Understanding The Self LESSON 2
Understanding The Self LESSON 2
Understanding The Self LESSON 2
He asserted that all things were animated and living, therefore suggesting life as the core component of the
essence of things. His position holds the germinal characteristic of the vitalistic view or essence of life, the
idea that living things possess a life principle—the soul.
According to this view, the soul is separate and distinct from the physical constituents it is made of as a unit
since the physical characteristics alone cannot fully explain the activities that living things are able to do
(Watson, 1978). In short, objects need to have something different inside them, a “prime mover,” to explain
their seemingly autonomous actions.
2. DEMOCRITUS (460-370 BCE) - Mechanistic View
He held the opposite view called the mechanistic position - that the physical characteristics of
matter are more than enough to explain the characteristic activity of living things. He introduced
the idea of the existence of atoms that were in constant motion and interaction and that were the
main source of all phenomena.
According to him, movement was inherent in living things and no need for a prime mover, a soul, or
a vitalistic principle in order to move (Freeman, 1948).
Before we continue further, let us try to understand some concepts that seemingly surface
in their views as these are also components of later philosophers' views.
First, the concept of essence is said to be described as the "thingness of a thing" whereby it
provides for the possible composition of an object creating its distinct set of characteristics.
Second, the soul, is believed by ancient Greeks as the source of consciousness and thus the
essence of life. However, note that this concept has no religious connotation. Lastly, the
concept of mind was also introduced referring to the expressions of the soul or the
collective name of the distinct functions of the soul, such as thinking, feeling, remembering,
and awareness.
More importantly, the ideas presented by Thales' vitalistic view and Democritus'
mechanistic views are prevalent schools of thought until the present. The vitalistic view of
life, believe that the soul or mind is what makes the person possess a self and experience its
more personal equivalent description, the I. A mechanistic view of self, however, equates it
in varied ways and will be discussed in succeeding sections.
Classical Philosophers' Views
About the Self
Philosophy as we know it stems much from the thoughts shared by classical philosophers
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Their views have been widely accepted by those who came
after them that much of our understanding about the world is rooted from them. So how do
these philosophers view the self?
These three ancient Greek philosophers have shared a number of valuable ideas about the
self. It is noteworthy to point out that while Socrates and Plato have more or less the same
views on self, Aristotle had somehow a different perspective. Nonetheless, these views
center on the Socratic thought of "Know thyself."
Neoplatonism and Religious Views
about the Self
Neoplatonism is a school of thought often linked to religious thinking as this is said to have
influenced the views of various world religions. Plotinus and St. Augustine were influenced
by these ideas stemming from Plato.
Clearly, the views of the classical philosophers greatly influenced how succeeding
philosophers shaped their views.
Modern Philosophical Views About
the Self
As you have noticed so far, throughout the centuries, the view of the self has evolved with
more and more philosophers banking on previous perspectives and expounding on them or
deviating from them at some point. Now, we continue on with those individuals who
provided more ideas about the self, which are closer to how we view it these days. These
are our modern philosophers:
Even the modern philosophers have opposing views in understanding the self as you have
noticed. Nonetheless, you get to see how and why, depending on the school of thought that
we adhere to, we get to understand why we at present look at ourselves and react to similar
experiences very differently.
With all these discussions about philosophical perspectives about the self, with whose
views do you subscribe to?
Sociological & Anthropological Self
According to George Herbert Mead (1863–1931), how individuals see themselves is based
on their interaction with the society. In contrast to the philosophical understanding of the
self, which is more directed to a conscious self, the anthropological and sociological
perspectives look into the external world, particularly culture and society as factors
influencing self-identity.
Anthropology of self
- one learns about how culture, which continues to evolve, contributes to the
development of self-identity.
Sociology of self
- one learns about the perception of others and the modern society, both of which
shape one’s self-identity.
The Self in the Anthropological
Process
The self reflects how adapting to social environments increases the chances of human
survival. This evolutionary process involves how one’s identity is established. The elements
of culture are efficient tools for harmonious social interactions and coexistence.
What is culture?
Culture
- a system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that are
transmitted from generation to generation through learning and that the members
of society use to cope with their world and with one another (Bates & Plog, 1990).
- learned, shared, symbolic, integrated, and adaptive (Tylor, 1871).
- instrumental in ensuring human survival through promoting cooperation and
imposing punishment or social sanctions for those who violate social rules
- plays a significant role in transmitting traditions and practices and in recognizing
behaviors and innovations that greatly contribute to the betterment of society.
Note: Thus, identities are multifaceted products of cultural adaptation. They are shaped by
not only individual perceptions of the self, but also what ancestors transmitted through
generations and the learnings shared in a social environment.
- AN ONGOING EVENT.
- COMPLEX.
- A CONSTANTLY EVOLVING PROCESS.
- adapts to the social and environmental pressures through time and ensures its transmission
to succeeding generations.
- bind people and ensure their survival.
Note: The social sanctions imposed in one’s culture are a way to ensure that the cultural values are
being practiced.
Enculturation
- one learns about culture from birth and makes use of it in interacting with others.
Note: They have beliefs and values that their family members encourage; they observe family
customs; and they show behaviors that are acceptable not only to their elders but also to other
people like their peers.
Cultural symbols
- have the same meaning for people in a group or community.
- They may be verbal or nonverbal behaviors, sounds, objects, or images.
Note: As individuals interact with one another, symbols are produced and learned, and they
become significant.
Elements of Culture
- ideas, experiences, events, facilitate its survival and transmission from generation
to generation.
For instance, the Filipino culture is family-oriented and religious and the dynamics of these
two encourage the preservation of the Filipino identity.
Human ancestors
- formed groups to ensure survival.
- gave utmost importance to cooperation, which eventually reflected in various
cultures.
In an anthropological process, individuals identify with a group. Eventually, each one puts an
effort to establish a self-identity. Culture, in general, has a large influence on the self. Feelings,
thoughts, and behaviors are reflections of the culture that encompass others within the
environment.
The moment one is born, one is influenced by the cultural traditions and practices of
parents who are also largely influenced by the broader cultural environment. One learns
from culture how to feel, think, and act. The more one immerses in the social environment,
the more one learns and is influenced by the culture. Because culture is efficiently
transmitted through interaction with groups, one’s own identity is largely connected to the
group that shares the same culture.
The Self in the Sociological Process
Social interactions form a huge part of how one establishes an identity. The self is a two-
way feedback.
American sociologist Charles Horton Cooley (1864–1929) suggested that individuals see
themselves through their interaction with others. A person sees oneself in the feelings,
thoughts, and actions of others.
In the words of George Herbert Mead (Mead & Morris, 1935), “the self is social.” Members
of the society learn and show behaviors that the society deems proper and acceptable.
Norms
- expectations of what should and what should not be done in different social
situations
In general, seeing the self through interactions with others and the socially expected feelings,
thoughts, and behaviors are sociological factors that influence self- identity.
The most influential innovation in the 21st century is the Internet and how it changes the
process of socialization through the social media applications. Such innovation forces one’s
culture to adapt and even change. This is referred to as the adaptive culture (Ogburn,
1966). Even one’s feelings and thoughts are influenced by the social media.
In general, the increasing and encompassing social world is largely influential on the self.
The self is the product not only of how one establishes it but also of one’s interaction; it is
not only with proximate people and culture, but also with the globalized world. However,
the self has free will in a sociological process, and it is capable of deliberation becoming in
charge of establishing his/her self-identity.
Knowing more about one’s identity requires self-reflection. Interestingly, being in a place
with a different culture activates one’s self-reflection and imagination about the self. In a
country or place where the culture is different from one’s own, one experiences culture
shock, a stressful response when individuals experience the ways of a new culture other
than theirs and are pressured to adapt to such new ways. However, such experience can
become fruitful if it is used as an opportunity to examine one’s self in a deeper level.