INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

MODULE 4 HUMAN PERSON AND DEATH

Quarter 2 - Week 7 & 8

I. Introduction

In this module, learners like you will be philosophically oriented regarding a sensitive topic everybody does
not like always to talk about – death. Here, we will treat death in an academic way while also allowing our
own takes and insights to interplay with the discussions. However, you are advised to have an objective
disposition regarding death to remove any negative impression that may affect your readiness to understand death as a
phenomenon. Primarily, we will deal with the Phenomenological Notion of Death to give it definite characterization and the
Relation of Death with Authenticity upon which we will come to realize the value of understanding death as a way to establish
a more meaningful existence. Thus, after going through this module, you are expected to:
1. explain the phenomenological notion of death
2. give the characteristics of death
3. relate death with the concept of a good life based on authenticity
4. reflect on one’s own death
5. embrace death as a natural phenomenon

II. Discussion

Lesson I: DEATH
What is your initial reaction when you read the title of this part of the module? Is death really a terrifying
phenomenon? If death is a dreadful thing, what makes it fearsome?On the other hand, death, as part of human
reality, may have meaningful messages. At this junction, we will try to uncover the mystery of death by
rationalizing its phenomenon so that we get to understand it better, accept it as part of human nature, and treat it
as a condition that allows us to create a meaningful existence.

Phenomenological Notion of Death

According to Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) in his book Being and Time, death is (a) certain, (b) indefinite, (c)
one’s property, (d) non-relational, and (e) not to be outstripped.

Death is certain. As part of humanness, we are all born (in Heideggerian sense, we are “thrown”) in the world.
The world is governed by time. We, humans, are existing in time, thus, as being thrown in the world, we have
beginning and since we are finite beings, we also have end – death. Birth and death are two things we cannot
remove from our existence. Whether we like it or not, we will die.

Death is indefinite. While death is sure to come, it is however indefinite as to when it will come. Death is
impending, meaning to say, it can happen anytime. We do not know exactly when. That is why, we should try to
live the best life that we can for we never know the day of our end.

Death is one’s property. The death of the person belongs to him. Nobody can experience his death except
himself. There can be no proxies or substitutes for a person in experiencing death.
 Death is non-relational. This means that when we die, we die alone. We have no choice but to face it on our
own. Death also removes all our relations to others. In contemplating death, we realize our own individuality and
independence from the world.

Death is not to be outstripped. Death cannot be taken away from a person. Even the person himself cannot
remove the possibility of death in his life. One cannot make himself live forever. Even though we see in fiction
movies the idea of immortality, death, in real life is a definite reality which we nothing can be done
to be outstripped.

Lesson 2: Death and Authenticity

What does death really mean? Is it just a reminder that human existence has a limitation? We may accept
the reality of death as it is, but it also reminds us that we have to value life while we have it. Since we cannot
control it, things that remain within our control are those which belong to life. While still alive, we have choices to
take. The question now is not focused on death but on how we live in the world. Let us ask ourselves before we
die. Did we ever truly live?Authenticity is an idea mostly used in existentialism which means having true and
meaningful existence. According to Soren Kierkegaard, we have to avoid the crowd – the majority of the society
which we think that should be the pattern of our lives. For example, we see people marrying, therefore, we also
have to marry. But authenticity is not like that. We have to freely choose marrying. The intention to marry should
not come from the crowd as we usually hear but it should come from our deliberate choice.
Another reason why we fail to lead an authentic life is fear. Just because we are afraid of the possible
consequences and what others might say, we fail to pursue what we truly want in life. This challenge of authenticity
is one of the important messages of death. As we accept death, we realize the value of having a true life – an
authentic life!

III. Engagement

Performance Task No.1(100 points)

Goals: The students are expected to write a written report on the implementation of their community action plan
to help the people of their community to become fit targeting health issue or concern.
Role: An SK Chairman
Audience: Students, parents, teachers and the people in the community.
Situation: The community is facing a very serious problem because of the pandemic. Most of the people in the
community are having health issues and concerns. As an SK Chairman of the barangay, you need to up with a
project that will help the people stay fit and healthy. You are asked to make a portfolio of various reports on the
implementation of community action plan regarding the fitness event focusing on the health issue or concern.
It includes the following:
a. Objectives he/she really wants to achieve and to define the project he/she really wants to do.
b. Promotional poster that the student will use to promote the community project.
c. Number of community members that have health issue(s) or concern(s) before and after the project has been
implemented.
d. Summary of findings and execution of the report through narrative and visual/graphic forms.
e. The report should be able to answer the following questions:
1. What future studies can you recommend addressing the health issue or concern of your community?
2. Based on the data presented, what conclusions and recommendations can you formulate?
f. Reflection on the meaning of the students’ role in the community as SK Chairman. Product PORTFOLIO
(HARD COPY/OFFLINE) E- PORTFOLIO (ONLINE) Expected Output: COMPILED REPORTS PRESENTED VIA
PORTFOLIO (OFFLINE) E- PORTFOLIO (ONLINE)
Rubrics
CRITERIA 25 23-24 19-22 10-18 Total
ORIGINALITY Orihinal na Orihinal na Orihinal na Hindi orihinal
ginawa ginawa datapwat ginawa datapwat na ginawa at
at hindi kinopya may isa kinopya may ilan kinopya kinopya kung
kung kanino o kung kanino o kung kanino o kanino o saan
 saan saan man sa saan man sa man ang lahat
man sa lahat ng alinman aspeto. alinman aspeto. ng aspeto.
aspeto.

CREATIVITY Naipakita ang Naipakita ang Naipakita ang Hindi naipakita

galing galing sa galing sa ang galing sa
sa pagiging pagiging pagiging pagiging
malikhain at malikhain at malikhain at malikhain at
artistiko artistiko sa artistiko sa ilang artistiko sa
sa kabuuan ng karamihan ng bahagi ng kabuuan ng
ginawa. ginawa. ginawa. ginawa.

REFLECTIVE Madaling Naiuugnay ang Madali Hindi

naiuugnay ilan sa naiuugnay ang naiuugnay ang
ang pakitanggawa pakitang-gawa pakitang-gawa
pakitang-gawa datapwat datapwat sa Aklat ng Ang
sa Aklat ng Ang kailangan pa ng kailangan pa ng Mangangaral
Mangangaral sa pagsusuri sa masusing sa kabuuan
kabuuan nito. Aklat ng Ang pagsusuri sa nito.
Mangangaral sa Aklat ng Ang
kabuuan nito. Mangangaral sa
kabuuan nito.
EFFICIENCY Nakapagpakitang Nakapagpakitang Nakapagpakitan Nakapagpakitang
gawa ng una sa gawa sa g gawa lagpas gawa lagpas
takdang araw. takdang araw. ng isa sa ng 2 o higit pa
takdang araw. sa takdang
araw.

IV. APPLICATION
PERFORMANCE TASK 2(100 points)
Take Note: This is the continuation of the performance task that you did in Module 3 (weeks 5&6)

1. You are given a task to coordinate or communicate with other student or group of students, in and out-of-school youth, or
professors or teachers from other schools or city (in the Philippines or outside the Philippines). (Binigyan kayo ng gawain upang
makipag-ugnayan o makipag-usap sa ibang mga estudyante o grupo ng mga estudyante, sa loob o sa labas ng paaralan, sa mga
guro o propesor mula sa ibang mga paaralan o bayan (sa ating bansa o sa labas ng bansa)

2. You can exchange your views, thoughts, and ideas from the book of Ecclesiastes. (Maaari kayong makipagpalitan ng inyong
kuro-kuro, pananaw o kaisipan, at ideya nahinuha mula sa Aklat ng Ang Mangangaral).You need to prove your viewpoint from what
you have read and understand from the book of Ecclesiastes. Exchange argument with them with the use of any philosophical
means to point out your stand. (You may choose any platform or means to do the exchange of views, ideas, readings, and thoughts
such as messenger, google meet or fb meet, through calls or texting and others).(KAILANGAN NINYONG MAPATUNAYAN ANG
INYONG MGA NAHINUHA MULA SA AKLAT AT ANG INYONG NAUNAWAAN MULA DITO. MAKIKIPAGPALITAN KAYO NG
ARGUMENTO O PANINIWALA SA KANILA GAMIT ANG IBA’T IBANG PAMAMARAAN NG PAMIMILOSOPIYA UPANG
MAIPAHAYAG NINYO ANG INYONG PINANINIWALAAN). Maaari gumamit ng iba’t ibang pamamaraang napili ninyo upang
makipagpalitan ng kuro-kuro, ideya, aral, kaisipan, gaya ng messenger, google meet or fb meet, tawag o palitan mensahe.

3. What have you learned from the experience? (Ano ang natutunan ninyo mula sa inyong karanasan).

4. What have you concluded from the activity? What can you say now about LIFE and its IMPORTANCE? (Ano ang inyong
napagtanto mula sa isinagawang gawain? Ano na ang masasabi mo ngayon ukol sa buhay at ang kahalagahan nito?)

5. Does any philosopher from the past and today can affect the meaning of LIFE and our existence and how we do with it and how
we will be in the future? (May mga pilosopo ba noon at ngayon ang makakaapekto sa pagbibigay kahulugan ng buhay at ng ating
pananatili at paano natin isasabuhay ito at paano kaya tayo sa hinaharap?

6. What future do you think we have now? What can we do with it? (Ano sa tingin nyong meron pa kaya sa ating hinaharap sa
ngayon? Ano ang pwede pa natin magawa ukol dito?)

7. Do we need to treasure our LIFE on EARTH? If not, what do we need to treasure and gain to have LIFE? (Kailangan ba nating
pahalagahan ang buhay natin sa mundo? Kung hindi, ano ang dapat nating pahalagahan at matatamo upang magkaroon ng
buhay?)

8. In summary, what is the true meaning of LIFE AND WHERE COULD WE FIND THE TRUE LIFE, AND HOW CAN WE HAVE IT?
(Sa kabuuan, ano ba talaga ang kabuuan ng buhay at saan ba natin matatagpuan ang tunay na buhay at paano natin ito
matatamo?)

Rubrics
CRITERIA 25 23-24 19-22 10-18 Total
ORIGINALITY Orihinal na ginawa Orihinal na Orihinal na Hindi orihinal
at hindi kinopya ginawa datapwat ginawa datapwat na ginawa at
kung kanino o saan may isa kinopya may ilan kinopya kinopya kung
man sa lahat ng kung kanino o kung kanino o kanino o saan
aspeto. saan man sa saan man sa man ang lahat
alinman aspeto. alinman aspeto. ng aspeto.
CREATIVITY Naipakita ang galing Naipakita ang Naipakita ang Hindi naipakita
sa pagiging galing sa galing sa ang galing sa
malikhain at artistiko pagiging pagiging pagiging
sa kabuuan ng malikhain at malikhain at malikhain at
ginawa. artistiko sa artistiko sa ilang artistiko sa
karamihan ng bahagi ng kabuuan ng
ginawa. ginawa. ginawa.
REFLECTIVE Madaling naiuugnay Naiuugnay ang Madali Hindi
ang pakitang-gawa ilan sa naiuugnay ang naiuugnay ang
sa Aklat ng Ang pakitanggawa pakitang-gawa pakitang-gawa
Mangangaral sa datapwat datapwat sa Aklat ng Ang
kabuuan nito. kailangan pa ng kailangan pa ng Mangangaral
pagsusuri sa masusing sa kabuuan
Aklat ng Ang pagsusuri sa nito.
Mangangaral sa Aklat ng Ang
kabuuan nito. Mangangaral sa
kabuuan nito.
EFFICIENCY Nakapagpakitang Nakapagpakitan Nakapagpakitan Nakapagpakita
gawa ng una sa g gawa sa g gawa lagpas ng gawa lagpas
takdang araw. takdang araw. ng isa sa ng 2 o higit pa
takdang araw. sa takdang
araw.

Prepared by:

VINCENT F. PINACHING MARICEL YAP LILIBETH M. LUCENA VICTORIANO M. LOPEZ

Teacher I Teacher III Teacher II Teacher II

Checked by:

ELMA H. ILAGAN
Head Teacher II Reviewed by:

LEONIDES V. KUNDANGAN
Assistant Principal II

Noted by:
ANGELICA F. OLASO
Principal III