Grade-11

Introduction to the
Philosophy
of the Human Person
Quarter 1 – Module 4
The Human Person in the Environment

Lesson 1 Relationship with the Earth

 What Is It
Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran
As popularized by Asin
Composers: Lolita Carbon & Cesar Baňares
Year: 1978

Wala ka bang napapansin sa iyong mga kapaligiran?

Kay dumi na ng hangin, pati na ang mga ilog natin.
Hindi na masama ang pag-unlad
At malayu-layo na rin ang ating narating
Ngunit masdan mo ang tubig sa dagat
Dati'y kulay asul ngayo'y naging itim
Ang mga duming ating ikinalat sa hangin
Sa langit huwag na nating paabutin

The first line of the song is a striking question on the magnitude of our awareness of the environment. This song
makes us contemplate what is happening in our environment. And yes, we are all responsible for its destruction and
disorder, directly and indirectly. Population explosion, increase in energy utilization and the accumulation of carbon
dioxides in the atmosphere, pollution in various forms, industrial activities, economic activities, and anthropogenic
activities put tremendous pressure on the earth’s natural resources resulting in ecological imbalance. As a manifestation
of such, natural calamities are happening claiming the lives of many people and damaging properties and infrastructures.
The song is a timely reminder that we have to act very soon before we totally destroy the only nature that we have. Now,
take a few moments to reflect on why these natural calamities and environmental problems are happening.
Humankind is an essential part of the web of life. Whatever we do to the environment, we do to ourselves. It
is therefore significant that we examine not only the way we relate to others, but also the way we relate to the
environment. Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most respected spiritual and political leaders of the 1900s, said “The
Earth provides enough to satisfies every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”.
We, humans, exploit nature and considered ourselves to be the most superior beings. What we actually forget is
that we are just a part of natural surroundings just like other nonhuman entities like plants and animals. This is why an
understanding of environmental ethics becomes essential. Let us try to understand environmental ethics, the issues
confronting them, and our moral responsibility towards the environment.
As defined by Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, environmental ethics is the discipline in philosophy that
studies the moral relationship of human beings to, and also the value and moral status of, the environment and its non-
human contents. Simply, environmental ethics studies the relationships between human beings and the environment.
Environmental ethics will help us manage our natural resources wisely to meet our growing needs and wants.
For us to better grasp we, humans are related to the environment, let us try to understand the three
major perspectives in environmental ethics: anthropocentrism, biocentrism, and ecocentrism.
Anthropocentrism is a view that considers humans to be the most important species with a superior
worth than other species. This view mainly focuses on humans and puts the other entities of the natural world
at the background. As value is focused on humans alone, all other things of the natural world are considered of
lesser significance. As a result, human beings continually destroy and consume natural resources for their own
interest to the point of degradation, and worst to extinction.
In opposition, biocentrism claims that humans are not the only important species on the earth and
that they are not inherently greater to other living things. It suggests that humans are equal members of the
environment and that humans and other living things are interdependent.
Ecocentrism, on the other hand, is a broader worldview as it incorporates biocentrism by including
environmental systems and its abiotic aspects. This view believes that humankind is merely a portion of the
biological system or community and that we have a vital role as stewards of nature. Ecocentrism tells us that
both living and non-living organisms are reliant on the processes in the ecosystem.
In order to create a clean and orderly environment, we can make use of the principles of environmental
aesthetics. Environmental aesthetics is one of the new areas of aesthetics that focuses on issues
concerning appreciation of the environment. Environmental aesthetics can be defined as the interaction
between a person and his environment, with respect to beauty. This philosophical view asserts that improving
the natural beauty of the environment will contribute to the well-being of the people and other living
organisms.

Lesson 2 Environmentalism &

 Sustainability

We have harmed the environment in various ways: the population has increased tremendously,
pollution in the air, water, and land continue to affect the quality of life, and deforestation has altered the
natural habitats of many living organisms. All these contribute to significant changes in temperature,
precipitation, or wind patterns. In environmental terms, we call it climate change. This is where
environmentalism comes into play.
Environmentalism, as an ideology, seeks to protect and conserve the earth’s ecosystem and the living
organisms, together with its habitats. Environmentalism seeks to correct the damage of the environment and
prevent its future destruction. One key perspective of environmentalism is environmental ethics that views
how we relate with Earth and all that is in it. It sets a critical understanding of how we create an impact on
the environment we live in.
Aside from what has been mentioned earlier, environmental ethics makes us aware of the dangers of
human activities, inculcate among us the moral responsibility towards the environment and respect the
various forms of life and the natural resources within it. To put it simply, it urges us to reflect on our actions
and protect the welfare and well-being of the environs. It is also a call for the government, institutions, and
organizations to channel their efforts for the good of the environment. Moreover, it appeals for
environmental justice that calls for just and fair treatment and meaningful participation of all people.
A vital idea that falls in with environmentalism is sustainability which desires to have a society where
naturals resources are utilized to meet human needs without damaging the wellbeing of the natural system.
Sustainable development is geared towards development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is what
the present time needs not just for the survival of humankind but also for its future security. We should not
only focus on today but also let’s think about the generations to come.
Sustainable development has three dimensions namely, the environment, the economy, and society.
Environmental sustainability is concerned with the physical or the natural environment and on how it withstands
and stay diverse and productive. This is the dimension that requires the society to come with activities that will
meet human needs while at the same time preserving the earth’s natural systems. If resources are used faster
than they are replenished, then an unsustainable situation occurs. This requires us to use resources at a rate at
which it can be replenished in a natural way.
Another essential dimension is economic sustainability. This pertains to economic activities that aim for
long-term economic growth without damagingly impacting other aspects of society. The economy cannot be
separated from the environment because it provides the factors of economic production. Social sustainability
considers how individuals in society live with each other on the basis of health, equality, peace, and food
security. All these aims to use our resources efficiently to benefit our community.
There are virtues that can help us contribute to improving the state of our environment namely,
prudence and frugality. The word frugality is usually used in money; being thrifty and economical. If put in
the context of the environment, this would mean conserving as well as protecting the environment, not just
for the present but also in the years to come. A frugal person continually discovers a means to reduce the
financial cost of his action.
Name: _______________________________________________ Module: ______

What I Have Learned

Complete Me.

There are three major perspectives in environmental ethics. The first one is (1)____________. It is
philosophical view that considers humans to be the most important species. As value is focused on humans
alone, all other entities of the natural world are considered of (2)__________ value. Biocentrism, on the other
hand, claims that (3) ________ are not the only important species on the earth and that they are not inherently
greater to other (4)_________. Humans are (5)________ members of the environment and that humans and
other living things are (6)_____________. Lastly, ecocentrism, incorporates (7)____________by including
(8)_____________ and its (9) _________aspects.

Answer each questions correctly in its corresponding item. Write your answers in your activity notebook.

1. Which discipline in philosophy studies the moral relationship of human beings to, and also the value and
moral status of, the environment and its non-human contents?
A. Environmental aesthetics C. Sustainable Development
B. Environmental ethics D. Ecology
2. Which of the perspective considers humans to be the most important species with a superior value than
other species?
A. Biocentrism C. Environmentalism
B. Ecocentrism D. Anthropocentrism

3. Which of the following claims that humans are not the only important species on the earth and that
they are not inherently greater to other living things?
A. Biocentrism C. Environmentalism
B. Ecocentrism D. Anthropocentrism

4. Which of the following believes that humankind is merely a portion of the biological system or
community and that we have an important role as stewards of nature?
A. Biocentrism C. Environmentalism
B. Ecocentrism D. Anthropocentrism

5. Why did the discipline of environmental ethics arise?

A. People are concerned about the growing population and misuse of natural resources.
B. The government is worried about climate change.
C. There are new sources of energy to meet the demands of present.
D. Community leaders encouraged us to show care about pollution.