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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Learning Module
in
introduction
to philosophy

(Week 7)
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XII
City Schools Division of Koronadal
KORONADAL NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
City of Koronadal

Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

LESSON 7
INTERUBJECTIVITY

A. Realize that intersubjectivity requires accepting differences and not to imposing on others
(PPT11/12-IIc-6.1) and Explain that authentic dialogue means accepting others even if they
are different from themselves ((PPT11/12-IIc-6.2). - Competency and the code
OBJECTIVES
a.) Define intersubjectivity; and
b.) Shows understanding that intersubjectivity requires accepting differences through
establishing genuine relationship in dialogue via comic strip

B. Read and understand the text

How do we as human persons relate with others?

Our availability to engage in meaningful interactions with other people, our surroundings, and
everything around us is rooted in our capacity to self-awareness and transcendence. Before we
begin to relate with others, we must first be aware of ourselves as rational individual 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 the self.

Our human nature not only enables us to recognize the self that defines our individuality, it also
enables us to recognize that other human beings also possess a self. We are able to 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
relationships.

The interaction between the self and the other is related to the philosophical concept of
intesubjectivity, which is 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 “a
unique relationship between distinct subjects.” It refers to the characteristic 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. Intersubjectivity also allows a person to become
closer to others in many different ways. In everyday social interactions, persons have the ability
to 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 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

Learning Module in Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XII
City Schools Division of Koronadal
KORONADAL NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
City of Koronadal

suddenly stops and looks straight at you. You are immediately aware that this person’s action
as another – this stranger is looking at your direction. Also, you are aware of another significant
fact – 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.

The 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. Therefore, if
we have the idea that our parents think of us as quiet and obedient, we often act that way with
them. However, when we are with our friends and we think that they see us as outgoing and
boisterous, we also adjust our behavior to conform to how we think they expect us to act. This is
also true when considering social contexts: how we behave in church is different from our
behavior in a live party.

These actions are referred to as “seeming” – where an individual presents himself or herself in
a certain way when dealing with others. Persons take on “roles” or act out characters when
dealing with certain people or when in certain situations. This is considered as an unconscious,
natural act on the part of humans. However, there may be instances when people behave a
certain way in order to intentionally deceive or manipulate other people. Surely you have heard
the terms “plastic” and “sipsip”, which refer to manipulative behaviors that are done by some
people in pursuit of selfish interests.

What characterizes a genuine human interaction?

Most human interactions, however, are not based on deception. Since our human nature drives
us to uphold dignity and goodness, our interaction with others are also geared toward what is
good and beneficial. These lead humans to strive to achieve deeper and more substantial
interaction and relations with other people. This deeper and more genuine interaction is called
dialogue, and this is made possible when the self realizes that the other is a genuine and
unique individual. When two individuals begin to view each other as another – that is, truly
acknowledging each other’s presence – then that is the beginning of an authentic relationship in
dialogue.

Dialogue

A dialogue is an interaction between persons that happens through speech or the use of
words, expressions, and body language. The person is a being who is open to others, and is
capable of receiving others in 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 may be used to convey a person’s inner life.
Because persons are beings with inner lives, the words uttered during a dialogue are rooted in

Learning Module in Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XII
City Schools Division of Koronadal
KORONADAL NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
City of Koronadal

each person’s inner life. Whenever a person speaks, he or she expresses a personal interiority
and communicates this part of himself to another person. This is the reason why it is not
possible to have a dialogue with a material object, a plant, or even a pet. Only being with
interiority or an inner life can engage in a dialogue.

A person’s words, expressions, and body language become the means by which he or she is
able to express a part of himself or herself to another person. Apart from expressing and
conveying oneself, the person is also capable of receiving the words, thoughts, emotions and
ideas of another person. The dialogue, therefore, becomes a means by which persons are able
to share in each other’s lives.

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. The awareness of each other’s presence as a true person is defined by the
acceptance of each other’s uniqueness and difference. When each individual enters into a
dialogue with this mindset, then it is truly a dialogue between equals.

C. ACTIVITY 1
Based on the text above, write below your own understanding of the following terms:
1. Intersubjectivity
2. Seeming
3. Dialogue

D. ACTIVITY 2
On another sheet of bond paper, make a comic strip that shows authentic dialogue between
persons in accepting differences and sharing inner self.

E. REMEMBER!

Intersubjectivity refers to the shared awareness and understanding among persons. It is

made possible by the awareness of self and the other. The relationship between the self
and the other enables the person to relate to others and establish and maintain
meaningful relationships.

Learning Module in Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region XII
City Schools Division of Koronadal
KORONADAL NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
City of Koronadal

F. REFLECT ON THIS!

Copy the graphic organizer on a sheet of paper. Write in the boxes the names of four
people with whom you have genuine relationships. Write also how they have contributed to
your growth as a person.

ME

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Learning Module in Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person