INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

Human Persons as Oriented Towards Their Impending Death

SHERYL D. BAQUIRAN

Week 8 Competencies:
Enumerate the objectives he/she really wants to achieve and to define the projects
he/she really wants to do in his/her life; and

2. Reflect on the meaning of his/her own life

Lesson Introduction:
Our time on this earth is limited.

It is therefore important for us to determine our goals in life so we can live out
our days meaningfully.

The topic of death should not be approached with fear or dread but rather, it
should be seen as an opportunity to find meaning in our lives.

Inquire and Discover:

Have you ever wondered about how nothing seems to last forever?

There is an important reality about our human condition: we are temporal beings or
“beings oriented towards death.”

Surely, the idea of death makes you a bit uncomfortable.

https://images.app.goo.gl/HDNzMznE2dZSWXrw6

Inquire and Discover:

But it is an essential element in the human condition which definitely deserves
attention.

Only in reflecting on the reality of death can we begin to explore and understand
the meaning of our own existence.
https://images.app.goo.gl/4sgMa1Q8L67BZtjm9

How does the reality of death define our lives?

Death is commonly understood as the end of bodily functions which signals the end
of a person’s life. It also refers to the separation of the body and the spirit.

The body being material is bound by the law of time and space and is subject to
growth, death and decay. The spirit being immaterial, will continue to exist even
after the body has passed.
https://images.app.goo.gl/FY7aGdWw7Zg7dJnK6

How does the reality of death define our lives?

A person’s spiritual nature allows him or her to transcend his or her temporality
and physical limits but we also cannot deny the material nature of the person.

Everything that came to being to being in this universe will eventually come to an
end.

We are born to human life, we grow and age and we eventually die.
https://images.app.goo.gl/GhH8rpR7mojEk6cG8

How does the reality of death define our lives?

A person’s life is limited in time. Some deny it, others believe to prolong it. We
wish to experience more of the world.
These attitudes are not necessarily bad but they may prevent us from reflecting on
the reality of death.

https://images.app.goo.gl/BvytBRDknKsBRuHX9

How does the reality of death define our lives?

We must embrace the fact that death is an integral part of our life.

We must focus not just on the quantifiable aspects of life (e. g. years lived,
material things owned) but also on its quality.

Ultimately, the acceptance of our temporality can bring about a sense of freedom in
us, also give us a clearer purpose and focus on our activities.

https://images.app.goo.gl/Si7maLsbZpaHENCb6

How should I live my life before it finally ends?

While there is no freedom in the inevitability of death, a person can still
exercise freedom in choosing how to face the reality of death in their lives.

The person is the author and protagonist who determines the development and
conclusion of his or her life story.

Temporality challenges us to make choices that will be good for us and the people
around us.

https://images.app.goo.gl/iWzr7HqbJfWAU4nHA

How should I live my life before it finally ends?

Some philosophers view end as a terminus which means the full stop or end of a
line.

For them, life ends and nothing follows.

Others however, consider end as telos which means “goal, purpose or fulfillment.”
https://images.app.goo.gl/6zzrDqUsCzMHkQS78

How should I live my life before it finally ends?

Although we are oriented towards our death, death is not the goal of life.

The human person is not born into this world just so he or she could die but to
live a meaningful life on earth.

With this in mind, we can look at two experiences which makes us reflect on the
meaning of life: happiness and suffering.
https://images.app.goo.gl/5t3du4ttfHY449638

What makes you happy?

Ancient Greek philosophy consider happiness as an achievement and it must be gained
by living a productive and moral life.

Religious philosophers consider happiness as a union with God. Other contemporary

views define happiness as “whole-life satisfaction,” based on our evaluation of our
overall life experiences.
https://images.app.goo.gl/A2J7QyYpTkJG7bfo6
What makes you happy?
Various philosophical views emphasize the importance of setting worthwhile goals in
life to achieve personal happiness.

Happiness also has a social element, as we should not only be concerned about our
own happiness, but also the well-being of others.

What makes a person happy is that which fits his nature-we are made truly happy by
things that are true and good.
https://images.app.goo.gl/mXiYHrPATsnx9dBa6

What makes you happy?

The Goods/Sources of Happiness:

A noble good is one which is pursued for its own sake; it is good in itself.

Love and friendship are some examples.

https://images.app.goo.gl/YwKo8D4GB41b8nmW7

What makes you happy?

The Goods/Sources of Happiness:

2. A useful good is considered good so long as it serves as a means to an end; its

goodness is found only from what it can provide.

For example, money is good as it can buy you something.

https://images.app.goo.gl/kzd3KCuMuUeLkv2S9

What makes you happy?

The Goods/Sources of Happiness:

3. A pleasurable good is good so long as it provides some form of pleasure, though

it does not have to be physical.

It must be understood that a specific good cannot be categorized strictly under one
kind.
https://images.app.goo.gl/XNpbWuBZTHjEpEcQ6

What makes you happy?

The Goods/Sources of Happiness:

For example, friendship maybe a noble good because it is good to be a friend to

someone. However, pursuing it with incorrect intentions (e. g. befriending someone
for academic or career advancement) makes it only a useful good.
https://images.app.goo.gl/5bPwBQ9sMoDqZubC7

What makes you happy?

The kind of happiness that can be gained from a good is also closely tied to its
nature.

For example, material things may satisfy bodily needs and can somehow make a person
happy, but they cannot provide permanent happiness.

A very important lesson in life: real happiness can be found in more permanent and
meaningful things.
https://images.app.goo.gl/4esJstzWaaCrsCGt6

Why do we suffer?
Suffering takes place when we patiently endure unpleasantness, discomfort, and
pain.

Physical suffering is when we experience physical sensations such as discomfort,

hunger, distress and pain.

Mental suffering involves emotional and mental states such as depression, anxiety,
fear, loneliness, and grief.
https://images.app.goo.gl/9rYEFTpQHXjwfAAq6

Why do we suffer?
We normally experience difficulties in life, and how we deal with them is often
determined by our mindset regarding suffering.

Without it, we are unable to grow and improve and our positive experiences lose
meaning and significance.

They can bring about good things even if we do not fully understand our
circumstances at present.
https://images.app.goo.gl/QkpTymG4cMSq61aH9

Why do we suffer?
Our hardships bring about realizations and opportunities for us.

Even if the outcome of a difficulty is unfavorable, dealing with suffering can

improve our attitude towards life and other people.
https://images.app.goo.gl/QkpTymG4cMSq61aH9

How do happiness, suffering, and death give meaning to your life?

Look back at an achievement in your life which you consider your most significant
triumph.

Certainly, that victory was coupled with trials and difficulties, but that victory
was made more significant and “sweeter” by the fact that you were able to surmount
the challenges you faced.
https://images.app.goo.gl/EeMUrexAYcWzCurU7

How do happiness, suffering, and death give meaning to your life?

If we are willing to suffer through adversities and maybe even suffer cheerfully,
it makes the pursuit of happiness even more worthwhile.

As a result, we not only attain the happiness that we want, but we also become
better persons in the process.
https://images.app.goo.gl/bYFbgquzfUyEjKst5

How do happiness, suffering, and death give meaning to your life?

The reality of death means that our existence is unique and that we will not easily
give up on the pursuit of good things.

Reflecting on the reality of death enables us to think how we can best live a
meaningful life.

We can strive to leave behind a legacy either in the form of an inheritance, a

reputation or a significant achievement.
https://images.app.goo.gl/qgR9a2kaGkHD35dx8

How do happiness, suffering, and death give meaning to your life?

A person lives a truly meaningful life when he or she lives in unity and harmony
with others.
People are able to become truly great when they live for people other than
themselves.

Life is a gift given to each person and it is important to turn this life into a
gift for others as well.
https://images.app.goo.gl/DqRpS1uWRUkeScBPA

***Activity***
Discuss: What objectives do you feel you need to achieve before you can say that
you lived a meaningful life?

People are able to become truly great when they live for people other than
themselves.

https://images.app.goo.gl/v48sVUAy3D9xtMft9

WRAP UP
How does the reality of death define our lives?
How should I live my life before it finally ends?
What makes you happy?
Why do we suffer?
How do happiness, suffering, and death give meaning to your life?

https://images.app.goo.gl/A35ZDYZWErQ6cCnt8