1.

The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit d) Technology

Man is an important subject in Philosophy & an understanding of e) Symbolic interaction as evidenced by religion & art
the nature and condition of man is the foremost goal of the v Culture is considered man’s most significant achievement w/c
discipline. sets apart the evolution of humanity from other species on this
The word man is a general term w/c is commonly used to refer to planet
the entire human race.
Other related terms include humanity, mankind & humankind Psychological Perspective
The word human refers to man as a species – homo sapiens sapiens › Places emphasis on human behavior & thought
[modern human beings] processes in analyzing human nature
› Man possesses mental faculties that enable him to
Persons is a much more complex term w/c generally refers to a possess awareness, a sense of self, & the capacity to perceive
human being granted recognition of certain rights, protection and and experience
responsibilities. › The significant mental faculties & capabilities of man
include:
As w/ any major philosophical question, the concepts of man and a. The psyche – refers to the human mind & is divided
human nature are much discussed and highly debated among into the conscious & unconscious mind
philosophers and scientists. From these discussions & debates, - The conscious mind is the part w/c governs
various perspectives have emerged regarding the nature of man. awareness
- The unconscious mind consists of latent or repressed
ɸ view on the nature of Man emotions, thoughts & desires
Biological Perspective b. rationality – or the state of being reasonable, the
› Considers man as a part of the natural world & a ability to understand experiences in order to solve
product of evolution problems or do tasks, and engage in decision-making and
› Modern humans [homo sapiens sapiens] – are judgment.
considered one of the most successfully adapted species on c. Intelligence – or the ability to perceive information,
the planet store knowledge, and apply it in various situations
v Humans also share w/ other animals the so-called d. introspection – or the ability to examine one’s own
primal instincts such as the instincts for survival & conscious thoughts, feelings, and mental state, and the
reproduction capacity for self-reflection.
v Human have progressed & developed additional
traits and capabilities such as the capacity for Economic Perspective
a) planning & intentional action › Focuses on man’s ability to engage in productive
b) Innovation & creativity activities in an effort to meet wants & needs
c) Communication through language & writing
 › This perspective emerged in the 19th century and › Holds that awareness of the self is gained through
places emphasis on the “economic man” [homo economicus] – interaction w/ the world & other human beings
who is driven by rationality and self-interest in his desire to
possess wealth. The self as Integrated and Developing
› It considers man as a productive being – his primary › Holds that the self is composed of varied elements
role is to produce & engage in labor that change over time
› Economic forces are considered a greater influence on Varied notions w/c justify the recognition of personhood
the actions of man than society or culture
The person as an “Autonomous being”
Theological Perspective › A human being is considered a person if he or she
› Considers man as God’s creation possesses the ability to determine his/her life through
› Man is considered to have a special relationship w/ “reasoned free choice”
the Creator, being created in His image & given an immortal › This view assumes that man possesses reason, the
spirit capacity for reflection, and the ability to engage in decision-
› Man’s existence was brought about by the purposive making
creative act of God, and his ultimate destiny is part of a › This perspective is a major influence in determining
divine plan the legal definition of a human
ɸ have proposed certain views as to its nature of the self “person” and the conventional concept of an “adult”
The concept of the self is closely tied w/ the ideas of identity &
The self as Innate personhood.
› The self is an essential part of the human being and ● Identity – is defined as the distinct personality of an
self- awareness is natural & innate One of the most unique individual
traits of humans is the awareness of self. Like all other Personal identity is composed of a person’s unique physical
animals, human beings possess sentience – the ability to feel characteristics, mental attributes, experiences, memories, ideas, and
& experience. Sentience is often seen as the ability to views. Identity is said to persist through time, though certain
perceive surroundings & react to stimulus such as pain. aspects of it may change.
However, we humans not only experience and react to the ● Personhood – is the recognition of a human person as
world around us. We are also able to look into ourselves and a distinct entity – a person
be aware of our distinctness and uniqueness.
The person as a “unified individual”
› Religious views consider the concept of self as › The human being has the inherent capacity to
synonymous to the spirit or soul function as a person.

The self as Emergent

 › It emphasizes the potential of the human being & circles, organizations and corporations may be granted
recognizes that each human possesses the means to achieve personhood as they are given certain rights and may take
his or her capabilities action in court to protect their interests
› On this perspective – disable people, the unborn › Still, personhood remains largely applied to human
fetus, infants, and children are recognized as persons beings.
although they may not fully possess the cognitive faculties of › The concept of the human person is especially
an adult. important in law & politics as it is closely tied to the concept
of civil liberties and rights.
The Person in Relation to others › Being Human is to be aware of two specific elements:
› Asserts that a human being becomes a person 1. Being a body as an object.
through interactions w/ other human beings 2. Being a soul as subject.
› Remove him/her from society and he/she ceases to › The body
become a person › Has passive desires.
› Karol Wojtyla [Pope John Paull II] asserts that the › Sets limitations on life projects.
person is defined by his/her actions and experiences, and › The soul
through them achieves self-development and fulfillment. › The seat of freedom
› There may be situations where a human being may › Can transcend bodily limitations.
not be recognized as a person. For instance, people suffering
from debilitating conditions that impair their judgment may Man as Entanglement
lack the means to make decisions for themselves. A person - In realization, one is an entanglement of body and soul.
who suffers extensive brain damage or a comatose - One is expected to struggle between these two elements.
individual may not be recognized as a person and thus - One must also accept that we cannot fully control the world
others may be empowered to make decisions on their behalf. around us.
› Throughout history, there have been instances where - Being able to resolve and harmonize the directions of both the
certain groups of people have not been recognized as body and soul leads to the realization of ourselves as “embodied,
persons. In ancient times, slaves were considered property. free, rational, creative, moral and finite.” Man is Determined How?
Women were also not granted recognition as persons during Ø Cultural
most of the ancient period. In ancient Greece, for example, Ø Political
women were not considered citizens and had limited roles in Ø Religious
society and government. Ø Sociological
› It was only in the late 19th century that women were
given the right to vote and participate in government. Though he is determined by them, he is free to transcend and
› There are instances that the concept of “person” is reinvent what is ‘determined.’
extended to other entities aside from human beings. In legal
 q Understanding what it means to be human is  It is expected to consider and perform wise decisions that
dependent on the exchanges between the transcendent make life properly lived.
capacity known as the voluntary soul and the determined Spirit and Desire
involuntary body. Spirit is in charge of the motivation of the human person to
Ø One views human consciousness as connected action.
with the body. § Its expected function is to carry out the dictates of reason in
§ Man’s voluntary will is bound and entangled day-to-day living.
by the limitations of an involuntary body.
§ The voluntary element is thus “fundamentally Desire, also known as emotion or appetite, is the part of the
reciprocal” with the involuntary element, the human person that desires bodily pleasure.
involuntary serving as a “vehicle for the will.” Desire and bodily pleasure are regulated by reason and are
The Soul as the Essence of the Human Person deferred at certain times to achieve appropriate pursuits.
Plato and Aristotle accepted the distinction between the body and
soul but made the soul the true essence of the human person  With respect to morality, Plato would utilize his theory on
Plato the soul as its basis.
§ The true essence of the person according to  Morality and virtue are special states of the soul.
Plato was already present, prior to having a body.
§ His previous existence was in the “world of For Plato, there are three main sources of motivation or desire:
forms.” 1. Satisfying instincts.
§ The soul taking on a human body was deemed 2. Preservation
an accident that imprisons a “free and pure soul.” 3. Understanding and truth
§ For Plato, the human person and its source of
movement ultimately derive from the soul. q These sources of motivation have some ability to
§ The soul is divisible into three distinct parts: affect one’s moral decisions.
§ 1. Reason q Example: The Thirsty Man
§ 2. Spirit Ø A very thirsty man is wandering through the
§ 3. Desire desert and sees a pool of water.
Ø As he comes closer, he sees a sign that states
Reason that the water is poisonous.
 Reason, the seat of the mind and the intellect is the conscious Ø Upon viewing the sign, the man enters a state
part of the soul. of conflict within his soul.
 It allows the human person to provide the distinction Ø Desire says to drink, but reason says not to.
between the real and the false.
 Ø Reason says that partaking of the water will Ø The soul for Aristotle, is something which
worsen his situation and so he employs spirit to “belongs to” and “exists in” a body of a specific kind.
overcome his desire.
q Spirit however, can go either way depending on the Three Levels of Soul
pull between the two forces. q Though the soul should be There are three kinds of souls and their functions
prior in importance than the body, the body is heavily 1. Nutritive soul - growth and nutrition;
influenced by the world of the senses and is more influenced belonging to plants
than the world of forms. 2. Sensitive soul - locomotion and perception;
belonging to animals
Aristotle: “The soul cannot exist without a body.” 3. Rational soul - thinking; belonging to human
q Aristotle agrees that the soul is the essence of the human person. beings
Ø It functions as the principle of actuality, the
source of movement, and is also known as the form of q The three souls are presented in a hierarchy from the
the living thing. one having the most functions or powers at the top and the
However, the body is seen as important to the living thing least functions at the bottom.
and is inseparable to the soul. 1. Plant Soul - Growth, Decay, Reproduction,
Ø “The soul cannot exist without a body” though Nutrition
it is not itself a body. 2. Animal Soul - Growth, Decay, Reproduction,
Ø [Notice that for Plato, the soul existed without Nutrition, Locomotion, Sensation
a body and entered it. So, it can exist without a body 3. Human Soul - Growth, Decay, Reproduction,
for Plato] Nutrition, Locomotion, Sensation, Reason