety
amidst the pandemic:
- Frequent handwashing
- Proper cough etiquette
- Wearing of face masks
- Avoid touching your face
- Clean busy areas in your home
- Consult a doctor when feeling unwell

27. HOW TO MAINTAIN SOUND MENTAL HEALTH
Tips to strengthen our mental health:
● Be informed.
● Maintain a daily routine.
● Sustain social relationships.
● Spread positivity.
Tips for maintaining self-care:
● Try meditation exercises and have quiet time w/ yourself.
● Take up new hobbies and passion projects.
● Practice gratitude exercises.