Personhood: Characteristics and Self-Development

Identifying Characteristics of Personhood

• Humans are not isolated individuals, but beings who thrive in relationships.
• Understanding personhood requires examining its defining characteristics.
• Max Scheler, a German philosopher, identified key traits differentiating humans from other beings.

Key Traits of Human Persons

• Self-Awareness involves reflecting on one's thoughts, emotions, and experiences, and enables humans to question their existence and make conscious choices, unlike instinct-driven animals.
• The Ability to Grasp the Essence of Existence allows humans to analyze situations, draw conclusions, and recognize the deeper meaning behind experiences.
• Being a person that loves (Ens Amans) means humans can love, express compassion, and form meaningful connections.

Self-Development and Serving Others

• Understanding traits of a person is essential for self-development as this allows one to fulfill their responsibilities for the betterment of the community and nation.
• "Ens Amans" emphasizes love as central to personhood, and true development involves compassion along with knowledge, and the ability to care for others.
• Holistic personal development aligns with serving others, extending beyond family to the larger society, leading to a nation thriving on dedication, integrity, and service.

Personhood in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution

• The 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution in the Philippines demonstrated personhood collectively.
• Filipinos upheld ethical values in their fight for democracy during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
• The revolution was guided by four key ethical values: unity, courage, non-violence, and justice.

Ethical Values of the 1986 EDSA Revolution

• Unity: People from different backgrounds united for a common cause, setting aside personal differences for the nation's good.
• Courage: Citizens stood firm for freedom and justice, facing challenges with bravery.
• Non-Violence: The movement remained peaceful without bloodshed, showing change can be achieved peacefully.
• Justice: The revolution aimed at restoring fairness and integrity in governance.
• Participants showed self-awareness, recognizing their duty to their country and grasping the possibility of collective action to bring change, driven by love for their country and fellow citizens.

Enriching Understanding of Personhood

• Fellow: Recognizing each person as part of a larger community, thriving in relationships with others.
• Personhood: Defined by self-awareness, intellect, will, and the ability to love.
• Compassion: The ability to feel and act upon the suffering and needs of others with kindness and understanding.
• Ens Amans: The concept that a person is ultimately a being that loves, driving actions and decisions.
• The ethical values practiced during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution — Unity, Courage, Non-Violence, and Justice — are important lessons for understanding personhood in societal change.
• Being a person involves living with purpose, self-awareness, and using abilities to serve others
• Embracing personhood characteristics benefits personal lives, communities, and the nation.
• The 1986 EDSA Revolution reminds future generations that unity, courage, non-violence, and justice create a better society.