Philosophy 11: The Human Person in Society and Social Relationships

Review of Previous Lesson
  • Intersubjectivity: Shared understanding between people, fundamental for communal life and mutual recognition.
  • Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Underprivileged Sectors: Intersubjectivity promotes inclusivity, addressing challenges and ensuring recognition for these groups.
Lesson Objectives

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Distinguish between transactional relations and personal relations.
  • Demonstrate understanding of concepts such as society, social systems, social relationships, and social transformation.
  • Evaluate different forms of societies based on the dynamic tension between individual identity and collective identity.
  • Illustrate with an example how human relations are transformed by social systems.
The Human Person in Society
What is Society?
  • An organized group of people who interact frequently and share a common territory and culture.
  • Also refers to companionship, alliance, community, or union.
Kinds of Social Relationships (According to Jurgen Habermas)
  1. Personal Interactions:
    • Based on mutual regard for each other as persons.
    • Defined by cooperation and mutual recognition.
  2. Transactional Interactions:
    • Based on regarding others as a means to attain one’s goal.
    • Persons are "used" to achieve objectives.
Spheres of Society (According to Jurgen Habermas’ Social Theory)

Society comprises three spheres:

  1. Social system of money (economic): Manifests as the market (e.g., capitalism).
  2. Social system of power (political): Manifests as the state (e.g., government).
  3. The Lifeworld: Everyday communicative relations (e.g., family, school, civil society).
Social Interaction and the Development of Societies (Habermas)
  • Social interactions led to social systems (economic and political) and the lifeworld.
  • Society's development depends on:
    • Material reproduction: Sustenance and resources.
    • Symbolic reproduction: Maintaining cultural norms, values, and self-understanding.
Historical Development of Societies and Individual Consciousness
1. Tribal and Feudal Society
  • Material reproduction and culture/norms were not clearly separated.
  • Tribal leaders and monarchs held absolute power over resources and symbolic reproduction.
  • Characterized by feudalism and mechanical solidarity (common in rural communities).
2. Modern Industrialized Society
  • Emergence of trade and capitalist economy; markets gained independence from political control.
  • Political systems recognized individual rights and wealth redistribution.
  • Monarchial/tribal powers were no longer absolute.
  • The lifeworld became distinct from social systems, promoting individual autonomy.
  • Characterized by organic solidarity and individualism (common in urban communities).
Solidarity: Mechanical and Organic
  • Rural Communities:
    • Often show mechanical solidarity (cohesion from shared beliefs, morals).
    • Avoid confrontations; strong communal bonds.
  • Urban Communities:
    • Show organic solidarity (cohesion from interdependence, specialization).
    • Stronger individualism; dwellers can be strangers despite proximity.
Individualism and Collectivism
  • Individualism: Champions individual freedom, rights, and autonomy.
  • Collectivism: Prioritizes unity over individual freedom; emphasizes group harmony and common good.
Key Concepts Recap
  • Society: Organized group with frequent interaction, common territory, and culture.
  • Social System: Formal economic and political structures.
  • Three Main Spheres of Society (Habermas): Economic (market), Political (state), and the Lifeworld.
Differentiating Personal and Transactional Relations

Personal Relations

  • Basis: Mutual regard for each other as persons.
  • Interaction Type: Cooperation.
  • Goal: Mutual recognition and shared understanding.
  • Nature: Value the person for who they are.
    Transactional Relations
  • Basis: Regard for each other as a means to attain one's goal.
  • Interaction Type: Instrumental; people are "used" to achieve objectives.
  • Goal: Attainment of specific individual goals or plans.
  • Nature: Value the person for what they can do or provide.