Unique Human Traits

• Unit One explores the concept of what it means to be human, focusing on traits, key terms, and philosophical perspectives.
• Theme 1 centres on defining "human" by distinguishing characteristics.
• Describing the traits of a rock, plant, animal, and human helps clarify the unique attributes of each.
• The aim is to identify traits common among plants, animals, and humans, those common only to animals and humans, and those unique to humans.
• A one-page, double-spaced journal entry is required to reflect on how humans learn about human nature and where to find information on basic human traits.

Key Terms

• Human is described as a living creation of God, created in God's image as a person.
• Person is described as a moral being, an individual in a human body with a divine spirit, representing the union of these two aspects.
• Anthropology looks at human behavior, origins, and development.
• Freedom is having the right to make choices and act upon them.
• Creation is the beginning of something, including life.
• Culture is the place and time in which we live, including the factors that define it.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church is a book of Catholic teachings divided into four major parts.

Bible's View of Humanity

• Humans are a creation of God.
• Humans are a combination of earth and divine breath.
• Being Human is good.
• Humans exist as male and female.

Catechism/Church view on Humanity

• Humans are created in God's image.
• Humans are naturally moral beings
• Humans are capable of passions and feelings.
• Humans are called to happiness and holiness.
• Humans are moral beings with a conscience.
• Humans are rational with free will.
• Importantly, humans also have the ability to sin.

Theme 2 - Why do we need one another

• This theme examines the significance of human connection and mutual support.

Key Terms for Theme 2

• Community is a group unified by shared needs and desires.
• Communion is the feeling of safety and trust in one another, fostering love and trust.
• Solidarity is a community coming together in order to support each other.
• Trinity is the divine community of persons, including the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Vocation involves having a strong feeling or desire for a particular career or occupation, seen as a call from God.
• Talents are gifts/skills from God that someone can naturally do but others may have issues with.
• Encyclicals are the official pastoral letters written by the Pope for the world.

Jean Vanier

• Jean Vanier was born September 10, 1928.
• His father was the late Pauline Vanier & Major General the Right Honorable George P. Vanier, who was Governor General of Canada from 1959-67.
• At 13, he joined the Navy for nine years, later studied philosophy and theology in England, Canada, and France.
• Jean Vanier received his doctorate in Philosophy from the Institute Catholique de Paris, focusing on Aristotle's philosophy.
• In 1964, supported by Father Thomas Philippe, he invited two men with developmental disabilities to live with him, establishing L'Arche.
• "L'Arche" symbolizes Noah's Ark, signifying helping others.
• Vanier was the son of a former Governor General of Canada.
• Jean Vanier studied Theology and Philosophy.
• Jean Vanier founded "L'Arche Community" for handicapped individuals in 1964.
• He taught the 5 Principles of Humanity.

The 5 Principles of Humanity

• Principle 1: All humans are sacred, regardless of culture, race, religion, or abilities; everyone should be supported in reaching their full potential.
• Principle 2: The world and individual lives evolve; essential values from the past should be respected and adapted to the present, including openness, love, wholeness, unity, the potential for healing and redemption, and forgiveness.
• Principle 3: Maturity develops via working with others.
• Principle 4: People should be encouraged to make decisions and take responsibility for their lives and the lives of others.
• Principle 5: People need to find meaning and accept others as they are.

Jean Vanier Quote

• Belonging grows independence, freedom, and maturity, requiring group identification for protection, security, identity, and to prove worthiness.

Theme 3 - Are We Good

• This theme explores the idea of humans and goodness, and the idea of right vs wrong

Key Terms

• Goodness is sourced in God, resulting from being "connected" with Him.
• Disorder is a change from good resulting in failure, fragility, pain including sin.
• Sin breaks the relationship between God and his creation.
• Sin means to bring a fault or disorder into creation.
• Sin entices temptation.
• The first sin is seen in the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis.