Unit 7: Human Person in Society

Unit 7: Human Person in Society

• This unit explores the human person in relation to society.

Lesson 1: Man, the Social Animal

• Aristotle defined humans as social animals, needing to satisfy basic needs to survive.
• Social philosophy studies social behavior and societal patterns.

Social Philosophy

• It examines social behavior, societal trends, and the development of human societies.
• It encompasses many sub-disciplines, like sociology.

Society

• A society is a group of people with ongoing social interactions, sharing a territory and dominant cultural expectations. They're typically subject to a common political authority.

The Development of Human Societies

• Pre-Industrial Societies: The simplest and earliest societies, often based on hunting and gathering.
• Agricultural Societies: Based on farming, fishing, and raising livestock; these societies were usually nomadic.
• Industrial Societies: Employ science and technology, with a division of labor.
• Post-Industrial Societies: Advanced technology and scientific development are key characteristics.
• Virtual Societies: Societies heavily influenced by social media.

Plato's Theory of Society

• Plato's renowned work, 'The Republic,' outlines an ideal society divided into three classes:
  • Producing Class: Farmers, merchants, and laborers
  • Guardian Class: Soldiers and police
  • Ruling Class: Philosophers and rulers (the philosopher-king).

Aristotle's Perspective

• Aristotle's famous work, 'Politics,' asserts that man is a social animal and cannot live without society. He claims humans need to fulfill basic needs to survive.

St. Thomas Aquinas

• Aquinas believed humans are naturally political beings, seeking to live within society for the common good.
• The state is subordinate to the church, deriving its authority from God. Its purpose is to achieve the common good.

Machiavellianism

• Nicolo Machiavelli believed in the necessity of absolute rule for a stable society.
• He believed powerful figures should rule and members of society should follow.

Thomas Hobbes' Social Contract Theory

• Hobbes, during the Enlightenment, theorized that the social contract was a necessary agreement for orderly life.
• Citizens are obligated to respect and obey the state for safety.

Lesson 3: Social Influences

• Social influences affect people's emotions and behaviors.
• Society impacts the behavior of individuals.
• Social interaction between society members significantly shapes individuals' behaviors and values.

Basic Domains of Social Behavior Influence

• Genetics: Genetic traits influence psychological attributes, passed from parents to children.
• Family: Family functions as a social institution, primarily influencing children through interactions and norms.
• Culture: Culture encompasses all accumulated behaviors and customs in society, passed from one generation to the next.

Lesson 4: The Filipino Society

• Bonds of ritual kinship ("compadrazgo") unite Filipinos through ceremonies like baptism, confirmation, and marriage, fostering mutual support.
• Family Orientation: Filipinos place immense importance on family, making it the foundation of identity, emotional support, and material commitment.
• Pakikipagkapwa-tao: Filipino social norms prioritize (a) respect and generosity toward others; (b) importance of gratitude; (c) mutual cooperation (Bayanihan).