• 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.

    • Human persons do not have the natural ability to fly.

    • Human persons cannot also breathe underwater without the aid of a breathing apparatus.

KEY TERMS:

• 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.

• PERSON

  • has SELF-AWARENESS

  • has SELF-DETERMINATION

  • is able to REACH OUT AND INTERACT with others

  • has DIGNITY

• SELF-AWARENESS

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

    • This awareness goes beyond perception and reaction to the environment. We have a deeper awareness that is driven by rationality or human thought.

    • A person is aware of both his surroundings and himself. He knows that he is living an experience and is an active participant in this experience.

    • 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.

    • We experience interiority, that is, the quality of being focused on one’s inner life and identity. This interiority enables us to practice creativity.

    • Creativity also means that a person can create within himself what does not yet exist outside.

    • Having an inner world allows a person to create goals, dreams, and plans that may be realized through activity.

      • I am a person.

      • I am alive.

      • I exist.

      • I am here. I am present.

      • I am living at this very moment.

• 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.

    • We are persons because we act and we are aware of our actions.

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

    • The existence of free will enables a person to act willfully, control his actions, and recognize himself as the source of action.

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

    • Philosophers believe that a person acts freely and with due regard for the consequences of his actions.

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

    • Human action is such an important aspect of the person that many philosophers consider human action as a way to reveal a person’s true nature.

    • Human acts complete the person, as it is through his actions that his inner self is revealed to others, and it is through action that a person can explore and fulfill his potential.

      • I am a person.

      • My actions are my very own and are made freely.

      • I know that I am the cause of my actions.

      • I know that my actions have consequences.

• EXTERNALITY

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

    • The realization that we are not alone and that there are indeed other people around us enables us to reach out and establish meaningful relationships with others.

    • Philosophers consider man as a social being and that a person never exist in isolation.

    • Man has the natural tendency to seek out fellow human beings, and the relationships established by this interaction is a vital component for survival.

    • Our interactions with others define our existence as persons.

    • We grow and develop not only through our thoughts and actions, but also through the influence of other people in our lives, and the individuals we meet and interact with.

      • I am a person.

      • I value others.

      • I interact with others in meaningful ways.

• DIGNITY

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

    • “You’re worthless!” is an insult since it attacks the very notion of a person having value or worth.

    • Each person is worth the same as another person in the sense that every person is priceless, unique, unrepeatable and irreplaceable.

    • No person is dispensable or interchangeable. This is the reason why separation from the people we love and value is a difficult and painful experience.

    • Human dignity is rooted in the nature of the human being, meaning, a person has dignity simply because of the fact that he is human.

    • Dignity is not defined by outside factors like intelligence, beauty, skills, etc.

    • A person retains his dignity in spite of his actions or behavior.

    • Dignity also drives us to seek what is good. Doing good deeds upholds and promotes the dignity of the human person.

    • This recognition of dignity is also the basis for the recognition of human rights

      • I am a person.

      • I am a person with dignity.

      • I recognize that others have dignity, as well.

      • I must uphold human dignity in my thoughts and actions.

The Theories About Human Composition

• 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.

Philosophers consider the human person as defined by the union of the BODY and the SPIRIT.

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.

    • Science: Love is a result of various biological reactions associated with an increase in hormones, which may have certain effects on the body.

    • Philosophy: Human persons do not love just with the heart or the brain. We love another person with our entire being. Embodiment is the one thing that enables us to feel love and love others.

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

    • Being an embodied spirit, the person is able to encounter the world of objects (and other personal subjects) in a manner that transcends the physical.

    • This feature allows him to form intimate relationship with those outside him.

    • Human embodiment allows persons to attach certain feelings or ideas not only to people but also to objects. (pair of shoes as a present from a loved one)

    • With human embodiment, physical acts are no longer purely physical acts, because the body conveys something from a person’s inner world.

    • A tap on the shoulder from your idol, a smile from your crush, and a kiss from your partner will create an intense emotional reaction in you.

    • These examples show that it is through embodiment that a person in able to have a very unique relationship with the world.

    • And it is this unique relationship that defines us as humans.

• TRANSCENDENCE

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

    • Our mind is an important tool that allows us to go beyond many of our physical limits.

    • Although we have these physical limitations, we can transcend them because of our spiritual dimension.

    • As human persons, we have natural tendencies or inclinations.

    • Some of these are felt bodily functions like hunger, fatigue, etc. Transcendence means overcoming oneself or being in control even if the body reminds us of certain tendencies.

    • Although these tendencies are felt, the person can govern them and ensure that they are exercised within the bounds of reason.

    • Each individual carries within himself the possibility of transcending his limits by exerting enough effort and perseverance.

    • Philosophy gives us useful tools to explore our limits and possibilities.

    • The essence of transcendence is to acknowledge our limitations, identify possibilities for development and change ourselves for the better.

    • Opening yourself to new experiences and ideas is another aspect of transcendence.

    • Our capacity for transcendence gives us the opportunity to work toward becoming better versions of ourselves.