1: SELF-EXAMINATION

Look at yourself in the mirror and answer the following

questions.

1. How can you describe yourself based on your own perspective or point of view?

“I am a student, the youngest, a friend, a classmate, and a citizen of my country. I

am fond of watching series and movies, eating spicy foods, and being active. I am
continuing to live life to the fullest with so many dreams and hopes within me. I
interact well with the people around me, and I have built and continue to build good
relationships with others. I do have a lot of weaknesses and strengths, and I think I
am a simple person who strives for what's best and finds purpose and reason in
life.”

2. What aspect of yourself do you feel good about? Why?

I am not that confident in my physical appearance. I think that the best

aspect of my life is my personality. As my friends, classmates, family, and
other people that I interact with know, I am a good listener, a good
companion, a good friend, and many more things because I always care
about the feelings and emotions that I and other people show. And I think
that the world is too chaotic and messy; therefore, being kind to others will
always have a great impact on the surroundings and the world.
Activity 1.1

Words That Describe Me

Circle the words that describe you. Add additional words if needed.

Adaptive Self Aware Tolerant

Dependable Intelligent Fearless

Compassionate Hard Worker Capable with Hands

Respectful Calm Humble

Energetic Eccentric Clever

Creative Confidant Thoughtful

Complex Realistic Cautious

Balanced Cooperative Shy

Quiet Attentive Picky

Activity 1.2

About Myself…

Growing up, people tend to describe me as a somewhat

competitive but super friendly kid, outgoing, fun to be
with, energetic, lively, hardworking since I am a
consistent honor student, and many more. Those words,
affirmations, were compiled and put together as if it were
a heavy weightlifting bar, and up until now, I have been
holding and shouldering all that heaviness, which
somehow builds as pressure for me. With that, I tend to
care more about what other people tell me and everything
else. But as time went by, mistakes were made, I learned
from them, and here I am, still having those aspects and
values that matter, living with people that I love and
living for myself as well.
 SELF-DESCRIPTION ESSAY. Write an essay anything that you
wish to share about yourself. You may use these suggested
topics.
 Me as me
 How other people see me
 How would I like other people to see me

Overall, up until now, I have been worried about

what other people would say about me—about how I
dress up, act up, behave, and everything else that may
catch their attention. That's why I am overly cautious
about what I am doing and saying; everything is
calculated before it comes from me. But still, I am trying
and learning to do the other way out. I should always
consider myself first, and before I evaluate others, I
should love, care for, and evaluate myself before anything
else.
 Let’s Check!
Encircle the letter of the correct answer that best corresponds with what is asked:

1. According to him, “an unexamined life is not worth living”.

a. Socrates
b. Plato
c. Aristotle
d. All of the Above

2. In his Theory of Forms, he introduces the concept of the two worlds: the world of forms (non-
physical ideas) and the world of sense (reality).
a. Socrates
b. Plato
c. Aristotle
d. None of the Above

3. He is regarded as the Father of modern Philosophy.

a. Socrates
b. Plato
c. Aristotle
d. Rene Descartes

4. He postulates that the human mind at birth is a blank slate or tabula rasa.
a. St. Augustine
b. Rene Descartes
c. John Locke
d. Plato

5. He believed that the most Important thing in life is the state of an individual’s soul.
a. Socrates
b. Plato
c. Aristotle
d. Rene Descartes

6. He believed that the human being is both a soul and a body.

a. Socrates
b. Plato
 c. Aristotle
d. St. Augustine

7. Plato believed that there are three parts of the soul, namely:
a. Appetitive, rational, and spirited
b. Appetitive, spirited, and rational
c. Rational, spirited, and appetitive
d. Spirited, rational, and appetitive

8. He claimed that human knowledge is derived from experiences.

a. Rene Descartes
b. St. Augustine
c. John Locke
d. All of the above

9. He is famous for this phrase, “I think, therefore I am.”

a. John Locke
b. Rene Descartes
c. St. Augustine
d. John Bowlby

10. He believed in the balance between mind and body.

a. Plato
b. Aristotle
c. Socrates
d. St. Augustine
 Let’s Assess!
Identify the philosopher who proposed the particular view of self
presented in the first column. Then, examine your personal view
about the nature of self and indicate whether you believe or not
in the philosophical view of self. If you believe in the stated
philosophy, recall an important experience you have had
which
relates to it. If you do not believe, explain your disbelief. How do you think
your experiences ordisbelief affects your selfhood?
Believe it or
Philosophical not: (write B if Related life Reasons why I Effects on my
Philosopher
view of self you believe; N experiences do not believe selfhood
if you don’t)
An unexamined It made me
life is not worth realize that
living. living is worthy
The fact that I
Socrates B and that we
continues to live.
should be
knowing our
purpose in life.
The self seeks Every day,
This helps me
to be united with especially when
guide my whole
God through Thomas Aquinas B I keep holy the
self to seek for
faith and reason Sabbath day, and
good with God.
pray.
The human It helped me
mind at birth is a realize such
All my journey,
blank slate or things that from
from the very
tabula rasa John Locke B our experiences,
beginning upto
we gain and
now.
apply
knowledge.
 Let’s Reflect!

Write an essay on the philosophical perspective of the self. Consider

the followingquestions in writing your essay.

1) Explain how each philosophy of the self impacts your self-understanding.

2) Which philosophy relates to your own belief?
3) What is your own philosophy of self?

My Reflection

I think that the philosophy of the self of Socrates and John Locke
may have the same meaning for me. Our own journey, experiences, and
time that we live our lives are the examination of our purpose, and that
may be the start of growing and building up that knowledge.
The second philosophy means that we are responsible to seek and
have faith in God, especially as Christians. I think that the given
philosophies may relate to myself since I am still learning and studying
somehow the true meaning of my own self. I don't think I already have a
philosophy about myself or the self in general, since I am still wondering
and continuing to find my purpose in life.
Q & A List

This section is a place for you to raise your questions and queries that you fell the
instructor should give attention to. Feel free to ask relevant questions related from the course
here. This Q & A portion helps the review of concepts and essential knowledge.

Do you have any questions for clarification?

Questions/Issues Answers
1. Why Socrates didn’t write anything during his
time?

2. If a man died early and didn’t really have that

examining of his life, does it mean that he didn’t
live a happy and meaningful life?

3. Are there people that do not have or shows

any emotions or feelings?

4. Why is that, that there are a lot of

philosophies about self?

5. What is the difference between personality

and self?
 1.2 Two-Minute Speeches

Prepare a two-minute speech about yourself describing the essence of your

personal identity, “Who are you?” You can choose to share a personal story or
an interesting experience. You can talk about your family and career, or your
goals and dreams.

Presentation Notes

Rejections are redirections. Growing up, I always felt

like everyone was staring at me, watching, and
waiting for me to commit or do something wrong. It
always feels like every step that I take means so
much to other people, that I should be doing this and
that, without realizing that I am slowly limiting
myself and that I am going to be the person that I do
not want to be if I am going to always seek the
validation of other people just to relieve myself. The
only experience that I can provide is part of my
journey in school. I don't really know whether I am
doing my best to perform all the performance tasks,
activities, etc. for myself and for the people that I
love, or if I am just pressuring myself because I don't
want to fail or fall short to the expectations of other
people. That being said, that throughout my life, I am
afraid of rejections, and I only realized that those
rejections led me to the self I am today. I am still
learning and trying to just live and enjoy life to the
fullest.
 Let’s Test Your Memory!

Encircle the letter of the correct answer that best corresponds with what is
asked:

I. Identify what is being asked in each statement below. Write your

answers before each number.
David Hume 1. He asserted that “self” does not exist; instead, he stressed that
perceptions are only active for as long as an individual is
conscious.
Immanuel Kant 2. He believed that self is not in the body, and he stressed that the
body
an its qualities are rooted to the self.
Paul Churchland 3. He viewed that the immaterial soul does not exist because it cannot
be experienced by the senses.
Gilbert Ryle 4. He believed that the individual’s action defines his/her own concept of
the “self”.

Gilbert Ryle 5. He asserted that the soul is distinct from the body.
Paul Churchland6. He introduces the idea of eliminative materialism.

Gilbert Ryle 7. He believes that the mind is not the seat of self but behavior, thus the
principle “I act, therefore, I am.”
Paul Churchland 8. He believes that the self is the brain.
Maurice Merleau-Ponty 9. The Phenomenology of Perception is the work of:
Paul Churchland 10. He believes that the physical brain and NOT the imaginary mind
give us our sense of self
My Unique Picture Album
Think about the people, places, and experiences in your life that are very special to you. This is where you

Belonging Recognition

- After I auditioned to a dance group back

- Year 2018, when I met my circle of friends in High School, I was recognized as a good
back in High School and we’re still closest dancer, joined series of performances
to each other. within school and outside.
- The moment I get close to my college - Every time I meet new people, they would
friends, my coursemates. consider me as fun to be with person and
they acknowledge my good personality.

get your psychological needs met. Write two examples in each box of how you meet this
particular need.
Self-Esteem Safety

- Every time I perform, may it be dance, - Every time I spent my time with my family
spoken poetry, reporting and other and of course with my friends. It feels like
activities. home, that you will never hide your true
- My friends and family will always be my self.
top boosters of my self-esteem and - When I am with my friend, he is my crush
confidence within me. for 7 years now and I also feel secured and
smooth with him.

Freedom Fun

- My family and friends are always been

supportive to whatever things I am aiming
for, it feels like I am a bird, flying freely to - When I am with my family and friends.
the sky. - When I interact with new people and then
- When I dance, I feel like I am expressing our vibes just clicks.
not only myself, because I am also
representing each of those who can relate.

Let’s Reflect!
Having or knowing a philosophy of the self is crucial
because, in that way, we may help our own selves
discover, explore, and understand themselves and
others. This may be a key for us to reflect deeper on
what or who we are generally. I am a student who has
so many dreams and hopes. I have so much passion for
what I am doing, and I am happy. I guess I don't know
yet what my purpose in life is since I am still living and
figuring things out. We all have different things to do in
order to be happy, but the only advice I can give is to
be content with ourselves. Be grateful for what you
have and aim for what you want. My personality will
always be the biggest aspect of my life that leads me
and other people to happiness.
Q & A List

This section is a place for you to raise your questions and queries that you feel the
instructor should give attention to. Feel free to ask relevant questions related from the course
here. This Q & A portion helps the review of concepts and essential knowledge.
Questions/Issues Answers
1. Are we responsible to know and follow an
exact philosophy about the self?

2. Is it possible for us to forget our traumas or

past experiences?

3. Is it possible to be an empiricist and a

rationalist at the same time?

4. If there are no philosophers, and ideas and

philosophy about the self were not introduced
to us, is it still possible to understand the self?

5. Can other people know or describe the self of

others?
Your Turn. What did you learn about the different Philosophical Perspective on self?

1.I have learned that each philosopher takes so much

understanding into the wholeness of the self differently, and
some are the same. Each of them provides so much
important information that we can use to deepen our
knowledge about ourselves. Also, each of them uniquely
explains their own perspective and philosophy, which we
should be thankful for.

2. I learned that we are somehow responsible to know or

have a philosophy of the self. It is important for us to
understand our differences with each other and especially
ourselves. The discussed philosophies about the self may
guide us, help us acquire the true meaning of ourselves, and
eventually help us find our purpose in life.

3. As we are accountable for knowing ourselves, we also

need to understand and guide other people. It's not truly our
responsibility, but as the saying goes, "No Man is an
Island," we are somehow connected and interrelated to
other people's lives. That's what I've learned, if we know
ourselves, we must help also other people to know
themselves.