UNDERSTANDING THE SELF (UTS) : LESSON 3 | THE SELF IN ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

Summary

This video delves into the concept of 'self' from an anthropological perspective, emphasizing the influence of culture on personal identity. It defines anthropology as the study of human beings, encompassing physical, cultural, and existential characteristics. The script explores the components of culture, including material, cognitive, and normative aspects, and how they shape the self. It also discusses cultural change, adaptation, and borrowing, illustrating how the Filipino culture is a blend of various influences. The video concludes by highlighting the dynamic nature of culture and its impact on the Filipino identity.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Anthropology is defined as the science and philosophical description of the life form Homo sapiens, focusing on both physical characteristics and spiritual, psychic, and moral aspects.
• 🌐 Culture encompasses human behavior systems including language, religion, child-rearing methods, food, arts, celebrations, jokes, manners, clothing, and work schedules.
• 🏺 The material component of culture includes tangible items inherited from previous generations, such as traditional tools and clothing.
• 💭 The cognitive component consists of ideas, knowledge, beliefs, values, and accounts that influence an individual's identity and behavior.
• 📚 The normative component involves social norms, which are the accepted standards of behavior within social groups, including folkways and mores.
• 🔄 Cultural change is an ongoing process influenced by factors like technological advancements, social needs, and cultural goals.
• 🐾 Cultural lag refers to the delay in the adjustment of cultural elements to new conditions, such as the shift from traditional agriculture to mechanized farming.
• 🌐 Cultural borrowing is the adoption of cultural elements from other societies, leading to a blend of various influences in a culture.
• 🌟 The Filipino culture, for instance, is a rich mixture of influences from Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, American, and other cultures due to historical interactions and borrowings.
• 🌱 The way culture evolves and adapts shapes the self-identity of individuals, as seen in the Filipino culture's dynamic blend of traditional and borrowed elements.

Q & A

What are the three perspectives discussed for understanding the self?

The three perspectives discussed for understanding the self are philosophical, sociological, and anthropological perspectives.

How is the self viewed from a philosophical perspective?

From a philosophical perspective, the self is viewed as the combination of body and soul or body and mind.

What factors influence the self according to the sociological perspective?

In the sociological perspective, the self is influenced by various factors from society, such as social interactions and societal structures.

What is the definition of anthropology as mentioned in the script?

Anthropology is defined as the science and philosophical description of the life form Homo sapiens, focusing on the bodily characteristics, spiritual, psychic, and moral dignity of humans.

What are the focal points of anthropology?

The focal points of anthropology are the physical, cultural, and existential features of humans, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of human's place in the world.

What is meant by the term 'culture' in the context of anthropology?

Culture, in the context of anthropology, is a system of human behavior that includes language, religion, child-rearing methods, food, pop arts, celebrations, jokes, manners, clothing, and work schedules.

What are the three components of culture as discussed in the script?

The three components of culture are the material component, the cognitive component, and the normative component.

Can you provide an example of a material component from the script?

An example of a material component mentioned in the script is the use of jeepneys, which are a form of transportation inherited from previous generations.

What is the cognitive component of culture and what does it include?

The cognitive component of culture includes ideas, knowledge, beliefs, values, and accounts that influence human behavior and thought processes.

What is the normative component of culture and what does it involve?

The normative component of culture involves social norms, which are the accepted standards of behavior in social groups, ranging from small friendship groups to nation-states.

How does cultural change affect the self according to the script?

Cultural change affects the self by influencing the material and cognitive components of culture, which in turn shape an individual's identity and behavior.

What is an example of cultural borrowing mentioned in the script?

An example of cultural borrowing mentioned in the script is the adoption of Western clothing like jeans and t-shirts by Filipinos.