LESSON 7: The Human Person in Society PDF

LESSON 7 The Human Person in the Society  Have you ever pondered how your world has defined you? Have you ever thought about your place in this world and among the people you interact with everyday? Have you ever reflected on how your presence has affected the world and...

LESSON 7 The Human Person in the Society  Have you ever pondered how your world has defined you? Have you ever thought about your place in this world and among the people you interact with everyday? Have you ever reflected on how your presence has affected the world and people around you? The person is by nature a social The being because he or she has a human tendency to go out of himself or person herself to form bonds and relationships with others. exists to Throughout a person’s life, he or relate with she experiences a variety of others. relationship that help shape him or her as a person.  SOCIETY Is an organized group of people whose members interact frequently and have a common territory and culture. Also, refers to a companionship or friendly association with others, an alliance, a community, or a union. According to Merriam-Webster, society is people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and belief.  Philosopher consider society the product of deliberate actions by individuals who come together in pursuit of a common goal. Society is considered unique among all other groups of nature of the human person that compose it, as well as the relationships among its member.  As individual person, members of society are able to transform themselves and attain their interactions within society. In turn, humans are also able to influence society through their actions Society also makes possible the emergence of certain individualities. The survival of a human being is essentially rooted in society and human relations. Society and its various aspects provide support that ensures the development of the human person Peter Berger - Society not only controls our movements but shapes our identity, our thought and emotions. The structures of society become the structures of our own consciousness. Society does not stop at the surface of our skins. We are entrapped by our own social nature. Emile Durkheim - Society confronts us as an objective fact. Society is external to ourselves. It encompasses our entire life. The institution of the society pattern our actions and even shape our expectation. Social Institution -Is defined in sociology as complex, self - reproducing social forms involving both social roles in and outcomes of said form. Social Structures - Are regularities in social life, referring to distinctive, stable arrangement of institutions emerging from and normalizing the interactions of human Explain the history of the world in terms of the transformation of societies from primitive communal, to slave society, to feudal, to capitalist, and so on.  SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY  Enlightenment philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean Jacques Rousseau were among the most prominent social theorist who tackled the origins of human society. Examining humans in their “natural state,” afforded these philosophers an opportunity to discuss the origins of society and relate them to other concepts such as man’s intrinsic nature and liberty.  Various views emerged to explain the developments that brought about the emergence of human society.  For Thomas Hobbes, persons in their natural states are governed by their desires and these often lead to conflict with their fellowmen. Individuals who establish societies enter into “social contract.”  Social contract- is an agreement where individual sacrifice an amount of their freedom and submit to a higher authority in this way, society is able to function and meet the needs of many, ensuring the survival of humanity.  Various views emerged to explain the developments that brought about the emergence of human society.  John Locke considered persons in their natural states as more cooperative and reasonable, and that society is formed through the consent of individuals that organized it. This concept is known as the consent of the governed.  Locke social contract is covenant among individuals to cooperate and share the burden of upholding the welfare of society.  The authority established to run society should reflect the ideals of the people who organize it.  Various views emerged to explain the developments that brought about the emergence of human society.  Jean Jacques Rousseau’s ideas on the social contract led him to advocate the concept of the “general will” He believed that even if the people are the ones who organized the society and established an authority or government, in extreme cases the government is able to impose its will on the people. This is based on the assumption that the people have empowered the government to act on their behalf, and that it is considered to be the best judge of what is the most beneficial for society.  More recent views on the social contract give emphasis to individual decision- making in society.  John Rawls redefined the social contract and explained that human beings approach social cooperation in a rational manner in order to meet their individual self- interest.  He introduced a version of the natural state which he called the “original position” to explain social formation. He imagined humans as having a “veil of ignorance,” or no knowledge of one’s own characteristics such as genders, race, or social status. In this state, human naturally seek a just and fair society in an effort to look out for their own interest.  More recent views on the social contract give emphasis to individual decision- making in society.  David Gauthier described people’s self- interest as a significant factor in building and maintaining societies. People choose to cooperate since it is beneficial to meet their self- interests, but this selfish interest benefits society as a whole, since the actions of individuals in meeting their individual needs also further the interests of the other member of society.  Although there are variations on the social contract theory , perhaps one common feature they all have is the fact that the different individuals enter into a kind of agreement with one another to form a society. Individual It is important to note that in a society, one is not compromised for members put the sake of other: the individual is aside their self- not in any way violated for the sake interest in order of community and vice versa. to create a community where Only a society which ensures they may live in the development of individuals and his or her community may harmony with be considered a proper and others. humanizing society.  Common Good Refers to a social conditions which enable persons and groups to fulfill their goals and achieve well- being. It applies to all members of society. This means that not only do all member benefit from it, all have the responsibility to work for it. By working to attain the common good, a person is now able to create opportunities for himself or herself as well as others. The collective effort of individual persons towards the common good ensures that each member of the community will be able to live in a world where they can pursue their one perfection and fulfillment. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY Hunting and Gathering Society Nomadic Societies Societies are small consisting only 20 to 30 members. Men and women are equal. The political institution are very rudimentary They usually have shaman or a priest as the leader of the group. The basis of their explanations are animistic wherein they believe that spirits live the world Horticultural and Pastoral Society 2 Types of Society 1. Pastoral Society 2. Horticultural Society Others are combine the both forms of the two (2) societies Permanent settler are established. These societies is greater inequality in terms of gender and wealth Another side effect of the greater wealth of societies is greater conflict. Societies were usually run by Council of Elders composed of the heads of the villages’ various families. Some of these villages may have had a Chief elder as a single leader. Early social class divisions as a result.  Agrarian or Agricultural Society Began 5,000 years ago during Neolithic period. Agricultural revolution started in West Asia (Middle East). During Neolithic revolution, agricultural societies developed and their population increased into million. Agricultural societies produced cultivation of crops. Neolithic people produce cultivation tools and development in farming skills that can support and sustain thousands of people. They also settled permanently.  Feudal Society Is based on the ownership of land. Feudal societies arose out of developments in Western Europe During Medieval times, when rival kingdoms were engaged in conflict over resources, particularly lands. Rulers grant their followers or vassals the right to manage the parcel of land. Social relations are characterized by dependence. Members of society are organized based on status. People are often very conscious of their place within society and are mindful of the hierarchy.  Industrial Society Industrial societies began when Industrial Revolution swept through Europe. During Industrial revolution, new resources of energy were harnessed, advanced forms of technology were applied, and machineries are invented. Effects of Industrial Revolution POSITIVE- Technological advances. - People do have a greater chance to pull themselves up their bootstraps. NEGATIVE- There is a rise and growth of large cities and concentrated poverty and degrading conditions in these cities. - the urbanization changed the character of social life by creating a more impersonal and less traditional Gesellschaft society.  Sociologist Ferdinand Tonnies divided societies into large categories: GEMEINSCHAFT SOCIETIES- consist primarily of villages in which everyone knows everyone else. Relationships are life-long and based on kinship. GESELLSCHAFT SOCIETIES- are modernized. People have little in common with one another, and relationships are short term and based-interest with little concern for the well-being of others.  Post- Industrial Society Is marked by the establishment of societies based on knowledge, information, and the sales of services. Led by the human mind and aided by highly advanced technology, the trend has shifted from industry to the generation, storage, manipulation, and sale of information. Information influences the behavior of the people and has thus become a very important commodity in the post-industrial society. Members of this society have higher educational attainment, better training, and specialized roles.  Post- Industrial Society The virtual society, where people organize themselves through communication technology and the internet, is a product of a post- industrial society. Individuals in a virtual society often engage in complex relationship. They often have fluid identities and do not necessary subscribes to certain norms or established standard behavior. The freedom allowed in virtual world means that a person is able to engage in various activities, as well as access various kinds of information.  Post- Industrial Society The Post-Industrial Revolution is an important development from Industrial revolution as economic production focused on the used and application of new information technology rather than factories. “Information Age” In these societies, information technology and service jobs have replaced machines and manufacturing jobs at the primary dimension of the economy.  have a very dynamic relationship in which one cannot exist without the other. - Because of this reality, it is important to considers society’s role in the growth and development of a person, and the person’s role  persons in various ways. - It is the backdrop by which we adopt the prevailing culture, identity, values, ideas and knowledge of the persons, groups, and communities that surrounds us. - It shapes all individuals that are part of it, though each is influence by society  influences us as persons is its ability to define the relationships and interactions among its members. Society influences the interactions of its member through the establishments of norms NORMS- are set of traits and behavior that society considers acceptable, and thus encouraged and passed  EXAMPLES OF PHILIPPINE NORMS Handshaking or saying When members of a society doMano “Hello” or “Nice not conform or to established to meet you!” norms, Pagmamano they often experience negative consequences, such as punishment or social stigma. Norms are one of the ways that society regulates the behavior and intentions of its members and establishes and  establishment of norms, can influence knowledge and ideas. Ex: “The red traffic light means stop.” LAWS- are more formal and stringent norms that establish and define acceptable behavior of citizens. FOLKWAYS- are less formal norms that arise from tradition and do not result in SOCIAL SYSTEM is an organized or patterned set of relationships among individuals and groups that compose a society. SOCIAL ROLES - are action and behaviors expected of a certain individual. SOCIAL GROUPS or SOCIAL CLASSES- are individuals who share similar backgrounds or perform similar roles. SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS- certain groups that perform vital functions in society. - Family, School, Government,  which leads to the transformation of its member. SOCIAL VALUES- are actions or ideals that are considered important by society. Values such as cooperation, obedience to the law, concern for others, and respects for others are considered vital to maintaining an  capability of the person to develop, and provides its members with opportunities to better themselves. -Effective and efficient public service, education, and the maintenance of peace and order are some of the ways society ensures that we are to have productive  Apart from choosing not to be fully defined by society, persons can also undertake to contribute to society through their decisions and actions. - One important way a person can contribute to social change is by enacting his or her social responsibilities well.  best means to bring about changes in society, and the concerned effort of many groups often bring about a social movement. Social Movement- is a large- scale action done by various groups and organizations in pursuit of a common goal to bring