Lesson 1 The Human Person and Society 1st Sem 2024 PDF

Lesson Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, the students are able to: oDiscuss the social nature of human beings (Cognitive) oReflect on how a human person’s involvement in society develops both the individual and the community; oEvaluate their own participation in groups or organizations i...

Lesson Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, the students are able to: oDiscuss the social nature of human beings (Cognitive) oReflect on how a human person’s involvement in society develops both the individual and the community; oEvaluate their own participation in groups or organizations in the church and the community (Affective) Demonstrate active participation in religious or social groups (Psychomotor) HUMAN PERSON AND SOCIETY TEACHING-LEARNING ACTIVITIES (TLA) Part I: CONTEXTUALIZATION Video presentation about “Human being vs. Human person https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8rTqLhwoL4 Short discussion on some insights of students about the video What is a society? “A society is a group of persons bound together organically by a principle of unity that goes beyond each one of them. As an assembly that is at once visible and spiritual, a society endures through time: it gathers up the past and prepares for the future” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1880) WHY DO CHRISTIANS BE CONCERNED WITH SOCIAL/ECONOMIC/POLITICAL ISSUES IN THE SOCIETY AND THE WORLD AT LARGE?  In common parlance, the word ‘society’ is used What is in several of meaning, for example, SOCIETY? ► a group of women is called a women society. ► an agglomeration of men, women and children ► their coming together to achieve an object with an eye on their eventual disagreement  In sociology, the term society refers NOT to a group of people BUT What is ► to the complex pattern of the norms of interaction that arise SOCIETY? among them ► It is according to Maclver and Page, “a system of usage and procedures, authority and mutual aid, of many groupings and divisions, of controls of human behaviour and of liberties. Society involves the whole gamut of relations. It is structural and functional arrangement. From structural point of view it concerns role, status, norms, values, institutions.  ► Functionally, society may be defined as a complex of groups in reciprocal relationships interacting upon one another, enabling each person to achieve the fulfilment of life. Further What is society may be viewed dynamically. Society may be viewed SOCIETY? as the process of stimulus response relationship which result in interaction, communication and consensus. ► The stimulus-response relationship is at the core of organised living. In order to carry out on their life-activities, men must make successful responses not only to the nature but to fellowmen and to the culture of their group. Social interaction is that dynamic force which modifies the attitudes and behaviour of the participants.  ► It takes place through communication. In communication one person infers from the behaviour of another the idea or feeling of the other person. He then reacts not to the behaviour as such but to the inferred meaning of it, and the other person likewise reacts What is to his response. SOCIETY? ► This give rise to common understanding and common definition of the situation, in short, consensus. Society consists in mutual interaction and inter relation of individuals and of the structure formed by their relations. Therefore, society refers not to a group of people but to the complex pattern of norms of interaction that arise among them. Society is process rather than a thing, motion rather than structure. The important aspect of society is the system of relationships by which the members of the society maintain themselves.  ► According to Ginsberg, “A society is a collection of individuals united by certain relations or modes of behaviour which mark What is them off from others, who do not enter into those relations or who differ from them in behaviour” SOCIETY? ► As Giddings defines, “Society is the union itself, the organisation, the sum of formal relations in which associating individuals are bound together.” This definition of society places the emphasis upon its organisational aspect. In this way, Giddings, like Ginsberg, has accepted society as an organised group, and has professed to a unity in the relation between its members and their modes of behaviour.  ► Society may be defined as the total complex of human relationships in so far as they grow out What is of action in terms of means-end relationship, SOCIETY? intrinsic or symbolic”, says Parsons. Maclver, Parsons, Cooley have given functional definition of society. ► Hence, society is to be interpreted in a wider sense. It is both structural, functional and dynamic organization.  1. Society is abstract: What is the Nature of Society may be visualized as the behaviour of human SOCIETY? beings and the consequent problems of relationships and adjustments that arise. According to Renter, “Society is an abstract term that connotes the complex of interrelations that exist between and among the members of the group. In this way, society exists wherever there are good or bad, proper or improper relationships between human beings. These social relationships are not evident, they do not have any concrete from, hence society is abstract. What is the 2. Society is NOT a group of people: Nature of SOCIETY? Some sociologists have viewed society as a group of people. Wright writes, “Though society is real thing, it means in essence a state or condition, a relationship and is therefore necessarily an abstraction”. What is the 3. Society is organisation of relationships: Nature of SOCIETY? Society is the total complex of human relationships. It includes whole range of human relations. What is the 4. Physical element in social relationship: Nature of SOCIETY? According to Maclver and Giddings and some other sociologists, social relationships invariably possess a phsysical element, which takes the form of awareness of another’s presence, common objective or common interest etc.  ► There is neither any society nor any social What is the relationship, without this realization. Society Nature of exists only where social beings behave towards one another in a manner determined SOCIETY? by recognition of each other. Only those relationships which are so determined are social. Social relationship differ from relations between other objects, only by virtue of this psychic element. They have in them an element of emotion and feeling, urges, sympathy and sentiments. It is noteworthy that the Church has recognized the necessity of Christians to get involved into a wide range of issues, realities and questions that have been affecting human life, society and the world. In fact the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church teaches: “The disciples of Jesus Christ feel that they are involved with these questions; they too carry within their hearts and wish to commit themselves, together with all men and women, to the quest for the truth and the meaning of life lived both as individual persons and as a society. They contribute to this quest by their generous witness to the free and extraordinary gift that humanity has received: God has spoken his Word to men and women throughout history; indeed he himself has entered history in order to enter into dialogue with humanity and to reveal to mankind his plan of salvation, justice and brotherhood.” (CSDC # 17) Christian love prompts the person to go out from his comfort zone and get involved in the life of the society. As St. Paul puts it: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all …” (2 Corinthians 5: 14) This Christian love moves us to be concerned and to contribute for the betterment of the society and the world. “Humanity is coming to understand ever more clearly that it is linked by one sole destiny that requires joint acceptance of responsibility, a responsibility inspired by an integral and shared humanism. (CSDC # 6) In the Catholic social teachings, there we can find the principles for reflection, judgment to be chosen and the criteria for action to be taken to promote the so-called “integral and solidary humanism.” Lesson 1 The Human Person and Society Describe yourself in relation to the following: In my Family I am the… My family has made me… In my school, I consider myself… My school has help me become.. My community has enabled me to.. In what way has your family defined you as a person? In what way has your community influenced your growth? The Human Person’s Call for Active Participation in the Society and in Social Life  According to the account of the Book of Genesis (2:7), the Human Person was The Human made by God with a body (from the clay Nature that was formed by God) and soul (from God’s “breathe of life” that was infused by God into the clay). This implies that the human person: 1. Basic Human needs 2. Created in the “image and likeness of God” Human person = God’s image... many commentators today: = human nature reflects God’s radically social and communal nature not created lone individuals, but persons who are radically relational and communal  John Donne No Man is an Island No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.  The God did not create man as a “solitary being,” but wanted him to be a “social being” (cf. Gen 1:27; 2:18-20, 23). Life in SOCIAL society is not something “added-on” for the human person; it NATURE of stems from an important dimension intrinsic to human Human nature. Human Person can grow and attain their calling in life Person only in union with others. The social nature of the human person is even more evident in the light of faith, since there is a certain likeness between the intimate life of the Holy Trinity and the communion that should be established among mankind; all men and women have been redeemed by Christ and are called to share in the same end. The SOCIAL NATURE of HUMAN PERSON Therefore each person “is called to exist ‘for’ others, to become a gift.” Existing “for” others entails much more than just “co-existing” with them: it means serving them and loving them.  The SOCIAL NATURE of Human Person The person’s social nature is not limited to political and commercial aspects. It is free human acts that build up a society, and not the impersonal forces of history. Hence the special importance that should be accorded to spiritual values and human relationships based on sincere self-giving.  The social nature of the human person entails The another important characteristic: SOCIAL the radical equality of all human beings. All men and women possess the same human nature and origin; NATURE of all have been redeemed by Christ and called to Human share in the same divine happiness. “All therefore Person enjoy an equal dignity” (Catechism, 1934).  SOCIETY The social nature of the human being finds expression in the setting up of a variety of associations aimed at attaining distinct goals: “A society is a group of persons bound together organically by a principle of unity that goes beyond each one of them” (Catechism, 1880). Many different human goals exist, as well as bonds that unite people: love, ethnicity, language, country, culture, etc.  SOCIETY Therefore human relationships entail a wide mosaic of institutions and associations: the family, city, state, international community, etc. Certain societies, such and the family and state, correspond more directly to human nature and therefore are necessary. Others correspond to people’s free initiative, and are intrinsic to what could be termed human “socialization.” This “socialization” expresses the natural tendency for human beings to associate with one another for the sake of attaining objectives that exceed individual capacities, and help develop the human qualities of each person (cf. Catechism, 1882).  SOCIETY The close tie between the person and life in society explains the enormous influence of society on the development of each person, and the harm that is done to the human person by living in a defectively organized society. The way people behave depends, to some extent, on the way society is organized, which exerts a cultural influence on people. While never reducing the human being to an anonymous element in society,9 it is good to remember that the integral development of the human person and social progress mutually influence one another.10 No opposition exists between the personal dimension and the social dimension of the human being. Rather these two dimensions are intimately united and are strengthened in union with one another.  SOCIETY In this context, due to people’s sins, unjust structures or “structure of sin” can be set up. These structures are opposed to the right ordering of society, and make the practice of virtue more difficult and facilitate personal sins against justice, charity, chastity, etc. These structures may involve widespread immoral customs (for example, political and economic corruption), or unjust laws (such as those allowing abortion), etc. A serious effort should be made to undo these “structures of sin” and replace them with just structures. To undo unjust structures and christianize professional relationships and the entire society, the diligent effort to live the moral norms intrinsic to one’s professional work is very important. This is also a necessary condition for sanctifying that work.  AUTHORITY “Every human community needs an authority to govern it. The foundation of such authority lies in human nature. It is necessary for the unity of the state. Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society” (Catechism, 1898). A Sign of Solidarity, Respect and Love The Church journeys along the roads to history together with all humanity The Church is the sign in history of God’s love for mankind and the vocation of the whole human race to unity as children of the Father  Vatican II: “For by their innermost human natures human persons are social beings, and unless they relate themselves to others they can neither live nor develop their potential” (GS 12) “Life in society is not something accessory to people themselves; through their dealings with others, through mutual service, and through brotherly and sisterly dialogue, men and women develop all their talents and become able to rise to their destiny.”  THE COMMON GOOD The common good can be defined as “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily.” Therefore the common good is not only a matter of material well-being but also spiritual (the two are inter-connected), and entails “three essential elements” (Catechism, 1906): 1. respecting the human person and his or her freedom; 2. furthering social progress and integral human development; 3. fostering “peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order” (Catechism, 1909).  THE COMMON GOOD Given the human being’s social nature, the good of each person is necessarily related to the common good, which in turn should be directed to each one’s progress (cf. Catechism, 1905 and 1912). The scope of the common good is not limited to a city or country. A “universal common good” also exists, which “calls for an organization of the community of nations” (Catechism, 1911).  PARTICIPATION BY CATHOLICS IN PUBLIC LIFE The effort to foster the common good, each in one’s own place and role in society, is a duty “inherent in the dignity of the human person” (Catechism, 1913). No one can accept “the luxury of a merely individualistic morality.” Therefore “as far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life” (Catechism, 1915). The right and duty to take part in the life of society stems from the principle of subsidiarity: “a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life but rather should support it in case of need and help to coordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good.”  PARTICIPATION BY CATHOLICS IN PUBLIC LIFE This participation in public life requires, first of all, the responsible fulfillment of one’s family and professional duties (cf. Catechism, 1914) and the obligations of legal justice (for example, paying taxes).37 It also means practicing the human virtues, especially solidarity with others. Given the interdependence of persons and human groups, participation in public life should be carried out with a spirit of solidarity, striving for the good of others. “Socio-economic problems can be resolved only with the help of all the forms of solidarity: solidarity of the poor among themselves, between rich and poor, of workers among themselves, between employers and employees in a business, solidarity among nations and peoples.  PARTICIPATION BY CATHOLICS IN PUBLIC LIFE International solidarity is a requirement of the moral order; world peace depends in part upon this” (Catechism, 1941). Although solidarity should encompass all men and women, “the duty of making oneself a neighbor to others and actively serving them becomes even more urgent when it involves the disadvantaged, in whatever area this may be” (Catechism, 1932; cf. 2443-2449).  PARTICIPATION BY CATHOLICS IN PUBLIC LIFE As citizens, the faithful have the same rights and duties as their fellow citizens; but as Catholics, they bear a special responsibility (cf. Tit 3:1-2; 1 Pet 2:13-15). Therefore the lay faithful can never abdicate their responsibility to take part in political life. This participation is particularly needed in order to permeate “social, political, and economic realities with the demands of Christian doctrine and life” (Catechism, 899).  PARTICIPATION BY CATHOLICS IN PUBLIC LIFE In summary, Catholics should diligently exercise their civil rights and fulfill their duties. This falls especially to the lay faithful, who are called to sanctify the world from within, with personal initiative and responsibility, without waiting for the hierarchy to resolve problems with civil authorities or to indicate the solutions they should adopt....your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”...your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” “ANNOUNCING THE GOSPEL IS THE FIRST AND GREATEST ACT OF CHARITY” LISTENING TO THE WORD OF GOD READING THE BIBLE ATTENDING THE SACRAMENTS DIALOGUE OF LIFE- THE HIGHEST FORM WITNESS TO THE WORD PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD AND LIVE IT Basic Bibliography Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1877-1917; 1939-1942; 2234-2249. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 34-43; 149- 151; 164-170; 541- 574. #catholicreading.org Shared notes from Prof. Cemine