LESSON 7: THE HUMAN PERSON IN SOCIETY

FULL NOTES VERSION

What is society? What drives human beings to establish societies?

Have you ever pondered how your world has defined you? Have you ever thought about your place in this
world and among the people you interact with every day? Have you ever reflected on how your presence has
affected the world and people around you?
Infants first relate with their immediate family and guardians as the source of basic needs. As they grow,
they expand their horizons and start relating with people who are not part of their immediate family. They
establish friendships beginning in their childhood and into their teenage and adult years. They also learn how to
deal with other figures of authority aside from their parents or guardians. As we grow into adulthood, our
relationships and responsibilities also change because we play more significant roles in the communities we live
in.
Our freedom gives us the opportunity to pursue various activities to achieve our goals and attain well-being
or happiness. As we live our lives, and expand our experiences, we also encounter other people who are acting
in similar ways. However, the pursuit of our goals is made easier by the fact that we do not need to do our
activities alone, that we can live our life and pursue our happiness with other people by our side.
The tendency to form groups is not exclusive to human beings. Other animals also form groups for mutual
protection and survival. Humans, however, are the only beings capable of establishing a society, which is an
organized group of people whose members interact frequently and have a common territory and culture. Society
also refers to companionship or friendly association with others, an alliance, a community, or a union.
Philosophers consider society as the product of deliberate actions by individuals who come together in
pursuit of a common goal. Society is considered unique among all other groups because of the nature of the
human persons that compose it, as well as the relationships among its members. As individual persons,
members of society are able to transform themselves and attain development through their interactions within
society. In turn, humans are also able to influence society through their actions.
Society also makes possible the emergence of certain individualities. The survival of a human being is
essentially rooted in society and human relations. If there is no family to take care of an infant, the infant will
eventually die. As the individual grows, he or she begins to experience life outside the home and begins to
interact with other people in different settings. This also leads the person to form other relationships or groups,
such as establishing friendships in school or at places of work. Society and its various aspects provide support
that ensures the development of the human person. 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 is
further developed as you go to school and interact with other children, your teachers, and other people in
school. When you finish your basic education, society has already equipped you with knowledge and skills that
enable you to effectively interact with your society as a productive individual. Society also provides you
opportunities to further your growth in the coming years. An evident influence of society to individuals is the
emergence of specific traits and characteristics unique to a certain society which are manifested by its members.
For example, we Filipinos value our ties with family members. This is seen in our practice of taking care of our
elderly family members. Many of us prefer to have our elders live in our homes so we can take care of them
directly and continue to interact with them. Western countries, however, give more emphasis on independence
and individuality rather than family ties. Therefore, it is a common practice for Western families to send their
elderly with retirement homes. In 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

During the enlightenment, social philosophers pondered the natural laws that govern human societies, and
in their discussions, several philosophers put forth their theories regarding the formation of societies.
Enlightenment philosophers, such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean Jacques Rousseau were
among the most prominent social theorists who tackled the origins of human society. To fully understand the
true character of society, they imagined human as living in a so-called “natural state,” removed from
modernity and civilization. Examining humans in their natural state afforded these philosophers an opportunity
to discuss the origins of society and relate them to other concepts such as man’s intrinsic nature and liberty.
Various views emerged to explain the developments that brought about the emergence of human society.
For 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” – an agreement
where individuals sacrifice an amount of their freedom and submit to a higher authority. In this way, society is
able to function and meet the needs of the many, ensuring the survival of humanity.
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 a 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’s ideas on the social contract led him to advocate the concept of the “general will.”
Rousseau believed that even if the people are the ones who organized society and established an 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.
More recent views on the social contract give emphasis to individual decision-making in society. John
Rawls redefined the social contract and explained that human beings approach social cooperation in a rational
manner in order to meet their individual self-interests. Rawls introduced a version of the natural state which he
called the original position to explain social formation. He imagined humans as having a “veil of ignorance,”
or no knowledge of one’s own characteristics such as gender, race, or social status. In this state, humans would
naturally seek a just and fair society in an effort to look out for their own interests. David Gauthier described
people’s self-interest as a significant factor in building and maintaining societies. People choose to cooperate
since it is beneficial to meet their self-interests. But this selfish interest benefits society as a whole, since the
actions of individuals in meeting their individual needs also further the interests of the other members of
society.
Although there are variations on the social contract theory, perhaps one common feature they all have is
the fact that the different individuals enter into a kind of agreement with one another to form a society.
Individual members put aside their self-interest in order to create a community where they may live in harmony
with others. It is important to note that in a society, one is not compromised for the sake of the other: the
individual is not in any way violated for the sake of the community and vice-versa. Only a society which
ensures the development of the individual and his or her community may be considered a proper and
humanizing society.

It is important to note that society is founded on the concept of the common good. Philosophers who
discussed the origins of society traced the emergence of society to human desire to achieve the goal of survival.
Apart from this, human beings are compelled to come together, establish relationships with each other, and
work together as a united group because of the natural desire for goodness. Our nature as human persons drive
us to do what is good, and we recognize that other persons also desire goodness as well. When more than one
person desires and works to achieve the same good, then it can be said that a common good exists among them.
The common good refers to the social conditions which enable persons and groups to fulfill their goals and
achieve well-being. On a larger scale, examples of the common good may include peace within the community,
clean and safe public spaces, an efficient transport system, and efficient public service. The common good
applies to all members of society. This means that not only do all members benefit from it, all have the
responsibility to work for it. By working to attain the common good, a person is now able to create
opportunities for himself or herself as well as others. The collective effort of individual persons towards the
common good ensures that each member of the community will be able to live in a world where they can pursue
their own perfection and fulfillment.

What are the different forms of societies?

The development of societies throughout the history shows the development of humankind in response to
changing surroundings and historical developments. The various forms of societies that emerged include the
following:

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.
 Pastoral society - this type of society is characterized by the domestication of animals for food for 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.

Horticultural society - a horticultural society primarily engages in the small-scale cultivation of plants,
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.
In early societies, the individuals were often very family- and clan-oriented, and their behaviors and
actions were restricted by tradition. The assignment of tasks and occupations were often based on gender, with
women doing mostly domestic work in the home, while the men engaged in hunting and farming.

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 improve 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.

Feudal society - a feudal society 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. In a feudal society, rulers 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 won 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 peasants for their
service, while the peasants depend on their vassals for protection.
An agrarian and feudal society gives rise to individuals who value relations among family members and
with other members in the community. People are often very conscious of their place within society and are
mindful of the hierarchy. People who belong to the “higher class” are treated with respect by the members of
the community. They are often traditional and are resistant to social change, preferring to maintain the way
things are in their community.

Industrial Society – an 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 18th century resulted in the Industrial
Revolution, which in turn give rise to new production and industrial methods, as well as innovations in
transportation and communication. These technological advances resulted in improved 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 on an area.
The capitalists or business owners are considered the most influential. This type of society is also characterized
by cultural diversity and the presence of bureaucratic forms of organization.
An industrial society is a significant departure from the agrarian society, as many of the relations are not
family or community-based. An important factor in social relations is the workplace, and people often interact
with individuals who do not come from the same family, clan, or community. Impersonal relationships
prevailing among individuals. The difference between social groups is even more marked and is defined by the
access to economic resources and property. Alienation is common in industrial societies, as people are often
seen as resources to be exploited
Post-Industrial society – the 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 advance
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. The virtual society, where people organize themselves through communication technology and the
Internet, is a product of a post-industrial society. Individuals in a virtual society often engage in a 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 worlds means that a person is able to engage in various
activities, as well as access various kinds of information.

The growth and development of the various forms of societies highlight the growing complexity of human
interactions over time. The technological advances and cultural changes that brought about these changes result
in the expansion of communities that now include people from varied ethnicities. These developments have led
to innovations in human interactions such as language and the establishment of governments. Many countries
around the world are industrial societies, and a number of developed countries have evolved into post-industrial
and virtual societies. But despite these advancements and changes, the human person still remains the heart and
center of society. The person is the primary agent of change, as he or she drives social changes based on
responses to events and developments affecting society.

How does society influence our development as persons?

What makes us Filipino? Being born in the Philippines is not our choice, but as we grow up in the
Philippine society, we begin to adopt the traits, traditions, and characteristics that distinguish Filipino culture.
We learn to speak our mother languages through our interactions with family members and other members of
society. It is also through our interactions with other individuals and institutions that we learn how to behave
appropriately, what beliefs and traditions to practice, and what ideas and perspectives to consider acceptable.
All these come together to define our identity not only as persons, but as members of Philippine society.
It can be said that you cannot think of a person outside of society and you cannot think of society without
persons. The person and the society have a very dynamic relationship in which one cannot exist without
the other. Because of this reality, it is important to consider society’s role in the growth and development of a
person, and the person’s role in transforming society.
Society influences our development as persons in various ways. Society is the backdrop by which we
adopt the prevailing culture, identity, values, ideas, and knowledge of the persons, groups, and communities that
surround us. Think of the various groups and institutions in society that have contributed to our identity as a
person. Your interactions with your family, friends, schoolmates, teachers, and other people in your community
have all left inedible marks on your identity. Society shapes all individuals that are part of it, though each
person is influenced by society in different ways.
An important way society influences us as persons is its ability to define the relationships and interactions
among its members. Society influences the interactions of its members through the establishments of norms,
which are a set of traits and behavior that society considers acceptable, and are thus encouraged and passed on
to other members.
When you meet a person for the first time or when someone is introduced to you, what do you do? The
first thing that comes to your mind is to say “Hello!” or “Nice to meet you!” Some will offer a handshake to the
other person as a greeting. A handshake is a simple gesture, but it shows how society expects us to behave when
we are with other people. Ever since you were a child, you have been constantly reminded to greet your elders
respectfully. Filipinos have a unique gesture to greet and show respect to elders: the mano or pagmamano.
Let’s imagine that when you are told to greet or give respect to your elders, you refuse to do so. What do
you think will be the reaction of the people around you? Surely, your actions will be considered disrespectful
and you will be considered a disrespectful person. When members of the society do not conform to established
norms, they often experience negative consequences, such as punishment or social stigma. Norms are one of the
ways that society regulates the behavior and interactions of its members and establishes and maintains social
order.
Think of the rules established by your family and school. Why do you think these rules are put in place?
What happens when these rules are violated? How have these rules influenced your behavior?
Society, through the establishment of norms, can also influence knowledge and ideas. For instance, if the
traffic light flashes red, what does it mean? We all know that red light means stop, but who established that the
color red will be the universal signal for STOP on the road? We have learned to accept the statement “the read
traffic light means stop” as truth because society has established that fact and we have been exposed to it since
we were young. Now imagine that tomorrow, the traffic signals get switched – red now means go, green means
caution, and yellow means stop. What do you think will happen in the streets? Now think of all the rules and
traditions that have been in place in our society for a long time. How have these rules influenced our
knowledge? What rule in our society would result in chaos if it were changed? Laws are more formal and
stringent norms that establish and define acceptable behavior of citizens. These also prescribed the
consequences of penalties that will be imposed on violators. Folkways are less normal norms that arise from
tradition and do not result in punishment when violated.
Norms, laws, and other rules that regulate human interaction give rise to a social system, which is an
organized or patterned set of relationships among individuals and groups that compose a society. Members of
society act and interact with an established social system. Each member is assigned a social role, which are
actions and behaviors expected of a certain individual. Individuals who share similar backgrounds or perform
similar roles are grouped together into social groups or social classes. Certain groups that perform vital
function in society are recognized as social institutions, and these include the family, school, government, and
religion. Our lives are a continuous interaction with different social classes, groups, and social institutions.
These relationships contribute to shaping our view of the world and defining our identity. A well-functioning
social systems where all members, groups, and institutions work in harmony will ensure that society remains
harmonious and continues to uphold the welfare of its members.
Society also transforms human relations, which leads to the transformation of its members. The
historical development of society has brought about significant changes in the way human beings relate to each
other. Early societies were initially centered on the family and the clan. But the emergence of industrial
societies transformed human relations, as interactions were no longer based only on family and community ties,
but also interactions in the workplace. Virtual societies have brought about another great transformation in
human relations, as improved communication technologies make it possible for people from faraway places to
interact closely with each other. Today’s modern society enables various people from diverse backgrounds and
varied societies to interact and establish close ties with each other.
Over the course of his or her life, a person will undertake various social roles as he or she continually
interacts with other members of society. An Individual is not just a member of a family, he or she is also a
neighbor, a citizen, a worker, and a member of an organization, group, or religion. These roles entail sets of
responsibilities that the person must undertake. As the person navigates through various roles in society, his or
her relationships with other people also change. Throughout our life, we undergo changes in the way we relate
with the people in our lives. When we were children, we were very close to our parents and family members.
But as we grow up and our social circle expands, our interactions now include our friends, schoolmates,
workmates, and other acquaintances. Adults also experience change in their roles and expectations as they
become breadwinners and take on additional responsibilities. Taking on adult roles often means that many of
the bonds established during the earlier years will have to change. It is possible that you have lost contact with
your childhood friends because of some changes that happened in your life. As you lose friends and
acquaintances, you also gain new ones over time.
Our various roles in society also change the way we relate to people. In our family, we may relate more
closely to our parents, siblings, and relatives. In school, however, we may not treat our classmates and teachers
like our family. A person may be the head of the family in his or her home and he or she takes charge of making
decisions in the household. But when this person goes to work, he or she may no longer find himself or herself
in a decision-making role, since he or she is merely an employee. When a person gets elected to an important
post in the government, he or she should no longer treat members of his or her family or community in a
preferential manner, but should now strive to treat all members of the community equally.
Another way society shapes us is through social values, which are actions or ideals that are considered
important by society. Values such as cooperation, obedience to the law, concern for others, and respect for
others are considered vital to maintaining an orderly society. A society that upholds positive social values will
influence its members to uphold these positive values. On the other hand, a society that is defined by negative
values will, in turn, produce individuals who embody these negative values.
Other aspects of society that contribute to the formation of the individual include language, religion, and
historical events. Compare your beliefs and ideas with those of your parents or elders. In some cases, you will
have similar views since you belong to the same family, but you will differ in some of your ideas, beliefs, and
views. One reason for this is that you have gone through different life experiences. Your parents and elders
were born to an earlier generation and have thus gone through some experiences that you will never encounter.
In the same way, you were born into a generation that has unique experiences and characteristics. This disparity
in experience and views brings about the “generation gap,” which often leads to conflict among people of
different ages when discussing certain topics. But whatever our differences, society ensures that we are able to
interact in meaningful ways, and that each member benefits from the relationships they have established with
the people they encounter.

How does society enable me to become a better person?

Although society greatly influences the development of the self, the human person still has the freedom to
choose not to be fully defined by his or her background or society. We have the freedom to rise above our
circumstances and make ourselves into something different or better. For instance, a child who grew up in the
slums or squatters area can choose to rise above his or her social condition through education and hard work. By
exerting effort, that child will eventually become successful and achieve a better life. A person who comes from
a family of doctors may feel that he or she has a different calling in life and thus may choose not to pursue a
career in medicine. Some Filipinos have even decided to renounce their citizenship to become citizens of other
countries. As much as we are influenced by our surroundings, our physical limits, and our society, our
personhood still provides us an opportunity to transcend and define ourselves on our own terms.
 Society recognizes the capability of the person to develop, and provides its members with
opportunities to better themselves. Effective and efficient public service, education, and the maintenance of
peace and order are some of the ways society ensures that we are able to have productive lives and realize our
potential. Through its various institutions, society endeavors to develop well-adjusted and productive members
who can make significant contributions to it. Social systems are in place to ensure the welfare of the person in
society. Through the various institutions and groups, society strives to recognize and promote the individual
dignity of persons and guarantees that they are able to live harmoniously with others.
Apart from choosing not to be fully defined by society, persons can also undertake to contribute society
though their decisions and actions. One important way a person can contribute to social change is by enacting
his or her social responsibilities well. A son or daughter is expected to respect and obey his or her parents and
elders and help each member of the family. A parent is expected to provide for the needs of the family and raise
his or her children well. A student is expected to study well and participate fully in school activities. A citizen is
expected to support democratic values and cooperate with members of the community and other institutions to
uphold the welfare of the country and the common good. You embody all these roles and therefore should do
your utmost to uphold the responsibilities that go with them. All members of the society are expected to do their
share in upholding the values and goals of their respective societies and ensure that their society continues to be
oriented toward what is good and beneficial for all.
An individual’s actions can also cause great changes in society. Previously, it was thought that only
“great”, “influential”, or “powerful” individuals can bring about change in their respective societies. We often
equate social change to the actions of heroes, political figures, and famous personalities. However, the
numerous opportunities provided nowadays by improved technology and access to information have given
ordinary people the means to be sources of social change themselves. You may have heard of stories that have
gone “viral” on the internet. Many of these stories come from ordinary citizens who call attention to problems
or issues that need to be addressed, such as damaged infrastructure, inefficient public service, and crime and
safety concerns. These stories soon gain attention and sometimes prompt the government and related
institutions to take action. Another way that individuals can bring about social change is by organizing
themselves into groups that advocate certain causes. Organized action is often the best means to bring about
changes in society, and the concerted effort of many groups often bring about a social movement, which is a
large-scale action done by various groups and organizations in pursuit of a common goal to bring about change.
Are you a member of an organization that upholds a social cause? Have you ever taken the initiative to call
attention to problems in your community? What social issues are you most passionate about? Do you see
yourself making a significant contribution to society in the future? Taking action to bring about positive
changes at home and in your community is one way that you will be able t fulfill your role as a productive
member of society. In taking action to bring about positive changes in our society, we are able to fulfill our
purpose as human persons who are living and interacting with our greater community and working toward
achieving the greater good.
Encoded by Mark Vincent P. Ordiz

THE HUMAN PERSON IN SOCIETY Handout

1. How individuals form societies?

The person is by nature a social being because he or she has the tendency to go out of himself or herself to form
bonds and relationships with others.
 The fact that we do not need to do our activities alone.
 The experiences of an individual as he/she grows through interactions with other people in different
settings.
 The natural desire for goodness
 Pursuit of a common goal
 The human desire to achieve the goal of survival
 The concept of common good

2. What is society?
- organized group of people whose members interact frequently and have a common territory and culture
- companionship or friendly association with others, an alliance, a community, or a union
 3. What are the different forms of societies?
Hunting and Gathering Society
 earliest and simplest form of society
 small size
 composed mainly of families
 nomadic
Pastoral Society
 domestication of animals for food
 have larger populations than hunting and gathering societies
 remain longer in one place
 produce surplus food and resources
Horticultural Society
 small-scale cultivation of plants, fruits, and vegetables and the domestication of animals
 semi-nomadic
 similar to the pastoral society, there is also a surplus of goods
 assignment of tasks and occupations were often based on gender
Agrarian or Agricultural Society
 a further evolution of the pastoral and horticultural societies
 large-scale and long-term cultivation of crops and domestication of animals
 have improve technology and the use of tools to aid in farming
 have increased production, giving rise to a growing population
Feudal Society
 based on the ownership of land
 Organized based on status
 Social relations: dependence
-Lord depends vassals’ resources. Vassals depend peasants’ service. Peasants depend vassals’ protection
Industrial Society
 use of specialized machinery in the production of goods and services
 technological advances brought about by industrial revolution resulted in improved trade and commerce
 greater inequalities in wealth, power, and influence
 people interact with individuals from different social settings
Post-Industrial Society
 based on knowledge, information, and the sale of services
 led by human mind, aided by highly advance technology
 generation, storage, manipulation, and sale of information
 members of society: have higher educational attainment, better training and specialized roles
Virtual Society
 organized people through communication technology and internet
 a product of a post-industrial society
 engage in a complex relationships
 do not necessarily subscribe to certain norms or established standards of behavior.
 4. How individuals are transformed by societies?
It is through our interactions with other individuals and institutions that we begin to adopt the traits, traditions,
and characteristics.
 Experiencing a variety of relationships
 Interactions within society
 Society and its various aspects provide support that ensures the development of the human person.
-education, opportunities, unique traits and characteristics
 You adopt the prevailing culture, identity, values, ideas, and knowledge of the persons, groups, and
communities that surround us.
 The various groups and institutions in society that have contributed to our identity as a person.
 The interactions with your family, friends, schoolmates, teachers, and other people in your community
have all left inedible marks on your identity.
 Its ability to define the relationships and interactions among its members.
 Society influences the interactions of its members through the establishments of norms.
 Our continuous interactions and relations with different social classes, groups, and social institutions
contribute to shaping our view of the world and defining our identity.
 The historical development of society has brought about significant changes in the way human beings
relate to each other.
 Society shapes us is through social values, which are actions or ideals that are considered important and
vital to maintaining an orderly society.
 Other aspects of society that contribute to the formation of the individual include language, religion, and
historical events.

5. How does society enable me to become a better person?

As much as we are influenced by our surroundings, our physical limits, and our society, our personhood
still provides us an opportunity to transcend and define ourselves on our own terms.
Society recognizes the capability of the person to develop, and provides its members with
opportunities to better themselves.
 Effective and efficient public service, education, and the maintenance of peace and order ensures
productive lives and realize our potential.
 Various institutions and groups develop well-adjusted and productive members, promote individual
dignity of persons and guarantees that they are able to live harmoniously with others
 Social systems ensures welfare of the person in society.
Apart from choosing not to be fully defined by society, Persons can also undertake to contribute to
society through their decisions and actions.
 A person can contribute to a social change by enacting and upholding his or her social responsibilities
well.
Upholding common good and welfare in respective societies.
 support democratic values
 cooperate with members of the community and other institutions
 uphold values and goals of their respective societies
 continues to be oriented toward what is good and beneficial for all
An individual’s actions can also cause great changes in society.
 Numerous opportunities provided nowadays by improved technology and access to information, have
given ordinary people (non-political/non-influential) the means to be sources of social change
themselves.
Another way that individuals can bring about social change is by organizing themselves into groups
that advocate certain causes.
  The concerted effort of many groups often bring about a social movement, which is a large-scale action
done by various groups and organizations in pursuit of a common goal to bring about change.
Edited and arranged by Mark Vincent P . Ordiz

Answers to tests from the book:

Society is an organized group of people whose members interact frequently and have a common territory and
culture.
Common good refers to the social conditions which enable persons and groups to fulfill their goals and achieve
perfection.
Social contract is an agreement among individuals to sacrifice some of their wants and submit to a higher
authority.
Thomas Hobbes believes that mankind is governed by desire which leads to conflict among individuals.
John Locke believes that society is organized based on the “consent of the governed”.
John Rawls believes that humans naturally seek a just and fair society because of self-interest.
Norms are a set of traits and behavior that society considers acceptable and are encouraged and passed on to
other members.
Social system is an organized or patterned set of relationships among individuals and groups that compose a
society.
Social groups are composed of individuals who have similar backgrounds and perform similar roles in society.
Social values are actions or things that are considered important by society.
Hunting and gathering society earliest and simplest form of society. This society is generally small in size and
is composed of families.
Pastoral society primarily relies on the domestication of animals for food.
Horticultural society engages in the small-scale cultivation of plants.
Agrarian or Agricultural society features large-scale and long term cultivation of crops and domestication of
animals.
Feudal society is based on the ownership of land. In this society, those who own land are considered most
powerful and influential.
Industrial society uses machinery in producing goods and services.
Post-industrial society is based on knowledge, information, and the sale of services. This society has given rise
to virtual society.
Answered by Mark Vincent P. Ordiz

Summary:
• Society was brought about by the human desire to relate with others. Society is considered a product of
deliberate actions by individuals who come together in pursuit of a common goal.
• Society greatly influences the individual, as it determines to a certain extent a person’s identity. Society
makes possible the emergence of certain individualities, which are the result of the person’s interaction
with other members of society.
• Philosophers consider society as a product of the “social contract”, where individuals decide to sacrifice
personal interest and submit to a higher authority. Society is also rooted in the concepts of the common
good and general welfare, which refers to social conditions that enable persons and groups to fulfill their
goals and achieve well-being.
• Various forms of society have emerged throughout human history. These societies have given rise to
specific individualities that were defined by the nature of human relations prevalent within those
societies.
 • Apart from defining individualities, society also influences the person by defining the relationships that
its members are able to engage in. Society is able to define relationships and interactions among its
members through norms, the establishment of a social system, and by upholding social values.
• Society provides opportunities for its members to grow and achieve well-being. Through its various
institutions, society endeavors to develop well- adjusted and productive members that can make
significant contributions to society. In turn, individuals uphold the common good and work to bring
about positive changes in society.
Encoded by Mark Vincent P. Ordiz

Reference:
Abella, R. D. (2016). Introduction to the philosophy of the human person (pp. 111-128). Quezon City.
C & E Publishing, Inc.
[SHS Textbook]