Confucianism - code of ethical conduct of how one should properly act according to

their relationship with other people, focused on having a harmonious social life. (Ho
1995)

Identity and self-concept of individual are interwoven with identity and status of his/her
community or culture, sharing pride as well as its failures.

Self-Cultivation - the ultimate purpose of life but the characteristics of chun-tzu, a man
of virtue or noble character embedded in social relationships.

Cultivated self in Confucianism is called "subdued self" personal needs are

repressed (subdued) for the good of many, also the Confucian society is hierarchal for
the purpose of maintaining order and balance.

Taoism - living the way of the Tao or the universe. Taoism rejects having one definition
of what Tao is as they adopt a free-flowing, relative, unitary, as well as paradoxical
view of almost everything. Also rejects hierarchy and strictness brought by
Confucianism and prefer a simple lifestyle and its teachings aim to describe how to
attaint that life.

The IDEAL SELF is SELFLESSNESS not forgetting about the self, living a balanced
life in society and nature, being open and accepting to change, forgetting about
prejudices and egocentric ideas and thinking about equality as well as complementarity
among humans as well as other beings.

This way, you will be able to act spontaneously because you will not be restricted by
some legalistic standards but because you are in harmony with everything.

Buddhism - self is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance, of trying to hold and
control things, or human-centered needs; thus, the self is also the source of all these
sufferings.

Our quest to forget about self, cravings of self, break the attachments with the world,
and renounce self which is the cause of all suffering, doing so, attain the state of
NIRVANA.
Western thought looks at the world in Dualities, wherein you are distinct from other
person, the creator is separate from the object he created, in which the self is
distinguished and acknowledged (Wolter 2012)

Eastern perspective sees the OTHER PERSON AS PART OF YOURSELF as well as

the things you may create, a drama in which everyone is interconnected with their
specific roles.

Americans talk more about their personal attributes

Asians in general talk about their social roles or social situations that invoked
certain traits that they deem positive for their selves (Gleitman,Gross, Reisberg
2011)

Western Culture = Individualistic Culture focus is person

Asian culture = Collectivistic Culture focus on group and social relations

Westerners may seem to have loose associations or even loyalty to their groups

Competition is the name of the game and they are more likely straightforward and
forceful in their communication as well as decision-making.

Eastern or Oriental persons look after the welfare of their groups and values
cooperation.

Marieb E.N. (2001) explains GONADS (reproductive glands that produce the gametes;
testis or ovary) begin to form until about the 8 week of embryonic development.

Early stages of human development, embryonic reproductive structures of males and

females are alike and are said to be in the indifferent stage.

Formation of male or female structures depends on the presence of TESTOSTERONE.

PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITES - are formed who are individuals having accessory
reproductive structures that do not "match" their gonads
TRUE Hermaphrodites - are individuals who possess both ovarian and testicular
tissues but this condition is rare in nature.
Cryptorchidism - A critical event for the development of reproductive organs takes
place about one month before birth wherein the male testes formed in the ABDOMINAL
CAVITY at approximately the same location as the female ovaries, descend to enter
scrotum. Usually occurs in young males and causes STERILITY.

MEIOSIS - abnormal separation of chromosomes can lead to congenital defects of the

reproductive system.

Males who possesses extra female sex chromosomes have normal male accessory
structures, but ATROPHY (To shrink) of their testes causes them to be sterile.

PHIMOSIS - abnormalities result when a child has only one sex chromosome.
XO female appears normal but lack ovaries.
YO males die during development

PHIMOSIS - affects males primarily which is due to a narrowing of the foreskin of the
male reproductive structure and misplaced urethral openings.

PUBERTY - period of life, generally between ages of 10 and 15 years old when the
reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional under the influence
of rising levels of gonadal hormone.

Reproductive capability continues until Old age in males and Menopause in females.

MALES REACH age 13 puberty is characterized by the increase in the size of

reproductive organs followed by the appearance of hair in the public area, axillary,
and face.

Reproductive organs continue to grow for two years until sexual maturation marked by
the presence of mature semen in testes.
FEMALE - budding of their breasts usually occur at age of 11.
Menarche - First Menstrual Period of females which happens after two years after the
start of puberty.
Hormones - plays an important role in the regulation of ovulation and fertility of
females.
Infections - common problems associated with the reproductive system in adults.
Females- Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly women.
Escherichia Coli - spread through the digestive tract; sexually transmitted
microorganisms such as SYPHILIS, GONORRHEA, HERPES VIRUS, and YEAST (a
type of fungus)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease & Sterility - vaginal infections that are left untreated may
spread throughout reproductive tract.

Males- Common inflammatory conditions are: Prostatitis, urethritis, and

epididymitis.
Orchiditis = inflammation of the testes, uncommon but serious as it can cause sterility.
Commonly follows MUMPS in adult male.

Neoplasms - major threat to reproductive organs

Tumors of the breast and cervix - most common reproductive cancers for females
Prostate Cancer - widespread problem in adult male
Menopause - occurs when females no longer experience menstruation

Production of estrogen may still continue after menopause but ovaries finally stop
functioning as ENDOCRINE ORGANS.

Reproductive organs and breasts begin to atrophy or shrink if estrogen is no longer

released from the body

Vagina becomes dry that causes intercourse to become painful and vaginal infections
become increasingly common.
Consequences of estrogen deficiency may be observed including IRRITABILITY and
MOOD CHANGES (depression in some)
Intense Vasodilation of the skin's blood vessels which causes uncomfortable sweat-
drenching "HOT FLASHES"
Gradual Thinning of the skin and loss of bone mass; and
Slowly rising blood cholesterol levels, which place postmenopausal women at risk for
cardiovascular disorders.

No counterpart for menopause in males.

Although aging men show a steady decline in testosterone secretion, their reproductive
capability seems unending.
Healthy men are still able to father offspring well into their 80s and beyond

THE MATERIAL SELF

Material Self – wanting to have and possess has a connection with another aspect of
the self
William James – Harvard psychologist in the late nineteenth century. Wrote a book
called The Principles of Psychology in 1890 that understanding self can be examined
thru its different components.
Components: Its constituents, the feelings and emotions they arouse - self-feelings,
and the actions which they prompt – self-seeking and self preservation.

Material Self Investment Diagram

Innermost part- body
Outer – Clothes, Immediate Family, and Home

Clothes – influenced by the “Philosophy of Dress” by Herman Lotze, James

believed that clothing is essential part of material self.

Lotze in his book, MICROCOSMUS, stipulates that “any time we bring on object into
the surface of our body, we invest that object into the consciousness of our personal
existence taking in its contours to be our own and making it part of the self”
Clothes are placed in the second hierarchy of material self.
Clothing is a form of self-expression. We choose and wear clothes that reflect our self.

Immediate Family – We feel what we feel because they are a part of us, because they
embody our self like a replica.

Home – home is where our heart is. An earliest nest of our selfhood.
One old cliché about rooms; “if only walls can speak”

James (1890) described self: “a man’s self is the sum total of all what he can call
his”