What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. The scope of this module
permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow
the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module deals with the topic on The Human Person in the Environment

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Show that care and environment contribute to health, well-being and sustainable
development; and
2. Demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards environment.

Lesson
The Human Person in
4 the Environment
Have you ever wondered about the changes happening in our environment?
What have you noticed about the weather and your surroundings?
Scientist also monitor the changes in our environment. Their studies show
that our world is changing not for the better but for the worse, and humanity is
responsible for this. But why are these happening to our world? How do our actions
lead to negative effects on the environment?
To quote the English poet John Donne, “No man is an island, entire of
itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main”. This means as
human persons, we interact not only with our fellow human beings but also with
other living and non-living elements in our environment.

What I know

PRE-TEST

Directions: Read each item carefully and encircle the letter of the correct
answer.

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1. What is environment philosophy?
A. Discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings
with the environment and its non-human contents.
A. Is part of the world, and we significantly affect in environment.
B. Significantly role of humankind in the world.
D. Extends intrinsic value and moral consideration to higher
forms of animals

2. It believes that humans are not the only significant species

on the planet.
A. Anthropocentrism B. Panthocentrism
C. Biocentrism D. Ecocentrism

3. A science that deals with the relationships between groups

of living things and their environments.
A. Anthropocentrism B. Ecology
C. Ecofeminism D. Ecocentrism

4. Who said that “No man is an island, entire of itself; every

man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main”.
A. William Shakespeare B. John Milton
C. Confucius D. John Donne

5. What framework model considers that humans are

superior and central to the universe?

A. Ecocentric Model B. Environmental ethics

C. Babylonian influence D. Anthropocentric Model

6. It is the ecological or relational integrity of the humans

that provides meaning of our morals and values?
A. Babylonian influence B. Anthropocentric Model
C. Anthropocentrism D.Ecocentric Model

7. What simple things can you do to help protect the earth?

A. Conserve water B. All examples C. Choose sustainable
D. Plant a tree

8. The hypothesis that suggest that non-organic elements in

the planet play a significant role in maintaining balance in
the environment?
A. Gaia Hypothesis B. continental hypothesis
C. Cosmological Beginning D. None of the above

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 9. The ancient philosopher who described the universe as
living embodiment of nature’s order, harmony and beauty?
A. Pythagoras C. Aristotle
B. Plato D. Immanuel Kant

10. Who is the philosopher who believed that the orderliness

of nature and the harmony of nature with our faculties
guide us towards a deeper religious perspective?
A. Thales C. Herbert Marcuse
B. Immanuel Kant D. George Mead

What’s In

Search for Louis Armstrong’s song “What a wonderful world”. Listen and sing the song.
You may also read the lyrics below.

I see trees of green Of people going by

Red roses too I see friends shaking hands
I see them bloom Saying, "How do you do?"
For me and you They're really saying
And I think to myself "I love you"
What a wonderful world
I hear babies cry
I see skies of blue I watch them grow
And clouds of white They'll learn much more
The bright blessed day Than I'll never know
The dark sacred night And I think to myself
And I think to myself What a wonderful world
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
The colors of the rainbow What a wonderful world
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces

a. How did the song regard the environment? How did the song see the human
person in the environment? __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________.
b. Which lyrics serve the most meaningful? Why? _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.

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2. Compare the following pictures.

Picture 1 Picture 2

1. Which of the following pictures show a much preferable condition? ____________.

2. How can be the condition of the first picture be maintained? __________________

_____________________________________________________________________________.

3. How can the condition of the second picture be improved? ____________________

_____________________________________________________________________________.

Environmental philosophy or environmental ethics is the discipline of

philosophy that studies the moral relationships of human beings with the
environment and its non-human contents. Environmental philosophers
tackle issues such as humanity’s role in the natural world, the interaction
between nature, human activities and humanity’s response to environmental
challenges.

According to Payne (2010) there are two frameworks where humans can be
related.

1. Anthropocentric Model. Based on the anthropocentric model, humans are

superior and central to the universe, thus, it is human centered.

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 HUMAN
CULTURE
INDIVIDUALISM
MIND
CALCULATIVE
HUMAN OVER/AGAINTS
ENVIRONMENTS
GLOBAL/TECHNOLOGICAL

2 Ecocentric Model. It is the ecological or relational integrity of the humans that

provides meaning of our morals and values and it is nature centered.

Ecocentric Model

It is devoted to preserving the totality of Earth’s biodiversity and the

functioning of its life supporting system.

What I can do? NATURE

WILD
HOLISM
NATURE/COSMOS
BODY
RELATIONAL
EARTH/WISDOM
ECOLOGY OVER/ AGAINTS
HUMANS
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ACTIVITY 4.0: Human Person in their Environment
DIRECTIONS: Interview a person who is between 40-60 years old, be it your own
mother or father or any member of the family. Be guided by the following
questions: (Write the answers in a separate sheet of paper)

1. What are the things that you remember in your environment when you
were my age?

2. What were the things that you like doing when you were young?

3. What are the positive and negative changes in the environment?

4. Do you think environment plays a vital role in a person’s

development?
why or why not?

5. Distinguish the ecocentric from the anthropocentric models. Cite examples.

6. How do humans react to nature? Explain. In what way are your

answers positive or negative?

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 4.1 Notice disorder in the universe

DIRECTIONS: Interactive work: Write your answer in

your notebook.

1. In your opinion, how can we protect, conserve and restore our

environment? You can further assess your answer by planning a
nature walk or gardening.
a. How can you promote the human person in the environment
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 through nature walk or gardening?

2. Based on the image below, what could be improper? Are you happy
with what you see or experience in nature? How will you organize or
improve the environment or world that you belong to?

____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________.

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 WHAT IS IT?
Lesson 4.2. Notice things that are not in their
proper place and organize them in an aesthetic way

Early Greek philosophers, the Milesians, regarded Nature as spatially without

boundaries, that is, as infinite or indefinite in extent. One ancient thinker,
Anaximander, employed the term “boundless” to convey the further though that
Nature is intermediate boundless in the sense that no boundaries between the
warm and cold moist and dry regions are originally present within it (Solomon &
Higgins 2010).
A. Ancient Thinkers

Creation and Destruction. According to Anaximander’s

sketch of the genesis of the world (cosmology), the
evolution of the world begins with the generation of
opposites in a certain region of nature: a portion of the
boundless first differentiates itself into a cold-moist
mass surrounded by a roughly spherical shell of
warm-dry. Once the warm-dry has been separated out,
surrounding the cold moist, it begins to evaporate the
moisture of the latter and from this process forms
vaporous atmosphere. Eventually, the expanding
vapor or steam burst the enclosing fiery shells into
rings, and rushing outward, envelops them. The
opposite forces caused an imbalance that necessitated
Anaximander
their ultimate destruction (Price 2000).

Another ancient philosopher, Pythagoras, described

the universe as living embodiment of nature’s order,
harmony and beauty. He sees our relationship with
the universe involving biophilia (love of other living
things) and casmophilia (love of other living beings).
Perhaps, we could consider the early him as an
ecologist.
Pythagoras

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 A. Modern Thinkers

For modern thinker, Immanuel Kant

beauty is ultimately A symbol of
morality (goodness). He believes that the
orderliness of nature and the harmony
of nature with our faculties guide us
towards a deeper religious
perspectives.

Immanuel Kant

Herbert Marcuse George Herbert Mead

Understanding our relationship with the environment can also refer to the
human beings with ecology and nature. For Herbert Marcuse, humanity had
dominated nature. There can only be changed if we will change our attitude towards
our perception of the environment. Moreover, for Mead as human beings, we do not
have only rights but duties. We are not only citizens of the community but how we
react to this community and in our reaction to it, change it.

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 HAT I CAN DO

W ACTIVITY 4.2.2 Notice things that are not in their

proper place and organize them in an aesthetic way
DIRECTIONS: Interactive work: Write your answer in this activity sheet.
1. Discussion: Compare the importance of nature from past to present.
2. Self-review: Study the ecocentric model and evaluate your personal
understandings and attitudes towards environment.
3. Visually guided learning:
A. Answer how you can organize the following images in a more
aesthetic way.
B. You must be able to discuss your drawing. (make it simple)
C. Consider how you can transform the images in an aesthetic way:

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 WHAT IS IT?
Lesson 4.3. Show that care for the environment
contributes to health, wellbeing and sustainable
development
There are numerous theories to show care for the environment aside from the
ecocentric model such as deep ecology, social ecology, and ecofeminism to
name some.

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 WHAT I CAN DO?
ACTIVITY 4.3. Show that care for the environment
contributes to health, well-being and
sustainable development

DIRECTIONS: Write your thoughts regarding these passages of

this section. (Writer your answers in a separate sheet of paper)

a. The controlling attitude of humankind is extended to

nature, when in fact, humanity is part of nature.
______________________________

b. Destroying nature is a reflection wherein few people

overpower others while exploiting the environment for
profit or self-interest. ___________________________

c. Fromm argues that as humans, it is also inherent in us

to escape the prison cell of
selfishness.__________________________________

WHAT IS IT?
Lesson 4.4. Demonstrate the virtues of
prudence and frugality towards
environment write your answer on the
space provided
A self-supporting college student works part-time as a service
crew to be able to fund his education. He earns PhP3,000.00 more
than what he needs to pay for monthly expenses. With this extra
money, he could have bought the expensive watch he always wanted.
Thinking practically, he decided to save his money in the bank
instead.

1. How will you describe this college student?

2. What qualities does he possess regarding handling his
money?
3. How can you relate his behavior to current environment trends?

Find out the answer in this lesson!

Prudence is defined as the ability to have good judgment that allows

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 avoidance of dangers and risks. Meanwhile, frugality is the act of
using money or other resources wisely and practically.
Prudence Frugality
covers good judgment, considering The quality of being thrifty,
the consequences of an action, sparing or economical in the
using common sense and consumption of resources and
discretion, exercising caution, and avoiding waste, lavishness, or
conforming to extravagance
reason and decency

Arising from the discussions, Fromm (2013) suggested a new society

that should inspire the development of a new human being that will nurture
prudence and fairness or frugality towards environment. These are some of the
functions of Fromm’s envisioned society:

Erich Fromm
1. The enthusiasm to offer up all forms of having, in order to fully be.
2. Being fully present where one is.
3. Trying to lessen greed, hate and illusions as much as one is adept.
4. Making the full growth of oneself and of one’s fellow beings the utmost
goal of living.
5. Not deceiving others, but also not being deceived by others, one may be
called acquitted, but not naïve.
6.Freedom that is not uncertainty but the possibility to be oneself, not as
bundle of greedy desires, but as a carefully balanced structure that at any
moment is threatened with the alternatives of growth or decay, life or death
7. Happiness in the manner of ever-growing aliveness, whatever the extreme
point is the destiny permits one to reach, for living as full as one can be so
agreeable that the concern for what one might not attain has little chance to
develop.
8. Joy that comes from giving and sharing, not from hoarding and
manipulating.

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9. Developing one’s capacity for love, together with one’s capacity for critical,
unsentimental thought.
10. Shedding one’s narcissism and accepting that catastrophic boundaries
inherent in human survival.

The ideals of this humanity cross all party lines, for protecting nature
needs focused conservation, action, politically aware and support from
business. If all these segments agree on the same goals, the chance of
transformation would seem to be significantly greater.

WHAT I CAN DO?

ACTIVITY 4.4. Demonstrate the virtues of prudence and
frugality towards environment
Directions: Answer the following:

1. What is happiness? If possible, related Fromm’s view

with other philosophers discussed.

2. What is freedom? Relate Fromm’s view with other

philosophers discussed in previous lessons.

3. What is joy? Do you agree with Fromm’s view?

A. Check your knowledge
1. What are the different environmental theories discussed in
this lesson? Compare the theories.
2. What is carbon footprint?

B. Check your understanding

1. Based on your own understanding, relate and contrast
the Anthropocentric and Ecocentric Models. Write your
answers inside the circle.

Anthropocentric Model Ecocentric Model

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 2. Research about animal rights. In your opinion, do animals
deserve respect? Why or why not?
3. How do you apprehend the meaning of frugality and
prudence towards the environment? Cite three examples.

ASSESSMENT
Directions: Read carefully and encircle the letter of the correct
answer.

1. What is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason?
a. Transcendence b. Frugality
c. Aesthetics d. prudence
2. What is the act of using or other resources wisely and practically?
a. Aesthetics b. Prudence
c. Frugality d. Economics
3. What may be a sign of an environmental disorder?
a. Lack of material things b. Lack of resources
c. Lack of friends d. Lack of space
4. Which among the following options is a disorder in the environment?
a. A basket of unwashed dirty clothes
b. A house with no single plant
c. A garden with dying plants
d. A library with a small number of books
5. In what way can the environment contribute to health and well-being?
a. It can be available anywhere.
b. It is the source of life.
c. It can produce products that provide medicinal value.
d. It is made up of consumers and producers.

6. In which of the following scenarios is prudence demonstrated?

a. Ordering food that you can consume
b. Searching assignment answers over the internet
c. Keeping the lights on all day
d. Being friendly to neighbors
7. Lila wants to buy an expensive phone using the money she has been
saving
since last year. She asked for her friends’ opinions in making her decision.
Which among her friends is frugal?
a. Jen suggested that she should spend the money for travel abroad.
b. Marco advised her to spend the money on the expensive phone.
c. Aiza said that the she should go on a shopping spree using the
money.
d. Jack suggested that she should keep the money for future, more
important uses.

8. Which of the given statements is true?

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1. Prudence and frugality can only be applied in one environment.
2. Looking at aesthetics is a way of determining disorder.
a. both statements 1 and 2 c. statement 1
b. neither statement 1 nor 2 d. statement 2

9. What is the role of the environment in achieving sustainable

development?
1. It can reproduce resources.
2. It is the venue for producer-consumer relationships.
a. Statement 1
b. Statement 2
c. Neither statement 1 nor 2
d. Both statements 1 and 2

10. Which of the given statements is true about frugality?

1. It is only limited to tangible or solid materials
2. It applies to a select few.
a. Statement 1
b. Both statements 1 and 2
c. Statement 2
d. Neither statement 1 nor 2

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