PHILOSOPHY

GRADE -12 ZEPHANIAH

GROUP 6

Members:
Solen Baleriado
Wye Anne Roberto
Johndro Jimenez
Joannah Yahya

LESSON 6: INTERSUBJECTIVITY
How do we as human persons relate with others?

Our ability to engage in meaningful interactions with other people, our surroundings, and
everything around us is rooted in our capacity for self-awareness and transcendence. Before we
begin to relate with others, we must first be aware of ourselves as rational individuals capable of
determined and reasonable action. Interpersonal relations are made possible when the self
becomes aware of the other, which includes everyone and everything outside of the self.

Our human nature not only enables us to recognize the self that defines our individuality, it also
enables us to recognize that other human beings also possess a self. We are able to relate
meaningfully with other human beings because we consider ourselves as essentially the same.
This notion of recognizing the self in the other is how philosophers define interpersonal
relations.

The interaction between the self and the other is related to the philosophical concept of
intersubjectivity, which is the mutual recognition of each other as persons. It cannot be denied
that we interact with other beings in the world, but some of these beings that we interact with are
persons and must be recognized as such. Intersubjectivity also carries the meaning of "a unique
relationship between distinct subjects."

Having an inner life allows the person to give himself or herself to others. This also allows the
individual to receive others in his or her life and relate with them. Intersubjectivity also allows a
person to become closer to others in many different ways. In everyday social interactions,
persons have the ability to agree and cooperate with each other.

A closer look at everyday interactions reveals instances where the self interacts with the other.
Philosophers identify various levels of self-other interaction. The first is the simple awareness of
the existence of the other.

A deeper level of interaction between the self and the other, on the other hand, is the awareness
of the self as being seen by others. Imagine, for instance, that one of the people you are watching
suddenly stops and looks straight at you.

This self-consciousness is considered by philosophers as a defining characteristic of the self-

other relationship.

The unique phenomenon of the human gaze is considered a defining characteristic which sets
apart human interaction from the interaction of other species. Also, the awareness of the "self in
the other" is an important element in all other aspects of interpersonal interactions. The way we
act with other people is often influenced by our ideas of how these people see us. These actions
are referred to as "seeming" - where an individual presents himself or herself in a certain way
when dealing with others. Persons take on "roles" or act out characters when dealing with certain
people or when in certain situations. This is considered as an unconscious, natural act on the part
of humans. However, there may be instances when people behave a certain way in order to
intentionally deceive or manipulate other people. Surely you have heard of the terms "plastic"
and "sipsip", which refer to manipulative behaviors that are done by some people in pursuit of
selfish interests.

WHAT CHARACTERIZES A GENUINE HUMAN INTERACTION?

Most human interactions, however, are not based on deception. Since our human nature drives us
to uphold dignity and goodness, our interactions with others are also geared toward what is good
and beneficial. These lead humans to strive to achieve deeper and more substantial interactions
and relations with other people. This deeper and more genuine interaction is called a dialogue,
and this is made possible when the self realizes that the other is a genuine and unique individual.
When two individuals begin to view each other as an other - that is, truly acknowledging each
other's presence - then that is the beginning of an authentic relationship and a dialogue.

A dialogue is an interaction between persons that happens through speech or the use of words,
expressions,and body language. The person is a being who is open to others,and is capable of
receiving others in a dialogue. Ordinarily, we think of it as a kind of communication that usually
occurs through a conversation.

The notion of a dialogue becomes clearer when we reflect on the nature of our conversations
with other people. The conversations you have with casual acquaintances are different from
those with people who are closest to you. Casual conversations with other people often consist of
discussing news or occurrences. We often conduct our normal conversations in this manner.

A dialogue occurs when two persons "open up" to each other and give and receive one another in
their encounter. Genuine dialogue occurs when persons are willing to share themselves with one
another. The awareness of each other's presence as a true person is defined by the acceptance of
each other's uniqueness and differences. When each individual enters into a dialogue with this
mindset, then it is truly a dialogue between equals.

HOW DOES INTERSUBJECTIVITY DEFINE OUR INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER

PERSONS?

Philosophers agree that it is important for humans to pursue and achieve genuine relati
Philosophers agree thapiment. Human persons naturally seek and are able to achieve
relationships to attain develaningful relations with each other. The human person is considered as
a "being with others," which means that his or her identity and destiny are shaped by relating
with others. Human existence is a continual dialogue with the other and that the self becomes
whole through interaction with other people and his or her surroundings.

Empathy, or the ability to share emotions, is an important aspect of intersubjectivity. This

emotion is driven by a person's awareness that the other is a person with thoughts and feelings.
Human persons are actively aware of the emotional states of other people, and they use this
information to determine their own actions and behavior. Empathy enables us to experience
another person's emotions, such as happiness, anger, and sadness. In a manner of speaking,
sympathy is "feeling with" and empathy is "feeling in."

Another characteristic of meaningful and genuine human relationships is availability, or the

willingness of a person to be present and be at the disposal of another. You may have
encountered a situation where you needed help.

The ethics of care is an ethical theory that emphasizes the moral dimension of relationships and
interactions. This moral perspective encourages individuals to help other people, most especially
the vulnerable. Proponents of the ethics of care believe that people have a moral obligation to
respond to the needs of other people; and one cannot turn a blind eye on the each other in
different ways and this gives rise to varying degrees of dependence among problems of others.
People relate to people. Those who are able to help or give assistance should consider the
specific needs of the people they are helping.

There are those who view other people negatively and consider human actions as being
influenced by selfish interests. This pessimistic view considers human relationships frustrating
and often inauthentic or deceptive. A person that adopts this negative view is said to be
experiencing alienation. This arises when a person ceases to view the other as a distinct and
authentic person and merely considers the other person as a mere object or a means to satisfy
personal interests.

Our human nature drives us to feel indignation against these kinds of behavior because we know
that these actions are an insult to human dignity. Feelings or views of alienation, if left
unaddressed, give rise to negative views and actions directed against a person or group of
persons. Alienation goes against the concept of personhood because this view discounts the
humanity and dignity of a person and leads to dehumanization.

Society must be founded on relationships and bonds established through mutual respect and
recognition of human dignity. If we recognize that the other person is the same as ourselves, if
we consider him or her as an individual with dignity, as a person no different from us, then we
will be able to forge ties and build a community of harmony. DISCUSS
How can philosophy help you evaluate your relationships with others? Important values related
to intersubjectivity include acceptance of differences and embracing diversity. We understand
that each person is unique, therefore, differences will exist among groups of people. When we
look at physical traits and even behavior, we can see that no two persons look and think the
same. When we consider views, beliefs, and ideas the differences become much more
pronounced. We have to accept that people will have different views and beliefs. What unites us
all is our shared humanity and dignity.

The recognition of our shared humanity and dignity is what drives us to extend assistance and act
with concern towards others, especially toward individuals or groups that experience hardships
and discrimination. For instance, those who are physically and mentally challenged often
experience hardships because of their condition. We have to realize, however, that these
individuals, despite their limitations, can have the same skills as those who are fully able in mind
and body. They also have hopes and aspirations like us, and many of them have successfully
transcended their disabilities to become productive and happy individuals. Examples of people
with disabilities who have successfully risen above their physical limitations to live productive
lives include Helen Keller, Nick Vujicic, and Roselle Ambubuyog.

REVIEW

■A person's ability to engage in meaningful interactions with other people, his or her
surroundings, and the things around him or her, is rooted in the human capacity for self-
awareness and transcendence.

Intersubjectivity refers to the shared awareness and understanding among persons. It is made
possible by the awareness of the self and the other.

The relationship between the self and the other enables the person to relate to others and
establish and maintain meaningful relationships.

"Seeming" action refers to the way a person presents himself or herself when dealing with others.
This is considered a natural and often unconscious act. Some people, however, engage in
seeming actions to deceive and manipulate others.

■A deep and genuine relationship between persons is called a dialogue. Dialogue happens when
two persons truly acknowledge each other's presence and treat each other as equals. Empathy is
an important aspect of intersubjectivity and is driven by a person's awareness of the emotions
and thoughts of other people. It enables a person to place himself or herself in the shoes of others
and leads to a greater understanding and appreciation of others.

■Availability refers to the willingness of a person to be present for another and to render
assistance to another.