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Introduction To The Philosophy of The Human Person (2nd Qtr - 1st Sem) Lesson 1 : The Human Person - Prudence is considered as an ecological virtue since it can help us become...

Introduction To The Philosophy of The Human Person (2nd Qtr - 1st Sem) Lesson 1 : The Human Person - Prudence is considered as an ecological virtue since it can help us become in the Environment wiser, more responsible in terms of using our natural resources and, most Environmental philosophy - Discipline that studies the moral relationship of importantly, become more appreciative of nature’s essential value. human beings with the environment and its non-human contents. Frugality - Philosophers believe that the human person has the ability to - the quality of being thrifty. - It is the careful supervision of one’s resources. change the environment to suit his purposes. - also the cautious management of material resources, especially money. A - This means that as human beings/persons, we interact not only frugal person always invests time to think carefully just to save a lot of money. with our fellow human beings, but also with other living and non-living elements in our environment. Theories in Radical Ecological Philosophy - Humankind is a part of the world, and we significantly affect our environment in the same way that changes in our environment 1. Social Ecology affect us. Murray Bookchin, proponent of Social ecology, believes that ecological problems can be traced to social problems. (3) Three major views on the relationship between humanity and the - Societies that are structured around hierarchies as well as economic classes environment : use their authority to dominate natural resources and exploit the environment 1. Anthropocentrism - focuses on the significant role of human kind in for profit and self-interest. the world and considers nature as the means by which humans are able to meet their needs and survive. 2. Ecofeminism - This view believes that humans are the most important species on the planet - It assumes that male-centered view of nature is the root cause of ecological and they are free to transform nature and use its resources. problems. - To address environmental problems humanity has to remove the superior vs. 2. Biocentrism - believes that humans are not only significant species on the inferior in human relations. planet, and that all organisms have inherent value and should be protected. - It also believes that a society that tolerates the oppression of women is - This view drives the activities of humane organizations that advocate the directly linked with its tendency to tolerate the abuse of the environment and ethical treatment of animals. the degradation of nature. - It also features the existing patriarchal and capitalist systems in our society as 3. Ecocentrism - places great value on ecosystems and biological communities. social and economic exploitative to the detrimental effects of women and This view believes that humankind is part of a greater biological system or nature. This theory benefits the social and political agenda of both females community and that we have a significant ROLE AS STEWARDS or guardians and nature. OF NATURE. 3.Deep ecology Environmental Aesthetics Arne Naess, proponent of Deep ecology, assumes that all living things possess - Philosophical view that believes maintaining order in the environment will equal value and intrinsic worth regardless of their usefulness or utility to other bring out the natural beauty of the surroundings and contribute to the beings. well-being of the people and other organisms living in it. - This is experiencing ourselves as part of the living earth and finding our role in protecting the planet. Sustainable Development - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future generation. Lesson 2 : Freedom of the Human Person (Part 1) (3) Three Important Principles of Sustainability Freedom - The human capacity to act (or not to act) as we choose or prefer 1. Environmental integrity refers to maintaining the state of the environment. without any external compulsion or restraint. This means that human activities should not disrupt the ecosystem and human - It is an intrinsic and essential property of a person. communities located in the area. - Important indication of human freedom is the ability to MAKE CHOICES and 2. Economic efficiency refers to prudence in decision-making regarding the use PERFORM ACTIONS. of resources to ensure that there is minimum to zero waste. - Our freedom to act sets us apart from other beings. Prudence - ability to regulate one’s actions and behavior. (BEING CAREFUL) Frugality - being thrifty with the use of one’s resources. (BEING MATIPID) Animals - Respond to commands 3. Equity demands that we use our natural resources in such a manner that - Trained and conditioned to perform these are conserved so that the next generation will be able to use them. - Act instinctively (actions are predetermined responses to certain stimuli) Human Persons Prudence and Frugality - two of the many virtues that can help us in addressing various environmental - Can choose the course of action to take when given a stimulus or faced with a problems and solving the challenges these problems have created. certain situation. (eg: task of cleaning your room) Prudence Aristotle (The Power of Volition) - the capacity to direct and discipline one’s activities and behavior using - Volition in this sense is the faculty or power to reason. use or discharge one’s will. - It is the behavior that is cautious and, as much as possible, keeps away from any risks. Made by Ash 💗, Mione 🎀, and Iyan 💋1 - If there were no intellect, there would be no will. The will of humanity is an - The person is free to perform actions that he/ she considers right and wise. A instrument of free choice. It is within the power of everyone to be good or person is also free to act or not to act. bad, or worthy or worthless. - Psychological freedom is INNATE and CANNOT BE - The happiness of every human being is in his own DENIED AS A PERSON. hands, to preserve and develop, or to cast away. Example: - For Aristotle, a human being is rational. Reason is a divine 1. Freedom to choose your friends characteristic. If there were no intellect, there would be no will. 2. Freedom to choose your partner 3. Freedom to choose your course in college St. Thomas Aquinas (Freedom is spirituality 4. Freedom to be what you want to be and love) - Freedom, for St. Thomas, is the manner intellectual beings seek. It is a 3. Moral Freedom condition of the will arising from our nature being in the kind of world Using freedom in a manner that upholds human dignity and goodness. that we inhabit. Example: - St. Thomas considers the human being as a moral agent 1. Doing charitable works - Our spirituality separates us from animals; it delineates the moral 2. Participating on outreach activities dimension of our fulfillment in an action. Through our spirituality, we 3. Being sensitive to the needs of other have a conscience. Whether we choose to be “good” or “evil” becomes 4. Being prudent on the use of social media our responsibility. 5. Participating in volunteer work. - St. Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica) establishes the existence of Positive and Negative Freedom God as a first cause. And as God’s creations, human beings have the Negative Freedom - refers to the “absence of interference”; absence of unique power to change themselves and things around them for the coercion or interference. better. - Freedom whatever you want. - We have a conscience because of our spirituality - It’s considered negative because you failed to use freedom in a responsible manner. Jean Paul Sartre (Individual Freedom) - Existentialism is a philosophical movement known for its inquiry on human Positive Freedom - kind of freedom that requires active effort; has control or existence, which means “to exist”. mastery of his/ herself and has the strength to do what is good. - For Sartre, the human person builds the road to the destiny of his/her - This is doing the right thing and exercising our freedom in a responsible choosing; he/she is the creator. manner. - Sartre’s Existentialism stems from this principle : existence precedes For example: you will finish the school requirements before hanging out with essences (Human being is solely responsible for their actions because we friends. choose who we are) - Sartre emphasizes the importance of free individual choice, regardless of the Absolute Freedom power of other people to influence and coerce our desires, beliefs, and - No form of hindrance that would prevent you from doing what you want. decisions. - Should freedom be absolute? Definitely NO - freedom always had its limitations. Freedom is always coupled with RESPONSIBILITY. - Freedom means exercising our capacity to make decisions, change our Recap : life path and direct the course of our lives through our own steering. - Freedom - Freedom is something that is exercised - Perspectives on Freedom through our CHOICES. - Types of Freedom - Negative vs. Positive Freedom Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke (Theory of Social - Freedom is not absolute Contract) Hobbes, Rousseau, and Locke define the freedom of an individual in the Lesson 3 : CHOICES context of having a government to rule them (contract), which is the basis of Freedom and Responsibility the notion of moral obligation and duty. (Part 2 - Ethics) Social Contract - an agreement where individuals sacrifice an amount of their Choices: Freedom comes with great freedom and submit to a higher authority. responsibilities - It is a necessity that we must assure the government and people to work as - It is an absolute understanding that all actions have consequences. Freedom one. From this understanding also arises certainty that we have freedom. involves choice. - Chance and choosing are incommensurable. If a person has the capacity to Kinds of Freedom choose, then that person can be held responsible over the consequences of 1. Physical Freedom his/ her actions. - Refers to the absence of any PHYSICAL RESTRAINT. The person has the freedom of mobility to go where he/she wants to go. - Freedom is the power to be what you want to be and the ability to decide and create yourself. 2. Psychological Freedom - Many of the characteristics that define our personality are often a product of - Also called “freedom of choice”. our choices. Freedom gives you the ability to strive to achieve a goal. Made by Ash 💗, Mione 🎀, and Iyan 💋2  - They are normative answers about what we ought to do from a - Freedom is rooted in the human person’s self-determination and the moral system that we uphold and its moral principles. exercise of intellect and free will. - These normative answers would take into consideration the - A person’s actions determine what kind of person he/she becomes. behavior which the society will accept. - Freedom entails certain RESPONSIBILITY Practical Choice - a choice which is borne out of psychological and emotional - Freedom requires a degree of control from the person who exercises it (eg: considerations. addiction, impulsive behavior) - To lose control of oneself diminishes human freedom and dehumanizes the Practical choices are made when confronted with the actual situation, and person usually affected by the psychological aspect of the person embroiled in the moral situation or dilemma. What makes us free? How does freedom shape our experiences? Moral Dilemma Dilemma - a situation where a person is forced to choose between two or 2 Elements that define freedom: more conflicting options, neither of which is acceptable. 1. Voluntariness - refers to the ability of a person to act out of his/ her own - When dilemmas involve human actions which have moral free will and self-determination. implications, they are called ethical or moral dilemmas. - Decisions are made out of his/ her own free will - Moral dilemmas are situations where persons, who are called - Also means that a person may act even if he/she is not required or “moral agents” in ethics, are forced to choose between two or called to take action. more conflicting options, neither of which resolves the - Voluntary acts are free acts which can be assigned a corresponding situation in a morally acceptable manner. moral value. Evaluate and Exercise Prudence in - Whenever we decide to take action, this results in a certain Choice consequence. - When we are exercising our choice, we must always be cautious and aware of the choices that we make, as well as 2. Responsibility - refers to the person being accountable for his/her actions the implications of these in the future. and their consequences. - The capacity of an individual to make good choices - A person who has no awareness of the effect of his/her actions can comes from his/her accumulated experiences and values. be considered as acting with diminished freedom. - Always remember that when we make choices, we make - Another reality that we have to face as we experience, exercise our choices not for ourselves but also for the things that will freedom is the fact that freedom is experienced through the act of affect that choice. making choices. Choices: Consequences and The Nature of the Choices We Make Sacrifices The Act of Making a Choice - We must take into consideration the necessary sacrifices Understanding the importance of being prudent in making choices, you will that we must take for us to grow. realize that any deliberate act of choosing involves evaluating the alternatives. - There are times that when we decide, we take risks, may it be - The concept of explaining that weighing the reasons when you are a sacrifice or consequence, and the tendency of humans to choosing, the act involves not only weighing the reasons but giving take such daunting tasks comes from his experiences and weight to reasons. values. - After you have chosen each alternative, you will realize that some - In totality, the situation and progress of a person in a situation considerations carry more weight than the others. That is why falls on the result, that is our goal depends solely on the you choose one alternative and disregard the other. weighted consequences we must bear and the sacrifices we must endure. Ethics - Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the systematic How can I exercise my freedom in a responsible and beneficial manner? questioning and critical examination of the underlying principles of - Human freedom, though essential is NOT ABSOLUTE morality. - Human freedom should be exercised with control and a - A moral agent is a person who has the ability to discern right from recognition of reasonable limits. wrong and to be held accountable for his or her own actions. Moral - Limiting personal freedom requires sacrifice to certain agents have a moral responsibility not to cause unjustified harm. self-interests and accepting certain realities that are beyond - A moral decision is a choice made based on a person's control. ethics,manners, character, and what they believe is proper - Our sense of right and wrong guides us on recognizing and behavior. These decisions tend to affect not only our own deciding on the limitations to our freedom. well-being, but the well-being of others. - Freedom should also be exercised with regard for knowledge and truth. Intellectual Choice vs. - It is necessary to cultivate the intellectual virtue of PRUDENCE Practical Choice in making sound choices. Intellectual Choice - This is a choice which is deliberately selected based on a moral standpoint. Made by Ash 💗, Mione 🎀, and Iyan 💋3  - In exercising our freedom, we should also recognize and Empathy - the ability to share emotions. This emotion is driven by a person’s uphold not only our individual freedom but also the freedom awareness that the other is a person's thoughts and feelings. of others Empathy enables us to experience another person’s emotions, such as - Freedom should be exercised with due regard for the welfare happiness, anger, and sadness. of other persons. Sympathy is “feeling with”, while empathy is “feeling in” The “Given” and the Availability - the willingness of a person to be present and be at disposal of “Chosen” another. - These “givens” or pre determined things do not negate our freedom but give us the opportunities to exercise our freedom The Ethics of Care is an ethical theory that emphasizes the moral dimension of when we determine ourselves. relationship and interactions. - Use our freedom in a good way so that we may become better This moral perspective encourages individuals to help other people, most people and better versions of ourselves. especially the vulnerable. Recap : - Freedom - Involves choice Rene Descartes - Entails responsibility - An advocate of individualism. - As a proponent of the doctrine of individualism, he resolved to 2 Elements that define Freedom doubt absolutely everything that could possibly be doubted, in the - Voluntariness hope of thereby finding something that was beyond doubt. (“Doubt - Responsibility everything that can be doubted”) Ethics - According to him there is one thing that cannot be doubted, and - Man as a moral agent that is thinking. - Moral decisions and Moral dilemmas “Seeming”- actions where an individual presents himself or herself in a certain Lesson 4 : Intersubjectivity way when dealing with others. Persons take on “roles” or act out characters (Part 1) when dealing with certain people or when in certain situations. Intersubjectivity - It refers to shared meanings constructed by people in their interactions with each other. - There may be instances when people behave a certain way in order - Intersubjectivity is the philosophical concept of the interaction to intentionally deceive or manipulate other people. between the “self” and the “other”. It is the mutual recognition of each other as persons. - Most human interactions, however, are not based on deception. - It refers to the shared awareness, and understanding among persons. It is made possible by the awareness of the self and the Since our human nature derives us to uphold dignity and goodness, other. our interactions with others are also geared towards what is good and beneficial. Jean-Paul Sartre - These lead humans to strive to achieve deeper and more - explains that when you look at a person, the act of objectification substantial interactions and relations with other people. allows you to capture that person’s freedom to be what he or she wants to be. That is, you are limiting a person’s possibilities by a - This deeper and more genuine interaction is called dialogue. look. - This is evident when you stereotype or label a person based on his Dialogue - an interaction between persons that happens through speech, or her appearance or certain actions. expressions, and body language. Totalization - Dialogue is not confined to words alone, actions, gestures and - occurs when one limits the other to a set of rational categories, be other expressions may be used to convey a person’s inner life. they racial, sexual or otherwise. One totalizes the other when one - A dialogue occurs when two persons “open up” to each other and claims he/she already knows who that person is before they can give and receive one another in their encounter. even speak to them. Edmund Husserl Recognizing and Relating - believes that intersubjectivity is more than just shared to Others understanding, but it is the capability to put oneself in the place - Martin Buber, a Jewish philosopher, had a great interest in the where the other is. study of relating ourselves to others. - Intersubjectivity occurs when people undergo acts of empathy - He said that “I” or yourself, can only be realized through because an intersubjective experience is highly empathic. This recognition of “others.” happens when people put themselves in the shoes of others. - The “I” cannot be aware of its uniqueness and existence without encountering the “other.” Made by Ash 💗, Mione 🎀, and Iyan 💋4  Several ways by which we relate to others (according to Buber) - a form of interpersonal communication which occurs when people The “I-I” relationship recognize that they are part of a greater whole and can relate with others within the whole. - “I-I” relationship in which people make themselves the center of - In some cases, non-verbal dialogical relations are not only the their world. more appropriate means of conversation, but considered as a - Talking to other people does not interest them and if they talk to more profound form of conversation. others, it is the “I” who will be the center of the conversation. - They don't really listen to what others are sharing. I-Thou relationship for Buber is the experience of being through conversation in communion with the other; and here, the other may not necessarily be a “I-It” relationship human being. It could be your dog, or your tree, or God. - “I-It” relationship is the second type of relationship. - In line with this, we must remember that a privileged form of relationship is the I-Thou relationship. This relationship involves effort. There are people that treat the other people into the status of an object—an It. Examples: - Martin Heidegger argued that humankind is 1. Researchers who have indigenous people as their participants. They are a conversation. very prone to reducing the other into mere It, i.e. as mere objects of - Conversation is more than just a simple talk but rather a dialogue. It means that humanity investigation. is gradually accustomed to communication 2. In the medical field when practitioners look at their patients as objects about Being. of investigation. - Language, as one of the controls of humans, creates the human world. Language is a tool There are also “I-It” relations where the I clearly has bad intent on the for communication, information, and social other, treating the other as mere It or object. collaboration. - For Heidegger, all conversations are really Examples: one conversation, the subject of which is 1. How oppressive employers treat their workers like machines or robots Being. A conversation is creative, expressive, who are immune to physical, verbal, psychological, and emotional abuse and profound that allows humanity to exist as 2. Any relationship which has one party reducing the other to a more than objects. We are human beings status of an object: who sincerely care more than acquiring information and satisfaction. a. bully who treats a person with disability as an object of his amusement b. a liquor company using body of women as their advertisement to improve - According to Paulo Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed”, dialogue sales, is the encounter between men, mediated by the people in order to c. partners or friends treating each other as objects and means to satisfy their transform the world. self-interest and desires in so-called "friends with benefits" type of - For him, dialogue is not just simply an interaction between people relationships. to explore the world together, it is also a sign of freedom, equality, and responsibility in discovering and transforming the world of - This kind of relationship results in what we call alienation. every human being. - It happens when human relationships are inauthentic, deceptive - True dialogue cannot exist unless the partners engage in love, and exploitative. It arises when a person ceases to view the other humility, faith, trust, hope, and critical thinking. Therefore, dialogue as a distinct or authentic person and merely considers the other becomes the sign and the central concept of true education, person as a mere object or a means to satisfy personal interests. “without dialogue there is no communication, and without - Alienation is a disorientating sense of exclusion and separation and communication, there can be no true education”. if left unaddressed, will discount the humanity and dignity of a Recap : person that leads to dehumanization. Intersubjectivity is the philosophical concept of the interaction between the “self” and the “other”. It is the “I-Thou” relationship mutual recognition of each other as persons. - It is in this kind of human relations that genuine sharing of one - Empathy another takes place. - Availability - It is in this type of relationship that the other is treated as - Ethics of Care distinctly other, the I treats the person as a Thou (You), as another person who is different from the I; one has a different Ways we relate to others: set of interests, visions, beliefs, values, and characteristics. - “I-I relationship” - The center of this relationship is a genuine form of - “I-It relationship” conversation: a dialogue. - “I-Thou relationship” - Authentic Dialogue Authentic Dialogue Made by Ash 💗, Mione 🎀, and Iyan 💋5