The Human

Person in Society
(Part 1)L E S S O N1 4
Mr. Edward B. Noda
Jr.
The Human Person in the Soc iety 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
▶ 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 Thomas Hobbes,
asLocke, and Jean Jacques John among the
were
Rousseau social theorist who tackled
prominent most
the origins of
human society.
Social Contract Theory
a cc ording to Thomas
Hobbes
▶ Persons in their natural states are governed by
their desires and those often lead to conflict
with their fellowmen.
▶ Soc iety is a means by whic h people seek to
control their natural tendencies and impose
order.
▶ Individuals who establish soc ieties enter into a
“social contract”- an agreement where
individuals sacrifice an amount of their freedom
and submit to a higher authority.
 Social Contract Theory
acco rding 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 different individuals
into enter to form a
that a kind of agreement with one another .
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