Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

Subject Teacher:
MODULE 9 – Philo

FIRST TRIMESTER SY 2020-2021

HUMAN PERSON IN THE SOCIETY AND ENVIROMENT

LEARNING
1. Recognize how OBJECTIVES
individuals form societies and how individuals are transformed by societies
2. Explain how human relations are transformed by social systems
3. Evaluate the transformation of human relationships by social systems and how societies
transform individual human beings
OUTLINE OF TOPICS

I. HUMAN PERSON IN THE SOCIETY

A. Ancient philosopher’s’ view on man
and Society
B. Social Contract
C. Oriental View on man and Society
D. Other Concepts on Society

II. MAN AND HIS ENVIRONMENT

A. Concepts Defining the Relationship of
man and his Environment

I. MAN AND HIS SOCIETY

ANCIENT PHILOSOPHERS’ VIEW ON MAN

IN THE SOCIETY

o Plato
 Transcript of Plato's Ideal Society. Plato described a perfect society as one where everyone
lived harmoniously and without the fear of violence or material possession.
 He believed that political life in Athens was too rowdy and that no one would be able to live
a good life with that kind of democracy.
 Plato's ideal state there are three major classes, corresponding to the three parts of the soul.
 The guardians, who are philosophers, govern the city; the auxiliaries are soldiers who defend it;
and the lowest class comprises the producers (farmers, artisans, etc.)

o Aristotle
 Aristotle does not think we can live well alone—we are social creatures—and we need to
consider other persons. Justice is that virtue that is concerned with the good of others, both of
our friends and all the others in society. And that is why Aristotle said that political science is
the most important science.

 Some societies are better than others to the extent that they provide the condition in which
their citizens to flourish. As the point of an individual life is to live well; the point of civilization is
to provide the conditions where all individuals have the opportunity to flourish. While Aristotle
thought government necessary and good—since humans have a difficult time living together
peacefully—some governments are better than others.

 To determine whether a government is good or bad Aristotle asked three basic questions: 1)
Does the government serve the common good or does it serve the selfish interests of those
with power? 2) Does the government rest on the power at the ruler’s disposal or does it rest on
laws that have been made in such a way that the ruled have agreed to them and have had
 Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

Subject Teacher:
MODULE 9 – Philo

a part in making? And 3) If the government is constitutional, is that constitution just and are the
laws made by that government just?

 The best government is not tyrannical or despotic, and has a just constitution and just laws.
Constitutional government is one of free men and equals; whereas those ruled by a despot
are subjects not citizens, and those ruled by tyrants are no better off than slaves. In short, we
have a right to expect to be ruled as citizens under a government to which we have given our
consent and which allows us to have a voice in that government.

SOCIAL CONTRACT

Implicit agreement among members of the society to cooperate to social benefits.

o Thomas Hobbes
 Hobbes held that since people are fearful and predatory they must submit to the absolute
supremacy of the state, in both secular and religious matters, in order to live by reason and
gain lasting preservation.

 Argued for the existence of the state in order to create a community of citizens free from the
brutalities of the state of nature – where every man is enemy to each one.

 It requires the people to surrender, completely or in part, their rights to whoever or whatever
for the protection of everybody - “State”

o John Locke
 Locke's views, in his Two Treatises of Government (1690), attacked the theory of divine right of
kings and the nature of the state as conceived by the English philosopher and political theorist
Thomas Hobbes.
 Locke argued that sovereignty did not reside in the state but with the people, and that the
state is supreme, but only if it is bound by civil and what he called “natural” law.
 Strong proponent of the Natural Law promoted the idea that each individual person possesses
inalienable rights that cannot be violated by the state.
 Held that revolution was not only a right but often an obligation.

o Jean Jacques Rousseau

 He proposed the concept of Social Contract which limited the powers of the king and made
the government answerable to the people.
 There be binding laws that are supported by the general will of the people.

ORIENTAL PHILOSOPHY ON MAN AND

SOCIETY

o Buddhism
 Buddhism is known for its Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path (recall these if discussed in
Content 3).
 Man needs moral restraint to pursue Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, and Right
Livelihood by avoiding acts of lying, stealing, violence, and harmful earning of one’s living.
 Moral restraint fosters social harmony and helps man control and diminish the sense of “I.”
 Buddhism has high regard for the development of virtues, most especially that of wisdom and
compassion.
 The concept of ahimsa or harmlessness is linked to compassion.
 Man must have a compassionate desire to cause no harm to anyone in the society, and in
fact to all beings.
 Buddhism is characterized by its practicality and helps people live a peaceful life.
 Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

Subject Teacher:
MODULE 9 – Philo

 The highest goal of this belief system is for a person to achieve enlightenment and the letting
go of the “I” (Non-Self).

o Confucius (Beliefs on Social Relationships)

 Confucius focused more on the collective well-being of the society over individual rights.
 He also emphasized the concept of Ren/Jen (human-heartedness, compassion).
 He promoted virtues such as courtesy, selflessness, obedience, respect, diligence, communal
obligation, working for a common good, social harmony, and empathy.
 His society is based on a system of subordinate relationships based on filial piety.
 These relationships exist in five forms: subject to ruler, son to father, younger brother to older
brother, wife to husband (woman to man), and younger person to older person.
 In a Confucian society, each one has a place and role. This is summarized in The Record of
Rites (Book IX):
“When the perfect order prevails, the world is like a home shared by all. Virtuous and worthy
men are elected to public office, and capable men hold posts of gainful employment in
society; peace and trust among all men are the maxims of the living. All men love and respect
their own parents and children and children of others. There is caring for the old; there are jobs
for adults; there are nourishment and education for children. There is a means of support for
the widows, and the widowers; for all who find themselves alone in the world; and for the
disabled. Every man and woman has an appropriate role to play in the family and society. A
sense of sharing displaces the effects of selfishness and materialism. A devotion to public duty
leaves no room for idleness. Intrigues and conniving for ill gain are unknown. Villains such as
thieves and robbers do not exist. The door to every home need never be locked and bolted
by day or night. These are the characteristics of an ideal world, the commonwealth state.”

OTHER CONCEPTS ON SOCIETY

A. Socialization- process by which people learn prevailing behaviours

B. Social roles- Set of behaviours that must be performed by a person

C. Social Group- group that reinforces behaviour

D. Several Traditions that led to harmonious Filipino society- Pakikisama, Pakikipagkapwa-tao,

utang na loob, damayan at bayanihan.

II. MAN AND HIS ENVIRONMENT

CONCEPTS ON MAN AND HIS
ENVIRONMENT
A. Environmental Philosophy – Concerned with the natural environment and humanity’s place within.
The role of Humanity in the natural world

B. Anthropocentrism- Belief that humans are the central and most significant specie on the planet

C. Deep Ecology- sees that the natural world is maintained through the inter relationship among
living organism

D. Environmental Ethics- Ethical concepts regarding environmental concerns

Views on Environmental Ethics:

1. Social Ecology- ethical approach in analyzing society and its relationship between social problems

2. Climate Ethics- sees climate change as social, ethical, and political issue.

3. Environmental justice- fair distribution of environmental benefits

 Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

Subject Teacher:
MODULE 9 – Philo

4. Environmental Aesthetics- discusses concepts about beauty in nature

SUMMARY

 Social philosophy studies society and its influence on the human person and applies
philosophical concepts in a social context. It also looks into social interactions and how these
influence perceptions, ideas, experiences and values.
 How we view society varies depending on the era and the existing culture we experience.
 Modern views on society emphasizes the capacity of an individual as rational beings to make
decisions that meet their self-interest.
 Environmental philosophy is concerned with the discussion of environmental issues and how
these relate to man. Man’s role in nature and how humanity responds to environmental
challenges are major concerns discussed in Environmental Philosophy
 The growth of philosophical perspectives on the environment has led to the emergence of
movements that advocate environmental protection, animal rights and social and political
change.

References:
Maboloc, Christopher. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City: The
Inteligente Publishing Inc., 2016.

Atacador, Rey (et.al). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Malabon City: Mutya
Publishing House, Inc,. 2016.

The basics of philosophy. Retrieved from

https://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_phenomenology.html