THE HUMAN PERSON AS

EMBODIED SPIRIT
LOOK A PAIR! AND SHARE!

Write your answers on a

separate sheet of paper or
in your notebook and
share it to your pair.
1. We have a limited life span.
2. We cannot choose our biological family.
3. We cannot teleport instantly to another location in an
instant.
4. Words limit our communication with each other.
5. We cannot be in two places at the same time.
6. We cannot change our past decisions.
7. We face certain death in the future.
8. We are bound by space and time.
9. We cannot choose our race, age, and birthdate.
Human body imposes
limits and possibilities
for transcendence
Human Composition of
Man:
 What are the difference of the following terms?
Man
Person
Human Nature
Limitations of Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
Facticity
Spatial-Temporal Being
The Body as Intermediary
 HUMAN
COMPOSITION OF
MAN
 MAN (from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) The
English term “man” is derived from a Proto-Indo
European root *man - (see Sanskrit/Avestan Manu-,
Slavic mǫž "man, male"). It is the general term
commonly used to refer to the entire human race. Other
related terms, humanity, mankind, and humankind.
HUMAN refers to man as species –
HOMO SAPIENS or MODERN
HUMAN BEINGS. The term human
being is also used to differentiate
man from other animals.
 PERSON
PERSON is the personality of a human being so called “SELF”.
Refers to a human being granted recognition of certain rights,
protection, responsibilities and dignity above all. Philosopher
refers to the human person as the totality of an individual,
possessing awareness, self-determination and capacity to
interact with others and with himself/herself.
Personhood refers to the state of being a person.
 HUMAN NATURE
• HUMAN NATURE defines as the nature of humans especially
the fundamental characters and traits of humans. It refers to the
characteristics that distinguish humans from all other creatures.
These traits are expected to arise independent of the influence of
culture and society. EXAMPLES: THINKING, FEELING AND
ACTING.
WHAT IS THE HUMAN PERSON?
 SELF-AWARENESS

• Self-awareness refers to the person having

a clear perception of oneself, including his
thoughts, emotions, identity and actions.
TRY SAYING THESE!

• I AM A PERSON
• I AM ALIVE
• I EXIST
• I AM HERE. I AM PRESENT
• I AM LIVING AT THIS VERY MOMENT
 LET’S EXAMINE

• Little Jose is playing in the living room while his mom is in the
kitchen. He accidentally bumps into a table, causing a vase to
fall. Upon hearing his mom went to the living room and saw
him, standing near the broken vase. She asked, “Did you break
the vase?” What do you think Jose‘s answer will be?
SELF-DETERMINATION

• Self-determination refers to the capability of

persons to make choices and decisions based
on their own preferences, monitor and regulate
their actions, and be goal-oriental and self-
directed.
CONSEQUENCE

• Consequence is the result or effect of an

action or condition. Philosophers believe that
a person acts freely and with due regard for
the consequences of his actions.
EXTERNALITY

•Externality refers to the capability of

a person to reach out and interact
with others and the world.
DIGNITY

• Dignity refers to the innate right to be valued and

respected. Philosophers consider all humans as
having an inherent worth or value. “You’re
worthless!” is an insult since it attacks the very
notion of a person having value or worth.
LIMITATIONS OF THE HUMAN PERSON

• Human persons are naturally deficient

beings. This means that we are not
prepared with the best physical aspects
among all the beings
HUMAN PERSONS DO NOT HAVE THE NATURAL ABILITY TO FLY.
Human persons cannot breathe underwater without
the aid of breathing device

.
LIMITATIONS CAN LEAD TO POSSIBILITIES

• Transcendence is the ability to change, be

dynamic, and continually redefining one’s
self which works with our facticity to create
change
• How do limitations lead to transcendence?
Facticity refers to the things in our life that are
already given. EXAMPLE: LIFE
• We are free to define who we are and who we are to
be.
• Spatial-temporal being. As temporal beings, our most obvious
limitation is our finitude - our finite quality or state. For example,
Walang forever, pero meron talaga. As spatial beings, we are limited by
our bodies to be present in two or more places at the same time. We are
limited by space (spatial) and the time (temporal). Our spatial-temporal
situation sets our preconditions of understanding
WHY DO WE WANT TO BE IN A HURRY TO ACHIEVE OR HAVE SOMETHING WHICH IS
NOT YET?
 WHY DO WE HOLD ON OR LAMENT ON SOMETHING WHICH IS NO LONGER?
IT IS THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO US THAT WE MOST OFTEN NEGLECT.
 THE BODY AS INTERMEDIARY

• Intermediary means acting as a mediator (Merriam-

Webster).
• Having a body may prevent us from revealing what we
really want to express.
• How do we communicate with each other? WORDS
 THE BODY AS INTERMEDIARY

• But can words really capture the things we want to

express? But this limitation can also be an advantage...
• In most cases, words are not enough. EXAMPLE:
Magbabago Na Ako Promise!!!
 ACTIVITY
• DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in 1 whole sheet of paper.
• 1. What are your limitations as a person? What are the things that you consider as difficult or hard for you to
accomplish or believe in?
• 2. What are your strengths? What are the possible things or status that you can reach or achieve in the
future?
• 3. What are the factors affecting your limitations? How about possibilities?
• 4. Do you see yourself improving in 5 – 10 years’ time? How can you say that you are improving?
• 5. How can you go beyond your current limitations?
LIMITATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSCENDENCE
• Many people admire Mark Zuckerberg being a co-
founder and CEO of the social-networking website
Facebook, which he started in his college dorm room at
Harvard University. He’s one of the world’s youngest
billionaires in this generation.
• Like Mark, all people have dreams that
they want to fulfill.
• If you were finally able to meet your
dreams, how would you feel?
• Do you think your perspective in life will
change?
TRANSCENDENCE

• Transcendence originated from the

words Trans, meaning “go beyond”,
and scandare, meaning “climb”.
• In the example, fulfilling a dream requires transcendence
because it opens a state of thinking and feeling that there
is something more in life than just physical and material
things.
• Much like Abraham Maslow’s self-actualization concepts,
transcendence is a state of being intrinsically satisfied
with life regardless of physical and tangible factors.
LIMITATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSCENDENCE
•Here are some limitations and
possibilities for transcendence:
 HERE ARE SOME LIMITATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR
TRANSCENDENCE:

• may not occur to everyone

• does not come at a specified period
• varies across all people
• may coincide with physical limitations of the body
• developing a positive outlook in life
• working towards reaching a goal
• learning from experience
 POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSCENDENCE

• It is also important to know that transcendence may be

applied to present worries by living in the present. This
means that life is lived from moment to moment in a carefree
and cheerful manner where concerns for stress are reserved
for the future, and regrets or guilt feelings are kept in the past.
 THE HUMAN BODY IN IMPOSING LIMITS AND POSSIBILITIES

• From a biological and physical standpoint, it can be

recognized that the human body, although it can perform
many functions, also has limitations. Limits in the
environment, demographics, and society may also hinder a
person from reaching transcendence.
BODILY LIMITATIONS

• mental and emotional disorders (e.g. anxiety, intellectual

disability)
• disabilities (e.g. amputated leg, deafness)
• disease and illnesses (e.g. hypertension, cough)
• failures and experiences (e.g. failing a subject)
 SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITATIONS

• socioeconomic status
• location of neighborhood (e.g. armed, disorganized, or violent
neighborhood)
• abusive relationships (e.g. emotional abuse) negative influences
(e.g. drug use)
 OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS

• Bodily limits can be tested by trying on new experiences and working on

challenges with increasing levels of difficulty. The human body, if given enough
exposure to any situation, can attain a goal with efficiency.
• Social and environmental limitations are more difficult to overcome than bodily
limitations because they involve the influence of other people and the external
world. However, with a proper mindset, clearly defined goals, and motivation to
rise above challenges, one may successfully overcome his or her limitations.
RECOGNIZE AND EVALUATE OWN LIMITATIONS AND
POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSCENDENCE

• Even though you are still young, you are not

prevented from further understanding yourself.
• Transcendence is even more possible when you
begin to understand that you can go beyond your
limitations if you set your mind on your goals.
SOME POINT TO REMEMBER WHEN GOING
BEYOND YOUR LIMITS

• you are connected to the external or eternal world

• challenges are learning opportunities
• your goal is more important than your fears
• think outside the box
• recognize that everyone has fears
 REMINDER

• The terms “transcendent” and transcendental” should not be used

interchangeably. According to Immanuel Kant, “transcendent” is a term
used to refer to God, while “transcendental” refers to all other matter.
• While transcendence may not occur for everyone, all people have the
capacity to experience it regardless of any sociodemographic, biological,
or personal factors.