Chapter 1: Different Perspectives of Self

For the audio-visual material of this topic, Philosophy & Science, on Youtube channel, click.

Overview of the Chapter:

This chapter presents the different perspectives of the self, namely: philosophical, psychological, sociological, and anthropological perspectives.  It primarily aims to achieve the first course outcome: articulate a holistic and comprehensive view of the self.  It is said that adolescence is the most turbulent stage of life for every individual.  It is when each one meets a major crisis about his/her identity --known as an identity crisis.  With this outcome, the students may be well disposed to manage and care for themselves in their adolescent life and their life in the future.

Lesson Contents:

1. Lesson 1: Philosophical Perspective [click]
2. Lesson 2: Psychological Perspective [click]
3. Lesson 3: Sociological Perspective [click]
4. Lesson 4: Anthropological Perspective 

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

Motivational Activity: For students to achieve the first course outcome, To articulate a holistic, comprehensive view of the self, students are required to do the following activities: Activity 1: Who am I?; Activity 2: Who do others say I am?; and Activity 3: Enriched Answer to the Question, Who am I?  In Activity 1 [click], students are going to answer the question, Who am I? using a metaphor.  They need to have an initial answer to the question as they journey to understand their individual selves deeper for the whole semester/summer.  Their answers will serve as a guide in every step on their way to life's journey and may serve as a basis for developing an informed answer by making use of the different perspectives after discussing Chapter 1.  In Activity 2 [click], the students are requested to ask their friends (at least 3) who they are to them.  In Activity 3 [click], students are asked to revisit their initial answers and enrich them using one or two theories/philosophies of self.  This can only be done after the discussion of Chapter 1.

Introduction:

Philosophy is known as the "mother of all sciences."  Before sciences became an independent discipline, philosophy was the first discipline taught in the West --ancient Greece in particular.  The different branches of science sprouted from this philosophical discipline. 

The branches of philosophy are divided into two approaches: systematic and historical.  Under systematic philosophy, the following subjects are included: (1) Philosophy of Man, (2) Epistemology, (3) Metaphysics, (4) Philosophy of Religion or Theodicy, (5) Social Philosophy, and (6) Philosophy of Science.  Under historical philosophy, the following subjects are included: (1) Ancient or Greek Philosophy, (2) Medieval Philosophy, (3) Modern Philosophy, and (4) Contemporary Philosophy.  Like philosophy, the branches of science are divided into two: natural and social.  Natural sciences include the following: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy, and so on.  Social sciences include the following: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Political Science, and so on.

For more discussion about philosophy, read What is Philosophy? [click].