Introduction to

Philosophy of the
Human Person
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 Human Person in
Society
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 Society
- An organized group of people whose
members interact frequently and have
a common territory and culture.
- a companionship or friendly
association with others, an alliance, a
community, or a union.
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 Social Contract Theory
● During the Age of Enlightenment, social philosophers
studied the natural laws that govern human societies.
● Enlightenment philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes,
John Locke, and Jean Jacques Rousseau were among
the most prominent social theorist who tackled the
origins of human society.
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 Thomas Hobbes
● Persons in their natural states are governed by their
desires and those often lead to conflict with their
fellowmen.
● Society is a means by which people seek to control
their natural tendencies and impose order.
● Individuals who establish societies enter into a
social contract an agreement where individuals
sacrifice an amount of their freedom and submit to
a higher authority.
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 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.
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 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.
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 Common Good
● The common good refers to the social conditions
which enable persons and groups to fulfill their
goals and achieve well-being.
● When more than one person desires and works to
achieve the same good then in can be said that the
common good exists among them.
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 Different Forms of
Societies
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 Hunting and Gathering Society

● Recognized as the earliest and

simplest form of society
● Nomadic
● Members are generally treated
equally, and decisions are
based on consensus.
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 Horticultural and Pastoral Society
● Characterized by the domestication
of animals for food for a more stable
and predictable food supply.
● Pastoral societies often produce
surplus food and resources.
● Leads to the emergence of
specialized tasks in the community.
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 Agrarian or Agricultural Society
● Involves the large scale and long-term
cultivation of crops and domestication
of animals.
● Characterized by improved
technology and the use of tools to aid
in farming.
● Give rise to a growing population and
a more structured social system.
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 Feudal Society

● Based on the ownership of land.

● Originated during Medieval Age in
Western Europe
● Members of society are organized
based on status.
● Social relations are characterized by
dependence.
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 Industrial Society
● Based on the use of specialized machinery
in the production of goods and services.
● Industrial Revolution
● Technological advances in this period
resulted in improved trade and commerce.
● Work is done in factories
● Lead to greater inequalities in wealth,
power, and influence.
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 Post- Industrial Society
● Marked by the establishment of societies
based on knowledge, information, and the
sale of services.
● Trend has shifted from industry to the
generation, storage, manipulation, and
sale of information
● Virtual Society
● Digital Citizens
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 How does society influence
our development as persons?
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 Society influences our development as
persons in various ways:
● Norms- set of traits that society considers acceptable.
● Folkways- less formal norms that arise from tradition and do
not result in punishment when violated.
● Mores- are also informal rules that are not written, but, when
violated, result in severe punishments and social sanctions
upon individual, such as social and religious exclusions.
● Laws- more formal norms that establish and define acceptable
behavior of citizens.
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 Social System
● Social Role- actions and behaviors expected of a certain
individual.
● Social Groups/Social Classes- individuals who perform similar
roles are grouped together.
● Social Institutions- certain groups that perform vital functions
in society.
● Social Values- actions or ideals that are considered important
by society.
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 How does society enable me
to become
a better person?
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 ● We have the freedom to rise above circumstances and make
ourselves into something different or better.
● Society recognizes the capability of the person to develop and
provides its members with opportunities to better themselves.
● Persons can also undertake to contribute to society through their
decisions and actions.
● Social Movement a large-scale action done by various groups
and organizations in pursuit of a common goal to bring about
change. (Environmental, Youth, Gender, Clean Governance)
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