Human Person, Freedom, and Social Transformation Vocabulary

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes detailing key philosophical terms on human nature, freedom, dualism, interpersonal relationships, and social transformation.

Imago Dei

The concept that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God, with human dignity manifested through reason, free will, and responsible choices.

Reason

The human capacity that evaluates choices, considers consequences, and helps determine what ought to be done to achieve rational self-direction.

Absolute Freedom

Jean-Paul Sartre's concept that human beings are fundamentally free to choose, that not choosing is itself a choice, and that identity is continually shaped through choices.

Bad Faith

The act of denying one's freedom and using external circumstances, roles, expectations, or other people as excuses to avoid responsibility.

Authenticity

The acceptance of one's freedom and responsibility for choices while recognizing external circumstances without pretending they completely determine one's response.

Situated Freedom

Maurice Merleau-Ponty's concept that human freedom operates within concrete physical, social, cultural, and historical conditions that influence possibilities without completely determining responses.

Facticity

In Sartre's philosophy, the given conditions of existence—such as one's body, past, family background, and social position—that represent one's starting situation.

Dasein

Martin Heidegger's term for human existence as the being capable of understanding and questioning its own existence, characterized by self-awareness, interpretation, and possibilities.

Temporality

In Heidegger's philosophy, the temporal structure of human existence where past lived experiences influence present decisions and open up future possibilities.

Mind-Body Dualism

René Descartes' philosophical distinction separating the mind and the body, raising questions about how consciousness relates to the physical world.

Solipsism

A philosophical problem arising from mind-body dualism regarding how a person can know other minds.

I-Thou

Martin Buber's term for a human relationship defined by genuine encounter, dialogue, mutual recognition, and respect for the other as a person.

I-It

Martin Buber's term for a relationship where another person is treated as an object and viewed primarily according to usefulness, function, or purpose.

The Absolute

The Supreme Being, ultimate reality, or ultimate good that gives human life its deepest meaning, purpose, and direction toward flourishing.

Zoon Politikon

Aristotle's concept that human beings are naturally social and political beings whose full development occurs within community and communal life.

Structural Change

Karl Marx's concept of addressing and changing the underlying economic systems, production, labor, and ownership structures that produce inequality, rather than merely changing individual attitudes.

Problem-Posing Education

Paulo Freire's educational approach where learners examine lived experiences, ask questions, critically analyze reality, identify oppressive conditions, and transform society.

Critical Consciousness

Paulo Freire's concept of an educational state where learners critically examine and transform existing social conditions rather than passively memorizing information.