The human person

Introduction to the philosophy of the human person

Hello we are the humans of the
earth
Human Person
?
? ?
? ?
How does Philosophy view the nature of
man?
• man – general term which is commonly used to refer to the entire human
race
• human – refers to a man as a species – homo sapiens sapiens or modern
human beings
• person – a much more complex term which generally refers to a human
being granted recognition of certain rights, protection, and responsibilities
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How does Philosophy view the nature of
man?

1. Biological perspective

-considers man as a part of the natural

world and a product of evolution
 Modern humans (homo sapiens sapiens) are considered one
of the most successfully adapted species on the planet.
 Bipedalism, highly developed hands, smaller jaws and teeth,
and larger and more developed brains
 Instinct for reproduction and survival
 Additional traits and capabilities: planning and intentional action,
innovation and creativity, communication through language and writing,
technology, symbolic interaction as evidenced by religion and art
 The development of culture is considered man’s most significant
achievement which sets apart the evolution of humanity from other
species on the planet
 What, in your opinion, are the traits that
distinguish humans from all other beings that
exist?

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How does Philosophy view the nature of
man?

2. Psychological perspective
-places emphasis on human behavior and
though processes in analyzing human
nature

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 Man possesses mental faculties that enable him to possess awareness, a sense
of self, and the capacity to perceive and experience
 psyche – conscious mind that governs awareness and unconscious mind
consists of latent or represses emotions, thoughts and desire
 rationality – state of being reasonable, the ability to understand experiences in
order to solve problems or do tasks, and engage in decision making and
judgment
 intelligence – ability to perceive information, store knowledge, and apply
it in various situations
 introspection – ability to examine one’s own conscious thoughts, feelings,
mental state, and the capacity for self-reflection
How does Philosophy view the nature of
man?

3. Economic perspective
-focuses on man’s ability to engage in
productive activities in an effort to meet
his wants and needs

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 This perspective considers man as a productive being; his primary role is
to produce and engage in labor
 Economic forces are considered a greater influence on the actions of man
than society or culture
How does Philosophy view the nature of
man?

4. Theological perspective
-considers man as God’s creation

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 Man is considered to have a special relationship with the Creator, being
created in His image and given immortal spirit
 Man’s existence was brought about by the purposive creative act of God,
and his ultimate destiny in part of a divine plan
 How do the various philosophical perspectives
define human nature? Which perspective conforms
to your ideas on the nature of man?

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How does Philosophy define the human
person?

The Human Person refers to the

individual, and all the attributes and
characteristics that sets him or her apart
from other human beings.
✘ The self as innate – this view holds that the self is an essential part of the
human being, and self-awareness is natural and innate. Religious views
consider the concept of self as synonymous to the spirit or soul.

✘ The self as emergent – this view holds that awareness of the self is gained
through interaction with the world and other human beings.

✘ The self as integrated and developing – this view holds that the self is
composed of varied elements that change overtime.
 Identity - defined as the distinct personality of an individual.
 Personal Identity is composed of a person’s unique physical
characteristics, mental attributes, experiences, memories, ideas, and views
 Identity is said to persist through time, though certain aspects of it may
change.

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 Personhood is the recognition of a human being as a distinct entity – a
person.
 The person as an “autonomous being” (reasoned free choice)
 The person as a “unified individual” (inherent capacity to function as a
person)
 The person in relation to others (becomes a person through interactions
with other human beings)

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You as a
human
person

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 Put your best picture at the center of the concept map
 Put pictures around it that describes you and sets you apart from other
human beings. You can put as much pictures as you want

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