Understanding the self ● you just do what it needs to be done but not to Existential View:

● the self is a multidimensional concept the extent on reaching the goal

● shaped by various internal and external factors AUTHENTICITY Socrates - Know Thyself
INTRODUCTION: THE COMPLEX NATURE OF ● Being true to one's values and beliefs ● Father of philosophy
SELF ● Congruence (Genuineness) between the inner ● “An unexamined life is not worth living”.
● a product of all different factors in life self and outer behavior ● Father of Institutional Education
● dynamic, culture, religion ● Challenges to authenticity in modern society (student-teacher relationship).
● Self is the internal self of who you are ● Alignment of values to your behavior ● True wisdom comes from recognizing one’s
● thoughts, Feelings, experiences ● excludes triggers to behaviors own ignorance.
● relationships and experiences from it PERSONAL GROwTH ● True importance of self-knowledge
Components of self-concept ● Continuous process of self-improvement Plato - The Tripartite Soul
self image: How you see yourself ● setting goals and overcoming challenges 1. Rational (ruling class) - thinking
Self-esteem: How you value yourself ● Embracing changes and learning opportunities 2. Spirited (soldiers) - ambitions, emotions,
Ideal self: Who you want to become? ● adapting behaviors.
Real self: Who you actually are MINDFULNESS SELF AWARENESS — Immortality of the soul, Plato believes .
● present -moment awareness — Provides balance
SELF IMAGE ● Non-judgemental observation or thought and 3. Appetitive Soul (working class) - body needs
● is known for how they portray themselves feelings or desires.
● Strives in maintaining it ● Benefits of self-understanding and emotional — We need to be satisfied.
● how you want others to perceive you regulation — What we should do or not do.
● Is okay to give importance to self image but ● Breathing techniques(box techniques) — Believed in immortality of the soul.
not to the point of denying it. SELF ACTUALIZATION — Viewed body as a temporary vessel for the
IDEAL SELF ● Realizing one's full potential eternal self.
● If you are changing to your pinnock, you are ● Masslow’s highest level of needs Aristotle - The self as Rational Animal
still your real self. Be real along the way ● Continuous striving growth and fulfillment ● Self as a natural being, emphasizing reasons
● Changing or other people is another thing EMBRACING YOUR UNIQUE SELF as the defining characteristics of humans.
● ambitions are Still being real, cheating isn’t ● Accepting all aspects of yourself ● Self is realized through virtuous actions and
● Stepping on others' rights is not being the ● Becoming your inherent worth the pursuit of eudaimonia (flourishing).
ideal self. It is the abuse of,power ● Cultivating self compassion and growth. ● Judgment developed through moral compass.
● Narcissist is a defense mechanism but YOUR JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY Immanuel Kant - Transcendental Self
eventually becomes a disorder. ● On going process of exploration and growth ● Proposed the idea of transcendental self that
SELF-EFFICACY ● Embracing challenges as opportunities organizes experience
● Beliefs in one's ability to succeed ● continual self-reflection and learning ● Distinguished between the phenomena self
● Impacts goal setting and persistence (empirical ego) and the nominal self (true self).
● reflects how we do things ● Emphasized the role of reason in shaping our
● can be developed through mastery experience Understanding the Self: Lesson 3 understanding about the self and the world.
St. Thomas Aquinas - The Rational Soul ● Challenged the sharp distinction between 3. Identity - The characteristics, beliefs,
● Synthesized Christian theology with subject (accessories) and object. personalities, and experiences that make a
Aristotelian philosophy. John Locke - The Self as Consciousness person or group unique.
● Viewed the self as a unity of body and soul. ● Locke pursues that personal identity is rooted 4. Personality - The set of enduring patterns of
● Emphasized reasons as the defining in consciousness and memory rather than the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that
characteristics of human nature. substance of the body. distinguish individuals from one another.
● Salvation of our soul. ● He argues that continuity of consciousness 5. Cognitive bias - Systematic errors in thinking
Rene Descartes - Cogito Ergo Sum overtime is what defines the self. that affect judgements and decisions produce
● “I think, therefore, I am” Friedrich Nietzche - The Self as a Willpower specific performance attainments.
● Proposed mind-body dualism. ● Presents the self as a dynamic entity. 6. Self-actualization - The realization of fulfillment
● Viewed the self as essentially a thinking thing. ● Driven by “will to power” the fundamental face of one’s talents and potentialities.
St. Augustine - The Self and Divine Connection behind human behavior. Philosophical Concepts
● Emphasized the relationship between the self ● Challenges traditional notions of morality and 1. Dualism: The theory that the mind and body
and God, viewing the self inherently spiritual. encourages individuals to create their own are two distinct entities
● Believed that the understanding of the self values to choose. 2. Materialism: The theory that nothing exists
corner through introspection and divine grace. ● Power to choose except matter and its movements and
● Divine intervention. ● Privilege is a temporary power (social power). moancodors.
David Hume - Bundle Theory of Self ● Questions morality 3. Existentialism: A philosophical theory
● Argued against a permanent understanding Simone de Beauvior - The Self and Otherness emphasizing the existence of the individual
self ● The self is defined in relation to others person as a free and responsible agent
● Viewed the self as a bundle of perceptions particularly in the context of gender (societal determining their own development.
● Challenged the notion of personal identity role). 4. Phenomenology: The philosophical study of
overtime. ● She emphasized the importance of freedom of the structures of experience and
Gilbert Ryle - The Ghost in the Machine choice in shaping one’s identity. consciousness.
● Characterized cartesian dualism as the ghost Sociological Terms
in the machine. 1. Social identity. A person's sense of who they
● Argued that the mind and the body are not VOCABULARY LIST FOR UNDERSTANDING THE are based on their group membership(s)
separate substances. SELF 2. Looking-glass self. The concept that people
● proposed the behaviorist approach to Psychological Terms develop their sense of self through their
understand the self. 1. Self-concept - The overall idea or belief that a interactions with others.
● Pride of passion. person has about who they are and what they 3. Cultural identity. The identity or feeling of
Maurice Merleau–Ponty - The Embodied Self are like. belonging to a group based on nationality,
● Emphasized the role of the body in shaping 2. Self-esteem - A person’s overall sense of ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, or
our experience of self and world. self-worth or personal value. any kind of social group.
● Viewed consciousness as inherently 4. Socialization: The process of internalizing the
embodied. norms and ideologies of society.
Cultural Concepts Cultural Perspective: The Contextual Self Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
1. Individualism: A social theory favoring freedom ● Explores how cultural norms and values shape
of action for individuals over collective or state self-concept
control. ● Individualistic vs. collectivistic cultural
2. Collectivism: The practice or principle of giving influences
a group priority over each individual in it ● Impact on self-construal and behavior
3. Cultural relativism: The idea that a person's Cultural Influences on Self
beliefs, values, and practices should be ● Individualistic vs. collectivistic cultures
understood based on that person's own ● Impact on self-construal and behavior
culture. ● Cultural values and norms shape self-concept
Theories of Self-Development
Social Perspective of the Self Erikson's Psychosocial Stages
● Emphasizes the role of social interactions in
shaping the self
● Looking-glass self: We see ourselves as
others see us Rogers' Person-Centered Theory
● Social roles and their impact on identity
● Cultural influences on self-construct Nature vs. Nurture
● Nature: Genetic and biological factors
Social Influences on Self ● Nurture: Environmental and social influences
● Family dynamics and upbringing ● Modern view: Interaction of both nature and
● Peer groups and friendships nurture
● Cultural norms and values Modern Perspectives: The Narrative Self
● Media and societal expectations ● Many modern philosophers view the self as a
narrative construction
● Emphasizes the role of language and
storytelling in shaping identity
● Recognizes the fluid and socially-embedded
nature of selfhood
Integrating Perspectives: The Multifaceted Self
● The self is a complex, multidimensional
concept
● Different philosophical approaches highlight
various aspects of selfhood
● Modern views often integrate insights from
multiple traditions
Self-Awareness
● Ability to introspect and understand oneself
● Recognizing emotions, thoughts, and
behaviors
● Key to personal growth and development

Emotional Intelligence
● Self-awareness
● Self-regulation
● Motivation
● Empathy
● Social skills