Introduction-to-the-Philosophy-of-the-Human-Person.pdf

This pdf revolves around the Philosophy of the Human Person.

1. Freedom of the Human Person
Freedom – is an intrinsic and essential property of the person.
- An important indication of human freedom is the ability to make choices and perform actions.
- Is also understood as the power to be what you want to be and the ability to decide and
create yourself.
- Is rooted in the human person’s self-determination and the exercise of intellect and free will.
- requires a degree of control from the person who exercises it and not controlled by other forces
(addiction, emotion, impulsive and erratic or mali-mali)
Kinds of Freedom
1. Physical Freedom –refers to the absence of any physical restraint. The person has the freedom of
mobility to go where he or she wants to go. He or she is not impeded in his or her actions by any
physical force.

2. Psychological Freedom – is also called freedom of choice. The person is free to perform actions
that he or she considers right and wise. No outside force or influence can compel a person to take
action against his or her will.

3. Moral Freedom – refers to using freedom in a manner that upholds human dignity and goodness.
A person becomes freer when he or she uses freedom well, but becomes less free when he or she
uses it in a bad way. Humans have a natural inclination for what is true and good, and when a
person uses his/her freedom to do acts that violate human dignity and goodness, he/she
dehumanizes himself/herself and effectively negates human freedom.

Two Elements that Define Freedom.
1. Voluntariness – refers to the ability of a person to act out of his/her own free will and self-
determination. This means that a person may decide to act or not to act, and these decisions are
made out of his/her own free will.
2. Responsibility – refers to the person being accountable for his/her actions and their
consequences. As a free being, the person must accept the consequences of his/her action and
take responsibility for them.

Intersubjectivity
Self-awareness and transcendence – our ability to engage in meaningful interactions with other
people, our surroundings, and everything around us.
Interpersonal relations – this is when the self becomes aware of the other, which includes everyone
and everything outside of the self.
Other – a being or a thing that is outside of yourself.
Intersubjectivity – interaction between the self and the other, which means the mutual recognition of
each other as persons.
- A unique relationship between distinct subjects.
Seeming – refers to where an individual presents himself or herself in a certain way when dealing with
others. Persons take on “roles” or act out characters when dealing with certain people or when in a
certain situations.

2. Dialogue – refers to a deeper and more genuine interaction of a person/human with others. A dialogue
is an interaction between persons that happen through speech or the use of words, expressions, and
body language. It occurs when two persons “open up” to each other and give and receive one another
in their encounter.
“Being with other” – it means that his/her identity and destiny are shaped by relating with others.

How does intersubjectivity define our interactions with other persons?
Characteristics of meaningful and genuine human Relationship
1. Empathy – the ability to share emotions. This emotion is driven by a person’s awareness that
the other is a person with thoughts and feelings.
- It enables us to experience another person’s emotions, such as happiness, anger and
sadness.
Ex. How would you behave around a friend who just informed you that his or her parents
died? Or you celebrate with your brother/sister for winning a competition because you also
feel the happiness he felt.

2. Availability – it is the willingness of a person to be present and be at the disposal of another.
Ex – Someone I asking you a direction, would you ignore him or give time to answer him
and give direction he needs? Or a friend is asking for your time to listen to her during her
down time, would you give her your time?

Ethics of Care – an ethical theory that emphasizes the moral dimension of relations and interactions.
Alienation - an adopted pessimistic view of human interaction in which some people view other
people negatively and consider human actions as being influenced by selfish interests. This arise
when a person ceases to view the other as a distinct and authentic person and merely considers the
other as a mere object or means to satisfy personal interests.
- Alienation goes against the concept of personhood because this view discounts the
humanity and dignity of a person and leads to dehumanization.
Ex. Those dark skin will be called “Negro/Negra”,those with a speech impediment will be
called “Ngongo”, those who lack height will be called “ pandak” and those who are not
attractive will be called “panget”.
Society must be founded on relationships and bonds established through mutual respect and
recognition of human dignity.
How can philosophy help you evaluate your relationships with others?
 Acceptance of differences and embracing diversity
We understand that each person is unique, therefore, differences will exist among groups
of people. When we look at physical traits and even behavior, we can see that no two persons
look and think the same. When we consider views, beliefs, and ideas the differences become
much more pronounced. We have to accept that people will have different views and beliefs.
What unites us all is our shared humanity and dignity.



 Recognition of our shared humanity and dignity

3. This drives us to extend assistance and act with concern towards others, especially those
individuals or groups that experience hardships and discrimination. For instance, those who
are physically and mentally challenged often experience hardships because of their condition.

Example of people with disabilities who have successfully risen above their physical
limitations:

1. Helen Keller (1880-1968) An American author, political activist, and the first deaf-
blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree.
2. Nicholas James “ Nick” Vujicic (born 1982) An Australian evangelist and
motivational speaker who was born with phocomelia, a condition in which a person is
born with no arms or legs.
3. Roselle Ambubuyog (born 1980) is the first visually-impaired Filipino to graduate
summa cum laude from Ateneo de Manila University in 2001.
Various advocacies supporting persons with disabilities have resulted in the institution of
events and commemorations such as Paralympics, an international sports competition modeled after
the Olympics that features athletes with disabilities.
Days of Awareness (United Nation)
1. March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
2. April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day
3. December 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Meaningful and beneficial human relationships are founded on the values of acceptance, openness,
and respect. As humans we are driven by our shared dignity to treat each other with respect and
acceptance.
The Human Person in Society
What is society? What drives human beings to establish societies?
 The human exist to relate with other. The person is by nature a social being because he/she
has a tendency to go out of himself/herself to form bonds and relationships with others.
 As we grow into adulthood, our relationships and responsibilities also change because we play
more significant roles in the communities we live in.
Society – is an organized group of people whose members interact frequently and have a common
territory and culture.
- Also refers to a companionship or friendly association with others, an alliance, a community,
or a union.
- Philosophers consider society the product of deliberate actions by individuals who come
together in pursuit of a common goal.
- It makes possible the emergence of certain individualities
*The survival of a human being is essentially rooted in society and human relations.
Ex. If there is no family to take care of an infant, the infant will eventually die.
*Provide support that ensures the development of the human person.
Ex. For instance, your education first starts at home with your family members teaching you the
rudiments of speech, reading, and writing. This education continues and further developed as you go
to school and interact with other children, your teacher, and other people in school.

4. *An evident influence of society on individuals is the emergence of specific traits and characteristics
unique to certain society which are manifested by its members.
Ex. We Filipinos value our ties with our family. This is seen in our practice of taking care of our
elderly family members. While in Western families they sent their elderly to retirement homes. I Western
culture, parents also expect their children to move out of their homes once they have graduated from
high school. Filipino parents, on the other hand, continue to support their children and even allow them
to live with them even into adulthood.
The Social Contract Theory
Natural State – the true character of society I which Philosophers imagined human as living in and
removed from modernity and civilization.
Social Contract – an agreement where individuals sacrifice an amount of their freedom and submit to
higher authority.
- In this way, society is able to function and meet the needs of the many ensuring the survival
of humanity.

Theory of the origins of the human society
1. Thomas Hobbes – persons in their natural states are governed by their desires and these often lead
to conflict with their fellowmen. Society, therefore, is the means by which people seek to control their
natural tendencies and impose order. Individuals who establish societies enter into a “social contract”.
In this way, society is able to function and meet the needs of the many, ensuring the survival of
humanity.
2. John Locke-proposed his own ideas on the social contract with a different assumption. Unlike
Hobbes, Locke considered persons in their natural states as more cooperative and reasonable, and that
society is formed through the consent of the individuals that organized it. This concept is known as the
consent of the governed. Locke’s social contract is covenant among individuals to cooperate and share
the burden of upholding the welfare of society. Also, the authority established to run society should
reflect the ideals of the people who organized it. Should this authority fail to uphold its obligation or live
up to the ideals of the people, it will be discarded and replaced with a new one.
Jean Jacques Rousseau – the social contract led him to advocate the concept of the “general will”. He
believed that even if the people are the ones who organized society and established authority or
government, in extreme cases, the government is able to impose its will on the people. This is based on
the assumption that the people have empowered the government to act on their behalf, and that it is
considered to be the best judge of what is most beneficial for society.
It is important to note that society is founded on the concept of the common good. Philosophers
who discussed the origins of the society traced the emergence of society to the human desire to achieve
the goal of survival.
Common good- refers to the social conditions which enable persons and groups to fulfill their goals
and achieve well-being.
-peace within community
-clean and safe public spaces
- an efficient transport system, and
- an efficient public service

5. Different Forms of Society

1. Hunting and gathering society – This is recognized as the earliest and simplest form of society.
It is generally characterized by its small size and is composed mainly of families. They are
nomadic because they spend most of their time searching for food and thus, have no permanent
territory. The hierarchy in this type of society is not very varied. Its members are generally treated
equally and decisions are usually arrived at through a consensus. Because of this, the roles of
its members and the division of labor is not very clearly defined.

2. Pastoral society- this type of society is characterized by the domestication of animals for food
for a more stable and predictable food supply. Pastoral communities have larger populations
than hunting and gathering societies and remain longer in one place. In addition, pastoral
societies often produce surplus food and resources, which they trade with other societies This
relative prosperity enables the people to engage in other activities apart from those necessary for
survival, such as handicrafts. This eventually leads to the emergence of specialized tasks in the
community.
3. Horticultural society – this primarily engages in the small-scale cultivation of plans, fruits,
and vegetables and the domestication of animals. Horticultural societies are semi-nomadic,
which means that they travel to another place when they have already depleted the resources
in one area. In this society, roles and responsibilities are more clearly defined with many tasks
assigned according to gender. Similar to the pastoral society, there is also a surplus of goods,
which sometimes leads to inequalities among its members.
4. Agrarian or agricultural society - this type of society is a further evolution of the pastoral
and horticultural societies. Agriculture involves the large-scale and long term cultivation of
crops and domestication of animals. This society is characterized by improved technology and
the use of tools to aid in farming. Improved technology and farming methods result in increased
production, giving rise to a growing population in agricultural societies. The large population of
agricultural societies leads to a more structured social system that helps manage resources
and its members. The increasingly complex social organization and growing importance of
territory often result in conflicts among neighboring societies over resources and land.
5. Feudal society – it is based on the ownership of land. Feudal societies arose out of
developments in Western Europe during Medieval times, when rival kingdoms were engaged in
conflict over resources, particularly land. The ruler grant their followers or vassals the right to
manage parcels of land. These vassals, in turn, are served by peasant workers who cultivate
the land and tend to the animals in the farms. In return for their services, they are provided
military protection. Members of society are organized based on status. Those who own land are
considered the most powerful and influential members of society, while the peasants are
considered the lowest group. Social relations are characterized by dependence. The Lord
depends on his vassals to provide him with resources, the vassals depend on the peasant for
their service, while the peasants depend on their vassal’s for protection.
6. Industrial society – is based on the use of specialized machinery in the production of goods
and services. The advances in science and technology in the late 18
th century resulted in the
Industrial revolution, which in turn gave rise to new production and industrial methods, as well
as innovations in transportation and communication. These technological advances resulted in
improve trade and commerce and better life conditions for many people. Work is done in
factories and public education is more prevalent. However, the emergence of industrial societies
is characterized by greater inequalities in wealth, power, and influence. Industrial societies are
often defined by the nature of work and the prevailing industry in an area. The capitalist or

6. business owners are considered the most influential. This type of society is also characterized
by cultural diversity and the presence of bureaucratic forms or organization.
7. Post-Industrial society – is marked by the establishment of societies based on knowledge,
information, and the sale of services. Led by the human mind and aided by highly advanced
technology, the trend has shifted from industry to the generation, storage, manipulation, and
sale of information. Information influences the behavior of people and has thus become a very
important commodity in the post-industrial society. Members of this society have higher
educational attainment, better training, and specialized roles.
8. Virtual Society – where people organize themselves through communication technology and
the internet, is a product of a post-industrial society. Individuals in the virtual society often
engage in complex relationships. They often have fluid identities and do not necessarily
subscribe to certain norms or established standards of behavior. The freedom allowed in virtual
world’s means that a person is able to engage in various activities, as well as access various
kinds of information.
How society does influences our development as persons?
The person and the society have a very dynamic relationship in which one cannot exist
without the other.
Important Ways on how Society Influences Persons Development
1. Norms – set of traits and behavior that society considers acceptable, and are thus
encouraged and passed on to other members.
2. Folkways – less formal norms that arise from tradition and do not result in punishment
when violated.
3. Laws – more formal and stringent norms that establish and define acceptable behavior of
citizens.
4. Social System – an organized or patterned set of relationship among individuals and
groups that compose a society.
5. Social Role – are actions and behaviors expected of a certain individual.
6. Social Groups or Social Classes – individuals who share similar backgrounds or perform
similar roles are grouped together.
7. Social Institutions – certain groups that perform vital functions in society are
recognized.
8. Social Values – are actions or ideals that are considered important by society.
Social recognizes the capability of the person to develop, and provides its members with opportunities
to better themselves.
Social Movement – a large-scale action done by various groups and organizations in pursuit of a
common goal to bring about change.

Human Persons as Oriented Towards Their Impending Death
People are temporal beings or “being oriented towards death”
Death – is commonly understood as the end of bodily functions which signals the end of a person’s
life. It also refers to the separation of the body and the spirit.
Self-Determination – the capacity to choose and act for oneself.
Terminus – means the full stop or end of a line.
Telos – means “goal, purpose, or fulfillment.”

7. Happiness- is a state of being, not just an emotional experience or a chosen mental attitude. We do
not choose happiness; we choose the means to achieve it.
Goods or Sources of Happiness
Noble good- one which is pursued for its own sake; it is good in itself.
Useful good - is considered good so long as it serves as a means to an end; its goodness is found
only from what it can provide.
Pleasurable good – is good so long as it provides some form of pleasure, though it does not have to be
physical.

Why do we suffer?
Suffering – takes place when we patiently endure unpleasantness, discomfort, and pain.
Form of Suffering
1. Physical suffering – a sensations such as discomfort, hunger, distress, and pain.
2. Mental Suffering – involves emotional and mental states such as depression, anxiety, fear,
loneliness, and grief.
How do happiness, suffering, and death give meaning to your life?
As we approach our death, we experience both happiness and suffering.
The pursuit of happiness requires that we go through the effort to achieve it. Our effort
are often marked by difficulties and discouragement.
Ex. A student who wishes to pass his or her exams must spend time to study and
exert effort to perform well in his or her academic tasks.
If we are willing to suffer through adversities and maybe even suffer cheerfully, it makes the
pursuit of happiness even more worthwhile.