Lesson 9: Human Person as an Embodied Spirit

Limitations of the Human Persons

Human persons are biologically deficient beings. This means that we are not equipped with the best physical attributes among all the beings in the world.

Man

• the general term commonly used to refer to the entire human race

Human

• refers to man as a species

Human being

• used to distinguish man from other animals

Person

• refers to a human being granted recognition of certain rights, protections, responsibilities, and dignity above all.

  • It is the totality of an individual, possessing awareness, self-determination, and the capacity to interact with others and with himself/herself.

Personhood

• refers to the state of being a person

Human nature

• refers to the characteristics (like thinking, feeling, and acting) that distinguish humans from all other creatures.

  • These traits are considered to form the essence of humanity, and without them, an individual may not be considered a human person.

SELF-AWARENESS

• Refers to the person having a clear perception of oneself, including his thoughts, emotions, identity, and actions.

  • This awareness gives rise to the notion of the “self” which the philosophers describe as the person who is actively aware that he is perceiving and experiencing reality.

  • This awareness of the self also enables us to experience an “inner world” that is defined by our personal thoughts and ideas.

SELF-DETERMINATION

• This refers to the capability of persons to make choices and decisions based on their own preferences, monitor and regulate their actions, and be goal-oriented and self-directed.

  • Our free will enables us to do actions whenever we want to and make various alternatives.

  • Consequence is the result or effect of an action or condition.

  • Morality is the goodness or ‘badness’ of an act.

EXTERNALITY

• This refers to the capability of a person to reach out and interact with others and the world.

DIGNITY

• This refers to the innate right to be values and respected. Philosophers consider all humans as having an inherent worth or value.

SPIRIT

• Another aspect of the human that defines us as persons aside from the physical characteristics.

• This intangible element enables us to exercise thought, possess awareness, interiority, and the capacity to reach out to the outside world and other persons.

the union of the BODY and the SPIRIT

human person

THE HUMAN PERSON IS AN EMBODIED SPIRIT

The body and the spirit are not only united but they are integrated with each other.

EMBODIMENT

• Enables us to do and experience all the things that make us human persons.

TRANSCENDENCE

• The ability to surpass limits. Also, one important trait that distinguishes the human person from other beings in existence.