Lesson III: The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit

Vocabulary-style flashcards defining the nature of the human person as an embodied spirit, covering philosophical terminology and the concept of transcendence including the Eightfold Path.

Man

The general term commonly used to refer to the entire human race; other related terms include humanity, mankind, and humankind.

Human

Refers to a man as a species—Homo sapiens or modern human beings.

Human Being

A term used to distinguish man from other animals.

Person

A complex term referring to a human being granted recognition of certain rights, protection, responsibilities, and dignity.

Human Nature

The characteristics that distinguish humans from all other creatures, assumed to arise independent of the influence of culture and society.

Self-awareness

A trait of the human person referring to a clear perception of oneself, including thoughts, emotions, identity, and actions.

Interiority

The capacity to experience an inner world defined by personal thoughts and ideas, enabling creativity, imagination, and reflection.

Self-determination

The capability of persons to make choices and decisions based on their own preferences, monitor and regulate their actions, and be goal-oriented.

Free Will

The capacity to choose a course of action from various alternatives, making self-determination possible.

Consequence

The result or effect of an action or condition.

Morality

The differentiation of intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are distinguished as proper and those that are improper.

Externality

The capability to reach out and interact with others and the world, based on the realization that we are not alone.

Dignity

The innate right of a human person to be valued and respected, rooted in human nature rather than quantifiable measures like price.

Spirit

The element that enables humans to exercise thought, possess awareness and interiority, and reach out to the outside world.

Embodied Spirit

The integration and unity of the human body and spirit, which enables the experience of all things that make us human persons.

Mediator

The role of the human body as it stands between the material world and the spiritual world.

Transcendence

The ability to surpass limits and overcome oneself, which distinguishes the human person from other beings.

St. Thomas Aquinas

A 13th-century philosopher and theologian who stated that human beings have the unique power to change themselves and things for the better.

Right View

One of the Eightfold Path factors involving the understanding that suffering is universal and has identifying causes.

Right Intention

Eliminating thoughts of attachment, detestation, and harmful intent while committing to self-improvement and ethical conduct.

Right Speech

Abstaining from verbal offenses such as lying, divisive speech, unforgiving speech, and irrational speech.

Right Action

Acting in accordance with wisdom and compassion, responding to the present moment without vexation.

Right Livelihood

Evading trades that damage others, such as trading slaves, weapons, animals for butchery, intoxicants, or poisons.

Right Effort

Forsaking undesirable states of mind, preventing new ones from arising, and sustaining positive mental states.

Right Concentration

The path factor that helps maintain one-pointedness and look forward to the attainment of new mental states.

Right Mindfulness

The consciousness of body, feelings, thought, and phenomena.