HUMAN

FLOURISHI
NG
LESSON OBJECTIVES
 1. Identify different conceptions of human
flourishing;
 2. Determine the development of the scientific
method and validity of science;
 3. Critic human flourishing vis-a-vis progress of
science and technology; and
 4. Define the meaning of a good life.
LET’S REFLECT ON
THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS:
1. What makes you happy?
2. Which matters to you more, health or
wealth?
3. How do you define a successful
person?
 IS
HAPPINESS
A
JOURNEY
OR
A
DESTINATION?
 In psychology, happiness is a mental or emotional state of
well-being that can be defined by, among others, positive
or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense
joy.
 To behaviorists, happiness is a cocktail of emotions we
experience when we do something good or positive
 To neurologists, happiness is the experience of a flood of
hormones released in the brain as a reward for behavior
that prolongs survival
EUDAIMONIA
(n.) lit. “human flourishing”; is a
contented state of being happy,
healthy, and prosperous
 EUDAIMONIA
• It is a Greek word that literally means ‘good-
spirited.’ It was coined by Aristotle in his
book Nicomachean Ethics to describe the
highest point of happiness that can be attained
by humans

• … has often been translated into ‘human

flourishing’ in literature likening humans to
flowers achieving their full blooms.
 EUDAIMONIA
• Aristotle’s human flourishing arises as a result
of different components such as phronesis or
type of wisdom or intelligence, friendship,
wealth, and power
 friendship

Human
wisdom Flourishing power

In ancient Greek society, they believed that

acquiring all these four would surely bring
the seekers happiness, which in effect
would help them to partake in the greater
wealth notion of what we call the Good
CHANGES IN THE
CONCEPTIONS OF
HUMAN FLOURISHING
• As time changes, elements that help define human
flourishing also change.

- As of today, we found a means to live comfortably, to explore

more places, develop more products and making more money.
Before, people relied on simple tools

Now, people invest on more

sophisticated technologies
Moreover, we humans
of today are expected
to become a "man of
the world.“
Man is supposed to situate himself in a global
neighborhood, working side by side with
institutions and the government to be able
to reach a common goal

Competition as a means of survival has become passé;

coordination is the new trend
The discrepancy between Eastern and Western conceptions regarding society and
human flourishing.
GREEK ARISTOTELIAN VIEW
• According to Aristotle, the aim for happiness is the
ultimate goodness of man.

• He did not focus only on the individualistic approach

despite being a Westerner

• For him, a person who has reached the pinnacle of

happiness can become a community-centric person

• Human flourishing is not only focused on the individual,

but it also focuses on the individual being a member of the
community
 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND
HUMAN FLOURISHING ARE RELATED

• The very concepts of our

happiness cannot be achieved
without science!
Science and Technology for Human
Flourishing
S & T is relevant as a tool in achieving human flourishing

Food Security Healthcare Sustainability

Advances in agriculture Breakthroughs in New technology ensures
ensure there's enough medicine increase that we live in harmony
food to nourish people. people's quality of life. with our planet.
The Role of Technology in the 21st Century
In this day and age, technology has become a necessary tool for humans to truly flourish.

1 Automation
Streamlines processes and tasks, freeing humans to do other things.

2 Communication
Makes us closer and connected, crossing miles and borders like they never existed.

3 Access to Information
The internet enables people to have access to any information
they want
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND
HUMAN FLOURISHING
 The goals of both S & T and human flourishing
are related, that the good is essentially related to
the truth
 Science ventures its claim on truth
SCIENCE AS METHOD AND
RESULTS
 Science's reputation stems from the objectivity brought upon by an arbitrary,
rigid methodology
 Scientific Method

1. Observe and determine if there are unexplained occurrences unfolding

2. Determine the problem and identify factors involved.

3. Formulate a hypothesis that could explain the phenomenon

SCIENCE AS METHOD AND
RESULTS
4. Conduct experiment by setting up dependent and independent variables, and
trying to see how independent ones affect dependent ones.
5. Gather and analyze results throughout and upon the culmination of the
experiment. Examine if the data gathered are significant enough to conclude
results.
6. Formulate a conclusion and provide recommendations in case others
would want to broaden the study.
REFINING SCIENCE
Theories that can help validate facts-> ultimate
truth

Verification Theory

Falsification Theory
VERIFICATION THEORY
 Gives a high premium on empiricism
 The ideology should be based on experience or observation
 If it cannot be observed, it is considered meaningless

 This theory was espoused by a group of scholars called

the Vienna Circle
VERIFICATION THEORY
 Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius
 The Earth is the third planet from the sun.
 The Earth rotates around its axis.
 These claims are valid because they can be experimentally evaluated by
observations and experiments.
VERIFICATION THEORY
 Weaknesses of this theory:
1. Budding theories can be shot down prematurely due to
lack of empirical results
Ex: Einstein’s theory on the existence of gravitational waves

2. Prone to biases
- Thomas Kuhn warned against our tendencies to bridge the
gap between evidence and theory by attempting to interpret
the former according to our own biases (or tendency to
interpret events in line with expected results/expectations)
FALSIFICATION THEORY
 As long as an ideology is not proven to be false and can best explain
a phenomenon over alternative theories, we should accept the said
ideology.
 Theories that survive repeated attempts at falsification are considered
more robust and reliable, but they are never considered proven in an
absolute sense. Instead, they are considered provisionally accepted
until further testing.
 Karl Popper is the proponent

• Encourages research in order to determine which among the

theories can stand the test of falsification

• Allowed emergence of theories otherwise rejected by the

verification theory
The idea that all swans are white should be rejected.

The idea that swans can be either white or black should be accepted.