The Human

Person in Society
Objective:
Recognize how individuals form societies
and how individuals are formed by
societies.
What is Society?
Have you ever wondered how your world
has defined you? Have you ever thought
about your place in this world and among
the people you interact with every day?
Have you ever reflected on how your
presence has affected the world and people
around you?
 Human Being’s
Social Dimensions
Society
Society, a complex concept, studied for
centuries, lacks a universal definition but is
generally seen as individuals sharing a
common culture and social order. Key features
include shared values, social norms governing
behavior, and social institutions like families,
schools, businesses, and governments.
 The human person exist to relate with
others. The person is by nature a social being
because he or she has a tendency to go out of
himself or herself to form bonds and
relationships with others.
Throughout a person’s life, he or she
experience a variety of relationships and
responsibilities also change because we play
more significant roles in the communities we
live in.
The Human Person’s in Society
Our freedom gives us the opportunity to
pursue various activities to achieve our goals
and attain well-being or happiness.
As we live our lives and expand our
experiences, we also encounter other people
who are acting in similar ways.
However, the pursuit of our goals is made
easier by the fact that we do not need to do
our activities alone, that we can live our life
and pursue our happiness with other people
by other people by our side.
The tendency to form groups is not
exclusive to human beings, other animals also
form groups for mutual protection an
survival.
 Humans, however, are the only beings
capable of establishing a SOCIETY, which is
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 union.
The Social Contract Theory
Enlightenment philosophers such as Thomas
Hobbers, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau
were among the most prominent social theorist
who tackled the origins of human society. To fully
understand the true character of society, they
imagined humans as living in a so called “natural
state,” removed from modernity and civilization.
1. For Thomas Hobbes, persons in their natural states
are governed by their desires and these often conflict
with their fellowmen. Society, therefore is the means by
which people seek to control their natural tendencies
and impose order. Individuals who establish societies
enter into “social contract”- an agreement where
individuals sacrifice a amount of their freedom submit
to a higher authority.

In this way, society is able to function and meet the

needs of the many, ensuring the survival of humanity.
2.John Locke proposed his own ideas on the social
contract with a different assumption. Unlike Hobbers,
Locke considered persons in their natural state as
more cooperative and reasonable, and that society is
formed through the consent of the individuals that
organized it.

This concept is known as consent of governed.

Locke’s social contract is a covenant among
individuals to cooperate and share the burden of
upholding the welfare of society.
3. Jean Jacques Rousseau’s ideas on the social
contract led him to advocate the concept of “general
will.’ Rousseau believed that even if the people are the
ones who organized society and established an authority
or government is able to impose its will on people.

This is 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.
How Society Transform an Individual
 Society transforms individuals through socialization,
education, media, peer groups, and social institutions.
These mechanisms shape values, behaviors, and
identity. Economic opportunities, social policies, and
cultural norms further impact individuals. However,
transformation isn’t always positive; society can
perpetuate inequality, promote discrimination, and
impose conformity. Awareness of these influences is
crucial for fostering a just and equitable society.
1. Plato, the Greek philosopher, envisioned an ideal
society centered on justice in which individuals would
fulfill roles aligned with their abilities. His renowned
work, The Republic, categorizes society into three
classes.
•Rulers (philosopher-kings): These would be the
wisest and most virtuous people in society, and
they would be responsible for making decisions
that would benefit the entire community.
•Auxiliaries (warriors): These would be the guardians
of society, and they would be responsible for protecting
the community from external threats.
•Producers (farmers, artisans, and tradespeople):
These would be responsible for providing the
basic necessities of life for the entire
community.
2. John Rawls, a prominent American political
philosopher of the 20th century, gained significant
influence through his seminal work “A Theory of
Justice” in 1971. His main contribution lies in
formulating a theory of social justice grounded in the
concept of “justice as fairness.”
• The principle of equal liberty: This principle
states that all citizens should have the same
basic liberties, such as freedom of speech,
freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly.
•
 • The difference principle: This principle states that
social and economic inequalities should be arranged
so as to benefit the least advantaged members of
society.

John Rawls argued for two principles of justice, determined

through a “veil of ignorance” thought experiment where
individuals, unaware of their personal details, would select fair
societal principles. Rawls believed this approach ensured
fairness to all. While praised for clarity, rigor, and fairness, his
theory faces criticism for being idealistic and impractical in
application.
Here are some of Rawl’s key insights into society:

• Justice as fairness: The idea that a just society

is one that is fair to all of its members,
regardless of their social status, race, gender, or
any other arbitrary characteristic.
• The veil of ignorance: A thought experiment
in which individuals are asked to choose
principles of justice for society without
knowing their own social position or any other
personal information about themselves.
• The principle of equal liberty: The principle that
all citizens should have the same basic liberties, such as
freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of
assembly.
• The difference principle: The
principle that social and economic
inequalities should be arranged so as to
benefit the least advantaged members of
society.
3. Immanuel Kant, an 18th-century German
philosopher, made significant contributions to
metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. His
profound impact on Western philosophy is evident in
ongoing debates and studies. Kant’s complex views on
society emphasize individual moral duty, freedom of
thought, and expression. While criticized for idealism
and neglecting human nature, his ideas are praised for
highlighting individual freedom and moral
responsibility. Kant’s nuanced views have shaped
modern political thought and remain relevant today.
Here are some of Kant’s key ideas about society:

•The social contract: Kant believed that individuals have

a moral obligation to obey the laws of their society, even if
they do not agree with those laws. This is because
individuals have a duty to act in a way that is consistent
with the freedom of others.
•The categorical imperative: Kant’s most famous
ethical principle is the categorical imperative.
The categorical imperative is a universal moral law that
states that one should only act in accordance with
maxims that could hold for everyone. For example, one
should not lie, even if it would be beneficial to do so in a
particular situation.

•The republic: Kant believed that the best form of

government is a republic. A republic is a form of
government in which the people elect their
representatives. Kant believed that a republic is the most
just form of government because it is based on the
consent of the governed.
 How Society
Transform an
Individual (Concept
Of Total
Determinism )
 Total determinism is the philosophical
view that every event, including human
action, is caused entirely by preceding events
and circumstances. This means that there is
no such thing as free will, and that every
event, including our own choices, is
predetermined by the laws of physics and the
initial conditions of the universe.
Arguments for Total Determinism
• Laws of physics. According to the laws of
physics, every event has a cause. This suggests
that all events, including human actions, must be
caused by prior events.
• Universal causation. This is the idea that every
event has a cause, and that there are no
exceptions to this rule. If universal causation is
true, then it follows that all human actions must
be caused by prior events.
• Predictability. If all events, including human actions,
are caused by prior events, then it should be possible to
predict all events with perfect accuracy. In fact, some
scientists believe that it is only a matter of time before
we will be able to predict human behavior with the
same degree of accuracy that we can predict the
behavior of physical objects.
Arguments Against Total
Determinism
• Our subjective experience of free will: We all
have a strong feeling that we have free will, that
we are able to make choices that are not
predetermined. This feeling is hard to reconcile
with the idea of total determinism.
The unpredictability of human behavior: Human
behavior is notoriously difficult to predict, even with the
use of sophisticated models. This suggests that there is
something about human behavior that is not
deterministic.
• The possibility of quantum indeterminacy:
Quantum mechanics suggests that some events at the
quantum level are not determined by prior events. This
raises the possibility that determinism does not hold at
all levels of reality.
The Implications of Total
Determinism
If total determinism is true, then it has profound
implications for our understanding of ourselves, our
morality, and our place in the universe. For example, if
our actions are predetermined, then it seems that we
cannot be held responsible for our choices. This would
have a major impact on our criminal justice system, as it
would be impossible to punish people for crimes that
they were determined to commit.
 Therefore, total determinism is a complex and
controversial issue that has been debated by
philosophers for centuries. There are strong
arguments on both sides of the question, and it is
likely that the debate will continue for many years
to come.