CHAPTER 2

Man A s Person
 Overview
Ethics is the study of man as a moral being. What
goals we assign to ourselves, what actions we choose
to do, and how we treat others - depend on how we
understand ourselves as a human being. Socrates is
wise indeed for proposing that the starting point of
wisdom is “to know oneself’’.
 Fi l i p i n o Bel i ef s

Regarding morality, Filipinos

Filipinos believe that ...
1. Man is a creature of God.
2. Man has an immortal soul.
3. Man has an assigned destiny in life.
4. Man must do good or else be punished by God.
5. Man by nature is good but is morally weak.
believe that ...
1. Morality is "batas ng Diyos"
2. A person should respect his humanity, “pagkatao"
3. A person should love and care for his family.
4. A person should strive to live peacefully with
others.
5. A person should fear God and His punishment.
 Rational Animal

Man is an organism composed of a material body

and a spiritual soul. He is the whole of his
materiality and immateriality, the substantial union
(hylomorphic) of body and soul, matter and spirit.
This essential wholeness is what we call human
nature.
 Rational Animal
Human nature is made up of man's biological,
psychological, and rational powers. The biological
powers are nutrition, locomotion, growth, and
reproduction. The psychological powers include
those of the senses, such as smelling, tasting, seeing,
hearing, perceiving, imagining and remembering; and
those acts of emotions, such as love, hatred, desire,
disgust, joy, sorrow, fear, despair, and courage. The
rational powers are those of the intellect and the will -
comprehension and volition, respectively.
 N a tura l L a w
All human powers or faculties are operational tendencies towards what
is good to man as a rational animal. In this sense, human nature is the
natural law because, like the laws of society, it directs man in all his
activities. Natural law differs from the so-called laws of nature which are
the forces governing the material universe, including man. Natural law
applies only to man as a rational animal. When we speak of an act as
"contrary to natural law", we mean the act to be against human nature or
humanity.
 A Moral Being
Three characteristics reveal man's moral nature:
1. Man by natural insight is able to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong,
moral and immoral. All people, including those we regard as primitive, have an
understanding of what is right or wrong, of what is permitted and prohibited behavior.
2.Man feels himself obliged to do what is good and to avoid what is evil. He is moved by the
inner force of his being demanding that what is good “ought“ to be done, and what is evil
“ought to be avoided.
3.Man feels himself accountable for his actions so that his good deeds merit reward, while
his evil deeds deserve punishment. Man feels content with himself for doing a good deed, or
he feels remorseful for doing an evil deed. All cultures have a system of reward and
punishment based on the concept of justice.
 A Moral Being

These characteristics show man's innate perception of truth, duty, and law.
Contrary to this view is the theory suggesting that human nature as a blank sheet
(tabula raza) on which culture writes its text, so that man is merely the product of
social interaction and his behavior is nothing more than "a reflex of social
conditioning" (Erich Fromm, Beyond the Chains of Illusion, 29).
 Ma n a s Pe rson
Man is born as an individual, or person. Person is human nature
actualized and manifested in the history of place and time.
Etymologically, the word "person" comes from the Greek "prosophon" which is
the mask worn by stage actors. The Latin "personare" alludes to the mask
which is constructed so as to project forcefully the voice of the actor.
Underneath the person is human nature which is the principle of human activity.
Person is defined as "an individual, existing separately and independently from
others, capable of knowing and loving in an intellectual way, and of
deciding for himself the purpose or end of his actions" (Brennan: 280) We also
refer to person as "self" or "ego".
 Personality and Character

The person is an individual human being. Personality is the sum of

those physical attributes and tendencies which define a person's distinctive
behavior.
Personality is the sum of a person's physical constitution, talents, abilities,
and habits which define characteristic behavior. In layman's terms,
personality consists of the physical qualities and mannerisms of an
aesthetically refined person.
As persons, all men are equal regardless of race. However, one person may
have more personality than another. Brennan observes:
 Personality and Character
Character is often taken as synonymous with personality. This is correct if
personality is taken as the sum-total of the psychological systems in an individual
which enable him to adjust to his environment. Character, however, refers the
person's choice of values and his intelligent exercise of his freedom. (Vernon
Jones, Meaning of Character, Collier's Encyclopedia, V-708)

While personality is an aspect of the body, character is an aspect of the human

soul. We describe personality as pleasant or unpleasant, but we speak of character
as good or bad in the moral sense. "Personality", says Brennan, "the principle of
rational action, character is the principle of moral action" (Ibid: 292)
 Personality and Character
Personality is the set of characteristics that make you unique. It’s the collection of
your habits, preferences, and tendencies. Your personality is what makes you who you
are.
It’s important to note that personality is not fixed. You may have certain personality
traits that are consistent across different situations. But you can also change your
personality over time. Your personality is more like a spectrum, with different points
along the way that represent your different tendencies and preferences.

There are two main types of personality: extroverted and introverted.

•An extrovert is someone who derives energy from being around other people or
having exciting experiences.
•Meanwhile, an introvert tends to derive their energy away from social settings.
 Personality and Character
Character, on the other hand, is what you do when no one is watching. It’s your
moral compass, and it reflects your values and principles. Character is what you
choose to do when you are alone with yourself, and it reflects your integrity.

There are three main types of character: inner virtues (honesty), outer virtues
(responsibility), and vices (selfishness). Your character is based on the
combination of these three types.
•Inner virtues are qualities that you have inside of you, such as honesty and
integrity.
•Outer virtues are qualities that you display to the world, such as responsibility and
accountability.
•Vices are negative qualities that often lead to unethical behavior, such as
selfishness and greed.
Personality and Character
 Mora l C ha ra c te r
Character is the will of the person directing him towards a recognized ideal. This is how
human actions are significant because they actualize man's potential to be what he truly is
as a rational being when a person falls short of the expectation, he is said to have bad
character. On the other hand, a person who lives up to the ideals of his humanity is said to
have good character, or moral integrity.
Character is not the product of a moment's inspiration, but a disciplined tendency to
choose the right thing in any given circumstance. It is adherence to what is true, beautiful,
and good in us. History counts men of great character who acted against and above the
prevailing beliefs and practices of their day, like Jesus Christ, Sakya Muni or Buddha,
Confucius, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jose Rizal, Pope John Paul II, and many more.
Mora l C ha ra c te r
 Social Dimension of the Person
Society is an extension of the person. Ethics is particularly relevant because of
man's social nature. The golden rule, for that matter, is concerned about the other
person.

Among modern thinkers, George Hegel teaches that man is fully developed in
his participation in family life, civic community, and in the State. Likewise, Thomas
Hill Green (1836-1882) expresses the conviction that a person's morality must
identify itself with public welfare.

Paul Tillich puts it more clearly and emphatically when he says natural law is the
demand for us, "to be a person in the community of other persons"
 Be Proud You Are Human
Roger William Riis
I admire the human race. Everybody is running us down, these days, for the mess
they say we have made here and there and everywhere. That's short-range
stuff. Over the marching and abundant centuries, we haven't made any mess.
We have done and are doing a better job than anyone has any right to expect.

From the beginning, we found ourselves alone in a vast universe, and not only
alone but the only living thing on this planet which could realize its loneliness. We
realized it, gave it a good close look, and then turned our attention to making
something practical and useful out of an unprecedented situation.
 Be Proud You Are Human
Roger William Riis
First of all, we found a Light, a God, and we got a sense of direction, a goal to work
toward. We proceeded to set up standard for living together. We made the
revolutionary discovery and gentleness and kindliness were more practical than
brute strength. No other species has ever found that out and used it as a model
and practical code of conduct. We observe our ideal standards in at remarkable
degree. We are honest and trustworthy with another so that it is the
exception, it is news, when we commit a theft. We are decent 99 percent of the time,
when we could easily be vile.
 Be Proud You Are Human
Roger William Riis
Finding it necessary to live together by the millions, we created for ourselves
governing systems covering vast geographical spaces. We have conceived the ideal
of justice and plan it for all men. Finding that we have work to stay alive, we work
with ability beyond imagining. Out of the earth we take food, and improve that food
year by year; we take heat and light. We enjoy the myriad products of unparalleled
ingenuity. Every morning the necessity for a day's work faces us. And we go and do
a day's work.
If persistence, a daring and ingenuity impossible to surpass, we find ways to move
easily under water and through the air. Now speculatively eye our neighboring
planets. How shall I not admire such a creature?
 Be Proud You Are Human
Roger William Riis
Whenever he comes to an impassable obstacle, an apparently final barrier, he goes
to work at it, and in due time, surpasses it. If he has limits, I do not see where they
are. I do not think he has limits. I think he is a child of the universe who inherits
eternity. I think he is wonderful, I am his devoted partisan, and I am proud indeed to
be one of him (How to Live with Life, Reader's Digest,
1965, pp 664-565).
 E xe rc ise # 3

1. In what sense is human nature a natural law?

2. What is the significance of human action with regards to character?
3. Differentiate between personality and character.
4. From the reading, list five achievements why the author says we should be
proud as human beings.
Thank
you!
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