INTERSUBJECTIVITY

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 define and explain the meaning and the process of intersubjectivity,

 discuss the application and importance of intersubjectivity to society,
 prove that authentic dialogue means accepting others even if they are different from you, and
 demonstrate an appreciation for the talents of persons with disabilities and those from the
underprivileged sectors of society.

Whenever an unfortunate event occurs, you feel sad or anxious, but how do you assure yourself that
those feelings are real?

Find out the answer in this lesson!

In looking at the example, it is easy to say that interacting with others can confirm the validity of
emotions a person may have towards the environment. In this interaction, intersubjectivity takes
place.

The Meaning and Process of Intersubjectivity

Each person has a subjective experience of the world. However, because of this subjective
experience, one cannot know which events occur in reality or which are products of self-perception.

Social interactions among individuals through comparison, agreement, and confirmation of each
others' perceptions make it easier to determine real events occurring in society. This concept is
called intersubjectivity−the shared perception of reality between or among two or more individuals.

A main principle of intersubjectivity is communarization, a social process wherein the community of

other people are seen as embedded within the self. This process initially occurs with the idea that
other individuals are extensions of the self and serve as the “alter-ego” of a person’s being. The self
and others are therefore seen as a pair that shares each other’s lived experiences. This is much like
the concept of empathy or “being in the shoes” of others.

The Application of Intersubjectivity to Society

Because intersubjectivity looks at others as embedded within the self, it is safe to say that this
concept also promotes a view that all people are equal. This would imply that people from other
sectors of society, such as those who have physical disabilities or socioeconomic challenges, are
seen as individuals with the same potential and talents as anybody else.

Because intersubjectivity is unbiased, everyone has the power to understand relationships and
interactions occurring within society with little regard to social or physical deficiencies. In effect,
people who are marginalized may still be seen as significant contributors to society through their
talents, skills, and capabilities.

Below are some authentic examples of disadvantaged individuals who have significantly contributed
to society:
  Stephen Hawking is a physicist and cosmologist who, despite his rare medical condition
called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), made significant contributions to contemporary
studies of relativity and quantum physics.
 As a child, Oprah Winfrey experienced living in a poor household and was sexually abused.
Despite this, she motivated herself to succeed and did so by being one of the richest women
alive today.

The Use of Authentic Dialogue

Authentic dialogue is a form of interpersonal communication wherein individuals acknowledge that
they are part of a greater whole and that they resonate with others within the whole. This occurs
when individuals learn to set aside their personal biases and begin seeing themselves in others
through communarization. In this sense, other people, including the marginalized sector, are seen as
functional parts of a whole. No biases or preferences are exemplified during the dialogue because
an individual has learned to perceive and communicate with others with a sense of community and
oneness.

Examples:

 accepting your classmates’ opinion on government services because his experience with
transacting with government employees is different from yours
 overlooking the fact that your boss yelled at you since you understand that he only did so out
of concern over an urgent matter

The Importance of Intersubjectivity

Intersubjectivity has significant contributions to society and relationships, including the following:

 It validates real and authentic subjective experiences.

 It facilitates interaction among individuals.
 It enables individuals to look at others equally, regardless of any physical or socio-
demographic factor.
 It promotes a sense of community and unity among individuals.
 It emphasizes that anyone can contribute to society.

Explore!
Many people all over the world have attested to the idea that spiritual entities, such as the ghost of a
departed loved one, are just lurking the earth with living human beings. Some people, however, are
hesitant to believe this phenomenon because there is still not enough proof that the supernatural
exists.

In your perception, can the concept of intersubjectivity be used to confirm the validity of this
phenomenon?
Try it!
Look around you and list down your observations. Have a friend do the same thing on the same
environment. Compare your observations once both of you are finished. Identify common
observations you had and discuss any dissimilar remarks you have each made.

What do you think?

Are intersubjective concepts always considered real occurrences? Why? Why not?

Tips
 Intersubjectivity is not a process, but rather a concept. The process incorporated within the
concept is communarization.
 Authentic dialogue is a technique that requires, at least, two people in a conversation with
each other. This is a variety of a simple dialogue.

Keypoints
 Intersubjectivity is a concept where social interactions among individuals through
comparison, agreement, and confirmation of each other's perceptions make it easier to
determine real events occurring in society.
 Communarization is a social process wherein the community of other people are seen as
embedded within the self.
 An authentic dialogue is a form of interpersonal communication wherein individuals
acknowledge that they are part of a greater whole and that they resonate with others within
the whole.
 Intersubjectivity is important because it validates authentic subjective experiences,
facilitates interactions, and promotes a sense of unity and community among individuals.