What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master the nature and
background of team sports. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning
situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are
arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

This module contains:

Lesson 3: Human Person as an Embodied Spirit

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Recognize how the human body imposes limits and possibilities for transcendence (PPT11/12-lf-.1)
2. Evaluate own limitations and possibilities for their transcendence
(PPT11/12-lg-3.2)

What I Know

Directions: Choose the correct answer and read carefully each item. This is True or False questions.
Write the complete word of True or False in space provided. Do not write anything in this module. Write
your answers in your activity work sheet:
1. _____ Aquinas argues that every agent acts for the sake of:
a.pleasure b.self-interest c.pleasing God d.an end
2. _____ In Aquinas’s view, man’s ultimate happiness consists in:
a.pleasure b.acts of the Moral Virtues c.loving God d.contemplating God
3. _____ Aquinas argues that the end of every action is:
a.some desire b.some desire c.some good d.some emotional state
4. _____ Aquinas holds that the last end of man is:
a.pleasure b.happiness or beatitude c.the satisfaction of desire d.freedom from anxiety
5. _____ Aquinas claims that the ultimate perfection of operation is:
a. delight b.peace c.pleasure d.godliness
6. _____ Aquinas claims that:
a. pleasure exists for its own sake
b. pleasure exists for the sake of operation
c. operation exists for sake of pleasure
d. both b and c
7. _____ In Aquinas’s view, acts of prudence are solely about matters of:
a. pleasure b.desire c.moral virtue d.piety
8. _____ Aquinas claim that all human operations appear to serve:

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 a. 5those in power
b. those of high status
c. those who contemplate the truth
d. those who act wickedly
9. _____ According to Aristotle, we should begin ethical inquiry by specifying:
a. which things are intrinsically valuable
b. the aim of human life
c. what our fundamental duties are
d. what constraints on behavior it would be reasonable to agree to
10. _____ Aristotle state that if we ask what the highest good of human action is:
a. there is no agreement about the answer
b. most people agree that it is pleasure
c. nearly everyone agrees that it is happiness
d. there is no objective answer to this question
11. _____ According to Aristotle, happiness is:
a. a state of mind
b. a feeling or sensation
c. a craft
d. activity of the soul in accordance with virtue
12. _____ In Aristotle’s view, the virtue are:
a. acquired through habit
b. acquired through philosophical reflection
c. a gift from the goals
d. innate
13. _____ Aristotle divides the virtues into:
a. natural virtues and artificial virtues
b. moral virtues and intellectual virtues
c. positive virtues and negative virtues
d. human virtues and divine virtues
14. _____ Aristotle claims that:
a. virtue is in our power, and so is vice
b. virtue is in our power, but vice is not
c. vice is in our power, but virtue is not
d. neither virtue nor vice is in our power
15. _____ In Aristotle’s terminology, incontinence is when:
a.one does not know that one’s actions are wrong
b.one knows that one’s actions are wrong, but does them anyway
c.one knows that one’s feelings are inappropriate, and does not act on them
d.one does the right action, but for the wrong reason

Lesson 3 Human Person as an Embodied Spirit

In this module, you will learn about the Process of Doing Philosophy. It is important to know about
this topic to help gain new experiences in life that you may have ever dreamed of. Such experiences may
excite or challenge you, while some can make you rethink your life and decisions.

At your age, you may have already asked yourself important questions about your life that cannot be
directly answered through research or education, such as “ What do I want”? or “ What will make me
happy”?

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 What’s In
If you have already asked yourself those big questions, then you have already engaged in philosophy.

- What are the methods or ways of doing philosophy?

- Is it a way of life? Why or why not?
- How do you apply it in everyday life?

Find out the answers in this lesson!

What’s New
Learn about it! ( Discussion)

Doing philosophy helps you think many things, including those that leave you confused or without
an acceptable answer. You can do philosophy by yourself, with a partner, or with a group.
What then the implications both Aristotle’s and Thomas’ view of the human person as embodied
spiritualties?

What is It

Two philosophers that’ll help us in fulfilling the 3 competencies are Aristotle, from the ancient period, and

St. Thomas Aquinas, from the medieval period. Their philosophies about the human person have similar

concept – human person as an embodied spirit. Aristotle considered both the body and the soul to be an

integral rather than dualistic. St. Thomas Aquinas adopted the same concept as Aristotle.

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 Aristotle’s Life And Background (384 – 322 B.C)
 Aristotle was born in 384 B.C. He was orphaned at an early age. When he was 17 he
left his native place The race to Athens in order to study under the Academy of Plato.
 Aristotle was Plato’s student and devotee even until his death. (for twenty years)
 When Plato died, Aristotle erected a monument for him and praised him very much.
 Aristotle as a philosopher is in many ways very different from all his predecessors.
The Hylomorphic Doctrine
 Greek word hyle means matter while morphe means forms; this doctrine is called
matter and form theory
 Every composite being are made up of prime matter and substantial form
 Explain the essential constitution of natural body in terms of twofold principles, one
material and indeterminate, the other formal and determinate.
The Human Person As An Embodied Soul
 Aristotle hylomorphic doctrine is applicable to the idea of the human composite. Man is a
composite of body (her material aspect) and (the spiritual aspect one). Both the body and
soul are the fundamental and integral parts of the human person. Thus the human is an
embodied spirit. Man cannot exist without these two essential components. The body
cannot exist without its soul and vice versa. Accordingly, “the soul is the form of the
body”. The soul is what makes the body one thing, having unity of purpose and the
characteristics that we associate with the word “organism”.
Different Types of Soul
1. Vegetative soul – a type of soul that is found in plants that brings the power
of its nutrition and reproductive growth.
2. Sensitive soul – a type of soul that is found from animals which gives them
the power of sensation, appetite and locomotion.
3. Rational soul – a type of soul that gives humans the power of intellect and
will.

“There is one supreme end, or a final good for man”

-Aristotle
The Attainment of Happiness As An End of Man
 Aristotle claims that there is one supreme end, or a final good for man (Yarza, 1994, p.
176). By this he implies that every activity aims to achieve some good or end. However in
order to avoid infinite regress which is an activity that never comes to a conclusion,
Aristotle held that there must be a final good which is desired for itself (compleston, 1962,

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 p. 66). Man does not unless he thinks that the object of his action is good. Some good
things as desired only because of their usefulness in the attainment of other goods. “ It is
these ‘other goods’ which are truly desired. This is the bases for the distinction between
particular goods and the supreme good which is loved for its own sake as the ultimate
end.” (Yarza, 1994, p. 175-176). It is this good which is perfect and sufficient in itself
which constitute the last end of man. “ For Aristotle, contemplative life is the source of
happiness. Happiness is a consequence of possessing the true good, it is the fruit of the
activity proper to man. For this reason, true happiness can only be attained through the
activity contemplation, provided this activity is exercised in full conformity to the demands
of human nature.” ( Yarza, 1994, p. 177).

 To conclude this section, Aristotle maintained that the man is composite of two essential
principles, namely the body and soul. They are integral components of man hence, an
embodied spirit that is geared towards an end. There are many ends in life but man’s final
end is to be happy. And his happiness lies on the activity of reason, that is to be able to
contemplate the highest good of man.

St. Thomas Aquinas Life and Background

 Greatest theologians of the Catholic Church
 He pursued advanced study at the University Naples
 He entered the Dominican Convent at a young age
 He was able to systemized theology
 He introduced the applications of logic through syllogistic argument to theology
The Human Person As An Body And Soul
 Aristotle referred as ”The Philosopher”
 Man is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis, 1:27)
 The human person is composed both of body and spirit. The human person has material
aspect (the body) and as spiritual aspect(soul). Man is also rational animal (O’ Donnell,
1997, 55) Appetite means the tendency towards something. There are two kinds of
appetite, Natural animal (also named elicited) appetites. Natural appetite is a tendency
grounded directly on the very nature of the thing. Naturally tends towards seeing while
animal appetite is a tendency grounded directly on the knowledge of the objects as good.
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  According to Thomas, the power of the soul are “the vegetative, the sensitive, the
appetite, the locomotive and the intellectual”.
Man As An Agent Towards An End
 The will moves only towards its end, its happiness, such as that is ultimate end is God.
 Acts of Man
 Human Acts
 Moral Responsibility requires knowledge, freedom, and deliberation
 Whatever actions proceeds from a power, are caused by that power in accordance with
the nature of its object
 The end is two-fold, the objective and the subjective ends
 Man acts from judgment
 Man is rational

The Human Personas Seeker of Happiness

 Happiness is the last end of a rational nature. It consists in the possession of the absolute
good. Directing out search for the good of the soul, we discover that neither the soul itself
nor any action which perfects the soul can be true object of man’s happiness. The only
object which can be the last end man is the absolute good, since all the potencies of
rational nature and man happy. Man attains happiness through the activity of soul. The
soul searches for the end. Therefore, we could say that happiness is something outside
the soul. But happiness does not consist in the possession of a desired material object
such as wealth, house, cars, power, etc. but also in the attainment of attainment of
spiritual satisfaction. True happiness is spiritual according to Thomas.
Analysis
The Human Person’s Limitations, Possibilities and Transcendence
What then the implications both Aristotle’s and Thomas’ view of the human person as
embodied spiritualties?
Aristotle View:
 Man’s bodily aspect would limit man in his capacity.
 Man as material being is finite.
 There are boundaries of what man can do precisely because of his corporeal limitations.
 Happiness is not merely material but the activity of the soul.
Thomas’ View:
 Happiness is something spiritual.
 Man can achieve spiritual happiness in God as the supreme good.
 Man is a transcendent being which means that his existence is beyond physical level.
 In union with the good, one’s focus widens to include the good of all rather than that of
one’s particular self only.
 This is the only advantageous way for humans to participate in Universality.
Conclusion:
 Now we’ve grasped what Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas’ concepts about the human
person. That the human person is made up of two fundamental realms – the body
(corporal) and the soul (spiritual). Both of which are fundamental and integral in the
human person. Thus, the human person is an embodied spirit. The unity of all human

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 experiences has to be in the self – conscious mind. The material aspect of man limits
his/her capabilities, but the spirit aspect transcends his/her own limitation.

Directions: Copy the skills in your activity notebook and write the corresponding answers
on the space provided. Draw a graphic organizer that shows the life and background of the
two philosopher. Put it on your short bond paper. We have rubrics in judging your point.

What I Have Learned

Directions: List at least three (3) contribution in philosophy of the human person as an embodied spirit of
Aristotle and St.Thomas. In your activity work sheet with the name, section, time and signature
right side below:

What I Can Do

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Directions: Cross Word, all you need to do is find word as many as you can that is related to the topic.
Each word is correspond to your points.

p e r i o d b e p f h
u h w i s d o m e k l
r z y h u m a n r e r
v a x s s o u l s t z
w c u b i q s w o z p
p r i m e c i r n v f
y p l z d g a t y h e
o s w y r k q l l i r

Assessment

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer and read each item carefully. Do not write anything in
this module. Write your answers in your activity sheet.

1._____ Who is Plato’s student?

a.socrates b.plato c.aristotle d.none of the above

2._____ The Greek word hyle means?

a.gas b.matterc.form. d.natural

3._____ a type of soul that is found from animals which gives them the power of sensation, appetite and
locomotion.

a.vegetative soul b.rational soul c.irrational soul d.sensitive soul

4._____ a type of soul that gives humans the power of intellect and will.

a.rational soul b.irrational soul c.sensitive soul d.vegetative soul

5._____ a type of soul that is found in plant that brings the power to its nutrition and reproductive growth.

a.irratioanal soul b.rational soul c.vegetative soul d.sensitive soul

6._____ ”There is One Supreme End, or a Final Good for man”.

a.aristotle b.plato c.socrates d.none of the above

7._____ He is the Greatest Theologians of the catholic Church.

a. plato b.st. Lucas c.socrates d.st. Thomas

8._____ Man is created in the image and likeness of God, What Genesis?

a.1:26 b.1:27 c.1:28 d.1:29

9._____ st.Thomas Aquinas entered in the convent of:

a.dominican b.republic c.peru d.amsterdams

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10.The human person is composed of both body and spirit. The human person has material aspect(the
body) and a spirit aspect(_____).

a.human b.senses c.soul d.power

11._____ Who are this two philosopher that similar concept in human as an embodied spirit?

a.socrates;plato b.plato:Aristotle c.st.thomas:Socrates d.st.thomas:Aristotle

12._____ What specific year Aristotle was born?

a.383 B.C b.384 B.C C.385 B.C d.386 B.C

13._____ He introduced the applications of logic through syllogistic argument theology.

a.st. Thomas b.st. Lucas c. Socrates d.aristotle

14.According to Thomas, the powers of the soul are “the vegetative, the _____ , the appetite, the locomotive
and the intellectual”

a.senses b.power c.soul d.sensitive

15.Man as an _____ towards an end.

a.agent b.secretary c.officer d.security

Additional Activities

SET:1 For your assignment that could be pass next week. Write it on your activity work sheet. What is your
personal conclusion about the Human Person as an Embodied Spirit and why?

Rubrics for Student Reflections

Above Meets Approaching Below

Expectations (5 Expectations Expectations Expectations
points) (4 points) (3 points) (2 points)
Reflective The reflection The reflection The reflection The reflection
Thinking explains the explains the attempts to does not address
student’s own student’s demonstrate the student’s
thinking and thinking about thinking about thinking and/ or
learning his/her own learning but is learning.
processes, as learning vague and/ or
well as processes. unclear about
implications for the personal
future learning. learning
processes.
Analysis The reflections The reflection The reflection The reflection
articulates articulates attempts to does not move
multiple connections articulate beyond a
connections between this connections description of the
between this learning between this learning
learning experience and learning experience.
experience and content from experience and

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 content from other courses, content from
other courses, past learning other courses,
past learning, experiences, past learning
life experiences and/ or future experience, or
and/ or future goals. personal goals,
goals. but the
connection is
vague and/ or
unclear.
Making The reflection The reflection The reflection The reflection
Connections articulates articulates attempts to does not articulate
multiple connections articulate any connection to
connections between this connections other learning or
between this learning between this experiences.
learning experience and learning
experience and content from experience and
content from other courses, content from
other courses, past learning other courses,
past learning, experiences, past learning
life experiences and/ or future experiences, or
and/ or future goals. goals but the
goals. connection is
vague and/or
unclear.

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 Answer Key
What’s More What I Know
Possible answers I. Pretest
1. d
What I have Learned
Possible answers 2. d
What I can Do
3. c
1.Period6.Prime
2.Physical7.Wisdom 4. b
3.Soul8.Human
5. a
4.Person
5.Love 6. b
Assessment 7. c

8. c
1.c
9. b
2. b
10.c
3. d
11.d
4. a
12.a
5. c
13.b
6. a
14.a
7. d
15.b
8. b
What’s In
9. a Possible answers
What’s New
10.c
Possible answers
11.d
Additional Activity
12.b
Possible Answers
13.a

14.d

15.a

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