Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

QUARTER 2: MODULE 3

Society: What Drives Human Person To Establish It

As we have learned in the previous lessons, humans have the natural tendency to
establish relationships with other people. The ability of a person to engage in meaningful
interactions with other people, or even with his/her surroundings and the objects around
him/her, is deeply rooted by one’s awareness of himself/herself and of others. This shared
awareness and understanding among persons is referred to as inter subjectivity.
Through inter subjectivity, the relationship between the self and the other enables
the person to relate, establish and to maintain meaningful relationships with others.
Meaningful and beneficial human relationships are founded on the values of
acceptance, openness, and respect beyond diversity. With this prior knowledge, let us
explore now the idea of what propels human to establish society. Are you ready to
embark on this journey? Let’s GO!
Culture indicates the flow of relationship between society and human individuals.
It is one of the human natures to desire and to act according to some goal which is
commonly the goal of survival. When one person meets another person with the same
goal, then it can be considered that they desire for the common good.
Common good may include peace within the community, clean and safe
environment, efficient public service, etc. With these common good, humans are
required to work together and to establish relationships with each other, which results in
establishing forms of society.

For instance, family is the basic unit of society. Through this, infants first relate with
their parents or guardians as the source of basic needs for survival. As they grow, they
expand their connections and start relating and forming bonds with people outside their
family. Friendships are established starting from childhood up to adulthood. They also
learn how to deal and to interact with other superiors aside from their parents/guardians
(e.g. principal, teachers, company boss, elderly persons).

Different forms of Society

1. Hunting and gathering society: is the earliest and simplest form of society and is
generally recognized by its small size, since it consists mainly of families. They spend most
of their time searching for food, thus, they are considered as nomadic; no permanent
territory. Its members are treated equally and decisions are usually derived through
consensus. As a result, the roles of its members and the distribution of labor is not clearly
defined.

2.Pastoral society: is characterized by the domestication of animals served as a

source for food supply. Compared to hunting and gathering society, this form of society
has a larger population and remains in one place. They also produce surplus food and
resources which they trade with other societies forming meaningful bonds. This relative
prosperity enables the people to engage in other activities apart from those necessary
for survival, such as handicrafts which eventually leads to the emergence of specialized
tasks in the community.
3.Horticultural society: engages in the small-scale cultivation of plants, fruits, and
vegetables and the domestication of animals. Semi-nomadic, which means that they
travel to another place when there is shortage of the resources in one area.
4.Agrarian/agricultural society: involves in a large- scale and long-term cultivation
of crops and domestication of animals. Characterized by improved technology and
usage of tools to aid in farming which results in increased production giving rise to a
growing population in agricultural societies. Large population leads to a more structured
social system that helps manage resources and its member.

5.Feudal society: is based on the ownership of land. Its members are organized
based on status which consists of higher class/ruler (people who own a land),
vassal/follower (granted a right to manage a land), and peasants (workers who cultivate
the land and tend the animals in exchange of military protection). This society is mindful
of the hierarchy system. It arose during Medieval times in Western part of Europe.

6.Industrial society: is based on the use of specialized machinery in the production

of goods and services. The emergence of new production and industrial methods along
with innovations in transportation and communication are results from the advances of
science and technology in the late 18th century. In this era, improved trade and
commerce, public education and better life conditions are evident for many people.
However, an important factor in social relations within this form of society is the workplace
where people interact with individuals who do not come from the same family, clan, or
community, thus, cultural diversity and bureaucratic forms of organization arises.

7.Post-industrial society: emerged by the establishment of societies based on

knowledge, information, and the sale of services. Virtual society arises where people
organize themselves through communication technology and Internet. This society is
composed of members with higher educational attainment, better training, and
specialized roles.
 It can be said that you cannot think of a person outside of society and you cannot
think of a society without a group of persons. Thus, human persons and society are
interrelated to each other in which one cannot exist without the other. Moreover,
society’s role is considered important in the growth and development of a person as well
as the person’s role in transforming society.
One important way wherein society influences us, as person is, its ability to define
the relationships and interactions among its members. There are various ways that society
influences our development and interactions but one way is through the establishment
of the following:
● Norms – a set of traits and behavior that society considers acceptable, thus, to
be encouraged to pass unto other members (e.g. pagmamano : Filipino’s unique gesture
to greet and show respect to elders)
● Laws – more formal and stringent norms that establish and define acceptable
behavior of citizens (e.g. using of pedestrian lanes when crossing streets)
● Folkways – less formal norms that arise from tradition and do not result in
punishment when violated (e.g. concept of appropriate swimwear, others might wear T-
shirt and shorts, others might wear bikini)

● Social system – organized or patterned set of relationships among individuals and

groups that compose a society
● Social role – actions and behaviors expected of a certain individual

● Social groups/ Social classes – individuals who share similar backgrounds or

perform similar roles

● Social institutions – certain groups that perform vital functions in society which
include the family, school, government, and religion
● Social values – actions or ideals that are considered vital in maintaining an orderly
society (e.g. cooperation, obedience to the law, concern for others, respect for diversity,
etc.)
 NAME: Date:
Grade & Section: Score:

QUARTER 2: MODULE 3

Society: What Drives Human Person To Establish It

Activity 1: THINK & SHARE:

Read the statement carefully and answer it accordingly. What comes to your mind when
you read or hear the statement below:

“NO MAN IS AN ISLAND”

Share your thoughts by writing it with at least 5
sentences.

Activity 2:

Direction: Complete the statement below by describing yourself in relation to the social
group being mentioned in each statement.
1. In my family, I am the …

2. My family has made me …

3. In my circle of friends, I am the …
4. My friends has helped me become …

5. In my classroom, I am the type of student that …

Activity 3:

Activity 4: Create a photo journal showing the individuals, groups, and institutions that
have significantly influenced you throughout your life. Describe the positive influences
they had imparted on your development as a person. Use any art materials available.

Activity 5: Describe the existing society you are involved in from small scale to large scale.
Complete the table by providing the required information.
Activity 6: Direction: Give a brief answer to the following question.
1. What traits or behavior did you get from your existing community?

2. How has your community influenced your upbringing as a person?

3. What makes us Filipino? Which traits/values identify us as Filipino?

4. Are these traits and values considered important by Philippine society? Why do you
think so?
Activity 7: Direction: Copy the table below and complete it by providing the necessary
information. As you go through, reflect on how your relationships and roles in society have
changed throughout your life.

Activity 8: Direction: Answer the following questions using your own words. Express your
answer with maximum of 5 sentences.
1. What significant changes have you noticed in your relationships with others
throughout your life?

2. What role did society play on those changes you have mentioned? Are those
changes have something to do with the existing society you are in?

Activity 9: Interview your parents or any other elders in your family or neighborhood. Ask
their beliefs/ideas/views in regards with the chosen topic and then compare their
responses with your own beliefs/ideas/views. Choose only one (1) of any topics
mentioned below.
1. Internet is considered a necessity, not wants.

2. Online dating vs. Traditional dating

3. Go through college or go for vocational courses
4. Work abroad or work in local 5. Private school vs. Public school
Activity 10: Make an illustration/poster that describes society and shows the relationship
between how individuals form societies and how individuals are transformed by societies.
It can also showcase the progress and development of different forms of societies. Use
short bond paper and utilize any art materials available.

Prepared By: Supervised By:

_____________________________ ___________________________________
Signature Over Printed Name (Student) Signature Over Printed Name (Parent/Guardian)