UTS Tendencies

Introduction

Purpose of lecture: To deeply explore the dynamic character of human nature, emphasizing how understanding this concept can aid in personal growth and academic engagement.
Importance of note-taking: Engaging with materials through effective note-taking enhances retention and comprehension, especially when preparing for quizzes and class discussions.

Dynamism: Represents not just movement, but also growth, change, and development, which are essential to life and the understanding of human nature. It emphasizes that human beings are not static but are continually evolving.
Immanence and Transcendence: These two concepts reflect the manifestations of dynamism. Immanence refers to the inherent qualities and capacities present within individuals, while transcendence relates to surpassing limits and the pursuit of higher potential.

Tendency Defined: Defined as the innate movement towards self-realization and fulfillment of one's potential. This is deeply connected to the essential actions and functions that define a being's existence and purpose.
Origin: The term “tendency” stems from the Latin word "intendere," which means "to stretch" or "to aim toward," echoing the idea that beings are always reaching toward their potential, similar to how tendons stretch and support movement.

Definition: Self-realization is an ongoing process where individuals strive to develop and manifest their inherent abilities and potential over time.
Clarification: This concept transcends mere intellectual understanding; it involves actively bringing forth and expressing one's true self through actions and personal development.
Example: The evolution of personality traits from childhood into adulthood illustrates this process, showing how experiences shape an individual’s growth.
Importance: Engaging in self-realization is crucial, as it leads individuals toward realizing their fullest potential in various aspects of life including career, relationships, and personal fulfillment.

Self-Perfection: It represents the ultimate objective of the process of self-realization, where individuals not only understand their potential but actively work towards achieving it.
Focus: Striving towards an ideal state of being involves continuous self-assessment and improvement.
Implication: All finite beings, limited by their time and experiences, inherently recognize their imperfections and continuously strive to improve and perfect themselves.

Differentiate between types of beings:
- Plants: Achieve self-perfection primarily through organic growth processes, embodying a simpler form of realization.
- Animals: Possess instinctual mechanisms guiding their self-perfection, primarily driven by survival and basic needs.
- Humans: Engage in a complex process of self-realization that incorporates emotional, intellectual, and social dimensions, leveraging personhood and advanced cognitive abilities.

Articulation: The capacity to communicate desires, needs, and aspirations is crucial in human self-realization, distinguishing human beings from other forms of life.
Appetites: Refers to the inherent movements towards desired outcomes (plea) or away from adverse situations (pain).
Natural Appetition: These are instinctual, biologically driven desires, such as hunger or reproduction.
Elicited Appetition: These desires are shaped by intellectual processes and socialization, reflecting more complex motivations.

Desire: Reflects the drive towards perceived pleasure and fulfillment; a fundamental aspect of human behavior.
Impulse: Conversely, this tendency denotes the instinctive reaction to move away from perceived harm or discomfort.
Note: Daily actions and decisions often manifest these underlying tendencies, influencing both individual and collective behaviors.

Stimulus-Response Circuit: While both humans and animals experience external stimuli leading to responses, human reactions are significantly more complex due to cognitive processing capabilities.
Instinct: Defined as a fixed, natural tendency in animals that necessitates basic survival and reproductive actions. These responses tend to be predictable and instinct-driven.

Flexibility: Human responses undergo conscious deliberation, making behaviors less predictable compared to instinct-driven animal behaviors.
Personal Mediation: Factors such as intelligence, culture, personal values, and freedom heavily influence human actions and decisions, allowing for a rich tapestry of behaviors.

Exhibition of Instinctive Behavior: Although humans showcase instinctive behaviors, they possess the unique ability to transcend these instincts.
Example: Engaging in cultural practices such as tattoos or piercings highlights how individuals express identity beyond mere survival instincts, indicating a more profound connection to self-identity and social expression.

Complexity of Language: Human language is not just a tool for survival but a complex medium for expressing a range of emotions and intricate needs.
Education and Development: Education serves as a catalyst for creativity and deeper understanding, empowering individuals to grow beyond their basic needs and societal limitations.

Engagement with Readings: The importance of continuing engagement with additional readings and resources to complement lecture materials is emphasized.
Preparation: Highlighting the necessity for consistent preparation for quizzes and in-class discussions to enhance understanding and retention of the course material.