Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

First Quarter - Lesson 1

DOING PHILOSOPHY

(Reviewer)

The Goal/Target:
**Distinguish holistic perspective from a particular point of view.
**Realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a broad perspective on life.

Philosophy of the Human Person is important because without man there would be no
philosophy. There would be no one to philosophize. Philosophy is man’s perennial
questionings about man, about himself in the various situations and fields they are in
every day.

What is a Philosophy?

It comes from the Greek words “philos” which means Love and “sophia” meaning Wisdom, it meant
“Love of Wisdom” and the ultimate goal is Wisdom.

Philosophy is a Science, it uses certain steps or procedures in scrutinizing what is right, true, good, and
beautiful.
The investigation is systematic, a philospher investigates things using ONLY his/her natural to think or
simply Human Reason Alone. This reasoning is applied in studying all things since philosophy is a discipline
integral.

What is the difference between holistic and partial perspective/view?

Holistic Perspective
*seeing things as a whole, objectively.
*Never settle with, “I was told” or “authority said so, who I am to question” claim.
*By looking not only the different sides but the entirety, the whole of everything.

If it is done, it is then and only then that you can see things from holistic view.

Partial Perspective
*It is merely looking at things as it is or view of a thing from the viewer’s standpoint, subjectively.
*focuses on a specific aspect of a thing or situation.
*Details that only you can see, being the viewer up, close and personal.

Both are necessary in being critical in a manner that we remain considerate.

Why is there a need to philosophize?

Philosophy makes man a full man. Full man means being cultured, refined and well-rounded.
It will provide you the ability to synthesize, criticize, systematize, assimilate and evaluate a variety of
knowledge. Your knowledge of philosophy will ready you to challenge those who would attempt to control
your thoughts.
 THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE ENVIRONMENT
(module 4)

REMEMBER:
"The Earth has enough for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed".
-Mahatma Gandhi

•What is the meaning of environment?

-It is the totality of all surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and other living things.
•What is a human person?
-A human person is a living being that contains a real and existing power to
direct its own development.Truth, Love, Goodness, Beauty, and Unity. He/she could attain this if all the
proper conditions are met.

•How does philosophy define man's relationship with the environment?

-Heraclitus, a Western philosopher in the ancient period once argued that the world is in constant
change.This simply means that everything in this world is continuously moving and flowing in some respect.
The same principle holds true to our environment.
-Our environment undergoes an unending process of transformation manifested by the rapid growth and
development of our society.

•Environmental Philosophy or Environmental

-is the discipline in philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings with the environment
and its non-human contents.

Philosophical Views on Nature and Man's Relationship with the Environment

1.Anthropocentrism
•focuses on the significant role of humankind in the world and considers nature as the means by which
humans are able to meet their needs and survive
• believes that humans are the most important species on the planet and they are free to transform nature
and use its resources
man has a sense of responsibility to manage and care for the environment

Stewardship
•man has a sense of responsibility to manage and care for the environment
•man has moral responsibility towards nature, it means that the person has: the knowledge of the
consequence of the act; the capacity to do the act; the choice to do it
Biocentrism
•believes that humans are not the only significant species on the planet, and that all organisms have
inherent value
and should be protected
• drives the activities of humane organizations that advocate the ethical treatment of animals (R.A. 8485 or
The Animal Welfare Act of 1998)

Ecocentrism
• places great value on ecosystems and biological communities
• non-individuals (the Earth as an interconnected,ecosystem, species, natural processes) have moral
standing or intrinsic value and are deserving of respect individuals must be concerned about the whole
community of life/nature
• humans should strive to preserve ecological balance and stability
• promotes the idea that order and balance in nature brings about stability and beauty
Deep Ecology
•sees the natural world as being maintained
by the interrelationship among living organisms and that every living thing on the planet is dependent on
each other for survival.
Gaia Hypothesis
•Gaia= land, mother,Greek primal goddess;
Mother Nature, Mother Earth
• suggests that non-organic elements in the planet play a significant role in maintaining balance in the
environment as they interact with living organisms to regulate the various systems that enable life to
continue thriving on Earth.
Ecofeminism
• rejects patriarchal dualisms; the domination of nature by men is wrong; is similar to and related to the
domination of women by men
•must break the pattern of "power over" relationships;will benefit both women and the natural world.

How do philosophical views influence environmental action?

- Human beings and the environment are interconnected. Whatever we do to the environment will come
back to us. We need to develop an ecological self and treat the environment as partner in the preservation
of life.
Environmentalism
- is an ideology that promotes the protection and preservation of the
environment. As humans we have the responsibility to respect, protect, and preserve the natural world.
Environmental ethics
- is the study of the ethical basis of environment or discussion of the ethical basis of environmental
protection.
This emerged in the 1970's, advocating human responsibility and action with regard to environmental
issues with the following main ideas:
1.All non-human
elements of the world. including animals and natural resources have intrinsic value and should be
preserved.
2.The preservation of the environment will benefit humans by providing for the needs of present and
future generations.
3.Humankind has a responsibility to safeguard the planet as stewards of creation.
Varied views that resulted from Environmental Ethics
• Social ecology applies an ecological and ethical approach in analyzing society, and sees a relationship
between social problems and environmental problems. Society should, therefore, implement changes in
order to address issues regarding the environment.

• Environmental justice which refers to the fair distribution of environmental benefits, as well as the
burden of meeting environmental challenges greatly influenced the concepts of climate ethics, which is an
area of study that focuses on the ethical dimensions of climate change; and climate justice which is a view
that considers climate and environmental issues as significant political and ethical issues.
• Environmental aesthetics is a philosophical view that considers natural beauty in the
context of maintaining order and balance in the environment.
•Sustainability or sustainable development focuses on reconciling human activities
and economic development with the protection of environment. This is the development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
•Environmental integrity refers to maintaining the state of the environment. Thismeans that human
activities should not unduly disrupt the ecosystems and human communities located in the area.
• Economic efficiency refers to prudence in decision-making regarding the use of resources to ensure that
there is minimum to zero waste.
•Equity demands that we use our natural resources in such a manner that these are conserved so that the
next generation will be able to use them.
•Prudence is the ability to regulate one's actions and behavior, while frugality is being thrifty with the use
of one's resources.

Key points:
1. ideology that promotes the protection and preservation of the environment
-environmentalism
2. ability to regulate one's actions and behavior
-prudence
3. order and balance in nature brings about stability and beauty
-ecocentrism
4. refers to the fair distribution of environmental benefits
-environmental justice
5. studies the moral relationship of human beings with the environment and its non-human contents
-environmental philosophy/environmental ethics
6. known as Mother Earth
-Gaia
7. focuses on the ethical dimensions of climatechange
-climate ethics
8. humans are the most important species on Earthand are free to transform nature and use its resources
-anthropocentrism
9. holds that society should implement changes in order to address environmental issues
-social ecology
10. the totality of everything around us
-environment