Introduction to the Philosophy of

the Human Person

THE HUMAN
PERSON AS AN
EMBODIED SPIRIT
Quarter 1 l Week 3
At the end of the lesson, I will be able to:
• Recognize how the human body
imposes limits and possibilities for
transcendence
• Evaluate own limitations and the
possibilities for their transcendence
 LET’S DO THIS
• Describe the taste of the water.
• Describe the color blue to a blind
person.
• How will you describe a wonderful world
to a blind a person?
• From the tip of your elbow, try to reach
your chin.
Man Human Nature Person

How do these
terms differ?
 Man
• general term used to refer to the entire
human race. Other related terms include
humanity, mankind, and humankind.

Human
• refers to man as a species —Homo sapiens or
modern human beings.
 Person
• generally refers to a human being granted
recognition of certain rights, protection,
responsibilities and dignity, above all.

Personhood
• state of being a person.
Human nature
• characteristics that distinguish humans from
all other creatures.
• These traits are assumed to arise independent
of the influence of culture and society.
• These traits are considered to form the
essence of humanity; without them, an
individual may not be considered a human
person.
 The most basic definition of a human being
relates to the nature of humans as animals.
These special traits make a human a distinct individual person.
ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

Am I a dog?
Am I rock?
Am I a lamp?
Looking at the dog, however, you may see several
shared traits or features.
 Though living is an
essential feature of being
human, it cannot be the
defining feature that sets
as apart and makes us
human person.
Let us say that we make this dog your pet.
Think back on how you treat you pets.
• You put clothes on pets.
• You give your toys to play with.
• You make it live in house.
• You teach it behave properly around people
By doing these things do you make your
pet a human person?

Of course, No. Despite the actions and

intentions of people, animals are
fundamentally different from us humans.
Two general kinds of distinguishing a human person

COGNITIVE SELF PHYSICAL SELF

the essential components of a deals with the essential
human persons that deal with features of the
THE WHAT OF A PERSON which human way of life or THE WHO
includes human persons’ OF A PERSON which includes
beliefs, desires, dreams, his/her body type,
and intentions. strength and appearances.
Man Human Nature Person

Now, you answer.

Humans as a person have traits
 1. Self-awareness
• It refers to the person
having a clear perception of
oneself, including his or her
thoughts, emotions, identity,
and actions.
This awareness gives rise to the notion of the “self”, which
philosophers describe as the person who is actively aware that
he or she is perceiving and experiencing reality.
 Self-awareness
• It refers to the person
having a clear perception of
oneself, including his or her
thoughts, emotions, identity,
and actions.
This awareness of the self also enables us person to experience an
“inner world” that is defined by our personal thoughts and ideas.
 2. Self-determination
• capability of a person to
make choices and decisions
based on their own
preferences, monitor and
regulate their actions, and
be goal-oriented and self-
directed.
We are person because we act and we are aware of our actions.
 Freewill (under self-determination)
• The existence of free will
enables a person to act
willfully control his or her
actions and recognize
himself or herself as the
source of action.
Free will is the capacity to choose a course of action from
various alternatives.
A person acts freely and with due regard for the consequences
of his or her actions
Self-determination Freewill

CONSEQUENCES

result or effect of an action or condition.

 3. Morality
• the goodness or badness of an
act.
• Human action is an important
aspect of the person that many
philosophers consider human
action as a way to reveal a
person’s true nature.
as itis through his or her actions that his or her inner self is
revealed to other
 4. Externality
• The capability to reach out
and interact with others in
the world.

Philosophers consider a man a social being, and that a person

never exists in isolation.
 5. Dignity
• The innate right to be
valued and respected.
• Philosophers consider all
human as having an
inherent worth or value.

We do not value another person in the same way that we assign

values to thing such as cars and houses.
WHAT IS IN OUR HUMAN
NATURE THAT ENABLES
US TO BECOME
PERSONS?
• Our body is not the only thing that defines us.
• Philosophers believe that a person cannot be reduced
to his or her physical body.
• Being hopeful, happy, or friendly are characteristics
that are very much part of us, but are not seen in any
physical trait we possess and are only made evident
through our actions.
HOW ARE THE
BODY AND THE
SPIRIT RELATED?
Spirit
• the intangible element of
our body.
• enables us to exercise
thought, possess awareness,
interiority, and the capacity
to reach out to the outside
world and other person.
Spirit
• Philosophers consider the human
person as defined by the union of
the body and spirit.
• The human person is an embodied
spirit.
• Not only are the body and spirit
united, but they are also integrated
with each other.
BODY (Purely physical) + SPIRIT
(mind, will, emotions)
= EMBODIED SPIRIT
• Embodied, therefore,
is the one thing that
enables us to feel
love and love others.
• Our experience is also a product of
embodiment.
• The human mind processes
information through the senses, which
are experienced through the body.
 Mediator
Material World Spiritual World
Being an embodied spirit, the person also encounter the world
of objects in a manner that transcends the physical.
• People who are in love with each other
seem to communicate effortlessly without
words.
• The mere act of “holding hands” conveys a
powerful message between lovers, as it is
through this act that they can express their
affection towards each other.
• A smile from a stranger will not elicit a
reaction from you but a smile from your
crush will immediately cause an intense
emotional response in you.
HOW DOES MY
HUMAN NATURE
ENABLE ME TO
EXPLORE MY
LIMITS?
https://media.istockphoto.com/id/103975711/vector/flying-man.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=GqzeNXU-uK0332vQb-S6rlPmtubfQ1jbMmzp6E_bM_E=
 • a person is a very biologically
deficient being.
• This means that we are not
equipped with the best
physical attributes among all
the beings in the world.

Limitations
Categories of Limitations
• Facticity
• Spatial – Temporal being
• The Body as an Intermediary
 Categories of Limitations
• Facticity
• Things in our lives that are already given
• All details that surround us in the present
• Examples: (We are born in a particular time
and place, death)
 Categories of Limitations
• Spatial – Temporal being
• We will not live forever; we have a limited
period of stay in this world (finitude).
• Our limitations are based on time, ability, and
the not yet and the no longer.
• On being spatial individuals, we are limited by
our bodies to be present in two or more places
at the same time.
 Categories of Limitations
• Examples
• A five-year-old child cannot put a lipstick
because she is still a child ( the not yet).
• A senior citizen cannot bear a child because is
no longer capable of reproduction (no longer)
• One cannot be in Manila and in Cebu at the
same time.
 Categories of Limitations
• The Body as an Intermediary
• We have established that we are our bodies, but
also more than our bodies.
• Our body serves as an intermediary between
the physical world and us.
• Example: “I can always imagine myself living as
a rock star, but I will never really know how it is
to be a rock star unless I become one myself.”
 • ability to surpass limits
• it is also one important
trait that distinguishes
the human person from
other being existence.

Transcendence
Our mind is an important tool that allows us to
go beyond many of our physical limits.

• As persons, we are able to exercise our imagination and

reflection to go beyond our own thoughts and experiences.
• Being physically limited in our abilities does not prevents us
from hoping for or aspiring greater things.
• Some of these felt bodily functions
and they are experienced as a
person goes through life.
• Transcendence also means
overcoming oneself or being in
control even if the body reminds
us to certain tendencies.
• The essence of transcendence is
to acknowledge our limitations,
identify possibilities for
development, and change
ourselves for the better.
• Another aspect of
transcendence is opening
yourself to new experiences and
ideas.
• Our capacity for
transcendence gives us
the opportunity to work
toward becoming better
version of ourselves.
SHILA #3 ½ crosswise
Exploring my possibilities for transcendence
Performance task #3
Directions: Draw a picture of yourself as a HUMAN
PERSON. Explain your drawing.
 Performance task #3
Format
• Short Size bond paper
• Explanation must be written on the back of the paper (you
can write or paste it, as long as it’s neat)
• Indicate your:
➢ Class number
➢ Last name, First name, Middle Initial
➢ Grade and Section
➢ Date of submission
 Outstanding (5 Satisfactory (3 Developing (2
Category Proficient (4 Points)
Points) Points) Points)

Highly original, Creative with Somewhat Limited creativity,

imaginative, with some unique creative, relying with a more
unique elements elements, though on more common conventional or
Creativity that express not as original or or predictable simplistic
individuality. bold. elements. approach.

Shows deep self- Adequate

Minimal or
reflection, Reflects well on reflection, but
unclear reflection
effectively identity, with clear somewhat
on identity, not
Reflection communicates effort, but lacks superficial or
fully conveying
personal identity, the depth of lacking full
personal traits or
values, and outstanding work. consideration of
characteristics.
characteristics. all aspects of self.
 Outstanding (5 Satisfactory (3 Developing (2
Category Proficient (4 Points)
Points) Points) Points)

Comprehensive Good understanding Basic understanding Partial

understanding, of the theme, of the theme, with understanding, with
effectively adequately some unclear or vague or incomplete
Understanding of representing what it representing the underexplored representation of
Topic means to be human concept, though elements. the theme.
in relation to self. some aspects may
be underdeveloped.

Competently done, Significant issues

Excellent
though with with craftsmanship,
craftsmanship, with Well-made, with
noticeable issues in including sloppy
attention to detail, good craftsmanship
craftsmanship such lines, poor color
Quality of Output clean lines, and minor issues in
as uneven lines, application, or lack
appropriate use of detail or
poor color choices, of detail, resulting in
color, and a polished presentation.
or a less polished an unfinished or
presentation.
presentation. unrefined piece.