φίλος
σοφία
THE RELATION OF I AND OTHERS
by: Redrose Marie Aliliran
In our relation to the others, it is but necessary to observe how intimate our connection with one another. Here comes the concept of the Levels of Interaction which is conceptualized by a Filipino Psychologist, Dr. Virgilio Enriquez. According to him there are two main categories on identifying our level of interaction; the first five levels belong to the category “in relation to outsiders” and the remaining three are in the “relation with in group.”
“In relation to the outsiders” simply mean that you interact with the persons you barely know or you consider those persons as outside yourself, you do not have any deep relation with them and you are just starting the connection. The first is the level of amenity or civility. In this level we interact with other people casually, with courtesy and with an agreeable manner, just the normal connection with strangers. The second level is the level of mixing. In here, we try to interact more with the people we do not know. The third level is the level of joining or participating. On this level we try to become a member of a particular circle or group. The fourth is the level of conforming. In here, we try to act in accordance with the other; we try to correspond with them. The fifth is the level of adjusting. In this level we try to adapt with the attitude of others.
The next category is the “relation with in group” which means you already consider the others as part of your life. You have established great bond between you and them and we would notice that our relationship went deeper. We continue with the sixth which is the level of mutual trust or rapport. In this level, you have already constructed a common trust and you already have an understanding with each other. The seventh level is the level of getting involved. In here, the others are already a part of you; you already include yourself to the other. And the eighth and last level is the level of fusion, oneness and full trust. In here you have already achieved the deepest level of connection, you became one with the other and you have given each other full trust. This last level is obviously really hard to achieve and needs really great effort, but it is certainly worth it. If we have achieved this level of interaction, we would be really happy and fulfilled for we can rarely accomplish it and it takes a very important person to share this kind of intimacy.
The relation of I and thou is just the beginning of a profound study of Philosophy concerning the human person, it is one of the basic notions yet one of the hardest too. We would not stop on tackling about this topic for humans are the proof of existence and there were too many mysteries that need to be unfold in our entire cosmos. It is just right to start the discourse on how we, humans, interact with each other and how each and every one of us become significant in every individual’s lives. And this, knowing what the self and others are and the levels of interaction, starts our long yet worthy journey towards the truth, towards Philosophy.
This is necessary for the self to be able to change or to improve something which is not good on his attitude or character and on the others as well. The others should be seen by the self as persons who need his help, and the self should react on it and give a helping hand. This way the self would not just aid the other, but he would eventually come to realize that on the process he would experience fulfillment and happiness. This cycle is very important in our daily lives that we should always look into it as an opportunity for us to improve and to be happy with the help and with helping the others.
Humans are social animals or beings; it is our nature to communicate and interact with other human beings around us, whenever we need or want to. Communication is a thing that happens normally that we do not usually think of it as a thing which is very essential to us, it just happens and no more explanations are required. We normally take for granted our true purpose of interacting with others and up to what extent or how deep our relations are with them. We do not usually reflect on the question: Who am I? Who are the others? The thing is these are usually the hardest questions that a person would have been ever asked to answer.
The Self is an individual person who is unique, for he or she has various qualities that could distinguish him or her from others. He is the object of his own deep consciousness. He is responsible for his own thoughts and actions; he is the one who knows his true self, his own identity. The Others are the subject of observation or experimentation of the self. They are different from the self but they are its companion. The self and the others need each other to know their true essence in life. The others are the ones who would help the self to know its flaws and imperfection and vice versa.
Retrieve from PHIS002 Project
Retrieve from PHIS002 Project
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