William James

Understanding the self can be examined

through its different components.

1. its constituents
2. the feelings and emotions they arouse – self-
feelings
3. the actions to which they prompt – self-seeking
and self-preservation

The constituents of self are composed of the

material self, the social self, the spiritual self
and pure ego.
M AT E R I A L S E L F
The material self, according to James, primarily
is about our bodies, clothes, immediate family, and
home.

BODY. The innermost part of our material self

is our body. Intentionally, we are investing in our
body. We are directly attached to this commodity
that we cannot live without.
 M AT E R I A L S E L F
CLOTHES.
James believed that clothing is an essential part
of the material self.

Lotze in his book, Microcosmus, stipulates that “any

time we bring an object into the surface of our
body, we invest that object into the consciousness
of our personal existence taking in it its contours
to be our own and making it part of the self”
(Watson, 2014).

Clothing is a form of self-expression. We choose

and wear clothes that reflect our self (Watson,
2014).
Influenced by the “Philosophy of
Dress” by Herman Lotze,
M AT E R I A L S E L F

FAMILY. Third in the hierarchy is our

immediate family. Our parents and siblings
hold another great important part of our self.
What they do or become affects us.
M AT E R I A L S E L F
HOME. The fourth component of material
self is our home. Home is where our heart is. It
is the earliest nest of our selfhood. Our
experiences inside the home were recorded and
marked on particular parts and things in our
home.
Having investment of self to things,
As James (1890) describe self:
made us attached to those things. The

more investment of self-given to the “a man’s self is the sum total of all

particular thing, the more we identify what he CAN call his.”

Possessions then become a part or an extension
ourselves to it. We also tend to collect
of the self.
and possess properties. The collections

in different degree of investment of self,

becomes part of the self.

We Are What We Have
Russel Belk
posits that “… we regard our possessions as
part of ourselves. We are what we have and
what we possess.”

The identification of the self to things

started in our infancy stage when we
make a distinction among self and
environment and others who may desire
our possessions.
 CHAPTER 2
UNPACKING THE
SELF
LESSON 3
Supernaturals: Believe It or Not!
 the most intimate, inner
Spiritual self subjective part of self.

because ….
…the satisfaction experienced is purer than all other
when thinking of one’s ability to sentiments of satisfaction.
argue and discriminate, of one’s
moral sensibility and conscience, (Green, 1997).
and of our unconquerable will

(James, 1890)
 Spiritual self
RELIGION
Rebecca Stein
“as a set of cultural beliefs and practices that
usually includes some or all of basic characteristics.”

1. A belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being.

2. A focus on the sacred supernatural.
3. The presence of supernatural power or energy that is found on
supernatural beings as well as physical beings and objects.
4. The performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation of
sacred object to communicate to supernatural beings and/or to
influence or control events.
5. The articulation of world view and moral codes through narratives
and other means.
6. Provide the creation and maintenance of social bonds and
mechanism of social control within a community; provide explanation
for unknown and a sense of control for individuals.
Spiritual self
RITUAL
the performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by a
tradition or sacred law. (Britannica ,2017)
Hans H. Penner
Three fundamental characteristics of rituals according
to Penner:
1. a feeling or emotion of respect, awe, fascination,
or dread in relation to the sacred.
2. dependence upon a belief system that is usually
expressed in the language of myth
3. is symbolic in relation to its reference

The self can be described as a ritual being

who exhibits a striking parallel between
their ritual and verbal behavior.
Some World Religious Beliefs
and Practices
Beliefs Customs and Practices BUDDHISM
believes that there are Two (2) types of meditation practices:
suffering, pain, and
frustrations in life. It 1. Samatha is practiced as
becomes a habit known as mindfulness of breathing and
the reactive cycle of wanting development of loving 2. Vipasanna practices aim at
and hating, like and dislike, kindness (Metta Bhavana). developing insight into reality.
and craving and aversion.
Acquiring wisdom is by studying Buddha Day (Wesak) in May Padmasambhava Day in October
Buddha’s teaching, the Dharma.

Buddhists believe in non-violence

principle.

Parinirvana Day in February

Dharma Day in July Sangha Day in November

Some World Religious Beliefs
and Practices
Beliefs Customs and Practices

-believe in Trinitarian God  Sacrament of Baptism and

CHRISTIANITY
(God the Father, God the Son, Sacrament of Communion
and God the Holy Spirit).
- Eternal life after death will be
achieved through faith in Jesus
Christ.  Christmas and Resurrection
(Easter)
Some World Religious Beliefs
and Practices
Beliefs HINDUISM
Hindus believe that existence is a
cycle of birth, death and rebirth,
governed by Karma. Karma is a
concept where the reincarnated Customs and Practices
life will depend on how the past
life was spent. Diwali is the Navrati is the festival
Festival of Lights of nine nights
Some World Religious Beliefs
and Practices
Beliefs
ISLAM
Muslims believe in The Holy Book of Islam
Allah, who is their is called the Quran.
“One God.”

Islam means “willing Two of the major

submission to God.” festivals in Islam:

Eidul-Fitr and
Muslims believe that
Eidul-Adha
Mohammed is the last and
final prophet sent by God.
Customs and Practices
3. Zakat- the monetary 5. Sawm- the fasting.
1. Shahadah - statement of offering for the benefit of Muslims do fasting from food,
faith: “There is no God but the poor. It comprises the drink, and sexual act during
the one true God and 2.5% of a Muslim’s assets. the celebration of Ramadan.
Mohammed is his Ramadan is the ninth month
messenger.” of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The fast is from dawn to
sunset.

4. Hajj- the yearly

pilgrimage to Mecca.
2. Salat - the prayer that is Muslims who can afford are
practiced five times a day. asked to do the pilgrimage at
least once in their lifetime.
Some World Religious Beliefs
and Practices

Beliefs JUDAISM
- The Jews believed in the God of Abraham,
the same God that liberated the Hebrew
slaves from Egypt to Canaan, the Promised
Land through the leadership of Moses and
later, Joshua.

- The Jews believe in the coming of Messiah, the

Savior. The sacred scripture of the Jews is called
the Torah or the Law. The Torah is the guide of
the Jewish living. The study and interpretation of
Torah is part of the Jewish culture.
Customs and Practices 3. Pesach- Passover

1. Rosh Hashanah- the

New Year
5. Sukkot- Tabernacles.

4. Shavuot- Pentecost
2. Yom Kippur- the Day of
Atonement
 Thank you
and
God Bless

Group 1