Personal Development
Week 1: Knowing Oneself
Self - In philosophical terms, it is the being, which is the source of person’s consciousness. It is the agent responsible
for an individual’s thoughts and actions. The “Self” is an intangible entity that directs a person’s thoughts and
actions. It is outside the physical realm of the person.
- the “Self” is identified in various contexts, such as in psychology, sociology, or religion. The “Self” is the essence of
a person: his thoughts, feelings, and actions, experiences, beliefs, values, principles, and relationships. The “Self”
includes a person’s life purpose, meaning, and aspirations.
- In psychology, the term personality is referred to as the set of behaviors, feelings, thoughts, and motives that
identifies an individual. Personality is the essence of who we are and is the embodiment of one’s physical,
psychological, cognitive, affective, and spiritual. Therefore, when we speak of the “Self”, we will describe it in
personality terms. Both nature (heredity or genetic) and nurture (environment) influence the development of
one’s personality.
I. Self-development - is a process of discovering oneself by realizing one's potentials and capabilities that are shaped
over time either by studying in a formal school or through environmental factors. Along this realization, an
individual encounters gradual changes deep within him/her that may help him/her overcome unacceptable
practices or traits which lead him towards positive change for his growth or self-fulfillment. It is also called personal
development.
“An unexamined life is not worth living”, uttered by one of the greatest philosophers of Ancient Greek, Socrates.
Know Thyself - is an old maxim or aphorism which in time has been used in varied literature and consequently
gained different meanings. One of its meanings is recorded in the Greek encyclopedia of knowledge called “The
Suda”.
Thomas Hobbes about the maxim from which he used the phrase “read thyself” in work The Leviathan. He stressed
that an individual could learn more by studying others and that he/she can do this by engaging himself/herself to
reading books. However, Hobbes emphasized that a person learns more by studying oneself.
II. Self-Concept - is ones abstract and general idea about him/herself particularly toward his/her unique personality
and his/her own perception about his/her set of values, point of views and behavior.
- This theory began as Rene Descartes (Father of Modern Philosophy) proposed his theory that a person’s existence
depends on his/her perception. Rene Descartes stated that mind is the seat of consciousness.
- Self-concept theory has a lot of suppositions regarding how people learn to judge themselves. Among these
Sincero named three aspects such as:
A. Self-concept is learned. This explains that no individual is born with self-concept. A person will soon develop
this as he/she grows old.
B. Self-concept is organized. This stresses out that one’s perception towards himself/herself is firm.
C. Self-concept is dynamic. As an individual grows older, he/she continues to encounter problems or challenges
that may reveal his/her self-concept in that particular time or situation.
Sigmund Freud well-known psychologist, neurologist, creator of Psychoanalysis Theory and the father of
psychoanalysis, proposed that there are three components of personality within us: the Id, Ego and Superego that
certainly play a vital role of how we think of ourselves.
Three Components of Personality
1. The Id. Freud explained that man's personality is driven by pleasure principle. This means that the nature of Id is to
satisfy man's desire without thinking much of the situation.
2. The Ego. This is the second component of the personality that is developed at approximately the age of 3. This
operates according to reality which makes it possible for the Id to work in a more proper and satisfactory ways.
3. The Superego. begins to manifest as a child turns 5. Holds our moral judgments or concept of right and wrong that
are believed to be acquired from the family and the environment. It directs a man’s life in order for him to avoid
hurting others
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is
true power.” - Lao Tzu
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” – Aristotle
Week 1: Knowing Oneself
Self - In philosophical terms, it is the being, which is the source of person’s consciousness. It is the agent responsible
for an individual’s thoughts and actions. The “Self” is an intangible entity that directs a person’s thoughts and
actions. It is outside the physical realm of the person.
- the “Self” is identified in various contexts, such as in psychology, sociology, or religion. The “Self” is the essence of
a person: his thoughts, feelings, and actions, experiences, beliefs, values, principles, and relationships. The “Self”
includes a person’s life purpose, meaning, and aspirations.
- In psychology, the term personality is referred to as the set of behaviors, feelings, thoughts, and motives that
identifies an individual. Personality is the essence of who we are and is the embodiment of one’s physical,
psychological, cognitive, affective, and spiritual. Therefore, when we speak of the “Self”, we will describe it in
personality terms. Both nature (heredity or genetic) and nurture (environment) influence the development of
one’s personality.
I. Self-development - is a process of discovering oneself by realizing one's potentials and capabilities that are shaped
over time either by studying in a formal school or through environmental factors. Along this realization, an
individual encounters gradual changes deep within him/her that may help him/her overcome unacceptable
practices or traits which lead him towards positive change for his growth or self-fulfillment. It is also called personal
development.
“An unexamined life is not worth living”, uttered by one of the greatest philosophers of Ancient Greek, Socrates.
Know Thyself - is an old maxim or aphorism which in time has been used in varied literature and consequently
gained different meanings. One of its meanings is recorded in the Greek encyclopedia of knowledge called “The
Suda”.
Thomas Hobbes about the maxim from which he used the phrase “read thyself” in work The Leviathan. He stressed
that an individual could learn more by studying others and that he/she can do this by engaging himself/herself to
reading books. However, Hobbes emphasized that a person learns more by studying oneself.
II. Self-Concept - is ones abstract and general idea about him/herself particularly toward his/her unique personality
and his/her own perception about his/her set of values, point of views and behavior.
- This theory began as Rene Descartes (Father of Modern Philosophy) proposed his theory that a person’s existence
depends on his/her perception. Rene Descartes stated that mind is the seat of consciousness.
- Self-concept theory has a lot of suppositions regarding how people learn to judge themselves. Among these
Sincero named three aspects such as:
A. Self-concept is learned. This explains that no individual is born with self-concept. A person will soon develop
this as he/she grows old.
B. Self-concept is organized. This stresses out that one’s perception towards himself/herself is firm.
C. Self-concept is dynamic. As an individual grows older, he/she continues to encounter problems or challenges
that may reveal his/her self-concept in that particular time or situation.
Sigmund Freud well-known psychologist, neurologist, creator of Psychoanalysis Theory and the father of
psychoanalysis, proposed that there are three components of personality within us: the Id, Ego and Superego that
certainly play a vital role of how we think of ourselves.
Three Components of Personality
1. The Id. Freud explained that man's personality is driven by pleasure principle. This means that the nature of Id is to
satisfy man's desire without thinking much of the situation.
2. The Ego. This is the second component of the personality that is developed at approximately the age of 3. This
operates according to reality which makes it possible for the Id to work in a more proper and satisfactory ways.
3. The Superego. begins to manifest as a child turns 5. Holds our moral judgments or concept of right and wrong that
are believed to be acquired from the family and the environment. It directs a man’s life in order for him to avoid
hurting others
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is
true power.” - Lao Tzu
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” – Aristotle
