The Human Person

in Society (Part 1)
LESSON 14
Mr. Edward B. Noda Jr.
The Human Person in the Society plays a vital role in
promoting the universal idea that humans have roles and
responsibilities in their respective community and in the
society as a whole.
What is society?
What drives human beings to establish societies?
 The human person by nature is a “social being”.
 Throughout a person’s life, he or she experiences a variety of
relationships that help shape him or her as a person.

 SOCIETY- an organized group of people whose members

interact frequently and have a common territory and culture.
 Society also refers to a 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.
 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 and its various aspects provide support that ensures the
development of the human person.
 Society also provides opportunities to further growth in the
coming years.
The Social Contract Theory

 During the Age of Enlightenment, social philosophers studied the

natural laws that govern human societies.
 Enlightenment philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John
Locke, and Jean Jacques Rousseau were among the most
prominent social theorist who tackled the origins of human
society.
Social Contract Theory
according to Thomas Hobbes
 Persons in their natural states are governed by
their desires and those often lead to conflict with
their fellowmen.
 Society is a 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.
Social Contract Theory
according to John Locke
 Persons in their natural states are more
cooperative and reasonable, and
that society is formed through the
consent of the individuals that
organized it (consent of the governed)
 Locke’s social contract is a covenant
among individuals to cooperate and
share the burden of upholding the
welfare of the society.
 People have the rights to overthrow a
failed government.
Social Contract Theory
according to Jean Jacques Rousseau
 Advocate the concept of “general
will”
 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.
Social Contract Theory
as viewed by John Rawls

 Human beings approach social cooperation

in a rational manner in order to meet their
individual self-interests.
 Introduced the concept of original position
in which he imagined humans as having a
“veil of ignorance” –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 to look
out for their own interests.
 Although there are variations on the social contract theory, one
common feature they all have is that 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 society is founded on the concept of
the common good
 The common good refers to the social conditions which enable
persons and groups to fulfill their goals and achieve well-being.
Example: peace within community, clean and safe public spaces,
efficient transport system, and efficient public service