Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

PHILO 001
HUMAN PERSON IN THE SOCIETY

I. OUTCOMES OF LEARNING

1. Compare different forms of societies and individualities

2. Differentiate the two types of social relations and their characteristics
3. Describe the relationship between an individual and a harmonious society using a social contract
4. Explain how human relations are transformed by social systems
5. Recognize how individuals form societies and how individuals are transformed by societies

II. LESSON PRESENTATION

Definition of Society
Society could be defined in Sociology as a social system wherein individuals interact, interlink and dependent
on one another. This relationship is focused on achieving the goals and objectives that lead to self-survival. People
inside a society have a sense of unity and likeness and share common norms, values, aspirations and ways of living.
According to Aristotle and Plato, man is a social and political being and it is shown on how they communicate
and engaged with other people in society. Society is substantial to be able to understand the human person holistically.
Our society is divided into different classes, but regardless of their class, they should live in harmony with the rest of
society. Plato describes this situation as a principle of justice. The society aims to provide the essential needs of human
beings. To Aristotle, there are two vital reasons why people gather and form groups: reproduction and self-
preservation. The first one is for the sexual needs of men and women, and the second is for the benefit of what they
get for each other. Those two will form the fundamental unit of society, the family. According Aristotle, the family is
the first stage in the formation of society.

Social Relation and their Corresponding Interactions

According to Jurgen Habermas, there are different types of social interaction in our society: Personal and
Transactional.
Relationships are:
• Personal – where social ties are based on shared interest and respect for one another. This
is characterized by cooperation rather than competition. The purpose of this type of social interaction
is to sustain and develop a mutual interest between people.
• Transactional – where social interaction is based on the accomplishment of one's objectives.
In this relationship, the personal relationship is set aside as the other is being used as an instrument
for the benefit of the other to be a success. Competition is one of the features of this social relation.

SOCIAL RELATION DESCRIPTION OF HOW ONE DEALS WITH OTHER

INTERACTION IN THE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP
Personal Communicative Action As a fellow Subject, a fellow human
(Cooperation) being (Intersubjective)
Transactional Instrumental or Strategic Action As an Object, a way for achieve
(Competition) one’s purpose or aim (Subject -
Object)

Table 1: Two Types of Interaction in Society

These two types of social relationships are needed in our lives, and both are important to human development
and society as a whole. It has specific roles and functions. This is also clarified that not every relationship that treats
the other as a "thing" is inherently harmful. We need both so that we can fulfill our needs as an individual.
 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

PHILO 001
Habermas has this concept of "colonization of the world of lifeworld by social systems" in which society is
made up of three main spheres: market, state and lifeworld.

MARKET
Economic System
(Money)

STATE
Political System
(Power)

LIFEWORLD Everyday world of

communicative relations
(Society)

Diagram 1: Three Main Spheres of Society based on Social Theory of Habermas

Every sphere on Diagram 1 fall under different interactions. In the first two, market and state, the social
interaction between the two social structures are more transactional, where people see each other as a way to
accomplish a certain goal. For example, if we are on the market, we pay the seller of the goods so that we can buy
and own the goods. In the case of the political system, some people who monitor and regulate the actions of others
to maintain the order of society. The language of these two realms would be the medium of money and power. Those
two are based on the logic of having and not having (economic) or the logic of command and obedience (politics). In
the case of the lifeworld, there should be no exploitation of others because it will be a violation of human rights.
Persons in the lifeworld ought to view and treat each other as subjects rather than objects.

Forms of Societies
Society are divided into two stages: tribal and feudal society; and modern industrialized societies:

FORMS OF SOCIETIES DESCRIPTION TYPE OF SOLIDARITY

Tribal and Feudal Society
Modern Industrialized Societies
 The norms are decided by their Mechanical Solidarity
leaders without the approval of the (Individual consciousness
people + Collective
 Less knowledgeable about human consciousness)
rights of individuals
 Individuals’ thinking are inclined with
will and consciousness of their leader
 Likeness and sameness of people
 There is an awareness of individuality Organic Solidarity
and autonomy of person (Individual identity =
 People are functioning harmoniously Collective identity)
with each other without setting aside
their identity as an individual

Table 2: Forms of Societies and Types of Solidarity

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In tribal and feudal society, the leaders have an absolute power. Individuals inside this form of society are
being defined by their loyalty and self-worth to their leaders. There is no sense of individuality of ordinary members of
the society which results for individuals to have less knowledge of what is the experience of being violated. The negative
side of this form of society is that the enhancement of individuals’ critical thinking is being ignored.

While in the modern industrialized society, the preservation of individuals’ human rights and redistribution of
wealth are being considered. The power of leaders are not anymore absolute. Individuals are aware that their own
culture norms and identity did not have a fixed status. They can check, criticized and give feedback to the norms
created by individuals.

The Social as a Generator of Identity

Image 1: Interview made by Kiana Rose Arella

When you introduced yourself in an interview, you are more likely to explain and introduce based on your
socials. Who you are today is an effect of what and who surrounds you. We learn from the process of socialization and
enculturation with other people. We do not have a chance to change or choose the society that we are going to grow
up and be developed. But as we get older, we have a chance to ask questions and reflect critically on the society we
are in. We also formed our social group and, in a way, our social group affects us in particular with to our viewpoints
and personalities. The task of the individual is to establish a society while society acts as a source of human power.
In the process of socialization, the people that surround us, impart to us the social roles, behaviors, beliefs
and skills that we need to work within the social group that we belong to. Our family is one of the key social agents.
They have a great impact on how we think and what our ideals and aspirations are. Next is our peer group, in which
we tend to conform to their responses and actions. We learn from them the other side of ourselves outside our house.
We strive to be equal to them by learning the nature of cooperation, collaboration and involvement. School is also an
important social agent that teaches us the skills, standards and values that we need to learn. Ultimately, culture such
as language, the arts, religion and customs have profoundly influenced the individual's personalities and attitudes. A
person changes his / her attitudes and personalities based on the roles and status in society.

The Development of the Human Person and Harmonious Society

According to Erich Fromm, an American psychologist, there is never-ending interaction between the individual
and society. Individuals construct a society, and society shapes the identity of the individual by assimilation and
socialization with others.

Because of these two ways of relating to the world and the interaction between individuals and society, the
relationship between the two should be in harmony. There should be a harmonious relationship between society and

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the human person in Confucianism. There are eight step-by-step processes in place to establish a harmonious
relationship between the two based on Great Learning:

The
investigation of
things
The extension
World Peace
of knowledge

The sincerity of
National Order
the will

The
The regulation
rectification of
of the family
the mind
The cultivation
of the personal
life
Diagram 3: Eight Successive Steps for the Harmonious Development

These steps aim to develop a harmonious world wherein people and society are formed and well adjusted.
According to Confucius, society should be ruled by men of virtue that will be the leaders to make a just and orderly
society for the welfare of the common good. If individuals are good by nature and when he/she becomes a leader and
applied the senses of humanity, then there will be a harmonious and well-ordered society.

III. INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Based on your perspective, what is the relationship between human person and society?
2. What is the difference on how you treat and communicate with a friend to a stranger?
3. Why it is important to first have an individual identity and followed by collective identity?
4. As a human, how society influences your personal identity?
5. Why there is a need to have a harmonious society?

IV. VALUES REFLECTION

Picture Analysis

Directions:

1. Analyze the picture below and read the statement written on it.
2. After analyzing, make a conversation dialogue between man and woman. It is either the man or woman
who will be asking the question or answer it. You need to construct your question and the corresponding
answer to it.

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Example:
Woman: Does an individual can live alone? Why?
Man: No, because according to Aristotle, humans are social beings. We need to interact with one
another for survival.

“No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the

continent, a part of the main.” — John Donne

Image 2: No Man Is an Island retrieved from: https://christianindex.org/no-man-is-an-island/

Image 3: Dialogue made by Kiana Rose Arella

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V. ACTIVITY ENGAGEMENT
WW#3: Social Contract

Directions:

1. Ask one of the family members inside your house to be your partner for this activity.
2. You and your partner need to think about 5 conditions for each other. After that, you and your partner need
to make 5 general agreements that both of you need to comply.
3. Ask two witnesses inside your house and let them read the conditions and write their names with affix
signatures. On the last part, write your name and partner’s name and affix signatures.
4. This social contract will happen for one week.

Social Contract
Contract Name: _______________________________
Date: _______________________________________
Place: _______________________________________
I. Conditions for __________________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
II. Conditions for __________________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III. General Agreement
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
IV. Witnesses

V. Signed by the two-party

___________________________ _________________________

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The two-party need to check and evaluate after doing the activity using the checklist below:

NON- NEEDS
EXCELLENT SATISFACTORY
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION COMPETITIVE IMPROVEMENT
S P S P S P S P
Content and The given format are being
Format (5 pts) followed by giving the right
details.
Comprehension The two-party have a full
of Conditions understanding of the given
(5 pts) conditions by each other.
Cooperation The two-party participate
and equally by doing the
Collaboration conditions given.
(5 pts)
Overall The two-party’s work ethic
Impression was exemplary wherein they
(5 pts) both put in extra effort to do
the given conditions.

Legend: S-student
P-partner

VI. RESEARCH EXPLORATION

Direction: Analyze the following research abstract and cite its implication on an individual’s identity. You may
download the full paper of this research on the website given below.

The Effect of Social Media on Identity Construction

Uğur Gündüz (2017)

Abstract
The social media platforms have a growing importance in our lives since they are the places where we
“showcase” our living experiences. They also reflect a variety of dimensions regarding our position in the virtual and
physical social life. Both of these factors make people to play certain characters in the social arena. The Social Network
is gaining more and more importance in today’s world and has a deeper impact on the society as to the traditional
media. Social media enables identity expression, exploration, and experimentation; something natural for the human
experience. It is the agencies in real life, which provide a source of names for different sectors, that inspire the internet
communities and the interactions they make within themselves. It is essential to comprehend the motives of agencies
to have an understanding of the group interactions on social platforms. The enable individuals present themselves to
others and determine the way they would like to be perceives in addition to helping them connect and interact with
people, and participate in the activities they wish. Communicating online offers many ways to connect with others:
individuals may or may not use their real names, and they can open as many accounts as they want to. This study
explores practical aspects of identity construction, relating to issues virtual communities and social media. It also
analyzes the probable reasons that individuals feel the need to create a virtual identity for themselves as well as “the
spiral of transformation”, that is, the creation period goes ahead of the internet to reach the real life. This study also
aims at concentrating on the virtual communities appearing in the social networks while questioning their social and
cultural qualities and values.

(Source: Gündüz, U. (2017) The effect of social media on identity construction. Mediterranean Journal of Social
Sciences: Vol. 8: Issue 5. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1515/mjss-2017-0026)

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Analysis
How social media molds an individual’s identity? What problems can be encountered in using social media as an
expression of one’s self?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Implication
Based on the study, what could be the implication of a virtual identity on the true identity of a person? How can it
affect a person’s social and cultural values and qualities?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

VII. INTEGRATION AND SYNTHESIS

SYNTHESIS

 Human beings are social creatures in which they belong to a certain group. Society is where people connect
through common values, ideals and aspirations.
 In culture, there are two types of social relations: personal and transactional. The first focuses more on the
collaboration of one another, while the second focuses more on competition to achieve one's individual goals.
 Society has three main spheres according to Habermas: Market, State and Lifeworld. All three spheres have
different social relations.
 Individuals have a great contribution to shaping society, while society has influenced the identity of the
individual.
 There are two important concepts for a harmonious society: assimilation and socialization. In Confucianism,
the order of eight successive steps is needed.

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INTEGRATION
AT#3: Word Collage

Direction: Make a word collage using the words you have learned about the topic “Human Person in the Society”.
Write on the provided below and use an outline/symbol that will also summarize your learnings.

This activity will be graded using an analytic rubric below:

CRITERIA EXCELLENT SATISFACTORY VERY GOOD NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

Conventions & Word Word choice Word choice Word choice Word choice demonstrates
Choice (4 pts) demonstrates demonstrates good demonstrates fair limited knowledge of topic.
excellent knowledge of knowledge of topic. knowledge of topic.
topic.
Creativity (2 pts) The collage shows The collage shows The collage shows The collage was put
considerable attention attention to some attention to together sloppily. The
to construction. The construction. The construction. The collage is distractingly
collage is exceptionally collage is attractive in collage is acceptably messy or very poorly
attractive in terms of terms of design, layout attractive though it designed. It is not
design, layout, and and neatness. may be a bit messy. attractive.
neatness.
Organization & Sophisticated Functional Confused or Minimal control of word
Structure (2 pts) arrangement of words arrangement of words inconsistent arrangement
arrangement of words

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Overall Impression The collage fully The collage The collage presents The collage does not
(2 pts) communicates the communicates some words and images that adequately communicate
student’s aspects of the relate to human the student’s understanding
understanding of student’s person in the society of human person in the
human person in the understanding of but it fails to society.
society. human person in the communicate the
society. student’s perspective
or relies on general
observations.

VIII. ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING

PT#3: When Society Hits You

Directions:

1. Make a short creative TikTok video about yourself and how society shaped your identity.
2. Make sure that you include your name and you are seen on the said video.
3. Use the song “I am just a kid” in TikTok and see sample videos under it for your reference.
4. Pass the copy of your video to your subject teacher using google classroom.

This activity will be graded using an analytic rubric below:

CRITERIA 31-40% 21-30% 11-20% 0-10%

Ideas & Content The content includes a Information presented The project does not Content lacks a central
(40%) clear statement of is a connected theme present a clearly theme, clear point of
purpose or theme and with accurate and stated theme, is view and/or logical
is creative and current supporting vague, and/or some of sequence of
compelling. information the supporting information. Much of
contributing to information does not the supporting
understanding of the seem to fit the main information is
project’s main idea. idea. irrelevant to the
overall message.

CRITERIA 26-30% 21-25% 11-20% 0-10%

Style & Mechanics The presentation has The presentation is The presentation lacks The presentation lacks
(30%) great creativity and clear and logical. style and creativity. a clear understanding
style. of the subject matter.
CRITERIA 16-20% 11-15% 6-10% 0-5%

Clarity & Quality Multimedia element is Multimedia element is Multimedia element is Multimedia element is
(20%) clear. If sound is somewhat clear. If mostly unclear. If unclear. If sound is
included, it is easy to sound is included, it is sound is included, it is included, it is not easy
hear/understand. If easy to not easy to to hear/understand. If
video is included, it hear/understand. If hear/understand. If video is included, it
can be seen and/ or video is included, it video is included, it cannot be seen and/
can be heard. can be seen and/ or cannot be seen and/ or cannot be heard.
can be heard. or cannot be heard.

CRITERIA 9-10% 6-8% 3-5% 0-2%

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Overall Impression The video fully The collage The collage presents The collage does not
(10%) communicates the communicates some words and images that adequately
student’s aspects of the relate to how society communicate the
understanding of how student’s shaped individual’s student’s
society shaped understanding of how identity but it fails to understanding of how
individual’s identity. society shaped communicate the society shaped
individual’s identity. student’s perspective individual’s identity.
or relies on general
observations.

VIII. NETWORKS, DIGITAL SOURCES AND REFERENCES

Network

Google classroom

TikTok

Web Sources

https://christianindex.org/no-man-is-an-island/
https://timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2020/05/19/amid-this-global-pandemic-no-man-is-an-island/
https://doi.org/10.1515/mjss-2017-0026

Text Book

Aguas, J. (2017). Philosophy: Towards an Understanding and Appreciation of the Human Person. Quezon City: Abiva
Publishing House, Inc.
Calano et al. (2016). Philosophizing and being human. Quezon City: Sibs Publishing House, Inc.
Corpuz, et al. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing Inc.

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