SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

W4
UNIT TITLE: METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING AND DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPINION AND TRUTH
LESSON TITLE: THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Learning Competencies:

❑ Determine things that are improperly placed and organize them in an aesthetic way
❑ Show care for the environment contributes to health, well-being, and sustainable development

Learning Objectives:

✓ Compare the importance of nature from the ancient to the modern era;
✓ Demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality toward his/her environment; and
✓ Appreciate the beauty of nature.

Gaining Attention

➢ Which of the pictures show a

much preferable condition?
➢ How can the condition of the of
the first picture be maintained?
➢ How can the condition of the
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second picture be improved?
content%2fuploads%2f2016%2f07%2fEnvironmental-
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Presentation / Content:

The growing concern for the environment and the evidence of the impact of human activities on nature has led
philosophers to advocate for the application of ethical concepts to environmental concerns. Environmental ethics emerged
in the 1970s and advocated human responsibility and action with regard to environmental issues. This ethical view
emphasizes key ideas that combine philosophical, pragmatic and theological perspectives. First, all nonhuman elements
of the world, including animals and natural resources, have intrinsic value and should be preserved. Second, the
preservation of the environment is beneficial for humans, as it will continue to provide for the present and future
generations. Finally, man has a responsibility to safeguard the planet as it has been entrusted to him by God.

ANCIENT THINKERS

Early Greek Philosophers, the Milesians, regarded nature as spatially without boundaries, that is, as
infinite or indefinite in extent.

Anaximander – he employed the term “boundless” to convey further thought that nature is indeterminate or
boundless.
According to Anaximander’s sketch of the genesis of the world (cosmogony), the evolution of the world
begins with the generation of opposites in a certain region of Nature: a portion of the boundless first differentiates
itself into a cold-moist mass surrounded by roughly spherical shell of the warm-dry.
Once the warm-dry has been separated out, surrounding the cold-moist, it begins to evaporate the
moisture of the latter, and this process form vaporous atmosphere.

Pythagoras- he described the universe as a living embodiment of nature’s order, harmony, and beauty.
He sees our relationship with the universe involving “biophilia” or the love of other living things, and 1
“commophilia” or the love of other living beings.
 While on the other hand, according to Chinese conception, all that happens in the universe is a continuous whole
like a chain of natural consequences. All events in the universe follow a transitional process due to the primeval pair, the
yin, and the yang. The universe does not proceed onward but revolves without beginning or end. There is nothing new
under the sun; the “new” is a repetition of the old. A human being’s happiness lies in his conformity with nature or tao;
the wise, therefore, conforms with tao and is happy.

MODERN THINKERS

Immanuel Kant- he expresses that beauty is ultimately a symbol of morality.

According to Kant, we must ignore any practical motives or inclinations that we have and instead
contemplate the object without being distracted by our desires.
Further, he also believes that the orderliness of nature and the harmony of nature with our faculties guide us
towards a deeper religious perspective. This vison of the world is not limited to knowledge and freedom or even faith
in the ordinary sense of the term. It is a sense of cosmic harmony.

Herbert Marcuse – “Humanity had dominated nature.”

There can only be change if we will change our attitude towards our perception of the environment.

George Herbert Mead - for him, we do not only have rights but duties.
Moreover, we are not only citizens of the community but how we react to this community and our reaction
to it, change it.

SIGNS THAT MAY EASILY POINT TO ENVIRONMENTAL DISORGANIZATION

1. Lack of resources- the unavailability of a certain byproduct may imply excessive disturbance that is not at par
with its reproduction.
2. Things are not in place- the environment exhibits a sense of chaos or confusion. It does not create a place of
comfort and warmth.

What is Prudence?
“These virtues or values should not only be
Prudence is defined as the ability to have good applied in a personal setting. The environment is
judgment that allows avoidance of dangers and also in critical need of these virtues and values, so it
risks; while… can function efficiently and productively. People
frugality is the act of using money or other need to practice frugality and prudence not just for
resources wisely and practically. themselves but also for the security of our
Why taking good care of our e
environment.”

s important?
DEMONSTRATING THE VIRTUES OF PRUDENCE AND
FRUGALITY TOWARD ENVIRONMENT

Erich Fromm proposed a new society that should encourage the emergence of a new human being
that will foster prudence and moderation or frugality toward environment. These are some of the
functions of Fromm’s envisioned society.

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 1. The willingness to give up all forms of having, in order to fully be.
2. Being fully present where one is.
3. Trying to reduce greed, hate and illusions as much as one is capable.
4. Making the full growth of oneself and of one’s fellow beings as the supreme goal of living.
5. Not deceiving others, but also not being deceived by others; one may be called innocent, but not naïve.
6. Freedom that is not arbitrariness but the possibility to be oneself, not as a bundle of greedy desires, but
as a delicately balanced structure that at any moment is confronted with the alternatives of growth or
decay, life or death.

CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT CONTRIBUTES TO

HEALTH, WELL BEING AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT

The environment contributes to health and The environment contributes to sustainable

well-being development

a. Some plants have medicinal properties that may a. The environment is the primary source of raw
aid in the removal of pathogens in the body. resources used to make all types of food and
b. Fruits and vegetables are good source of materials.
vitamins and minerals. b. With appropriate techniques, the environment
c. The aesthetic properties of the environment can reproduce and regenerate that have been
make an excellent venue for various exercises harvested or lots.
and activities. c. The environment produces oxygen.

This lesson highlights the early Greek thinkers and Taoists views that the human being is merely a part of
nature. Many environmentalists argue for limiting all types of consumption and economic activity when these
damage the environment. Care and respect for all life forms should not be seen as a fad but as an imperative. As
humanity becomes ever busier, we are reminded of our dependence on other life forms. Coexistence with
community and re-examining our attitude to nature calls for a new order.
Finally, this adheres to coexistence with all the living things, thus enlarging our awareness of the
universe. This also concurs with Taoist belief and other thinkers who view humanity as merely one element, no
more and no less important than all the other elements of the natural world.

Eliciting Performance:
Write T if the statement is true and F if it is false.

_________1. Anaximander described the universe as a living embodiment of nature’s order, harmony, and beauty.
_________2. Pythagoras employed the term “boundless” to convey further thought that nature is indeterminate or boundless.
_________3. Cosmogony is the creation or origin of the universe.
_________4. Frugality is the act of using money or other resources wisely and practically.
_________5. Prudence is defined as the ability to have a good judgment that allows avoidance of dangers and risks
Prepared by:
References:
MARICAR S. DIOKNO
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Contact number: 09477207257
Authors: Christine Carmela R. Ramos, PhD
FB account: M Khar Diokno
Roberto D. Abella, M.Div., D.Min.
Gmail account: [email protected]
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 Name of Student: ______________________________Year Level & Strand: ___________________
Name of Teacher: Maricar S. Diokno Subject: INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY
Type of Assessment: FORMATIVE / Week: 4 Date Due: ___________________

List down ten (10) other ways you think people may do that exhibit prudence and frugality
towards the environment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Cut here

Parents Signature: ____________________

Date Submitted: ______________
KING THOMAS LEARNING ACADEMY, INC. | (SENIOR HIGH
SCHOOL)
Take Note. This page should be cut and submitted based on the DEPARTMENT | SY 2021 - 2022
date due stated above. Thank you.

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 Name of Student: ______________________________Year Level & Strand: ___________________
Name of Teacher: Maricar S. Diokno Subject: INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY
Type of Assessment: SUMMATIVE / Week: 4 Date Due: __________________

Instructions: Using the concept web below, think on ways that mankind can address an environmental
issue.

ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUE
Cut here

Parents Signature: ____________________

Date Submitted: ______________
KING THOMAS LEARNING ACADEMY, INC. | (SENIOR HIGH
SCHOOL)
Take Note!! This page should be cut and submitted based on the DEPARTMENT | SY 2021 - 2022
Date due stated above. Thank you.