Philosophy

FINALS REVIEWER | SEM 01 2024

But you cannot just treat a person as a

INTERSUBJECTIVITY thing without hurting the person’s feelings.
This is because the human person also has
How does an individual relate to other an inner reality encapsulated in the
persons? concept of an embodied spirit.
● Humans have the natural and
universal tendency to relate, to This is the reason why we do not refer to
establish attachments, and seek human beings as objects, but as subjects.
close relationships with other
people.
LEVELS OF “SELF - OTHER” INTERACTIONS

Interpersonal relations
● Interpersonal relations are made The simple awareness of existence of the
possible when the SELF becomes other
aware of the OTHER – which ● This means that when we see other
includes everyone and everything people walking down the street, we
outside of the self. are aware that there are other
● a social connection or affiliation beings unique from us, and that
between two or more people. they exist outside of our own
● Connections with your partner, perception.
loved ones, close friends,
acquaintances, coworkers, and The awareness of self as being seen by
many others who make up the others
social connections in your life. ● Stare of someone familiar to you –
friends, family member or even
Intersubjectivity your crush
● The interaction between the self ● For instance, one of the people you
and the other is related to the are watching suddenly stops and
philosophical concept of looks straight at you. You are
intersubjectivity, which is the immediately aware of this person’s
shared awareness and action as an OTHER.
understanding among persons . ● Also, you are aware of another
● Hence, INTERSUBJECTIVITY is the significant fact – you know that the
mutual recognition of each other stranger at you is aware of YOU as
as persons; a unique relationship a person.
between distinct subjects. ● This self-consciousness is
considered by philosophers as a
The human person is not an object. He/she defining characteristic of
appears only to be one because of her SELF-OTHER relationship
body that makes him/her a thing like
others.
 Philosophy
FINALS REVIEWER | SEM 01 2024

● Genuine dialogue occurs when

INTERSUBJECTIVITY persons are willing to share
themselves with one another.
The unique phenomenon of the human
gaze is considered a defining
INTERSUBJECTIVITY
characteristic which sets apart human
interaction from the interaction of other
species. How does intersubjectivity define our
interactions with other persons?
The awareness of the “self in the other" is
an important element in all other aspects Philosophers agree that it is important for
of interpersonal interactions. humans to pursue and achieve genuine
relationships to attain development.
The way we act with other people is often
influenced by our ideas of how these Human persons naturally seek and are
people see us. able to achieve and maintain genuine,
meaningful relations with each other.

FORMS OF SELF - OTHER INTERACTION The human person is considered as a

"being with others”, which means that his or
Seeming her identity and destiny are shaped by
● Refers to the way individuals relating with others.
present themselves when
interacting with other individuals. Empathy
● A person acts based on how he ● The ability to share emotions is an
thinks others view him as a person important aspect of
intersubjectivity.
Dialogue ● This emotion is driven by a person's
● Is what characterizing deeper and awareness that the other is a
more genuine interaction person with thoughts and feelings.
● An interaction between persons ● Enables us to experience another
that happens through speech, person's emotions, such as
expressions, and body language happiness, anger, and sadness.
● When two individuals begin to view
each other as persons, that is, truly Sympathy - “feeling with”
acknowledging each other’s Empathy - “feeling in”
presence, then that is the
beginning of an authentic Availability
relationship and a dialogue. ● is the willingness of a person to be
present and be at the disposal of
another.
 Philosophy
FINALS REVIEWER | SEM 01 2024

Ethics for Care

THE APPLICATION OF INTERSUBJECTIVITY
● is an ethical theory that
TO SOCIETY
emphasizes the moral dimension
of relationships and interactions.
● This moral perspective encourages How can philosophy help you evaluate
individuals to help other people, your relationships with others?
most especially the vulnerable. ● Acceptance of differences and
● This theory believes that people embracing diversity
have a moral obligation to respond ● We have to accept that people will
to the needs of other people; and have different views and beliefs.
one cannot turn a blind eye on the
problems of others. Persons with Disabilities (PWD’s)
● is used to apply to those persons
Alienation who have long-term physical,
● arises when a person ceases to psychological, intellectual, or
view the other as a distinct and sensory impairments which in
authentic person and merely interaction with several
considers the other person as a unreasonable or discriminatory
mere object or a means to satisfy barriers may obstruct their full and
personal interests. active participation as equal
● For instance, people who behave in members of the society.
a rude and offensive manner
against others whom they consider Much like us, persons with certain
“different from them”. conditions also have dreams and
ambitions in life. Some of them wants to
Society must be founded on relationships become teachers, lawyers, artists, athletes,
and bonds established through mutual and many more
respect and recognition of human dignity.
Hellen Keller (1880 - 1968)
If we recognize that the other person is the ● American author and educator
same as ourselves, if we consider him or who was blind and deaf. Her
her as an individual with dignity, as a education and training represent
person no different from us, then we will be an extraordinary accomplishment
able to forge ties and build a community of in the education of persons with
harmony. these disabilities
● 1st deaf-blind person to earn a
bachelor’s degree
● Anne Sullivan - Hellen Keller’s
mentor who is also
visually-impaired
 Philosophy
FINALS REVIEWER | SEM 01 2024

Roselle Ambubuyog health services, in comparison to

● 1st visually-impaired Filipino to most of the people in a certain
graduate summa cum laude from society.
Ateneo de Manila University in 2001. ● This group of individuals is facing
● Despite her handicap, she was a various dimensions of poverty,
consistent academic honoree such as income poverty, health
valedictorian (elementary & high deprivation, human rights
school) violations, gender inequity, and
● Product and support manager at many more.
Code Factory, the world’s leading ● The marginalized sectors, which
provider of software that allows the include jeepney drivers, farmers,
visually impaired to access mobile fisherfolks, and many more, are
devices. also considered as
underprivileged.
Fatima Soriano ● Marginalized sectors are the
● a blind Philippine singer, has an groups of individuals that are
inspiring story. experiencing the so-called
● Born blind, she faced immense marginalization, which is the act
challenges, including kidney failure of downgrading a person, a class
at the age of 9. However, her of people, or a concept to an
determination led her to achieve insignificant, secondary, or
the seemingly impossible. Eleven powerless situation in a society.
years ago, she received a
successful kidney transplant, Inclusivity
defying the odds and continuing ● the practice or policy of providing
her musical journey. equal access to opportunities and
resources for people who might
Underprivileged Sectors of the Society otherwise be excluded or
● is being described as the group of marginalized, such as those having
people that is suffering from physical or mental disabilities or
different forms of social belonging to other minority groups.
deprivation such as denial of the
enjoyment of similar level of It is our moral duty to uphold human
comfort and/or fundamental rights dignity and importance of life, because
as most of the members of a even though we are totally different from
civilized society due to several each other, our shared dignity and
economic and social humanity is the thing that unites us all.
circumstances.
● This group is less in terms of
material possessions and basic
social benefits, like education and
 Philosophy
FINALS REVIEWER | SEM 01 2024

● Society is a means by which

HUMAN PERSON IN SOCIETY
people seek to control their natural
tendencies and impose order.
The human person by nature is a “social ● Individuals who establish
being”. Throughout a person’s life, he or she societies enter into a “social
experiences a variety of relationships that contract.”
help shape him or her as a person.
Social Contract - an agreement where
Society individuals sacrifice an amount of their
● an organized group of people freedom and submit to a higher authority.
whose members interact
frequently and have a common John Locke
territory and culture. ● Persons in their natural states are
● also refers to a companionship or more cooperative and reasonable,
friendly association with others, and that society is formed through
an alliance, a community, or a the consent of the individuals that
union. organized it (consent of the
governed)
Philosophers consider society as the ● Locke’s social contract is a
product of deliberate actions by individuals covenant among individuals to
who come together in pursuit of a common cooperate and share the burden of
goal. upholding the welfare of the
society.
● People have the right to overthrow
THE SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY
a failed government.

During the Age of Enlightenment, social Jean Jacques Rousseau

philosophers studied the natural laws that ● Advocate of the concept of
govern human societies. “general will”
● Based on the assumption that the
Enlightenment philosophers such as people have empowered the
Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean government to act on their behalf,
Jacques Rousseau were among the most and that it is considered to be the
prominent social theorists who tackled the best judge of what is most
origins of human society. beneficial for society.

Thomas Hobbes John Rawls

● Persons in their natural states are ● Human beings approach social
governed by their desires and cooperation in a rational manner in
those often lead to conflict with order to meet their individual self
their fellowmen. interests
 Philosophy
FINALS REVIEWER | SEM 01 2024

● Introduced the concept of original ● Members are generally treated

position in which he imagined equally, and decisions are based
humans as having a “veil of on consensus.
ignorance”
Pastoral Society
Veil of Ignorance - no knowledge of one’s ● Characterized by the
own characteristics such as gender, race domestication of animals for food
or social status. In this state, humans would for a more stable and predictable
naturally seek a just and fair society to look food supply.
out for their own interests. ● Pastoral societies often produce
surplus food and resources.
Although there are variations on the social ● Leads to the emergence of
contract theory, one common feature they specialized tasks in the community.
all have is that different individuals enter
into a kind of agreement with one another Horticultural Society
to form a society. ● Primarily engages in the
small-scale cultivation of plants,
Individual members put aside their fruits, and vegetables and the
self-interest in order to create a domestication of animals.
community where they may live in ● Semi-nomadic
harmony with others. ● The assignment of tasks and
occupations were often based on
Society is founded on the concept of gender.
common good.
Agrarian/Agricultural Society
Common Good - refers to the social ● Involves the large-scale and
conditions which enable persons and long-term cultivation of crops and
groups to fulfill their goals and achieve domestication of animals.
well-being. ● Characterized by improved
technology and the use of tools to
Example: peace within community, clean aid in farming.
and safe public spaces, efficient transport ● Give rise to a growing population
system, and efficient public service and a more structured social
system.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF SOCIETIES Industrial Society

● Based on the use of specialized
Hunting and Gathering Society machinery in the production of
● Recognized as the earliest and goods and services.
simplest form of society ● “Industrial Revolution”
● Nomadic - wandering ● Technological advances in this
 Philosophy
FINALS REVIEWER | SEM 01 2024

period resulted in improved trade behavior of citizens.

and commerce.
● Work is done in factories Folkways - are less formal norms that
● Lead to greater inequalities in arise from tradition and do not result in
wealth, power, and influence. punishment when violated. (Eg: dress
code)
Post-Industrial Society
● Marked by the establishment of Social System - an organized or patterned
societies based on knowledge, set of relationships among individuals and
information, and the sale of groups that compose a society.
services.
● “Virtual Society” Social Role - are actions and behaviors
expected of a certain individual. (Eg: being
Digital Citizen - person who is a father, son, daughter, teacher, etc.)
knowledgeable and responsible enough to
effectively use different social platforms Social Groups/Social Classes
on the internet. ● group of individuals who share
similar backgrounds or perform
similar roles. (Eg: rich, middle class,
HOW DOES SOCIETY INFLUENCE OUR poor)
DEVELOPMENT AS PERSONS?
Social Institutions - groups that perform
The person and the society have a very vital functions in society. (family, school,
dynamic relationship in which one cannot government, religion)
exist without the other.
Social Values - are actions or ideals that
Society influences the interactions of its are considered important by society.
members through the establishment of (cooperation, obedience to the law,
norms. concern for other, respect for others)

Norms - set of traits and behavior that Generation Gap - conflict among people of
society considers acceptable. These are different ages when discussing certain
one of the ways that society regulates the topics.
behavior to establish social order.
Social Movement - a large-scale action
Social Stigma - disapproval or done by various groups and organizations
discrimination against an individual in a in pursuit of a common goal to bring about
society. change. (Environmental, Youth, Gender,
Clean Governance)
Laws - more formal and stringent norms
that establish and define acceptable
 Philosophy
FINALS REVIEWER | SEM 01 2024

will eventually die and will face the

HUMAN PERSONS AS ORIENTED
TOWARDS THEIR IMPENDING DEATH Judgement Day. God will
determine those who will live a
blissful life in heaven and those
Death - the irreversible or permanent
cessation of life. who will have eternal suffering on
hell.
Cessation - means “to cease” or “to come
to an end.” When a person dies, all of the
vital functions in his/her body that sustains PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ABOUT
life are gone and cannot be brought back. DEATH

It is illogical to fear death

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ABOUT DEATH
● Socrates believed that death can
be two things:
Various cultures across the world consider
death as a path to another life.
Death is a dreamless sleep
Hindus and Buddhists ● Socrates argued that our life
● believe that after death, they will belongs to a higher being and
be reincarnated to another life should not be harmed intentionally.
form depending on the quality of
their past life.
Death is a passage to another life
● Socrates believes that there may
Ancient Egyptians
● best manifested by their be an afterlife. In this existence, we

mummification practice. They have no physical bodies.

carefully and meticulously embalm

the dead and wrap it with cloth. For him, neither of the two is bad so it is
illogical to fear our death.

Muslims
● also believe in life after death Death is nothing to us

which they call as “akhirah.” They ● Epicurus is best known for his quote

believe that it is only Allah who will “Death is the cessation of

decide when a person dies. sensation.” Meaning, we lose our

sensation or capacity to

Christians experience anything, be it good or

● have similar beliefs when it comes bad.

to the afterlife by which all people

 Philosophy
FINALS REVIEWER | SEM 01 2024

It makes sense to fear death because or marriage to mark the passage

death can be bad, especially if it is of time and the changes that have
premature. come. Death is just one more
● Thomas Nagel argues that there is change. Why treat it differently?”
a reason to mourn or be sad when ● We should consider their death as
a life is cut short. a sendoff party for a grand
● Since humans have an average journey. When it’s time for the
lifespan of about 80 years, people you love to move on, we
someone dying at the age of 20 is must honor and remember them.
a tragedy, because that person
missed out on 60 possible years of Self-Determination
great times. ● the capacity to choose and act for
● It’s also logical to fear the death of oneself. A person can still exercise
someone you hold dear. Aristotle freedom in choosing how to face
points out that humans are social the reality of death in their lives.
beings, and they greatly rely on
social relationships. We can look at two experiences which
● The death of a loved one would make us reflect on the meaning of life:
give us a deep sense of loss, happiness and suffering.
especially if that person had a
huge positive impact and influence Ancient Greek philosophy considers
on our life. happiness as an achievement and must
be gained by living a productive and moral
Accept death since it is a part of the life life.
cycle
● Zhuangzhi, a Daoist philosopher, Happiness
offers an insight about grief and ● is a “whole-life satisfaction”
death. He points out that we should based on our evaluation of our
see death from a larger overall life experiences.
perspective, in the lenses of nature; ● a state of being and not merely an
that death is one of the changes emotional experience or a chosen
constantly taking place in this mental attitude.
world.
● “We celebrate every other life
milestone like birthday, graduation,
 Philosophy
FINALS REVIEWER | SEM 01 2024

THE GOODS OR SOURCES OF HAPPINESS

Noble Good - one which is pursued for its

own sake; it is good in itself (Examples: love
& friendship)

Useful Good - considered good so long as

it serves as a means to an end; its
goodness is found only from what it can
provide (Example: money)

Pleasurable Good - good so long as it

provides some form of pleasure, though it
does not have to be physical (Netflix
subscription, Mobile Legends)

WHY DO WE SUFFER?

Suffering takes place when we patiently

endure unpleasantness, discomfort, and
pain.

It may come from:

Physical Suffering - (discomfort, hunger,
distress, & pain)
Mental Suffering - (depression, anxiety,
fear, loneliness & grief)

Suffering is necessary, without it, we are

unable to grow and improve.

Life - a gift given to each person and it is

important to turn this life into a gift for
others as well.