Reflection

“Plato's remark "No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth" emphasizes the
need to seek the truth to understand ourselves and the society we live in. In a world full of
information, identities, and personalities, it is not easy to know what is true or who we are. We
prefer to seek the unknown aspects of ourselves from what the world supplies, such as the rise
of the emo culture; since individuals seek to uncover unexplored emotions and characters, they
try to adopt what they believe is appropriate for them. However, it is crucial to understand and
know oneself, the fundamentals of our being, existence, and the world we live in, thus we can
find the true purpose, happiness, and meaning.

Philosophy
Philosophy

Philosophy is a valuable tool for developing analytical and strong thinking skills.
Studying philosophy leads to personal growth, fostering more thoughtfulness and open-
mindedness. The act of thinking conceptually Increases awareness of life's intricacies, resulting in
a decreased tendency to accept simplistic explanations. Philosophy fosters a proactive approach
to critical thinking, challenging individuals to examine both external and internal difficulties.

Many Philosophers, have argued and presented philosophical ideas on how can we
perform analytical, and critical thinking for self-growth, and the increase in virtue, towards a
happy and purposeful life.

Plato emphasized the moral power of truth seekers and the dualism of body and spirit.
He meticulously separated the soul into three components, each of which influenced distinct
perceptions and behaviors. The appetitive soul seeks bodily and material fulfillment, whereas the
spirited soul represents strength and aspiration. The rational soul directs conscious cognition,
planning, and future considerations.

Descartes on the other hand, claimed that Focusing on the intellect exposes our essence,
perceptions formed by the body might be deceiving. He introduced "Cogito ergo sum" (I think,
therefore I am), and asserts that constant uncertainty about existence demonstrates one's
existence. Descartes advocated for relying on the intellect to perceive oneself. Emphasizing that
serious skepticism leads to increased self-understanding, challenging the trustworthiness of
sensations and perceptions.

The concept of the uncertainty of one's existence correlates to John Locke’s “tabula
rosa”, in his idea, he emphasizes the importance of experiences and perceptions in determining
the behavior person. Individuals learn via experiences, failures, references, and observations, as
they lack intrinsic knowledge. Because we are a blank slate, it results in existential crisis, thus it is
necessary to use our intellect for skepticism, and self-understanding, to know our true self.

These are only a few of the examples that I believe are important for self-evaluation.
Philosophy inspires critical thinking and opens minds to far broader issues, which lead to a
better understanding of oneself, the world we live in, and how to navigate life to its full length
and significance. How we evaluate ourselves shapes our beliefs, which in turn shape our
personalities, how we think, and how we behave towards others. Despite various opinions on the
subject, most notable philosophers believe that self-knowledge is necessary for happiness and
purpose in life.

When I was young, I always tried to adapt to the qualities and character that others tell
me to be, since I was a little child back then, I tend to get easily persuaded by my environment,
not knowing what do I wanted for myself. However, when I grew up and had to rationalize
things and ideas of my own, I realized I had my own identity. I have experiences, friends, beliefs,
and values I learned, these are the factors that created my uniqueness, thus I tried to explore
myself, and the truth about my identity.

I tried different hobbies, read various books, and got myself into some activities until I
could finally know my real self. Although I have accomplished awareness of myself, I still have a
lot to learn and more to explore.

Psychology

However, understanding oneself requires a more in-depth study of how we digest

diverse beliefs and ideas. How did we arrive at this choice, and what elements shape the
formation of our values and character? Why did we choose to behave and act in a particular
manner? To properly comprehend what goes on within our thoughts, I believe it is vital to grasp
how psychology works.

Psychology focuses on both physiological and cognitive processes. Studying psychology

helps you understand your own behavior. It explores who we are and why we act and think in a
specific way, as well as our potential. Self-identity, shaped by personal ideas and external
perceptions, evolves throughout life and affects socioemotional functioning.

William James identified two components of the self: the "I" and the "me." Both are 1st
person singular pronouns, with the "I" expressing the individual's reaction to attitudes and the
"me" comprising the organized set of attitudes accepted by others. Carl Rogers supported this,
with his idea that the "I" denotes the active and choosing self, whereas the "me" refers to
thoughts or sentiments about oneself as an object. The "I" Self represents observable activities,
whereas the "Me" Self is subjective and includes reflections, about personal qualities. Self-
schema, an organized system of information about oneself, develops via development and
adaptation.
 Rogers also added that the self-concept includes both subjective and objective
experiences, as well as distinct existential qualities. The true self embodies our authentic ideas,
feelings, looks, and behaviors, which are evident to others and develop our self-image
adaptability.

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis on the other hand, claimed that social and
cultural factors form the individual mind. forces that operate underneath the unconscious self.
He believes that socialization involves both external and internal processes. Freud focused on
libidinal drives and the difference between real and false self-concepts. He distinguished
between the core, unmodified self and the adaptive self-fashioned by societal needs.

There are and will be factors that influence who we are, whether via socialization or the
ideas and self-image we embrace; they are critical to our identity, and that’s why it is needed to
guard what image, beliefs, and elements we let in our minds and systems. If we choose the
wrong factors and elements to shape our identity and character, this will show up in our
behavior towards ourselves and others, which will later on impact how we view the world, our
attitude towards others, and most importantly, the course of our lives.

I believe Freud's theory about socialization that we have true and false selves because I
too recall the manifestation of this in my life. I noticed this, difference in myself when I was
alone, and while I was with my former classmates. When I am spending time with myself, is
where my true self emerges, gentle, positive in life, and more compassionate, that’s how I view
myself, and the qualities I perceive I must be, but this changes when I am with my classmates in
high school. They are rough, and bubbly, but pessimistic in life, I adapted this quality too,
probably because they are the ones I spend time the most with, like a sponge sunken in water, I
too began absorbing their characters, to the point I have drifted from mine. I realized this when I
no longer spent time with them and decided to return to my true self.

Sociology
Sociology

Psychology, or how we think and behave, and philosophy, or how we rationalize things,
influence our behavior towards others. All of our outward actions and expressions are rooted in
what is going on inside our heads, but this can also be reversed; instead of us influencing our
environment, our environment can influence us as well, so it is critical to understand our
relationships with others, how communities work, and how this affects all of us.

Sociology focuses on human social connections and organizations. This book covers a
wide range of topics and analyses and explains important issues in our personal lives,
communities, and global settings. This research explores the complex social structures and
interactions that shape societies at different levels.
 In the "Theory of Self," the self is a dynamic construct formed through self-awareness
and self-image. While biological aging affects our bodies, the self evolves through continuous
social interactions and personal development. Interactions, reflections, and contemplations
contribute to the shaping of our self over time. External feedback acts as a mirror, influencing
our self-image based on how others perceive us. This process involves constant recognition and
understanding of events from their perspective, essentially involving a form of imitation.
Internalizing cultural norms leads to the development of the generalized other concept, and
assuming the role of another person fosters self-awareness.
This theory pioneered by Henri de Saint-Simon is parallel to Albert Bandura’s “Social
Learning Theory.” This theory examines individual learning, self-development, and the impact of
society. The process of identity formation is seen as a learned response to social cues,
encompassing the modeling of oneself based on societal expectations. Behaviors and attitudes
undergo development through reinforcement from the social environment. Bandura introduced
the concept of self-efficacy, wherein individuals believe in their capacity to influence life events.
Those with high self-efficacy confront challenges with a sense of mastery, attributing failures to
effort or skills, and facing threatening situations with confidence.

External input has been the most influential factor in my self-perception throughout my
life. When I say I look lovely in specific clothes or that I am good at a certain activity, I tend to
believe it, and so I begin to believe that I am attractive or competent in that particular activity;
this may also be reversed. When people remark a style does not fit me, I will not wear that
apparel again, or I am awful at a specific ability, even though I am passionate about it, their
comments will discourage me, and I will believe it to be true, resulting in the creation of my self-
image This can be a struggle, especially if most of the external feedback you receive is negative,
thus it is important to have our self-worth and image, that can’t be stolen or broken by others.

In Conclusion. Understanding oneself is paramount for unlocking the fundamentals of

our existence and the world, leading to the discovery of true purpose, happiness, and meaning.
Philosophy serves as a valuable tool, nurturing analytical thinking skills and fostering personal
growth, thoughtfulness, and open-mindedness. The conceptual act of thinking enhances
awareness of life's complexities, discouraging the acceptance of simplistic explanations.
Moreover, philosophy encourages a proactive approach to critical thinking, prompting
individuals to scrutinize both external and internal challenges. However, delving into self-
understanding requires a deeper examination of how we assimilate diverse beliefs and ideas,
unravel the formation of our values and character, and comprehend the reasons behind our
choices and actions. To achieve this, a comprehensive understanding of psychology becomes
vital. Psychology, exploring physiological and cognitive processes, unveils the intricacies of
behavior, self-identity, and socioemotional functioning. The interplay between psychology and
philosophy significantly influences our interactions with others and our environment.
Acknowledging the reciprocal relationship between self and society, as explored in sociology,
becomes crucial. Sociology delves into human social connections and organizations, unraveling
complex structures that shape societies at various levels, from personal lives to global settings.
This interdisciplinary exploration provides insights into the intricate web of human experiences,
enhancing our understanding of ourselves and the world.