Lesson II.

INTERSUBJECTIVITY

What is Intersubjectivity?
In one of the past chapters of this module, we have learned that a human person has self-awareness,
self-determination, externality, and dignity. We have explored that a person recognizes what he or she is
and what he or she can do. Further, we have learned that a person is a social being and since the
establishment of the first form of civilization has thrived because of the links and relationship one has.
Our ability to engage in meaningful interactions with other people, our surroundings, and everything
around us is rooted in our capacity for self-awareness and transcendence. Before we begin to relate with
others, we must first be aware of ourselves as rational individuals capable of determined and reasonable
action. Interpersonal relations are made possible when the self becomes aware of the other, which
includes everyone and everything outside of the self.
Take a moment to look at one of your family members. Are you aware of his or her existence? If your
answer is yes, then you are correct since you can perceive your family member through your senses.
Your classmate is the other, a being that exists outside of yourself. Now look at an object at your desk. It
may be a pencil, ball-pen, piece of paper, or any object. That object is also another, as it is a thing that
also exists outside of yourself.
Now, which of the following actions is more reasonable?

Of course, you will select the left statement since it describes a reasonable and logical human act. You
only interact with objects when you need to use them. You reach out for the pencil and paper only when
you need to write, and you do not need to talk to these objects to enable them to function. Interacting,
with other human beings, however, is a more complex act. What drives human persons to interact with
their fellow humans in a more meaningful way?
Our human nature not only enable us to recognize the self that defines our individuality, it also enables
us to recognize that other human beings also possesses a self. We can relate meaningfully with other
human beings because we consider ourselves as essentially the same. This notion of recognizing the
self in the other is how philosophers define interpersonal relations.
Intersubjectivity is a philosophical concept that explore the mutual recognition of each other as persons.
It cannot be denied that we interact with other beings in the world, but some of these beings that we
interact with are persons and must be recognized as such. Intersubjectivity also carries the meaning of
unique relationship between distinct subjects. It refers to the characteristics of the human person to
engage in a very intimate and personal relationship with others who are different from him or her but who
are also like him or her. This is possible because the person has an inner life or interiority. Having an
inner life allows the person to give himself or herself to others.
This also allows the individual to receive others in his or her life and relate with them. Intersubjectivity
also allows a person to become closer to others in many ways. In everyday social interactions, persons
could agree and cooperate with each other. There is also the experience of shared or “common”
knowledge and shared emotions such as grief, joy, and love.
A deeper level of interaction between the self and the other, on the other hand, is the awareness of the
self as being seen by others. Imagine, for instance, that one of the people you are watching suddenly
stops and looks straight at you. You are immediately aware of this person’s action as another which is
the stranger looking at your direction. Also, you are aware of another significant fact that you know that
the stranger staring at you is aware of you as a person. This self-consciousness is considered by
philosophers as a defining characteristic of the self-other relationship.

Look at the images above. The image on the left is a boy staring at his crush while the one on the right
is a man talking to a woman while her child awkwardly stares at the man. Now, which among the two
situations depict the “self” acknowledging the “other”? Which among the two situation shows an internal
reaction unique only to the “self” and the “other” he or she perceives? Lastly, if you are in both situations,
which of the two would elicit the most emotions out of you? Would it be staring at your crush or staring at
a stranger?
This unique phenomenon of the human gaze is considered a defining characteristic which sets apart
human interaction from the interaction of other species. Also, the awareness of the “self in the other” is
an important element in all other aspects of interpersonal interactions. The way we act with other people
is often influenced by our ideas of how these people see us.
These actions are referred to as “seeming”, where an individual presents himself or herself in a certain
way when dealing with others. Person's take on role or app out characters when dealing with certain
people or when in certain situations. This is considered as an unconscious, natural app on the part of
humans.

Elements of Interpersonal Relationships

Most human interactions, however, are not based on deception period since our human nature drives us
to uphold dignity and goodness, our interactions with others are also geared toward what is good and
beneficial. This led humans to strive to achieve deeper and more substantial interactions and relations
with other people. This deeper and more genuine interaction is called a dialogue, and this is made
possible when the self realizes that the other is genuine and unique individual. When two individuals
begin to view each other as another that is and truly acknowledging each other’s presence, then that is
the beginning of an authentic relationship and a dialogue.
A dialogue is an interaction between two persons that happens through speech or the use of words,
expressions, and body language. The person is a being who is open to others that can receive others in
a dialogue. Ordinarily, we think of it as a kind of communication that usually occurs through a
conversation. However, it must be noted that dialogue is not confined to words. Actions, gestures, and
other expressions maybe used to convey a person's inner life. Because persons are beings with inner
lives, the words uttered during a dialogue are rooted in each person’s inner life. Whenever a person
speaks, he or she expresses a personal interiority and communicates this part of himself or herself to
another person. This is the reason why it is not possible to have a dialogue with the material, object, a
plan, or even a pet. Only beings with interiority or an inner life can engage in a dialogue.
A dialogue occurs when two persons “open up” to each other and give and receive one another in their
encounter. Genuine dialogue occurs when persons are willing to share themselves with one another
period, the awareness of each other’s presence as a true person defined by the acceptance of each
other's uniqueness and differences. When each individual enters into a dialogue with this mindset, then
it is truly a dialogue between equals.
Philosophers agree that this is important for humans to pursue and achieve genuine relationships to attain
development. Human persons naturally seek and can achieve and maintain genuine, meaningful
relationship with each other. The human person is considered as a “being with others,” which means that
his or her identity and destiny are shaped by relating with others. Human existence is a continual dialogue
with the other, and that the self becomes whole through interaction with other people and his or her
surroundings.

Empathy and Society

Empathy, or the ability to share emotions, is an important aspect of intersubjectivity. This emotion is
driven by a person's awareness that the other is a person with thoughts and feelings. Human persons
are actively aware of the emotional states of other people and they use this information to determine their
own actions and behavior. Empathy enables us to experience another person's emotions such as
happiness, anger, and sadness.
Another characteristic of a meaningful and genuine human relationship is availability, or the willingness
of a person to be present and be at the disposal of another. For instance, you went to an unfamiliar place
and cannot locate the place where you are supposed to go. What will you do? You might think of asking
directions from the people living in the area. How will you feel if you were asking for directions, but the
people you were asking kept ignoring you? What will you think about these people? Let us say a stranger
approach you in the street asking for help. What will be your first reaction? Will you try and help that
person, or will you ignore him or her?
Important values related to Inter subjectivity include acceptance of differences and embracing diversity.
We understand that each person is unique, therefore, differences will exist among groups of people.
When we look at physical traits and even behavior, we can see that no two persons look and think the
same. When we consider views, beliefs, and ideas the differences become much more pronounced. We
must accept that people will have different views and beliefs. What unites us all is our shared humanity
and dignity.
The recognition of our shared humanity and dignity is what drives us to extend assistance and help with
concern towards others, especially towards individuals or groups that experience hardships and
discrimination. For instance, those who are physically and mentally challenged often experience
hardships because of their condition. You must realize, however, that these individuals, despite their
limitations, can have the same skills as those who are fully able in mind and body. They also have hopes
and aspirations like us, and many of them have successfully transcended their disabilities to become
productive and happy individuals.
Society must be founded on relationships and bonds established through mutual respect and recognition
of human dignity. If we recognize that the other person is the same as ourselves, if we consider him or
her as an individual with dignity as a person, then he is not different from us, and we will be able to forge
ties and build a community of harmony.