The human person and the environment

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, protection, responsibilities, and dignity above all.

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.

Human person

Has awareness of self, self-determination, the ability to interact with others, and possesses dignity.

Self-awareness

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

Self

A person who is actively aware that he is perceiving and experiencing reality.

Interiority

The quality of being focused on one’s inner life and identity, enabling the experience of an inner world defined by personal thoughts and ideas.

Self-determination

The capability of persons to make choices and decisions based on their own preferences and to be goal-oriented and self-directed.

Free will

Enables us to perform actions whenever we want and to make various alternatives.

Consequence

The result or effect of an action or condition.

Morality

The goodness or badness of an act.

Externality

The capability of a person to reach out and interact with others and the world, realizing that we are not alone.

Dignity

The innate right to be valued and respected, simply because one is human.

Spirit

The intangible element that enables thought, awareness, interiority, and the capacity to reach out to others.

Human person is an embodied spirit

The integration of body and spirit.

Embodiment

Enables us to feel love and to love others, attaching feelings or ideas to people and objects.

Mediator

The human body stands as the bridge between the material world and the spiritual world.

Transcendence

The ability to surpass limits.

Environmental philosophy/ethics

Concerned with the natural environment and humanity’s place in it, analyzing the relationship between humans and the environment.

Anthropocentrism

Considers humans the most significant species on the planet, viewing nature as a resource for humankind.

Biocentrism

Believes that all organisms have inherent value and should be protected, not just humans.

Ecocentrism

Emphasizes great value on ecosystems and biological communities.

Environmentalism

Advocates for addressing growing environmental problems.

Social ecology

Analyzes society through an ecological and ethical lens, linking social problems to environmental issues.

Climate ethics and climate justice

Address ethical, social, and political issues arising from climate change.

Environmental Justice

Refers to the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.

Environmental Aesthetics

Focuses on the concept of beauty in nature, influenced by environmental concerns.

Tao Te Ching

Represents the way/path, the way of nature and life.

Basic idea of Taoists

Human life is a small part of a larger process of nature, and meaningful human life is in harmony with nature.

Wa Wei

The process of taking no action that is not in accord with the natural course of the universe.

Pantheism

The view that the world is identical to God or an expression of God’s nature.