Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 6 – Philo Subject Teacher:

FIRST TRIMESTER SY 2020-2021

HUMAN PERSON AS AN EMBODIED SPIRIT
For this lesson, we will focus more on the understanding of the philosophy of the human person
and on the basic constituents (physical and spiritual dimensions) of the human person.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
1. recognize own limitations or possibilities for one's transcendence;
2. evaluate own limitations and the possibilities for one's transcendence;
3. recognize how the human body imposes limits and possibilities for transcendence; and
4. distinguish the limitations and possibilities for transcendence

INTRODUCTION

One of the dominant themes in the course Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
is the idea that the human person is an embodied spirit. But first of all, we need to define terms here
because, as it appears, the meaning of the concept “embodied spirit” is
not directly clear to students who do not have a strong background and
orientation in philosophy. So, what do we exactly mean by “embodied
spirit”? Additional Readings
and point of discussion:
The most direct connotation that comes to mind when we say
something is “embodied” is that it is being materialized or incarnated. - Aristotle on the
Hence, when we say “embodied spirit”, we normally thought of a spirit Human Person as an
being incarnated. However, the idea of the human person as an Embodied Spirit
“embodied spirit” does not necessarily refer to the incarnation or
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materialization of spirit as an immaterial entity. The embodiment of the
spirit in the context of Christian philosophy (as is well known, the concept ndex.php/2018/12/01/th
of the embodied spirit is specific to Christian philosophy) specifically refers e-human-person-as-an-
to the inseparable union of body and soul. Thus, when we say “embodied embodied-spirit/)
spirit” we mean that the body is not separate from the soul, just as the
soul is not separate from the body.

So, when we say that the human person is an embodied spirit, we specifically mean that the
human person is the point of convergence between the material and spiritual entities, that is,
between the body and soul. We cannot talk, therefore, of the human person without the union of
body and soul, just as we cannot talk of anything without the union of (as Aristotle would have us
believe) matter and form.

INQUIRE AND DISCOVER

Two approaches in the study of the human person

A. Metaphysical Approach
-Examines the existential components of the human person.
-deals with the “what” of the human person.
B. Existential Approach
-Examines the essential features of the human person’s way of life.
-Focuses on life, mode of existence that is unique to the human person.

Views on what makes up the human person

1. Un-spirited body view
-there view holds that there is no such thing as spirit. A human person is essentially just a body.
 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

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2. Disembodied spirit view

-This view holds that a human person has both body and spirit that essentially defines the
human person. The body is dependent on the spirit, spirit is not dependent on the body. The
body will die if there is no spirit but spirit will live even in the absence of the body.
3. Embodied spirit view
-This view holds that body and spirit cannot exist independently of one another. Each will not
survive in the absence of the other.
Oxford Dictionary: a man/woman or child of the homo sapiens species, distinguished from other
animals by superior mental development power of articulate speech and upright stance. This
definition only pertains to man’s physical and mental traits. However, some philosophers would say
that human beings are also spiritual, ethical and existential beings.

Three aspects of human nature

1. Somatic- refers to the body material composition or substance of a human person. It is a view
that stems from the advances made in science and biology which state that all functioning of
consciousness are reduced to one principle: matter- that is, a human person in the last analysis
is a material creature which consist of his/her physical body only. In this view, any
interpretation to what happens to a human person is physiological.
2. Behavioral- refer to the human person’s mode of acting. In the study of human behavior, B. F.
Skinner on the study of human behaviorism, stated that any condition or event which may be
shown to take effect on behavior must be taken into account. By understanding and
analyzing these conditions, behavior may be predicted. He therefore suggested that human
behavior may be manipulated or controlled.
3. Attitudinal- refers to the human person’s inclinations to feelings, ideas, convictions, prejudices
or biases. Attitude is a person’s mental reactions to stimuli or tendency to act. It is a certain
inclination, bias, or disposition toward a certain type of activity. These tendencies may define
a person’s future actions and what s/he values as right and wrong. The attitudinal aspect
reveals the importance of the attitude toward a behavior or action done by or to be done by
a human person.
HUMAN PERSON AS AN EMBODIED SPIRIT
In philosophy, the adjective transcendental and noun transcendence convey the basic concept
from the word’s literal meaning (Latin), of climbing or going beyond, with varying connotations
in its different historical and cultural stages, with varying connotations in its different historical
and cultural stages. Appreciating art has transcendent existence. Knowledge and laws are will
also require transcendence. The fact that we have a soul that is capable of coming to life and
experiencing profound and hidden values, which the flesh and its senses can never discover
alone. This spirituality in us is identified with the divine image in our soul.
The aspects of transcendence can be covered by two classical views (Plato and Aristotle)
and three main spiritual philosophies (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity).
CLASSICAL VIEW
A. PLATO
According to Plato, man is his soul. This is the essence of his humanity and the sources of
his activities. The human body is an unfortunate accident and cruel imprisonment of the free
and pure soul. In death, the true man is freed from his imprisonment to see perfectly the pure
light of absolute truth.

B. ARISTOTLE
Man is the whole of his body and soul. They are one like the oneness of the ugly and his
figure. The relation of the body to the soul is the relation of matter to form. The body and soul
are only two aspects of the whole man.

SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHIES
A. HINDUISM
At Hinduism lies the idea of human being’s quest for absolute truth, so one’s soul and the
Brahman or Atman (Absolute Soul) might become one.
 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
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Aum (Om) – is the root of the universe and everything that exists and it continues to
hold everything together.
Human beings have dual nature:
A. Spiritual and immortal essence (soul) – reality
B. Empirical life and character (body) – illusion and even an obstacle
- Soul is eternal but is bound by the Law of Karma: “Good intent and good deed contribute to
good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deed contribute to bad karma and
future suffering”. The Law of Karma will determine the cycle of life (Samsara). Hindus believe that
the spirit is neither born or dies, while the body goes through a trans-migratory series of birth and
death.
Trans-migratory/Metempsychosis – a belief that a person’s soul passes into some other creature,
human or animal.
A human being’s soul can be said to be encased in his body. For this reason, humanity’s basic
goal in life is liberation (moksha) of the spirit/soul (jiva). Moksha, thus is an enlightened state
wherein one attains one’s true selfhood and finds oneself one with the One, the Ultimate
Reality: Brahman. Ultimate moksha leads to the spirit out of the monotonous cycle of life and
death (Samsara) to a state of nothingness.
- Only Brahman is real, which the mind can never fully grasp or express in words.
- Atman or no self is a correlative belief. It means that “I” or the self is an illusion.
Four primary values:
1-2. Wealth and pleasure – worldly values, but when kept in perspective they are good and
desirable.
3. Duty/righteousness – refers to patience, sincerity, fairness, love, honesty and similar virtues.
4. Enlightenment – one is illuminated and liberated and finds the release from the wheel of
existence.

B. BUDDHISM
Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama or the Buddha in Kapilavatthu, a town in the
plain region of modern Nepal-India border. Buddha was devoted to share his “Dharma” or
Law of Salvation – a simple presentation of the gospel of inner cultivation of right spiritual
attitudes, coupled with a self-imposed discipline. In its simplest form, the
teaching of Buddha has been forth traditionally in the Four Noble Truths
leading to Eightfold Path.

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

1. Dukkha: Life is full of suffering
2. Samudaya: Sufferings is caused by passionate desires, lust and cravings
3. Niroda: Only as these (desires) are eliminated, will suffering cease
4. Magga: liberation from dukkha by following the Noble Eightfold Path

EIGHTFOLD PATH
1. Right understanding: Understanding that the Four Noble Truths are noble and true.
2. Right thought: Determining and resolving to practice Buddhist faith.
3. Right speech: Avoiding slander, gossip, lying, and all forms of untrue and abusive speech.
4. Right conduct: Adhering to the idea of nonviolence (ahimsa), as well as refraining from any
form of stealing or sexual impropriety.
5. Right means of making a living: Not slaughtering animals or working at jobs that force you
to violate others.
6. Right mental attitude or effort: Avoiding negative thoughts and emotions, such as anger
and jealousy.
7. Right mindfulness: Having a clear sense of one’s mental state and bodily health and
feelings.
8. Right concentration: Using meditation to reach the highest level of enlightenment.

Upon accomplishing the Eightfold Path, this leads to the way of salvation. We do this
essentially by following three short axioms: cease to do evil, learn to do good, and purify your
own mind.
 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

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The way to salvation lies through self-abnegations, rigid disciplines of mind and body, a
consuming love for all creatures and the final achievement of that state of consciousness
which marks an individual’s full preparation for entering the Nirvana.
Nirvana – enlightened wisdom; the state where the effects of the Law of Cause and
Effect (Karma) are overcome, the Cycle of Rebirth is broken, and assurance for calm and
peace comes into eternity. It is a state where he has attained perfect knowledge, perfect
peace and perfect wisdom. It is the final state of bliss.

C. CHIRISTIANITY
"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe"
- Saint Augustine

St. Augustine was an early Christian theologian and philosopher

whose writings influenced the development of Western Christianity and
Western philosophy. Among his most important works are The City of God
and Confessions where it looks at the reasonableness of belief in God’s
existence.
Theistic Hypothesis – “God exist” as a hypothesis. For religious people, they
definitely do not treat God as a hypothesis but rather as a constant
presence. In neither the Jewish nor Christian Bibles is there any argument
for God’s existence.
For Augustine, philosophy is amor sapiental – the love of wisdom
where its aim is to produce happiness. However, wisdom is not just an
abstract logical construction; but it is substantially existent as the Divine
Logos. Hence philosophy is the love of God – it is then religious. The soul is
more important to the body.
St. Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican friar, Catholic priest, and
Doctor of the Church. The works for which he is best known is the Summa
Theologiae. It was a compendium of all of the main theological teachings of
the Catholic Church. It presents the reasoning for almost all points of Christian
theology in the West. The Summa's topics follow a cycle: the existence of
God; Creation, Man; Man's purpose; Christ; the Sacraments; and back to
God.
Aquinas considers the human beings as moral agent. We are both spiritual and body
elements: the spiritual and material. The unity of both elements indeed helps as to understand
our complexity as human beings. Through our spirituality, we have a conscience. Thus,
whether we choose to be good and evil becomes our responsibility.

 Christianity is the world’s largest religion

 Christianity actually has lots of denominations but is often divided
into three main branches, which are Catholicism, Orthodox, and
Protestantism.
 There is no original Bible dating back to Jesus- Many people imagine the origin of the Bible as
a single book, but it’s, in fact, an anthology of 66 books with various authors. The first printed
bible dates back to 1455, and it’s known as the Gutenberg Bible, which is also the first book
ever printed.
 Jerusalem is the holiest city within Christian faith- Jerusalem is perhaps the holiest city in the
world since it’s an important site for Jews, Christians as well as Muslims.
 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 6 – Philo Subject Teacher:

Evaluate Own Limitation and Possibilities for their Transcendence

A. B. The Beauty C.
D. Failure E. Loneliness F. Love
Forgiveness of Nature Vulnerability
When we There is The Our failures Our loneliness To love is to
forgive, we perfection in experience force us to can be rooted experience
are freed every single that we are confront our from our sense richness,
from our flower; this is contingent, weaknesses of vulnerability positivity, and
anger and what the that we are and and fear of transcendence.
bitterness three dependent limitations. death. This Whether in
because of philosophies for our experience is times of
the actions believed. existence on Such common. ecstatic
and/or words These kinds of another is acceptance However, it is moments or
of another. experiences frightening. of our failures our choice to struggles, the
On the other can be truly make us hope live in an love for a
hand, the moments of and trust that impossible friend, between
hardness of grace. They all can be world where family members
our heart is touch us brought into we are always or a significant
reinforced by deeply and good. Even if "happy" or to person, can
the whole the human we have accept a life open in us
series of heart is sinned, as where solitude something in
rational spontaneously Augustine and the other which
arguments. lifted. had, there is companionship takes us
hope and have a part. beyond
forgiveness. With our ourselves. Life is
loneliness, we full of risks, fears
can realize and
that our commitment,
dependence pain and
on other sacrificing and
people or giving up things
gadgets is a we want for the
possessiveness sake of the one
that we can be we love. In
free from. Buddhist view,
the more we
love, the more
risks and fears
there are in life.

Recognize the Human Body Imposes

Limitations and Possibilities for
Transcendence
A. Hinduism: Reincarnation and Karma
Essential Hinduism is based on the belief in karma and has its first literary expression in Upanishads.
Everything in this life, say the Hindus, is a consequence of actions performed in previous existence.
Only by building up a fine record, or "karma", can final salvation be attained.

B. Buddhism: Nirvana
Nirvana means the state in which one is absolutely free from all forms of bondage and attachment. It
means to overcome and remove the cause of suffering. It is also the state or perfect insight into the
nature of existence. The Buddhists see one who has attained nirvana as one who is unencumbered
from all the fetters that bind a human being to existence.
 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 6 – Philo Subject Teacher:

C. St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas: Will and Love

For St. Augustine, physically we are free, yet morally bound to obey the law. The Eternal law is God
Himself. According to this law, humanity must do well and avoid evil, hence, the existence of moral
obligation in every human being.
Through prayer, modesty, fasting, and other sound measures that the Church recommends, or God
provides, can purify heart, mind, and body be maintained and daily lived.

REFLECT:
 What is in our Human nature that enable us to become a person?
 How does your Human nature enable you to explore your limits?

REFERENCES:
BOOKS:
Maboloc, Christopher. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City: The
Inteligente Publishing Inc., 2016.
Atacador, Rey (et.al). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Malabon City:
Mutya Publishing House, Inc, 2016.