Unit III: Man as Embodied Subjectivity

Overview of the Lesson:

As shown in the previous unit, the right method (phenomenology) in doing philosophical reflection can lead us into a deeper insight of reality, particularly the reality of the self.  Phenomenology will lead us back “to the things in themselves,” to the very nature of the self or personhood as experienced.  It’s undeniably true that if we have no experience of something like loving, we will not have any insight of such thing or experience.  “Insight” comes from experience but it needs the right method of doing reflection to extract it from experience.

In this Unit, we will apply phenomenological reflection to the question, Who am I?  In treating the question phenomenologically, basically, we ask, What is the meaning of life as lived or as experienced?  On this assumption, we need to bracket what we already know of who we are such as the theories, assumptions of the self.  We'll go "back to the things in themselves," "back to how the self is lived or is experienced."



Introduction:

Husserl never treated the question, Who am I? at some length.  Marcel did.  In his article, Primary and Secondary Reflection: The Existential Fulcrum, Marcel applied primary and secondary reflection to a series of questions, as follows: (1) Who am I? (2) Do I exist? and (3) What is an embodiment?  In this unit, we will present Marcel's treatment of the question, Who am I?  In the presentation, we will be discussing at some length the phenomenological methods of Marcel, his answers to the question, Who am I? as well.

But we need to faithfully observe Husserl's idea of epoche.  By epoche, we will hold temporarily our biases, assumptions, presumptions, prejudgments regarding the question, Who am I?  By applying epoche, we will be able to "see with new eyes" our lived experience of the self.  This is what Husserl calls "phenomenological seeing."  In this regard, we will also treat some classical views about the self before discussing Marcel's treatment.  Towards the end, we will unpack some implications of man as embodied subjectivity.


Lesson Contents:

1. Classical views of the self [click]
2. Phenomenological View of the self [click]
3. Man as an Embodied Subject [click]

Pre-test: [click] (Before you proceed, check your prior knowledge on this topic.)

Motivational Activity: [click] Marcel pointed out that "I am my body."  My body is inseparably one with the "I" or the subject.  This activity enhances students' ability to view oneself holistically (wholistically).

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Chapter Quiz: Covers all topics above.  (Assigned in Google Classroom.)

References:  [click]