introduction to the philosophy of the human person

1. By: Ms. Jo Marie Nel C. Garcia

2. 
 Man – the general term commonly used to refer to the
entire human race
 Human – refers to man as a species
 Human being – used to distinguish man from other
animals
 Person – refers to a human being granted recognition of
certain rights, protection, responsibilities, and dignity
above all. It is the totality of an individual, possessing
awareness, self-determination, and the capacity to interact
with others and with himself/herself.
Key Terms

3. 
 Personhood – refers to the state of being a person
 Human nature – refers to the characteristics (like
thinking, feeling and acting) that distinguish humans
from all other creatures. These traits are considered
to form the essence of humanity, and without them,
an individual may not be considered a human
person.
Key Terms

4. 
Person
Has awareness
of self
Has self
determination
Is able to reach
out and interact
with other
Has dignity
What is the human person?

5. 
 Refers to the person having a clear perception of
oneself, including his thoughts, emotions, identity
and actions
 This awareness goes beyond perception and reaction
to the environment. We have deeper awareness that
is driven by rationality or human thought.
 A person is aware of both his surroundings and
himself. He knows that he is living an experience
and is an active participant in this experience.
Self-awareness

6. 
 This awareness gives rise to the notion of the “self” which
the philosophers describe as the person who is actively
aware that he is perceiving and experiencing reality.
 This awareness of the self also enables us to experience an
“inner world” that is defined by our personal thoughts
and ideas. We experience interiority, that is, the quality of
being focused on one’s inner life and identity. This
interiority enables us to practice creativity.
 Creativity also means that a person can create within
himself what is not yet existing outside. Having an inner
world allows a person to create goals, dreams and plans
which may be realized through activity.
Self-awareness

7. 
I am a person.
I am alive.
I exist.
I am here. I am present.
I am living at this very moment.
Try saying these

8. 
Little Carlo is playing in the living room
while his mom is in the kitchen. He
accidentally bumps into a table, causing a
vase to fall. Upon hearing, his mom went to
the living room and saw him standing near
the broken vase. She asked, “Did you break
the vase?” what do you think Carlo’s answer
will be?
Let’s examine

9. 
 This refers to the capability of persons to make
choices and decisions based on their own
preferences, monitor and regulate their actions, and
be goal-oriented and self-directed. We are persons
because we act and we are aware of our actions.
 Our free will enables us to do actions whenever we
want to and make various alternatives. The existence
of free will enables a person to act willfully, control
his actions, and recognize himself as the source of
action.
Self-determination

10. 
 Consequence is the result or effect of an action or
condition. Philosophers believe that a person acts freely
and with due regard for the consequences of his
actions.
 Morality is the goodness or ‘badness’ of an act.
 Human action is such an important aspect of the
person that many philosophers consider human action
as a way to reveal a person’s true nature. Human acts
complete the person, as it is through his actions that his
inner self is revealed to others, and it is through action
that a person is able to explore and fulfill his potential.
Self-determination

11. 
I am a person.
My actions are my very own and are
made freely.
I know that I am the cause of my
actions.
I know that my actions have
consequences.
Try saying these

12. 
 This refers to the capability of a person to reach out
and interact with others and the world.
 The realization that we are not alone and that there
are indeed other people around us enables us to
reach out and establish meaningful relationships
with others.
 Philosophers consider man as a social being and that
a person never exist in isolation. Man has the natural
tendency to seek out fellow human beings, and the
relationships established by this interaction is a vital
component for survival.
Externality

13. 
 Our interactions with others define our existence as
persons. We grow and develop not only through our
thoughts and actions, but also through the influence
of other people in our lives, and the individuals we
meet and interact with.
Externality

14. 
I am a person.
I value others.
I interact with others in meaningful ways.
I value my relationships with others.
I have grown as a person because I’ve had
meaningful interactions with people I’ve
met in my life.
Try saying these

15. 
 This refers to the innate right to be values and
respected. Philosophers consider all humans as
having an inherent worth or value. “You’re
worthless!” is an insult since it attacks the very
notion of a person having value or worth.
 Each person is worth the same as another person in
the sense that every person is priceless, unique,
unrepeatable and irreplaceable. No person is
dispensable or interchangeable. This is the reason
why separation from the people we love and value is
a difficult and painful experience.
Dignity

16. 
 Human dignity is rooted in the nature of the human
being, meaning, a person has dignity simply because of
the fact that he is human.
 Dignity is not defined by outside factors like intelligence,
beauty, skills, etc.
 A person retains his dignity in spite of his actions or
behavior.
 Dignity also drives us to seek what is good. Doing good
deeds upholds and promotes dignity of the human
person. This recognition of dignity is also the basis for the
recognition of human rights.
Dignity

17. 
I am a person.
I am a person with dignity.
I recognize that others have dignity, as
well.
I must uphold human dignity in my
thoughts and actions.
Try saying these

18. 
Aside from the physical characteristics,
another aspect of the human that defines us
as persons is the spirit. This intangible
element enables us to exercise thought,
possess awareness, interiority, and the
capacity to reach out to the outside world
and other persons.
What is in our human nature that
enables us to become persons?

19. 
 Philosophers consider the human person as defined
by the union of the body and the spirit.
 THE HUMAN PERSON IS AN EMBODIED
SPIRIT. The body and the spirit are not only united,
but they are integrated with each other.
 Embodiment enables us to do and experience all the
things that make us human persons.
How are the body and spirit
related?
Science: Love is a result of various
biological reactions associated with
an increase in hormones, which
may have certain effects on the
body.
Philosophy: Human persons do not love
just with the heart nor the brain. We love
another person with our entire being.
Embodiment is the one thing that enables
us to feel love and love others.

20. 
 The human body stands as the mediator between the
material world and the spiritual world. Being an
embodied spirit, the person is able to encounter the
world of objects (and other personal subjects) in a
manner that transcends the physical. This feature
allows him to form intimate relationship with those
outside him.
 Human embodiment allows persons to attach certain
feelings or ideas not only to people but also to
objects. (pair of shoes as a present from a loved one)
Embodiment

21. 
 With human embodiment, physical acts are no
longer purely physical acts, because the body
conveys something from a person’s inner world.
 A pat on the shoulder from your idol, a smile from
your crush, a kiss from your partner will create
intense emotional reaction in you. These examples
show that it is through embodiment that a person in
able to have a very unique relationship with the
world. And it is this unique relationship that defines
us as humans.
Embodiment

22. 
 Human nature still has limits despite being an
embodied spirit. It can be said that the person is very
biologically deficient being. We do not have the
natural ability to fly. We cannot breathe underwater
without using breathing apparatus. We cannot
survive in certain environments like other animals.
 Despite this limitations, we have used out intellect to
devise means to achieve several feats.
 The ability to surpass limits is called transcendence,
and it is also one important trait that distinguishes
the human person from other beings in existence.
How does my human nature
enable me to explore my limits?

23. 
 Our mind is an important tool that allows us to go
beyond many of our physical limits. Although we have
these physical limitations, we can transcend them because
of our spiritual dimension.
 As human persons, we have natural tendencies or
inclinations. Some of these are felt bodily functions like
hunger, fatigue, etc. transcendence means overcoming
oneself or being in control even if the body reminds us of
certain tendencies. Although these tendencies are felt, the
person can govern them and ensure that they are
exercised within the bounds of reason.
Transcendence

24. 
 Each individual carries within himself the possibility of
transcending his limits by exerting enough effort and
perseverance.
 Philosophy gives us useful tools to explore our limits and
possibilities. The essence of transcendence is to
acknowledge our limitations, identify possibilities for
development and change ourselves for the better.
 Opening yourself to new experiences and ideas is another
aspect of transcendence.
 Our capacity for transcendence gives us the opportunity
to work toward becoming better versions of ourselves.
Transcendence