LESSON 3: The Human Person as an Embodied without them, an individual may

Spirit not be considered a human person.

 MAN WHAT IS THE HUMAN PERSON?

- General term commonly used to
Philosophers believe that the human
refer to the entire human race.
being is not just a mere animal. There is
- Related terms include: humanity,
something in the human individual that sets him
mankind, and humankind.
or her apart from other beings. These special
 HUMAN
traits make a human a distinct individual
- Refers to man as a species.
person.
 HOMOSAPIENS
-Modern human beings. We possess traits and capabilities that
 HUMAN BEING are not found in other organisms.
- Used to distinguish man from other
animals. TRAITS THAT DEFINES A PERSON
- Nature of humans as animals. 1. SELF-AWARENESS
 PERSON - Refers to the person having clear
- A much more complex term which perception of oneself, including her
generally refers to a human being or her thoughts, emotions, identity,
granted recognition of certain and actions.
rights, protection, responsibilities, - Perception and reaction to the
and dignity. environment.
 HUMAN PERSON 2. RATIONALITY
- The totality of an individual, - Human thought
possessing awareness, self- - Deeper awareness
determination, and the capacity to
interact with others and with A person is aware of both his or her
himself or herself. surroundings and himself or herself.
 PERSONHOOD This awareness gives rise to the notion
- Refers to the state of being a of the “self”
person.
 HUMAN NATURE  “SELF”
- Refers to the characteristics that - Described as the person who is
distinguish humans from other actively aware that he or she is
creatures. perceiving and experiencing reality.
- These traits arise independent of - Enables us to reach out and interact
the influence of the culture and with things outside of ourselves.
society.  INNER WORLD
- Examples: thinking, feeling, and - Defined by our thoughts and ideas.
acting. - Having an inner world allows a
- These traits are considered to form person to create goals, dreams, and
the essence of humanity, and plans which may be realized
through activity.
  INTERIORITY Each person is worth the same as another
- The quality of being focused on person in the sense that every person is
one’s inner life and identity. priceless, unique, unrepeatable, and
- Enables persons to exercise irreplaceable.
creativity.
WHAT IS IN OUR HUMAN NATURE THAT
- Allows us to daydream, imagine,
ENABLES US TO BECOME PERSON?
fantasize and reflect.
3. SELF-DETERMINATION Philosophers tried to identify the
- The capability of persons to make substantial elements that give rise to the
choices and decisions based on characteristics that enable us to become
their own preferences, monitor and persons.
regulate their actions, and be goal-
oriented and self-directed.  BODY
 FREE WILL - Person is truly defined by his or her
- The capacity to choose a course of body and what he or she
action from various alternatives. experiences through the senses.
- Enables us to do actions whenever  SPIRIT
we want to and makes self- - The unseen aspect of the human
determination possible. person which, along with the body
- Enables person to act willfully, defines us as persons.
control his or her actions, and - Intangible element which enables
recognize himself or herself as the us to exercise thought, possess
source of action. awareness, interiority, and the
 CONSEQUENCE capacity to reach out to the outside
- The result or effect of an action or world and other persons.
condition. HOW ARE THE BODY AND THE SPIRIT
 MORALITY RELATED?
- The goodness or badness of an act.
Human person is defined by the union
Human action is an important aspect of the of the body and the spirit.
person. Philosophers consider human action as
a way to reveal a person’s true nature.  THE HUMAN PERSON IS AN EMBODIED
SPIRIT.
4. EXTERNALITY - Not only are the body and spirit
- The capability to reach out and united, but they are integrated with
interact with others and the world. each other.
Philosophers consider man a social being, and - We cannot separate the two and
that a person never exists in isolation. they go hand-in-hand in making us
who we are.
Our interaction with others define our existence - Whatever affects the body, affects
as person. the spirit.
 EMBODIMENT
5. DIGNITY
- Enables us to do and experience all
- The innate right to be valued and
the things that make us human
respected.
persons.
 - Is the one thing that enables us to Being physically limited in our abilities does
feel love and love others. not prevent us from hoping for or aspiring to
 EXPERIENCE greater things.
- A product of embodiment.
 Limits, however can be overcome with
 Human Embodiment allows person to
enough effort and perseverance.
attach certain feelings or ideas not only
 To experience TRANSCENDENCE, we
to people, but also to objects.
must identify and face our own
 With human embodiment, physical acts
personal limits.
are no longer purely physical acts,
because the body conveys something ESSENCE OF TRANSCENDENCE
from a person’s inner world.
 Through embodiment, that a person is  To acknowledge our limitations
able to have a very unique relationship  Identify possibilities for development
with the world. This unique relationship  Change ourselves for the better
defines us as humans.

 Another aspect of transcendence is

HOW DOES HUMAN NATURE ENABLE ME TO opening yourself to new experiences
EXPLORE MY LIMITS? and ideas.
Human person enjoys a number of  Our capacity for transcendence gives us
advantages compared to other beings. But the opportunity to work toward
there are still a number of things that humans becoming better versions of ourselves.
naturally cannot do.

 Person is very biologically deficient

being.
- This means that we are not
equipped with the best physical
attributes among all the beings in
the world.
 TRANSCENDENCE
- Ability to surpass limits.
- Overcoming oneself or being in
control even if the body reminds us
of certain tendencies.
- One important trait that
distinguishes the human person
from other beings in existence.
 Our mind is an important tool that
allows us to go beyond many of our
physical limits.
- We are able to exercise our
imagination and reflection to go
beyond our own thoughts and
limits.