Lesson 8: Introduction to Philosophy

• Existentialism and phenomenology are the major philosophica branches that devote much discussion on the concept of interpersonal relations.
• The individual is primarily aware of himself, and it is theegocentricperspective that defines how he/she perceives andrelatestoreality.
• The Existentialist perspective defines interpersonal relations as the "self" being aware of the "other"
• The "other" refers to objects outside of personal experience, while it is often used by most philosophers to refer to other individuals apart from the self.
• Intersubjectivity:

  1 Relates to the interaction between the self and the other

  2 Shared awareness and understanding among persons

  3 Is evident ineverydaysocial interactions, theability of humanstoagree andcooperate,existence of sharedorcommon knowledgeandconsensus, andinsharedemotions suchasgrief,joy, andlove
• Various Levels of Self-Interaction: First, Deeper Level, Self-conciousness
• First is a simple awareness of the existence of the other
• Deeper level is awareness of the self as being seen by others
• This self-conciousness is considered by philosophers as a defining characteristics of self-other relationship
• The unique phenomenonofthe human gaze is considered a defining characteristic which sets human interaction fromthe interaction of other species. Also, the awareness of theself in the other is an important element in all other aspects of interpersonal interactions
• Seeming is proposed by Martin Buber. It is our self-presentation
• Dialogue happens when a person views another person as important
• How do relationships define the human person? Alienation, Empathy, Availability, Ethics of Care
• Alienation is the state of isolation that happens when we cease to look at other people as significant and authentic.
• Empathy is one's capacity to understand other people's situation.
• Availability is a mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to a given person ' s mind when evaluating a specific topic, concept, method or decision
• How does Christianity define interpersonal relations?

  Considers human relations in the context of community
• In the Old Testament, God’s relationship with man kind began with the Creation, when God established man’s ideal relationship –the union between man and woman.
• In the New Testament, Jesus Christ has redefined God’s covenant through His death and resurrection.