By. Ms. Jo Marie Nel C. Garcia
John Donne: “No
man is an island,
entire of itself; every
man is a piece of the
continent, a part of
the main.”
 This means that as human person, we interact not only with our
fellow human beings, but also with other living and non-living
elements in our environment.
 Humankind is a part of the world, and we significantly affect our
environment in the same way that changes in our environment
affect us.
 Environment philosophy is the discipline that studies the
moral relationship of human beings with the environment and
its non-human contents.
 Philosophers believe that the human person has the ability to
change the environment to suit his purposes.
 It is in an orderly environment where human persons thrive
best. Disorders give rise to several problems and challenges
for humankind.
 As a rational being, the person is not only capable of
transforming the world, but also of understanding the laws
which govern nature. It can be said that the world is a text
which the person can read and understand in order to live a
better life. He may treat it as:
1. A source of raw materials to be used in any way he
pleases
2. As something that envelops and surround him, and thus
have a unique relationship with it
 This means that persons can help environment become
greater than what it originally is
1. Anthropocentrism – focuses on the significant
role of humankind in the world and considers
nature as the means by which humans are able to
meet their needs and survive. This view believes
that humans are the most important species on the
planet and they are free to transform nature and
use its resources.
2. Biocentrism – believes that humans are not the
only significant species on the planet, and that all
other organisms have inherent value and should
be protected. This view advocates ethical
treatment of animals.
3. Ecocentrism – places great value on ecosystems
and biological communities. This view believes that
humankind is a part of a greater biological system
or community and that we have a significant role
as stewards or guardians of nature. This view
promotes the idea that order and balance in nature
brings about stability and beauty.
 The influence of humanity on the environment can
be best understood if we consider the individual
person as a dynamic source of change within his
particular environment.
 Philosophical view that believes maintaining order in
the environment will bring out the natural beauty of
the surroundings and contribute to the well-being of
the people and other organisms living in it.
 The appreciation of natural beauty brings about the
concern for the environment and helps people relate
more effectively with nature.
 This is a moral approach that analyzes the relationship between
humans and the environment. It also discusses environmental
problems caused by human activities and social issues that
impact the environment
 It serves as a basis for reflecting on how our actions show our
regard for nature. It also guides us in upholding the welfare of
the environment and everything in it.
 As persons, it is our responsibility to start with our own actions
and how they affect our immediate surroundings
 This perspective advocates to address the growing
environmental problems. It has become an important
issue in international politics as governments and
international organizations have devoted efforts to
discuss environmental issues and formulate plans to
address them (Kyoto Protocol in 1997, where various
nations committed t reduce their greenhouse gas
emissions in order to curb global warming; and the
celebration of Earth Day, first instituted in 1970, a
global effort to raise awareness of issues and inspire
action among communities).
 This concept focuses on reconciling human activities and
economic development with the protection of the environment.
Major ideas:
1. We must make wise decisions regarding the use of natural
resources to ensure that there is still enough left for future
use.
2. The misuse of resources often means that other people do
not get to benefit from it.
1. Environmental integrity – refers to
maintaining the state of the
environment.
 This means that human activities should not
unduly disrupt the ecosystems and human
communities located in the area
 Care should be taken that the surrounding
landscape is not drastically impacted by human
activities.
2. Economic efficiency – refers to
prudence in decision-making
regarding the use of resources to
ensure that there is minimum to zero
waste.
3. Equity – demands that we use our
natural resources in such a manner
that these are conserved so that the
next generation will be able to use
them.
 Prudence is the ability to regulate one’s actions
and behavior
 Frugality is being thrifty with the use of one’s
resources
As human persons, it is our
responsibility to treat with respect
not only our fellow humans, but
also everything in our world.
Upholding environmentalism and
sustainability will enable us to take
the first steps in addressing
environmental issues and
contribute to solving the greater
environmental challenge of climate
change.

Lesson 4 the human person in the environment

  • 1.
    By. Ms. JoMarie Nel C. Garcia
  • 2.
    John Donne: “No manis an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.”
  • 3.
     This meansthat as human person, we interact not only with our fellow human beings, but also with other living and non-living elements in our environment.  Humankind is a part of the world, and we significantly affect our environment in the same way that changes in our environment affect us.  Environment philosophy is the discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings with the environment and its non-human contents.  Philosophers believe that the human person has the ability to change the environment to suit his purposes.
  • 4.
     It isin an orderly environment where human persons thrive best. Disorders give rise to several problems and challenges for humankind.  As a rational being, the person is not only capable of transforming the world, but also of understanding the laws which govern nature. It can be said that the world is a text which the person can read and understand in order to live a better life. He may treat it as: 1. A source of raw materials to be used in any way he pleases 2. As something that envelops and surround him, and thus have a unique relationship with it  This means that persons can help environment become greater than what it originally is
  • 5.
    1. Anthropocentrism –focuses on the significant role of humankind in the world and considers nature as the means by which humans are able to meet their needs and survive. This view believes that humans are the most important species on the planet and they are free to transform nature and use its resources. 2. Biocentrism – believes that humans are not the only significant species on the planet, and that all other organisms have inherent value and should be protected. This view advocates ethical treatment of animals.
  • 6.
    3. Ecocentrism –places great value on ecosystems and biological communities. This view believes that humankind is a part of a greater biological system or community and that we have a significant role as stewards or guardians of nature. This view promotes the idea that order and balance in nature brings about stability and beauty.  The influence of humanity on the environment can be best understood if we consider the individual person as a dynamic source of change within his particular environment.
  • 7.
     Philosophical viewthat believes maintaining order in the environment will bring out the natural beauty of the surroundings and contribute to the well-being of the people and other organisms living in it.  The appreciation of natural beauty brings about the concern for the environment and helps people relate more effectively with nature.
  • 8.
     This isa moral approach that analyzes the relationship between humans and the environment. It also discusses environmental problems caused by human activities and social issues that impact the environment  It serves as a basis for reflecting on how our actions show our regard for nature. It also guides us in upholding the welfare of the environment and everything in it.  As persons, it is our responsibility to start with our own actions and how they affect our immediate surroundings
  • 9.
     This perspectiveadvocates to address the growing environmental problems. It has become an important issue in international politics as governments and international organizations have devoted efforts to discuss environmental issues and formulate plans to address them (Kyoto Protocol in 1997, where various nations committed t reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in order to curb global warming; and the celebration of Earth Day, first instituted in 1970, a global effort to raise awareness of issues and inspire action among communities).
  • 10.
     This conceptfocuses on reconciling human activities and economic development with the protection of the environment. Major ideas: 1. We must make wise decisions regarding the use of natural resources to ensure that there is still enough left for future use. 2. The misuse of resources often means that other people do not get to benefit from it.
  • 11.
    1. Environmental integrity– refers to maintaining the state of the environment.  This means that human activities should not unduly disrupt the ecosystems and human communities located in the area  Care should be taken that the surrounding landscape is not drastically impacted by human activities.
  • 12.
    2. Economic efficiency– refers to prudence in decision-making regarding the use of resources to ensure that there is minimum to zero waste.
  • 13.
    3. Equity –demands that we use our natural resources in such a manner that these are conserved so that the next generation will be able to use them.  Prudence is the ability to regulate one’s actions and behavior  Frugality is being thrifty with the use of one’s resources
  • 14.
    As human persons,it is our responsibility to treat with respect not only our fellow humans, but also everything in our world. Upholding environmentalism and sustainability will enable us to take the first steps in addressing environmental issues and contribute to solving the greater environmental challenge of climate change.