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LESSON: 7-12
SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF SELF
As we interact, we tend to gain experiences, learn from people or situations

around us, assimilate, from the people we are interacting with or from the society’s

culture we

belong, and tend to develop perception form our environment. Thus, one’s learning may

differ from other person’s realities, and these differences are results of social

construction.

Social Constructionism

is a theory that examines the development of combined understandings of people,

which means that person’s understanding shapes another person’s perception.

each person constructs reality and justifies reasons based on their personal

experiences with others.

CHARLES HORTON COOLEY (1864- 1929): Looking Glass Self

American sociologist and the son of Michigan Supreme Court Judge Thomas M.

Cooley. He studied and went on to teach economics and sociology at the University of

Michigan, was a founding member of the American Sociological Association in 1905

and became its eighth president in 1918.

According to Cooley, Socialization develops our social self through our

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observation with the people around us-- their attitudes and behaviors in the society.
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Cooley believed that we are not influenced by others opinion but by our

imagination how people will see us.

Looking Glass Self

States that a person’s self grows out of a person’s social interaction with others.

People in our environment serve as the mirrors which reflect our self image.

Our self image is not only created by our self-perception but also our

understanding of how other people perceive us.

It is not only through our thoughts about personal qualities but how we interpret

and believe how others see us. It is accomplished by these steps:

1. How do I appear to others?

2. What others think of me?

3. How do we revise ourselves?

ERVING GOFFMAN (1922-1982): The Presentation of Self in

Everyday Life
Canadian-American sociologist, social psychologist, and writer, considered by

some "the most influential American sociologist of the twentieth century.

He believed that “we are all actors on stage”

each person creates the social scripts in life which made him the scriptwriter; the actor

which he plays the act; the audience which his performance, and critique which he

judges his own behavior.

According to Goffman, Impression Management is the projection of our “idealized

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image”. Goffman believed that roles are important because people can’t just act the way
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they want because there’s a society that dictates the norm and what act is appropriate

towards self and others. Thus, people must be aware how to present their social self

and different personas by wearing different masks appropriate for the different roles

and

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situations. Thus, the attainment of self is based on the social process, and one must

perform based on the expectations of others and social norms.

William Isaac Thomas (1863- 1947): Thomas Theorem

William Isaac Thomas was an American educator and sociologist. Married to

Dorothy Thomas, both of them formulated the sociological theory called the Thomas

Theorem which states that “if men define situations as real, they are real in their

consequences.” This theorem believes that the outcome of the situation does not

depend on the situation but by individual’s perception about it.

This theorem is significant in providing explanation about society’s values,

superstition, and baseless rumors.

Thus, Thomas Theorem helps us understand further that there are some aspects

of our lives that are products of social constructs like bias, prejudice, and discrimination,

for that reason, we should not easily believe or react to avoid hurting others.

Robert K. Merton (1910- 2003): Self- fulfilling Prophecy

Robert King Merton was an American sociologist and educator who was also

considered as the founding father of modern sociology because of his famous conceited

such as the “reference group”, “unintended consequences “, “role model”, and “self-

fulfilling prophecy” which rooted from the Thomas theorem. Merton believed that self-

fulfilling prophecy begins as a false definition of the situation evoking a new behavior

which makes the originally false conception come true. Self-fulfilling prophecy suggests
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that it is just a prediction wether good or bad that comes true due to intense belief
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followed by certain behaviour based on the prophecy which makes the prediction come
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true.

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Self-fulfilling prophecy involves at least two people, and one of them has set

expected behaviours to the other one that would eventually become his behaviour to

confirm the expectation.

Charles Taylor: Modern Self

Charles Magrave Taylor is a Canadian philosopher and educator. He wrote and

published a boom in 1989 entitled “Sources of the Self: The Making of Modern Identity”,

which explores the multiplicity of the self in the modern Western world. Through

historical perspective, Taylor showed the development of modern identity. A modern

conception of selfhood is someone who, promotes independence, values authenticity,

sees nature as a source of goodness, possess inner depths, affirms ordinary life, and

the one feels compassion in the suffering of others.

Moreover, he believed that giving meanings are important because it creates

powerful awareness but it changes over time and it is relative to the culture where one

belongs.

Thus, Taylor believes that individual’s sense of self cannot be achieved alone but

through recognition from others. On the other hand, the failure to acknowledge properly

one’s identity could also damage the person’s sense of self. An individual may rank

some of their need or evaluated their value, worth or importance from others which

means that the self does not only quantify but also qualify the distinction he earned.
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THE SELF AS EMBEDDED IN RELATIONSHIPS AND

THROUGH SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND
THROUGH SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT IN
CONFUCIAN THOUGHT
Confucius (K’ung Futzu) is the founder of Confucianism who was born in the province of Lu

state in 551 BCE, during the Chou dynasty. He is the one most influential philosophers in

history. He was not only a notable political philosopher but he was also an educator, moralist,

and statesman. He spent his years roaming in China giving advice to prominent leaders and

politicians. For him, if the ruler is benevolent, the government’s goal will definitely for the good

welfare of its people. Individual’s morality and ethics as well as proper practice of political power

by the rulers are the focus of his writings.

CONFUCIANISM and SELF

Confucianism believed that there is “no self” when he stated “If one had no self

motives, but only the supreme virtues, there would be no self..If he serves selflessly, he

does not know what service is (does not recognize it as service). If he knows what

service is, he has a self… (to think) only of parent but not of yourself…is what I call no

self” (Zoky Kyuo dowa [Kyuo’s Moral discourse continued], 1835).

Hiroshi Minami noted that the concept of no-self is identical with the spirit of

service above self, where every spontaneous is rejected with selfishness. The quest for

human self, the search for what is to be human in terms of substance or no substance

in terms of spirit or body does not exist in Confucian thought.

Confucianism’s philosophy about self is seen in “The Great Learning” which

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revealed how development of self is attained and how it flows over into serving and
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blessing humankind, and these are through investigation of phenomena, learning,

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sincerity, rectitude of purpose, self-development, family discipline, local self-

government,

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and universal self-government. This means that before a person could project virtue to

states, they must refine their own affective and cognitive conditions first.

Confucianism is not a religion like Christianity for many scholars because it does

not teach about God or Deity but focuses on behavior, ethical and moral standards of

human being. It suggested that personality is formed through nurture which refers to the

upbringing and environment: so, the self is a social human being to be developed and

not inherent. It is believed that personality is an achieved moral excellence than a set of

human condition.

Confucianism believed that everyone has beginnings which seemed like the pre-

concept of self in western thoughts, and these are the virtues:

 Jen – heart of compassion

 Yi – heart of righteousness

 Li – heart of propriety

 Chih – heart of wisdom

 Hsin – heart of integrity

Jen (Ren) is translated as goodness of humaneness which desires only “good” for

others. It is the supreme virtue and represents goodness or benevolence which includes

the idea of Shu that is similar to Golden rule’s “Don’t do unto others what you do not

what others do unto you,” except you must respond to bad virtues with good ones. Jen

is the personal attributes that is described as the best human qualities like goodness,

benevolence, diligence, peace, charity, sincerity, respectful, social harmony and loving
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kindness. It is the most important virtue because other virtues came from Jen.
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Yi is the righteousness which is the principle of morality. It includes duty to feel shame

for wrongs.

Li is behaving properly toward other individuals which means showing good manners,

and towards self which is the self-respect. It also refers to sacred ritual. With these

combined definitions, it means to behave properly at all times or ritually.

Chih (or Zih) refers to the general knowledge or wisdom in morality which includes the

right or wrong or every situation.

Hsin (or Xin) is the integrity which refers to the amount of loyalty to others, and good

faith.

Confucianism believed that spiritual development comes after physical, mental, and

emotional development. The individual must learn to have self-awareness, self-respect,

and self-regard as he socializes with others because for Confucius of the person

doesn’t know how to live as a person, how can he serve the spirit. Confucianism is

putting emphasis in being spiritual but not religious.

“The Great Learning” is a Confucianism book where it revealed how self-development

and overflowing blessings could be attained. This was attributed to Confucius because

of his views and rationalization but it is said to be written by Master Zeng Shen (Zeng

Can), and was translated and published by a priest in the 19 th century named James

Legge in The Chinese Classics (1893-1895).

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UNIT 6: PHYSICAL SELF

Objectives:

1. Define physical self;

2. Explain the importance of understanding physical self.

I. DEFINITION OF PHYSICAL SELF

Physical self is the concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person that can be

directly observed and examined.

II. DEFINITION OF SELF-IDENTITY

Refers to a person's self-conception, self-referent cognitions, or self-definition that

people apply to themselves as a consequence of the structural role positions he or she

occupies or a particular behavior he or she engages in regularly.

III.BODY ADORNMENT

Refers to the practice of physically enhancing the body by styling and decorating the

hair painting and embellishing the fingernails, wearing make-up or jewelry and use of

clothing.

IV.BODY MODIFICATION
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Refers to the permanent physical alteration of the body through the use of surgery,

tattooing, piercing, scarification, branding, genital mutilation, and other practices.

CONTEXT OF BEAUTY

Is the quality by which something gives pleasure to someone directly through the intellect and

independent of any ulterior considerations.

ILLUSION OF TRANSPARENCY

Is a tendency for people to overestimate the degree to which their personal mental state

is known by others

SELF ESTEEM

Is used to describe a person's overall sense of self-worth or personal value.

Looking through

Interview 1 person, who had tattoo, body piercing and painting.

FOR
REFLECTION Explore their reason, perception of beauty and how it affects their
SEEKERS
self-esteem. Summarize the responses using table format. You

may

include the name and pictures for validity of the content.

TYPES OF BODY REASONS BEAUTY AS SELF-ESTEEM

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ADORNMENT DEFINED RATING

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UNIT 7: SEXUAL SELF

1. Elaborate the Theory of Love, Biology of Love and Chemistry of Love.

2. Discuss the different types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

3. Explain the Methods of Contraception.

Sexual self-concept refers to the totality of oneself as a sexual being, including positive

and negative concepts and feelings. According to theorists, sexual self-concept is

described well along three dimensions, Snell & Papini, 1989: sexual self-esteem,

sexual depression, and sexual preoccupation.

Reproductive system

the system of organs and parts which function in reproduction consisting in the male

especially of the testes, penis, seminal vesicles, prostate, and urethra and in the female

especially of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and vulva.

Reproductive Organs
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Both male and female reproductive organs have internal and external structures.

Reproductive organs are considered to be either primary or secondary organs. The

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primary reproductive organs are the gonads ( ovaries and testes ), which are

responsible for gamete ( sperm and egg cell ) and hormone production. The other

reproductive structures and organs are considered secondary reproductive structure.

Secondary organs aid in the growth and maturation of gametes and developing

offspring.

Biological Changes in Men and Women

Fertility is one of the major differences between men and women. On one hand, men are

continuously fertile from puberty to almost up to 100 years of age even though by that time they

are physically unable to engage in sexual activities. Their sperms are still viable but poor in

quality. Men are fertile this long because there is a continuous production of sperms through the

process called spermatogenesis.

Women on the other hand, are fertile for roughly 12 hours each month from menarche

up until they are in their fifties when menopause begins for most women. Fertility for

them are limited because they have a set number of eggs. During fetal development

there are initially 3 million to 4 million follicles or eggs present but through the process of

apoptosis (cell death) that number drops to about 1 million eggs by the time of birth.

This cell depletion will continue throughout the female's life.

Even though the fertility process for men and women are basically hormone driven with

both beginning with the release of a hormone from the hypothalamus. The fertility

process is a little more complicated for women and involves several critical steps with

other hormones to progress from beginning to end of the menstrual cycle.

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Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment to relieve symptoms

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of the menopause. It replaces hormones that are at a lower level as you approach

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the menopause.

HUMAN SEXUAL CYCLE AND PSCHOSEXUAL STAGES

Human Sexual Response Cycle

The human response cycle refers to the sequence of physical and emotonal changes

that occurs as a person becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually

stimulating activities.

This is first formulated by William H. Master and Virginia E. Johnson in their book back

in 1996 the Human Sexual Response, where they proposed the phases of sexual

response cycle in human sexual interaction.

Phases of the Sexual Response Cycle

The model is also known as EPOR Model. The sexual response cycle has four phase:

excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

Phase 1: Excitement

This is also known as arousal phase or initial excitement phase is the first stage of

human sexual respinse cycle. This phase occurs as a result of physical or mental erotic

stimulation in a form of kissing, petting, and caressing.

Phase 2: Plateau
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Once you reach the excitement, come the next phase which is Plateau stage. The

plateau phase is the period of sexual excitement prior to orgasm. The phase is

characterized as the peak level of excitement.

Phase 3: Orgasm

The orgasm is the climax of the sexual response cycle. It is the shortest of the phases

and generally lasts only a few seconds.

Phase 4: Resolution

During resolution, the body slowly returns to its normal level o functioning. This phase is

marked by a general sense of well-being, enhanced intimacy, and ofen fatigue.

Psychosexual Stages and Erogenous Zone

Libido is considered a psychic force or energy that motivates individual into action. As a

child begins to develop, the libido manifest in the different part of the body which he

called, erogenous zone.

Fixation are conflicts or concern that persist beyond the developmental period. The

conflict may be due to the needs being ignored or being over indulged during the earlier

period.

1. Oral Stage (first 12 to 18 months of life)

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The baby's mouth is the focal point of pleasure. At these stage children activities is
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centered on the mouth, such as sucking, eating, and biting.

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2. Anal Stage (18 months to 3 years old)

Stage when the child learns to toilet training is the anal stage. The major source of

pleasuŕe is through retention and expulsion of feces.

3. Phallic Stage (3 to 5 years of age)

This focus of the erogenous zone is the genitals and te pleasures derived from fondling

them. This is the stage where stage where children begin to see the differences

between male and female anatomical parts.

4. Latency Stage (5 to 6 years old)

This last until puberty. During this perod, sexual interest are repressed. Children prefer

to play with their own age and similar gender. This is a period where they build

friendship and camaraderie with friends and classmates.

5. Genital Stage (puberty stage onwards)

The sexual feelings begin to re-emerge in the final stage of psychosexual. This stage is called

genital stage. It starts from adolescence until death. The focus during the genital stage is on

mature, adult sexuality, which Freud define 19

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BIOLOGY OF LOVE AND ATTRACTION

Attraction

 is more physical and external.

 it varies depending on the person's preferences

 Attraction can be an initial phase that leads to liking and loving.

Love

 Refers to a vast and complex territory of human behavior.

 a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person

 Attraction that includes sexual desire.

 a person you like/love in a romantic way

THEORY OF LOVE
Robert J. Sternberg (1988) describe the triarchic theory of love. This is a paradigm of

love as illustrated: passion, intimacy, and commitment.

Passion

 Is a physical or sexual attraction to another.

 a strong sexual or romantic feeling for someone

 Is an intense emotion, a compelling enthusiasm or desire for someone/somethin

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Commitment

 is our cognitive appraisal of the relationship and our intent to maintain the

relationship even in face of problems (Rubult & others, 2001)

 According to the theory, it is the feeling of attachment closeness and

connectedness

 sometimes these feeling develop and lead to passion the fiery depth and intense

feeling you get when you like someone.

 it encompasses the drive connected to both combine (romantic attraction) and

sexual attraction

 it involved commitment, it comes into the two lovers together

 it is a decision to remain with one another (short term) and plans made in the

future (long term)

TRIANGULAR THEORY OF LOVE - ROBERT J.

STERNBERG
According to this Sternberg Trangular Love theory, there are six combinations of

love that are describe as follows:

 non-love

 friendship

 Infatuated Love

 Empty Love

 Romantic Love
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 Companionate Love
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 Fatuous Love
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Three Categories of Love according to Dr. Helen Fisher:

LUST
(the craving for sexual gratification), driven by androgens (testosterone) and estrogen

ATTRACTION
(Romantic or Passionate Love), driven by high dopamine and norepinephrine levels and low

serotonin.

ATTACHMENT
(the sense of calm, peace, stability one feels with long- term partner), driven by

hormones oxytocin and vasopressin.

DIVERSITY OF SEXUAL BEHAVIORS

Sexual Orientation

It refers to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic and/or sexual attractions to men,

women or both sexes. Sexual Orientation refers also to a person’s sense of identity

based on those attractions, related behaviors and members in a community of others

who share those attractions.

Sexual orientation usually discussed in terms of three categories:

 Heterosexual

 Homosexual
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 Bisexual

Biological Sex
is the label that you’re given at birth based on medical factors, including your

hormones, chromosomes, and genitals. Most people are assigned male or female, and

this is what’s put on their birth certificates.

Gender identity
is how you feel inside and how you express your gender through clothing, behavior, and

personal appearance. It’s a feeling that begins very early in life.

Social gender-role ideology

refers to an individual's attitudes and beliefs about the proper roles of men and women.

In other words, how a person judges the appropriateness of behaviors and

characteristics of men and women in our society.

Attitude and behavior of lesbian and gay male

Until the end of the nineteenth century. It was generally believed that people were either

heterosexual or homosexual. Today, it is more accepted to view sexual orientation

along a continuum from exclusive male-female relations to exclusive same-sex relations

rather than an either/or proposition (King,2005).

Sexual Discrimination takes many forms. Severe antigay prejudice is reflected in the

high rate of harassment and violence directed toward lesbian, gay and bisexual
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individuals in American society. Numerous surveys indicate that verbal harassment

and abuse are nearly universal experiences among lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

Also, discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual in employment and housing

appears to remain widespread. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is another area in which

prejudice and discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual people have had

negative effects. Early in the pandemic, the assumption that HIV/AIDS was a “gay

diseases” contributed to the delay in addressing the massive social upheaval that AIDS

would generate.

SEXUALITY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AND METHODS

OF CONTRACEPTION

Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDs), also called sexually transmitted infections

(STIs), are infections that are passed from person to person through sexual contact.

HIV is an STD. There are more than 25 other sexually transmitted infections that are

mainly spread by sexual contact such as vagina, anal, and oral sex.

TYPES OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

1. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is an STD caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis). This bacterium

only infects humans. Chlamydia is the most common infectious cause of genital and

eye diseases globally. It is also the most common bacterial STD.

2. Chancroid
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Chancroid is also known as soft chancre and ulcus molle. It is a bacterial infection
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caused by called streptobacillus Haemophilus ducreyi. The infection causes painful

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sores on the genitals and is only spread through sexual contact.

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3. Crabs, or pubic lice

Pubic lice manifestations are primarily spread through sexual contact. Pets do not play

any part in the transmission of human lice.

The lice attach to the pubic hair, and may also be sometimes found in the armpits,

mustache, beard, eyelashes, and eyebrows. They feed on human blood.

The common term "crabs" comes from the crab-like appearance of the lice.

4. Genital herpes

This STD is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus affects the skin, cervix,

genitals, and some other parts of the body. There are two

types: HSV-1, also known as herpes type 1

HSV-2, also known as herpes type 2

Herpes is a chronic condition. A significant number of individuals with herpes never

show symptoms and do not know about their herpes status.

HSV is easily transmissible from human to human through direct contact. Most

commonly, transmission of type 2 HSV occurs through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Type 1

is more commonly transmitted from shared straws, utensils, and surfaces.

In most cases, the virus remains dormant after entering the human body and shows no

symptoms.
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The symptoms associated with genital herpes, if they do occur, may include:
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 blisters and ulceration on the cervix

 vaginal discharge

 pain on urinating

 fever

 generally feeling unwell

 cold sores around the mouth in type 1 HSV

Also, red blisters may occur on the external genital area, rectum, thighs, and buttocks.

These can be painful, especially if they burst and leave ulcers.

5. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a common STD that can affect both sexes. However, women are

more likely to experience symptoms. The infection is caused by a single-celled

protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis.

For women, the vagina is the most common site of infection, while for men it is the

urethra. Transmission may occur either by sexual intercourse or vulva-to-vulva contact.

While women may acquire the infection from either male or female sexual partners, men

nearly always become infected from having sex with women.

6. HIV and AIDS

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, leaving its host much

more vulnerable to infections and diseases. If the virus is left untreated, the
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susceptibility to infection worsens.

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HIV can be found in semen, blood, breast milk, and vaginal and rectal fluids. HIV can be

transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, sexual contact, breast-feeding, childbirth,

the sharing of equipment to inject drugs, such as needles and syringes, and, in rare

instances, blood transfusions.

7. Syphilis

Syphilis is the result of Treponema pallidum, a bacterium. It is transmitted by sexual

contact, and the person passing on the infection will have a syphilitic lesion. A woman

who is pregnant and also has syphilis can pass on this STD to her baby, which can

result in stillbirth or serious congenital deformities.

8. Gonorrhea

This sexually transmitted bacterial infection usually attacks the mucous membranes. It is

also known as the clap or the drip.

The bacterium, which is highly contagious, stays in the warmer and moister cavities of

the body.

Prevention

Sex using a condom is the safest way to prevent the spread of STDs. Condoms are

known as barrier contraceptives, due to their presentation of a physical barrier to

microbes.
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For each oral, vaginal, or anal sex act, use a new latex condom. Condoms are available
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Avoid using an oil-based lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, when using a latex condom.

Non-barrier forms of contraception, such as oral contraceptives or intrauterine devices,

do nothing to protect people from sexually transmitted infections.

Here are other steps you can take to reduce the risk of an STD:

Abstinence: Abstaining from any sexual act is the most effective way to avoid an STD.

Monogamy to one uninfected partner: A long-term, monogamous relationship with

one person who is not infected can reduce the risk of contracting an STD.

Vaccinations: There are vaccinations that can protect an individual from eventually

developing some types of cancer that are caused by HPV and hepatitis B.

Check for infections: Before sexual intercourse with a new partner, check that the

partner and yourself have no STDs.

Drink alcohol in moderation: People who have consumed too much alcohol are more

likely to engage in risky behavior. Avoid using recreational drugs, which may also affect

judgment.

Explain you want safe sex: Before engaging in any sexual act with a new partner,

communicate that you would only consider safe sex.

Education: Parents, schools, and society need to teach children about the importance

of safe sex, and explain how to prevent becoming infected with an STD, including

information relevant to the LGBTQ community.

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UNIT 8: MATERIAL SELF

Objectives:

1. Manifest the material self or a person;

2. Discuss the Psychology of buying.

UNFOLDING OF MATERIAL SELF

In the theory of William James, the self can be viewed as the subject of thought or as an

object of thought. As an object of thought, the self is further decomposed to the

“material self, “the social self” and “spiritual self”. Material self-revolved on the

acquisition of the physical object in a form of possessions that shaped their well-being.

SOLID CONSUMPTION

As ephemeral, access based and dematerialized, and solid consumption as that which

is enduring, ownership based and tangible.

DEMATERIALIZATION

Refers to the act of transforming physical shares to an equivalent number of shares in

electronic form, into the investor's account.

PSYCHOLOGY OF BUYING

THE CONSUMER PERSONALITY

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To understand a buyer needs and convert them into customers is the main purpose of
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the consumer behavior study.

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Looking
through
Watch the Movie “Confessions of a shopaholic”. See the movie

before going to the discussion of this chapter. After watching the

FOR
REFLECTION movie, make a 300-word essay whether you foreseen yourself to
SEEKERS
the

main character.

UNIT 9: SPIRITUAL SELF

1. To differentiate spirituality and religion;

2. To discuss the meaning of spirituality and meaning of life.

Defining Spirituality

Spirituality is often defined as a connection or relationship with and faith in a Higher

Power, and an integration of values and beliefs with behavior in everyday life; the

emphasis is on the personal qualities of relationship with a Higher Power, and less on

organizational or institutional beliefs and practices associated with religiousness

(Zinnbauer, et al., 1997).

Filipino Culture and Religion

Indigenous and pre-colonial spiritual belief in spirits is pervasive in the Filipino notions
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about the spiritual world. In rural communities the use of healers is to cure illnesses.
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Healers are considered Shaman, or ordained person with spiritual sensitivity. The healers
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work to cure illnesses that are caused by invisible small spirit beings called tawo. These

beings are the cause of a wide range of ailments and must be dealt with by a trained

healer who is able to talk with the tawo to meditate and work on behalf of the sick to

induce the being take pity on the sick and end its infliction upon the individual (Cannell,

1999). Other faith healers are called albularyo, babaylan, and the manghihilot. As a

result of four centuries of Spanish Colonial, the Catholic faith rule became part of Filipino

culture. There is a diversity of religions in the Philippines, Roman Catholicism is still the

dominant religion practiced by 85% of the population.

Spiritual Beings

Filipino beliefs in spirits are anchored in the cultures and practices as well. The belief

that the world is inhabited by spirits and supernatural entities, both good and bad, and

that respect be accorded to them through nature worship. These spirits all around the

nature are known as “diwatas”, showing cultural relationship with Hinduism (Devatas).

Others practice Ancestor worship (Anitos) . Vations of animistic practices occur in

different ethnic groups. Magic, chants and prayers are often key features,. In the

Visayan regions, shamanistic and animistic beliefs in witchcraft (barang) and mythical

creatures like aswang (vampires), duwende (dwarves), and bakonawa (a gigantic sea

serpent), may exist in some indigenous peoples alongside more mainstream Christian

and Islamic faiths.

Spirituality and Meaning of Life

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Victor Frankl was born and educated in Vienna, Austria. He was influence by the
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philosophers in the writing existentialism. He constructed one of the most prominent

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therapy that help people find meaning in life. In his book man’s search for meaning he

describes how to live and find one’s meaning.

Logo therapy is an existential approach to aiding the individual with problems of

philosophical or spiritual nature. These problems of the meaning of life, the meaning of

death, of suffering, of work and of love. The problems in these are results in existential

frustration or a sense of meaninglessness in life. Logo therapy is directed towards such

problems. Logos has two folds meaning of “the meaning” and “the spiritual”. It is

designed to help the individual comprehend his responsibility to accomplished which of

his tasks and the fulfillment of these assignments gives meaning to life.

Frankl also identify the three philosophical concept of logo therapy.

 FREEDOM OF WILL

The space of shaping one’s own life within the limits of the given possibilities. Humans

are not fully subject to conditions but are basically free to decide and capable of taking

their stance towards internal and external conditions.

 WILL TO MEANING

The search of meaning is seen as the primary motivation of humans. Human beings

are not only free, but most importantly they are free to achieve goals and purposes.

 MEANING IN LIFE
Meaning is an objective reality, as opposed to a mere illusion arising within the
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perceptional apparatus of the observer. These meaning can be found in work or doing a
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deed one can find his existence. Without work, people easily fall into an aimless
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existence. Second is finding meaning through. Many of the great works of are were

inspired by love including more general love such as love of nature or God. Love is the

strongest bond between people and will lead to wonderful inspiration and great

sacrifice.

 SUFFERING.

By the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering embracing It and find its meaning

we can find meaningful life. When we are no longer able to change a situation we are

challenged to change our self. The meaning in life as on fins it is determined by the

choices of, he lived in.

Looking through

Make your own philosophy in life by first describe a moment in

FOR
REFLECTION your life that you encounter challenges. Write down the insight or
SEEKERS
learnings you gained for facing those challenges

Format: Font size 12, Font style Arial, Margin Normal, 8 x 11. Minimum of 150 words.

UNIT 10: POLITICAL SELF

Objectives:

1. Define political self;

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2. Compare and contrast political ideologies;

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3. Explain the difference of the ideology of various philosophers;

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The Three Major Types of Government

1. AUTOCRACY

The state is ruled by one person. This is evident in theocracy where there is only one

leader for political and religious affair.

Monarchy is another autocratic leadership where the idea to groom an indigenous

leader will represent the state’s historical goals and advance its interest.

2. ARISTROCACY

A rule that only few states had. The idea of this government which literally means “rule

of the best” for only those who are morally and intellectually superior have the right to

rule.

3. DEMOCRACY

Democracy has two kinds these are: Direct and Representative or Republican. In Direct

Democracy, the legislation is made by the people, whereas Representative Democracy

the administration of the state is on the hands of persons chose by people for a limited

period.

Individuals and the State

Individuals have natural inclinations to form associations and concerns on leadership,

politics, and power are inevitable. Leadership affects the citizens by means of authority
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which is the relation between the government and the people.

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Thomas Hobbes

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Being an egoist, Thomas Hobbes proposed that in the natural state, human beings act

based on the advancement of one’s welfare hence, conflict is always expected. Human

existence in the state “Homo homini lupus” or “man is a wolf to his fellowman” was

described as solitary, poor, brutish and short.

In the state of nature according to Hobbes, “No one in the State of Nature could hope by

his own strength or wit, to defend himself from destruction” (Citation) Tue Sovereign

therefore, is the product of the citizens’ rationality which makes it mandatory for every

person to obey simply because the existence of a sovereign is in any person’s best

interest.

John Locke (“Father of Liberalism”).

Contrary to Hobbes, individuals under Locke’s natural state have perfect freedom and

equality. Reason is the law which teaches that all individuals are equal and independent

and have natural rights to life , Health, Liberty, and Possession and it is reason which

dictates respect for these natural rights.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacque Rousseau rejects the theoretical notion of state of nature. In his

philosophy, individuals are historical and are accidental results of conditions such as

population, growth, and proximity, technological developments and family organizations.

In this historical state, individuals are free and obeys no one but oneself. However, self-

governance will inevitable lead to conflicting wills. In order to protect the individuals’

natural freedom, individuals must have direct participation in the development of

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legislation.
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Immanuel Kant – (1724-1804)

The individual according to Immanuel Kant is autonomous and will only follow his will.

His ethical theory, the Categorical Imperative which is never using another person as

means to an end and acting only at the maxim that one’s action were to become

universal law of nature expressed the rationality of the individual’s will. Since every

individual has a self- governing will, a just and civil society therefore must ensure that all

have equal freedom with rights.

John Rowls (1921-2002)

A just society for John Rawls was started by individuals who were not swayed by

biases. For Rawls, the principles of a well-ordered society were chosen by individuals

who were not swayed by factors related to narrow self-interest such as gender, race,

class, place in society, natural talents, own perception of good life, etc. These founders

were covered by a “veil of ignorance”. Being ignorant of what they themselves know as

good and bad, the can create an authentic generalized indicators of a good life. The

basic principles of this kind of state are first, each person has an equal right to basic

liberties. These basic liberties are:

1. Freedom of thought

2. Liberty of conscience

3. Political liberties which includes representative democratic institutions, freedom

of speech and the press, and freedom of assembly.

4. Freedom of association.

5. Freedoms specified by the liberty and integrity of the person which include
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freedom from slavery and serfdom and freedom of movement and choice regarding
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occupation.

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6. Rights and liberties covered by the rule of law

Second, Social and Economic inequalities are allowed as long as these are under

conditions of fair equality of opportunity and these work to the benefit of the least

advantaged members of the society. For Rawls, the basic duties of an institution are:

1. Protect basic liberties.

2. Guarantee equality of Opportunity.

3. Only inequalities of income and wealth that benefit the least fortunate are allowed.

For social contract theorists, every individual has inherent freedom of will and aspires to

protect oneself. In order for a government to have authority, consent is a necessary

condition. In the Philippines, one of the expressions of consent of citizens is by means

of an election. The voter’s Registration Act of 1996 define the “voter”.

Section 9. Who may Register. All citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified

by law who are at least eighteen (18) years of age, and who shall have resided in the

Philippines at least one (1) year and in the place wherein they propose vote, for at least

six (6) months immediately preceding the election, may register as a voter. Any person

who temporarily resides in another city, municipality or country solely by reason of his

occupation, profession, employment in private or public service, educational activities,

work in the military or naval reservations within the Philippines, service in the Armed

Forces of the Philippines, the National Police Forces, or confinement or detention in

government institutions in accordance with law, shall not be deemed to have lost his

original residence. Any person, who, on the day of registration may not have reached

the
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required age or period of residence but, who, on the day of the election shall possess

such qualifications, may register as a voter.

Looking through

Imagine yourself being a political candidate. Make your own

FOR
REFLECTION advertisement showing your propaganda and credentials.
SEEKERS

Format: Be Creative!

UNIT 11: DIGITAL SELF

Objectives:
1. Define online identity;

2. Compare real identity versus online identity;

3. Describe the influence of internet on sexuality and gender; and

4. Discuss the proper way of demonstrating values and attitudes online.

SELF IN A DIGITAL PERSPECTIVE

Self in the 21st century is projected into interactive digital media experiences where it unfolds

every facet using a social media or social site flat form.

In the online world, the disembodied and anonymous others teenagers interact with

constitute what Altheide in his research (2002;42) calls the “E Audience,” which ,like

those in the offline world, “invites meaningful participation and displays of self.”

Digital Self Is constructed solely through online interaction without the intervention of
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nonverbal feedback and the influence of traditional environmental factors.(Zhao,2005)

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Intimacy
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 Is emotional feelings of warmth, closeness and sharing in a relationship.

 The state of having a close, personal relationship or romantic relationship with

someone People are more engaged in their gadget like tablets, smart phones and

computer desktop more or less 150 times per day.

 With the advent of new technology, computer-mediated environments (CMEs)

have emerged, allowing virtual worlds in which consumers can present themselves

using digital rather than physical referents.

 CMEs are virtual digital places that occupy neither space nor time. They are

inherently discursive spaces where people actively convene to commune with others.

Self presentation

Refers to our wanting to present a desired image both to an external audience (other

people) and to an internal audience (ourselves).

Social interaction
is a careful balance of looking good while not looking too good.

The article by Shau and Gilly (2003) We Are What We Post ? Self Presentation in

Personal Web Space, cited some strategies of self presentation. This is often revolves

around repressing personal information or supplanting it with modified or fabricated

details more congruent with a desired self (Berg and Derlega 1987; Kelly and McKillop 1996)
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Self Disclosure vs. Public

Self Self Disclosure
Is defined as propensity an individual has for revealing personal information to others ( Collins
and Miller 1994; Derlega 1979), relates to the content of self presentation.
Researchers like Moon (1998,2000) suggest that self disclosure in computer mediated

environment (CMEs) is easier for some people than self disclosure to a physically

nearby person due to the pressure of social desirability.

Digital identity Construction (Nguyen and Alexander 1996) makes it possible to express

latent and nested identities (Herb and Kaplan 1999) or to more fully disclose aspects of

the self that are difficult to represent physically.

Immerging Self Identity in Digital World

The formation of self identity is now constructed in the digital world. Identity is

characterized by the tension between how a person defines herself as an individual and

how she connects to others and social groups in affiliative relationships (Kleine, Kleine,

and Allen 1995).

Affiliative identity is important for situating the self within the world and for

communicating identity to the intended audience (peer group, government,

descendants, etc.) Where individual identity may be said to demonstrate “me,” affiliative

identity establishes “we.”

Impression
Management Online
Identity
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