UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

The Self From Various Perspectives: PHILOSOPHY

The term "philosophy" originates from the Greek words "philo" (meaning love) and "sophia" (meaning wisdom),
thus its etymological definition is "love of wisdom." Philosophy is a discipline that utilizes an inquisitive and questioning
mindset to explore and understand the fundamental causes, reasons, and principles underlying all aspects of existence.
Philosophers engage in critical analysis and logical reasoning to delve into various profound questions about life, the
universe, and human experience.
One significant area of interest within philosophy is the nature of the self. This topic involves investigating what it
means to be a person, the essence of personal identity, and the characteristics that define individual existence.
Philosophers explore questions such as: What constitutes the self? How do our thoughts, consciousness, and experiences
shape our identity? Is the self a consistent, unchanging entity, or is it dynamic and fluid? These inquiries aim to deepen
our understanding of human nature and the essence of personal being.

What is the self?

The self is generally understood as the essence of a person, comprising their identity, consciousness, thoughts,
emotions, and experiences. It is what makes an individual distinct from others and is central to one's sense of being.

Qualities that define the self:

1. Consciousness: Awareness of one's own existence, thoughts, and surroundings.
2. Identity: The unique characteristics and attributes that define a person.
3. Rationality: The ability to think logically, make decisions, and reason.
4. Emotions: The complex feelings that influence behavior and perception.
5. Agency: The capacity to act independently and make choices.
6. Memory: The ability to recall past experiences, which shapes one's identity and continuity over time.

The Importance of Self-Knowledge:

Philosophers widely agree that self-knowledge is essential for living a happy and meaningful life. By
understanding oneself, individuals can align their actions with their true values, desires, and goals. This alignment
promotes inner harmony, moral integrity, and personal growth. Socrates believed that self-knowledge leads to wisdom, as
it enables individuals to recognize their own limitations and strive for continuous improvement.

Here's a brief overview of each of these notable philosophers and their contributions, particularly in relation to the
concept of the self:

1. Socrates (c. 470/469 – 399 BCE): Socrates, one of the foundational figures in Western philosophy, famously stated,
"An unexamined life is not worth living." This aphorism encapsulates his belief in the importance of self-reflection and
the pursuit of wisdom. For Socrates, the self is synonymous with the soul, which he regarded as the essence of a person
and the seat of their moral and intellectual faculties.
2. Plato (c. 427 – 347 BCE): Plato, a student of Socrates, built on and expanded his teacher's ideas, particularly
concerning the nature of the self and the soul. According to Plato, the self is synonymous with the soul, which he viewed
as immortal and central to human identity.
3. Aristotle (384 – 322 BCE): Aristotle, a prominent philosopher in ancient Greece and a student of Plato, indeed had a
distinct perspective on the nature of the self and the relationship between the body and the soul. Here's a breakdown of
Aristotle's views on these concepts:
4. St. Augustine (354 – 430 CE): St. Augustine, a significant figure in Christian theology and philosophy, indeed
synthesized elements of Platonic philosophy with Christian doctrine, particularly in his views on the nature of the self and
its relationship with God.
5. René Descartes (1596 – 1650): Descartes' famous dictum, "Cogito, ergo sum" or "I think, therefore I am," indeed
serves as a cornerstone of his philosophical framework, particularly in his conception of the self.
6. John Locke (1632 – 1704): Locke's perspective on the self, often associated with his theory of personal identity, indeed
emphasizes the role of consciousness and sense experiences in shaping individual identity.
7. Immanuel Kant (1724 – 1804): Kant proposed that the self plays an active role in structuring and organizing human
experience. Rather than passively receiving sensory data, the self actively synthesizes and organizes this information into
a coherent and intelligible world.
8. Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939): Freud described the conscious self as governed by the reality principle. This aspect of
the self is in touch with external reality and is organized in a rational, practical, and socially appropriate manner. The
conscious self operates based on conscious awareness and reasoning, making decisions and engaging in behavior that
aligns with societal norms and expectations.
9. Gilbert Ryle (1900 – 1976): Gilbert Ryle's proposed that the self is best understood not as a distinct entity or
substance, but rather as a pattern of behavior. This pattern encompasses the habitual ways in which individuals act, react,
and respond to various situations and stimuli.
10. Patricia Churchland (b. 1943): Paul Churchland's contends that the self is inseparable from the brain and the
physiological processes of the body. Rather than being an abstract entity or substance, the self is grounded in the physical
structure and functioning of the brain. According to Churchland, all aspects of consciousness, cognition, and identity can
ultimately be understood in terms of neural processes within the brain.
11. Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908 – 1961): Maurice Merleau-Ponty's Merleau-Ponty emphasized the primacy of
subjective experience in understanding the self and the world. He argued that our perceptions, sensations, and bodily
experiences are the foundation of all knowledge. According to Merleau-Ponty, the self is not a detached observer but an
embodied subjectivity, intimately intertwined with the world through lived experience.
The Self From Various Perspectives: SOCIOLOGY
What is Sociology?
It is the study of human social relationships and institutions. Its purpose is to understand how human action and
consciousness both shape and are shaped by the surrounding cultural and social structures.

The “Self” is a Product of Social Interaction

The “self” is not present at birth. It develops only with social experience wherein language, gestures, and objects
are used to communicate meaningfully. The sociological perspective of the “self” assumes that human behavior is
influenced by group life.

Charles Horton Cooley - The Looking-glass Self

The people whom a person interacts with becomes a mirror which he views himself. Perceptions are subjective,
there might be some wrong interpretations of how other people evaluate a person. It would be critical if a person thinks
that others judge them unfavorably because they could develop a negative self-image.

George Herbert Mead - Theory of The Social Self

Supports the view that a person develops a sense of self through social interaction and not the biological
preconditions of that interaction.

Self has two divisions

a) The “I”
Is the subjective element and the active side of the self.
Represents spontaneous, and unique traits of the individual.
Response of the “Me”.
b) The “Me”
The objective element of the self.
Represents the “internalized” attitudes, expectations, and demands of other people.
The “Me” is what is learned in interaction with others and the environment.

The full development of the self is attained when the “I” and the “Me” are united.
Role-taking – a process wherein you create your own role and anticipate how others will respond.
The self continues to change along with their social experience.
Details the development of the self in a three-stage process:
Preparation Stage - (0-3 years old)
Children imitate the people around them, especially family members with whom they have daily interection.
No sense of self and are preparing for role-taking.
Play Stage - (3-5 years old)
Children start to view themselves in relation to others as they learn to communicate through language and other
symbols.
Role-taking is exhibited
The self is developing
Game Stage - (begins in the early school years; above 8-9 years old)

The “Self” as a Product of Modern & Post-Modern Societies

Gerry Lanuza
“The Constitution of the Self” – discusses the relationship between society and the individual.
In modern societies, the attainment and stability of self-identity are freely chosen. It is no longer restricted by customs and
traditions. In postmodern societies, self-identity continuously changes due to the multitude demands of social contexts,
new information technologies, and globalization.

Jean Baudrillard
Exposed the negative consequences of postmodernity to individuals in the society.
Consumption structures the postmodern society. Individuals seek for a position in society through the quality of prestige
symbols that they can afford to consume.“The postmodern person has become an insatiable consumer and may never be
satisfied in his or her life. Therefore, the self may be in a never-ending search for prestige in the postmodern society.”

The Self From Various Perspectives: ANTHROPOLOGY

The word "anthropology" originates from the Greek language. It combines two terms: "anthropos," which means
"human," and "logos," which refers to "thought" or "reason" ¹. Essentially, anthropology is the study of humanity,
encompassing various facets such as biology, language, social customs, and beliefs.

The Science of Humanity

Holds a holistic view of human nature. It is concerned with how cultural and biological processes interact to shape
the self. Considers human experience as an interplay of “nature” and “nurture”. Both biological and cultural factors have
significant influence in the development of the self.

The cultural construction of self and identity

Anthropologists emphasized that the culture is not the behavior itself but the shared understanding that guide
behavior and are expressed in behavior.
Martin Sökefeld
 Believes that the concept is a necessary supplement to the concept of culture in anthropology and should be
regarded as universal.

Social anthropologists viewed the concept in two ways:

1. Egocentric view
The self is seen as an autonomous and distinct individual.
2. Sociocentric View
The self is contingent on a situation or social setting.

From the similarities and differences in characteristics among individuals, people construct their social identities.

Identity Toolbox - refers to the features of a person's identity that he or she chooses to emphasize in constructing a social
self.
Personal Naming – a universal practice with numerous cross-cultural variations, establishes a child’s birthright and social
identity.
Name – an important device to individualize a person and legitimize for them as a member of a social group such as a
family.
Personal Names – are intimate markers of a person which differentiates an individuals from others.
One's identity is not inborn. It is something people continuously develop in life. Rites of passage usually involve
ritual activities to prepare individuals for new roles from one stage of life to another such as birth, puberty, marriage,
having children, and death. Rites of passage help a person adjust from one social dimension of their life to the other

Arnold van Gennep

Believed that changes in one’s status and identity are marked by a three-phased rite of passage:
Separation Phase – people detach from their former identity to another.
Liminality Phase – a person transitions from one identity to another.
Incorporation Phase – the change in one’s status is officially incorporated.

Social Anthropologists believed that in order to attain self-identification, individuals have to overcome many
obstacles such as traditionally established habits and externally imposed self-images.
Cognitive Anthropologists suggests that in order to maintain a relatively stable and coherent self, members of
the multicultural society have no choice but to internalize divergent cultural models and should reject or suppress
identifications that may conflict with other self-preparations.

Katherine Ewing
`"Illusion of Wholeness" - exhibits how individual selves throughout the world continuously reconstitute themselves into
new selves in response to internal and external stimuli. Therefore, the cohesiveness and continuity of self are only
illusionary. The most important philosophical task of the postmodern man today is to “work on yourself.”

Clifford Geertz
Offered a reformulation of the concept of culture which favors a symbolic interpretative model of culture.
Defines "culture" as a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms by means of which people
communicate, perpetuate, and develop their knowledge about and attitudes toward life. Proposed that is necessary that
humans give meanings to their experiences so that order in the world can be established. In his attempt to illustrate an
accurate image of man, he introduced two important ideas: Culture should not be percieved as “complexes of concrete
behavior patters” but as a set of control mechanisms for the governing behavior. Man is precisely the animal most
desperately dependent upon such extragenetic, outside-the-skin control mechanisms for ordering his behavior.

Man is defined by his genetic potentials shaped into actual accomplishments which is made possible with culture.
The self as embedded in culture
Human beings, as cultural animals, create the meanings of objects, persons, behaviors, emotions, and events, and
behave in accordance with meanings they assume to be true. Cultural differences exists when groups of people assign
different meanings to a different life events and things. Hence, the self is embedded in culture.

The Self From Various Perspectives: PSYCHOLOGY

The term “psychology” traces its roots to both Greek and Latin.
The Greek word “psyche” refers to the “breath,” “spirit,” or “soul.” It encompasses the invisible animating
principle that directs the physical body, as well as the mind as the seat of thought and reason. The Latin suffix “-logia”
means “study” or “research.” Combining these elements, “psychology” emerged in the 1650s, initially denoting “the
study of the soul.”
Today, psychology encompasses the scientific exploration of human behavior, cognition, emotions, and mental
processes.

William James Concept of Self

Divided the self into two (2) categories:
1. I-Self
Refers to the self that is known who he or she is which is also called the thinking self.
Reflects the spul of a person or the mind which is called pure ego.
2. Me-Self
 The empirical self which refers to the person’s personal experiences and is further divided into
subcategories
i. The Material Self - Attributed to an individual’s physical attributes and material
possessions that contributes to one’s self-image.
ii. The Social Self - Refers to who a person is and how he or she acts in social situation
iii. The Spiritual Self - Refers to the most intimate and important part of the self that
includes the person’s purpose, core values, conscience, and moral behavior.

Carl Rogers Self Theory

Introduced self-concept – refers to the image of oneself. Defined the “self” as a flexible and changing perception
of personal identity. Human beings are striving for self-fulfillment or self-actualization. Central to achieving self-
actualization is the development of self-concept.

Two components of the self-concept:

The Real Self
Consists of the ideas, including the awareness of what one is and what one can do.
The Ideal Self
Is the person’s conception of what one should be or what one aspires to be which includes one’s goals and
ambitions in life.

Multiple vs Unified Self

Self-understanding also includes conceptualizing the self as a multiple or unified and true or false.

1. Multiple Selves – our subself that forms different behaviors in a specific situation.
2. Unified Self – the integration of the subselves.
3. True Self – represented by our feelings and desires. Based on authentic experience, and the feeling of being truly
present and alive.
4. Fake Self – refers to the roles we pretend to play or the appearance and behavior we take yet does not reflect how we
really are. It functions to hide and protect the true self.

The Western and Eastern Concepts of the Self

1. Wester Self as Analytic
The wester way of thinking is analytic-deductive with emphasis on the caussal links.
The whole is understood when differentiated into parts.
2. Western Self as Monotheistic
Believing on one all-powerful God alongside the universe combines supernatural and human abilities into
two aspects of existence.
3. Western Self as Individualistic
Western individualism shows how both good ans bad aspects of personal freedon exist together. While
having the freedon to make your own choices lets you grow, it also raises the chance of feeling disconnected and
frustated.
4. Wester Self as Materialistic and Rationalistic
Focused on material “things” and favors a rational-empirical approach over magical and superstitious
explanations of immaterial “things”.

EASTERN CONCEPT OF SELF

Philosophy and religion are twisted together.

Four Great Systems of Eastern Thought:

Hinduism
Buddhism
Confucianism; and
Taoism

The Self in Four Great Systems of Eastern Thought

HINDUISM
Vedanta – a major school of Indian thought based on Upanishads. Characterizes human suffering as the result of failure
to realize the distinction between the true self and the non-true self. The goal of the person is to have a knowledge of the
true reality – Brahman (absolute reality). Self-realization is being united to all embracing Brahman.

Law of Karma – the most important doctrine of Hinduism.

Do good things – rewarded
Do bad things – punished

Therefore, the individual is the only one responsible for the consequences of his actions. Karma does not end with
a body’s death, so its influence may extend through the incarnation of the soul.
Atman (soul or spirit) – continues to be reincarnated from lifetime until it is freed from the cycle of rebirth and reaches a
state of nirvana. People can't alter the fact that they are who they're meant to be in this life. Yet, in the present, they can
change what they'll be in the future.

BUDDHISM
Siddharta Gautama – known as the Buddha, founder of Buddhism.
Buddhism comes from the root word budh meaning awake.“To be awake” – implies that opening the eyes would lead to
understanding more about the self and the world. Every person has the seed of enlightenment, hence, the potential to be a
Buddha. But the seed should be nurtured.

Four Noble Truths – basic principles of Buddhism:

 Life is suffering;
 Suffering is caused by attachment to desires;
 Suffering can be eliminated; and
 Elimination of suffering is through the practice of the Eightfold Path:
 Right View
 Right Aspiration
 Right Speech
 Right Action
 Right Livelihood
 Right Effort
 Right Mindfulness
 Right Concentration

Man is just a title for the summation of five parts:

 Matter
 Sensation
 Perception
 Mental constructs; and
 Consciousness

Man has no self (or no soul). There is only nothing and all else is an illusion. The ignorance of the impermanence
of everything may lead to an illusion of selfhood. Experience Nirvana – a state if transcendence devoid of self-reference.
Can only be achieved through meditation.

CONFUCIANISM
The core of Confucian thought is the Golden Rule or the principle of reciprocity:
“Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you.”
Basic virtue or proper conduct is knowing how to act in relation to others.
The self is known as a relational self.

Five Cardinal Relationships:

Between ruler and minster
Between father and son
Between husband and wife
Between brothers
Between friends

Individual’s greatest mission of attaining self-realization through self-cultivation. Knowing one’s role in society and
acting accordingly. The individual is set to respond to what is socially required rather than to one’s personal needs and
goals – the self is a subdued self.

TAOISM
The self is an extension of the cosmos, not of social relationships.
The self is described as one of the limitless forms of Tao – commonly regarded as Nature that is the foundation of
all that exists.
The perfect man has no self. Selflessness is attained when the distinction between “I” and “other” dissolves.
The ideal is to identify with the Tao.
The selfless person leads to a balanced life, in harmony with both nature and society. There should be unity and
harmony among opposing elements: the Yin and Yang.
Hence, there is oneness of the Tao.

Individualism - refers to the extent that you value independence and personal uniqueness. Highly individualist people
value personal freedom, self-sifficiency, control over their own live, and appreciation of thier unique qualities that
distinguish them from others.
Collectivism - refers to the extent that we value our duty to groups to which we belong, and to group harmony. Highly
cpllectivist people define themselves by their group membership and value harmonious relationships within those group.

Individualistic Self
Individualist cultures emphasize the moral worth of the individual. Individualitlist encourage asserting one’s goals
and desires; they highly value independence and self-reliance. Individualistic culture are oriented around the individual:
that a oerson should be independent instead of having the mentality of identfying with a group. In interpersonal
relationships, individualist see each ither as only loosely linked, and they value personal goals over group interest.
Collective Self
According to Patricia Licuanan, determined that one of the strengths of Filipino character is our deep love nad
concern for the family, which include not simply the spouses and children, parents, and siblings, but also grandparents,
aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents, and all other ceremonial relative.
Easter culture practice by countries in ASIA base their value and self-concept in a collectivist view. People in
collectivist culture emphasize the interdepence and harmonious relatedness with one another.

PHYSICAL SELF: THE BEAUTIFUL ME

Beginning of life

Life begins at fertilization. It refers to the meeting of the female sex cell and the male sex cell. These sex cells
are developed in the reproductive organs called GONADS. The male sex cell called spermatozoa [sing. –zoon] are
produced in the male gonads called testes. On the other hand, the female sex cells called ova are produced in the female
gonads known ovaries. The fertilized egg cell known as zygote contains all the hereditary potentials from the parents.
This zygote goes to the uterus and continues to grow during the gestation period of about 280 days or 36 weeks or 9
calendar months.
Both male and female chromosomes contain several thousands of genes – called deoxyribonucleic acid which is
the code of heredity. Maturation is the unfolding of the inherent traits.

Human Development
The formation of male or female structures depends on the presence of testosterone (A substance called hormone
that occurs naturally in men and male animals). The embryonic testes release testosterone once formed and the formation
of the duct system and external genitalia follows. The same with female embryos that form ovaries, it will cause the
development of the female ducts and external genitalia since testosterone hormone is not produce.
Pseudo hermaphrodites are formed who is an individual having accessory reproductive structures that do not
“match” their gonads while true Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian and testicular tissues but this
condition is rare in nature. Nowadays, many pseudo hermaphrodites undergo sex change operation to have their outer
selves fit with their inner serves (gonads).

Human anatomy

Puberty is the period of life when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional under
the influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones [testosterone in male and estrogen in female] and generally between the
age of 10-15 years old.

At the age of 13, male puberty is characterized by the increase in the size of the reproductive organs followed by
the appearance of hair in the pubic area, axillary and face. The reproductive organs continue to grow for two years until
sexual maturation marked by the presence of mature semen in the testes.

For the female, the budding of their breasts usually occurring at the age of 11 as a sign of their puberty stage.
Menarche is the first menstrual period of females which happens two years after the start of puberty. Hormones play an
important role in the regulation of ovulation and fertility of females.

Factors in development of the physical self

The development of the individual is caused by two interacting forces: heredity and environment. Heredity [nature] is the
transmission of traits from parents to offspring it provides the raw materials of which the individual is made up. While the
environment [nurture] is the sum total of the forces or experiences that a person undergoes from conception to old age. It
includes family, friends, school, nutrition and other agencies one is in contact with.

Diseases associated with the reproductive systems

Infections are the most common problems associated with the reproductive system in adults.

Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly women and those whose resistance to diseases is low,
like, Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract, the sexually transmitted microorganisms such as syphilis,
gonorrhea and herpes virus and yeast fungus.

Pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility are also the effect of vaginal infections. For males, the most common
inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis, STD, Orchiditis.
 Major treat to reproductive organs are Neoplasms, tumor of the breast and cervix cancers in adult females and
prostates cancer in adult males.

Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive abilities in their late 20‟s, i.e. irregular ovulation and
shorter menstrual periods – menopausal period.

The production of estrogen may continue after menopause but the ovaries finally stop functioning as endocrine
organs. The reproductive organ and breast begin to atrophy or shrink if estrogen is no longer released from the body. With
this case, the vaginal becomes dry that causes intercourse to become painful if frequent and the vaginal infections become
increasingly common.
Signs of estrogen deficiency: irritability and mood changes [depression in some]; intense vasodilation of the
skin‟s blood vessels, gradual thinning of skin and loss of bone mass, slowing rising high blood levels etc..

Note: there is no counterpart for menopause in males. Although aging men show a steady decline in
testosterone section, their reproductive capability seems unending. Healthy men are still able to father offspring well
into their 80‟ and beyond.

Erogenous zones

It refers to part of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual arousal when touched in a sexual
manner. Examples: mouth, breast, genitals, anus. However, erogenous zones may vary from one person to another.
Some people may desire and enjoy being touched in certain area more than the other area, like, neck, thighs, abdomen
and feet.

Human Sexual Behavior

It defined as any activity – solitary, between two persons, or in a group – that induces/ brings sexual arousal
[Gebhard, P.H. 2017]. This behavior is classified according to gender and number of participants.

Types of behavior: Solitary behavior [involving one individual]; and Socio-sexual behavior [more than one
individual]

Solitary behavior

Self – gratification [begins at or b4 puberty] means self –stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and generally,
sexual climax. This takes place in personal and private as an end in itself, but can also be done in a socio-sexual
relationship.

This is common for males but becomes less frequent or is abandoned when socio-sexual activity is available.
Therefore, self-gratification is most frequent among the unmarried. However this self-gratification usually decreases as
soon as an individual develop socio-sexual relationship.

Nowadays, human are frequently being exposed to sexual stimuli esp. from advertising and social media. Some
adolescents become so much aggressive when they respond to such stimuli.

The rate of teenage pregnancy is recently increasing. The challenge is to develop self-control so that to balance
suppression and free expression. Why? To prevent premarital sex and acquire STD.

Socio-sexual behavior

It is the greatest amount of socio-sexual behavior that occurs b/w only one male and one female. This usually
begins in childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or examining genitalia. Physical contact
involving necking and petting is considered as an ingredient of the learning process and eventually of courtship and
selection of a marriage partner.

Petting differs from hugging, kissing and generalized caresses of the clothed body to produce stimulation of the
genitals. This is done due to affection as source of pleasure, preliminary to coitus [this is an insertion of male
reproductive organ into female organ]. This is regarded as an important aspect in selecting partner but also a way of
learning how to interact with another person sexually.

A behavior may be interpreted by society or individual as erotic depending on the context in which the
behavior occurs. Example, kissing as a gesture of intimacy b/w couples while other sees this as respect and reverence.

Physiology of human sexual response

Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential stages or phases when sexual activity is continued.

1. Excitement phase = it is caused by increase in pulse and blood pressure; a sudden rise in blood supply to the surface
of the body resulting in increased skin temperature, flushing, and swelling of all distensible body parts particularly
noticeable in the male and female reproductive system, rapid breathing, secretion of genital fluids, vaginal expansion,
and a general increase in muscle tension.

2. Plateau phase = it is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is continued, orgasm usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax = a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, and rapid increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, and spasms
of the pelvic muscles causing contractions of the female reproductive organ and ejaculation by the male that last only
for few seconds normally not over ten.

4. Resolution phase = it refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiological state. Whereas males return to
normal even if stimulation continues, but continued stimulations can produce additional orgasms in females. Females
are physically capable of repeated orgasms without the intervening “rest period” required by males.
Nervous system factors

The nervous system plays a significant role during sexual response. The autonomic system is involved in
controlling the involuntary responses.

The efferent cerebrospinal nerves transmit the sensory messages to the brain to create stimulus and later
initiating a sexual response. The brain will interpret the sensory message and dictate what will be the immediate and
appropriate response of the body. The muscles contract in response to the signal coming from the motor nerve fibers
while glad secretes their respective product. So, sexual response is dependent the activity of the nervous System.

Hypothalamus and limbic system are part of the brain believed to be responsible for regulating the sexual
response, but there is no specialized “sex center” that has been located in the human brain.

Sexual problems

These may be classified as physiological, psychological and social in origin. Physiological problems are the
least among the three categories. Small number of people suffering from diseases due to abnormal development of the
genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology controlling sexual response. Example: vaginal infection, retroverted uteri,
prostatitis, adrenal tumors, diabetes, senile changes of the vagina and cardiovascular problems.

Medication: Through surgery

Psychological problems: usually caused by socially induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes, ignorance and
sexual myths held by society. Example: mature sex must involve rapid erection, prolonged coitus and simultaneous
orgasm. Methods: magazines, married books and general sexual folklore often strengthen these demanding ideals
which are not always achieved; therefore, can give rise to feeling of inadequacy anxiety and guilt. Hence, resulting
negative emotions can definitely affect the behavior of an individual.

Premature emission of semen is a common problem for young males. Why? Because of the natural result of excessive
tension in a male who has been sexually deprived. Erectile impotence is almost always a psychological problem in
males under 40; in other cases, the impotence may be the result of disinterest in the sexual partner, fatigue, and
distraction because of nonsexual worries, intoxication and other causes such as occasional impotency is common and
requires no therapy.

Ejaculatory impotence [inability to ejaculate in coitus] is uncommon and usually of psychogenic origin. Why?
It is due to the past traumatic experiences. Warning! Occasional ejaculatory inability can be possibly expected in older
men or in any male who has exceeding his sexual capacity.

Lastly, vaginismus is a strong spasm [contraction] of the pelvic musculature constricting the female
reproductive organ so that penetration is painful or impossible. It can be due to anti-sexual conditioning or
psychological trauma as an unconscious defense against coitus.

Medication: through psychotherapy and by gradually dilating/widening the female organ with increasing large
cylinders.

Sexual Reproductive diseases are the following:

1. Chlamydia 5. Human Papillomavirus

2. Gonorrhea 6. Herpes simplex virus
3. Syphilis 7. Trichomonas vaginalis
4. Chancroid
Natural and artificial methods are the following:
 1. Abstinence 4. Cervical mucus method
2. Calendar method 5. Symptothermal method
3. Basal body temperature 6. Ovulation detection
7. Coitus interruptus

Artificial methods are the following:

1. Oral contraceptive 7. Chemical barriers
2. Transdermal patch 8. Diaphragm
3. Vaginal ring 9. Cervical cap
4. Subdermal implants 10. Male condoms
5. Hormonal injections 11. Female condoms
6. Intrauterine device 12. Surgical methods (vasectomy and ligation)

MATERIAL SELF: TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY?

Material self
A Harvard psychology in the late nineteenth century, William James, wrote in the book, the principles of
psychology in 1890 that understanding the self can be examined through its different components namely: 1] its
constituents; 2] the feelings and emotions they aroused self-feelings; 3] the actions for which they prompt the seeking
and self-preservation. The constituents of self are composed of material self, the social self, the spiritual self, and the
pure ego.The material self, according to William James primarily is about: our bodies; clothes; immediate family;
home.

MATERIAL SELF:

1. Body is the innermost part of material self. You are directly attached to this commodity that you cannot
live without. You strive hard to make sure that this body functions well and good. Example is Mariah Carey, she was
reported to have placed a huge amount for the insurance of his vocal cords and legs.

2. Clothes is next to the body that was being influenced by the “the philosophy of dress” by Herman Lotze.
William James believed that an essential part of the material self is clothing. Lotze stipulated in his book that any time
you bring an abject into the surface of your body, you invest that object into any consciousness of your personal
existence taking in its contours to be your own and making it part of the self.

3. Immediate Family is the third in the hierarchy. Your parents and siblings hold another great important part
of yourself. What they do or became affects you. When an immediate family member dies, part of you dies, too. When
their lives are in success, you feel their victories as if you are the one holding the bacon. In their failures, you are put
to chance or guilt. When they are disadvantage situation, there is an urgent urge to help like a voluntary instinct of
saving one‟s self from danger.
Home is the fourth component of material self. Home is where your heart is. It is the earliest nest of your
selfhood. Your experience inside the home were recorded and marked on particular parts and things in your home. There
was an old cliché about rooms: “if only walls can speak”. The home thus is an extension of self, because in it, you can
directly connect yourself.

We are what we have

Russel Belk (1988) posits that “… we regard our possessions as part of our selves. We are what we have and
what we possess.” The identification of the self to things stared in our infancy stage when we make a distinction
among self and environment and others who may desire our possessions.

The possessions that we dearly have tell something about who we are, our self- concept, our past, and even our
future.