Anilao, Elijah Joyce M.

Understanding the Self

CA1A1 MWF 8:30-9:30

I.Read Exustenrialists and Man’s search for meaning.

II. List down 5 questions you think the passage answered.
What is the meaning of man’s existence?
What is the real meaning of freedom?
Where do values come from?
What am I living for?
What is the existentialists search for meaning?

III. List down 5 direct statements that you found interesting, explain.
“Worldliness of the world is due to man’s concern.”
The sense of the world we’re manifested through human’s conception and how they
perceived the world as an entity co-exisiting with them. Thus making the human mind a
powerful manipulator.
The search is a life-time task and time is the essence of the meaning.
Time is an indefinite, continued proces wherein efficient usage of it is the essence of the
meaning. A constant reminder once used up the moment is already over, so time should
be utilized with purpose
Man is dasein, there-being thrown into the world to realize himself, dooms to potentialities,
the extrene of which is death.
Life is a privilege but bounded with limitation. A reminder that man should live life to the
fullest.
Truth is what is held on with the passion of the infinite.
Fathomless passion is the driving force to initiate the will of finding the truth. Without the
courage humans will remain in query.
Value is that for which a person lives and dies for.
The actual meaning of life is serving the greatest purpose of existence beyond pleasure
and satisfaction.
IV. List down 5 realizations you had after reading and discuss.
Subjectivity of the man.
Man should not simply go with the flow, he is the subject that holds an autonomous power.
He has this intrinsic capacity to determine himself whether for goodness or evil. Also, he
is equipped with freedom to devise decision for himself along with the entities around him.
Thus, his identity were molded through his existence and actions. In the present, this
characteristic were deagraded tremendously due to influences vested from the society.
The passage is a strength to live freely.
Freedom means creating essence.
Complementing the latter part, human are vested with freedom. For me, freedom is an
opportunity to self- actualize, to define oneself against constraints,to live life and liberty.
Wherein we will hold liable for all of our decisions. Aprt from it, freedom is a challenge to
give life to virtue. The real felicity of freedom that make us complete.
Potentialities = Responsibility
Humans were born with renowned capablities that makes them unique from one another.
But we should be reminded that these capabilities are carried for particular purpose and
responsibility. Responsibility to help other grow while reaching our wholeness of being.
Man lives to exist and to co- exist.
“No man is an island”. Humans needed to be part of a community to thrive. We can
influence and be influenced by others. I realized man can’t live without communication
even an introvert like me.
Be Thyself
Ensure that out actions should be congruent to our own beliefs and desires despite the
existence of external pressures. Authentic exustence should not be limited from Knowing
Thyself but rather applying it to our daily circumstances. One should face reality and be
true to oneself.

V. List down 5 application of realization and explain.

Stand for own decisions and opinions.
Human has the autonomous power to formulate decisions and an authentic existence to
be thyself. This self- worth and freedom deserves strong conviction and application. It can
be observed through conversational and formal debates and day-to-day living.
Extend a helping hand
Real freedom creates essence through extending a helping hand to others. This can be
manifested through small little ways like assist elderlies in crossing the street, participate
in charitable works and even community service.
Our growth means society’s growth as well
Humans and society can’t be separated from one another for they have a causal
relationship. It’s a win win situation, while your growing as an individual the society around
you also progress. This are recognized by technological advancements in the present,
professionals who exercise their profession for the sake of others—like lawyers and
doctors.

Exercise healthy communication and friendship.

Man exist and co-exist, thus building a good relationship from others is a fresh start.
Establishing good communication with family members and gaining genuine friendship
helps boost self- acceptance as well as confidence.
Fight Society’s Influence
Be thyself, be true to oneself. Don’t let the society shape your belief system, behavior and
even your values. Nowadays, peer pressure been a prominent example of this. Youths
nowadays are easily moved by trends trying to fit in the society. One should know to stand
on his own feet.

VI. Write a Reflective Essay

Self constitutes a wide range of topics. Extending from postive to negating agents about
living as a “being”, our freedom, existence and even our faith. Which are relatively
connected through producing common truth,values and commitment. Understanding the
self doesn’t confine us from just knowing thyself but rather dig and search for the real
meaning of life, the essence of existence.
Moreover, the course stirs passion to identify the reality of life. It is not limited from
understanding oneself but also outstretched to the society and the world co-existing with
them, perceiving a causal relationship.
Both psychological and philosophical approach is a backbone support for deeper
understanding of the course. Psychological approach reviewed the components
regarding the mental and physical growth of an individual. It discussed the influences and
the possible reactions to outcomes. Whilst philosophical approach focused on the totality
of the existence of the self and its meaning.
Understanding the self is not an easy task to do. It requires extensive appreciation of the
totality of one’s being. Differential views of knowledge fields make it more complicated.
But it serves as a light to contemplate about my essence as a human. If I am living in
purpose or just simply living.