11

INTRODUCTION
TO PHILOSOPHY
OF THE HUMAN
PERSON
1st Quarter: Module 7

Rogelio DG. Burce

Marlon Tiña
Module Writers

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

Content Standard:
The learner understands the human person as an embodied spirit.
Performance Standard:
The learner distinguishes his/her own limitations and possibilities for

her/his transcendence.

Most Essential Learning:

Recognize how the human body imposes limits and possibilities for

transcendence.

Learning Competencies:

• Understand the meaning of transcendence

• Value the significance of dignity and other human characteristics

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this module the students will be able to:

Understand human nature as embodied spirit

Distinguish human nature such as dignity, self-determination, etc.

Value the significance of some human characteristics like self-

awareness

EXPECTATIONS

• This module is intended for you learners of Grade 11 General Academic

Strand classes specifically in your course subject Introduction to
Philosophy of the Human Person.
• The lesson included in your module teaches you distinguished human
nature as embodied spirit
• It also helps you to identify and value human characteristics such as
dignity, self-determination and others. In this module there are activities
that will guide you to better understand your lesson.

Are you ready and excited? Let’s start…

 PRE-TEST

Multiple Choice: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of your correct
answer on the space provided.
1. The recognition that each person has a worth and value that go beyond
quantifiable terms.
a. dignity b. reputation c. popularity d. Position
2. This refers to his clear perception of oneself.
a. self-determination b. selfishness c. self-awareness d. self-motivation
3. It is simply an ability to explore and surpass our limits.
a. transformation b. transmission c. transcendence d. transfer
4. This refers to the awareness of one's actions and the notion that oneself is the
source of an action
a. self-determination b. selfishness c. self-awareness d. self-motivation
5. This is a general term commonly used to refer to the entire human race.
a. culture b. man c. woman d. universe
6.The following are other related terms referring to man except ________.
a. humanity b. mankind c. humankind d. Earth kind
7. A human person is able to reach out and interact with others.
a. social b. spiritual c. physical d. Intellectual
8. It simply emphasizes the fact that man is more than a just body with spirit or spirit
who just dwelt in the body.
a. embodied spirit b. spiritual being c. non- material d. empowered element
9. The following are connected with man’s self-awareness.
a. thoughts b. silent c. emotions d. actions
10. The following develops the idea of man’s nature as different with others except
________.
a. self-control b. self-awareness c. servive d. self

LOOKING BACK

Back to Biases!

Complete the definition of one type of bias by providing the missing vowels in
the tables below.
BIAS DEFINITION
F R _ M __ N G F_C_S_NG _N _ C_RT_ _N _SP_CT _F _
PR_BL_M WH_L_ _GN_R_NG _TH_R _SP_CT

C_LT_R_L _ N _ LYZ _ N G _ N _SS_ _ _R _V_ N T S

B__S B _S _D _N _N_’S C_ L T_ R _ L S T_ N D _R D S

INTRO TO PHILO-Q1-MODULE 7 3
 INTRODUCTION OF THE LESSON
What is a man?
The human person is an embodied spirit. It simply emphasizes the fact that he
is more than a just body with spirit or spirit who just dwelt in the body. For they are
integrated whole which means one will exist and function without the other, just as
Dr. R.D Abella said in his book, “Introduction to Philosophy of the Human
Person.” “The body and spirit come together to form a whole, and this integration
defines the embodiment of the person. The human person's nature as an embodied
spirit gives rise to the characteristics that define the person and enables us to engage
in profound, meaningful experiences.”

What Is It?

Dr. R.D. Abella has given us almost the comprehensive explanation on the
nature of man as transcendence with all of its characteristics. Let’s explore them!

Man as transcendence

Our human nature makes transcendence possible. It refers to our ability to

explore and surpass our limits. We are able to transcend our limits through our
physical and mental abilities. Our ability to transcend drives us to become better
persons and to improve ourselves in every way. We can also transcend our own selves,
when we govern ourselves towards what is proper to our nature as a person. Man is
general term commonly used to refer to the entire human race. Other related terms
include humanity, mankind, and humankind.

Human Characteristics

The first trait that defines a person is self-awareness. This refers to his clear
perception of oneself. Including his or her thoughts, emotions, identity and actions. He
is fully aware of both his or her own existence and its connections with the
surroundings and actively contributing in society. It develops the idea of ‘self,’ as
different with others as proves with having own names, personality, and capability.
The human being is recognized not only as a distinct species Homo sapiens, but as a
unique being an individual person possessing awareness of the self.

INTRO TO PHILO-Q1-MODULE 7 4
 The human person possesses self-awareness which refers to the awareness of
oneself as an active participant in reality. A person is aware not only of his or her
surroundings or reality but also of himself or herself as a participant in this reality.

The sense of self enables a person to look within himself or herself and
experience interiority. Self-awareness also enables a person to reach out to other
persons and establish meaningful relationships with them.

Another trait that defines a human person is self-determination. This refers

to the awareness of one's actions and the notion that oneself is the source of an
action. Self-determination is brought about by the person's free will or the capability
to act will fully and control one's actions. Self-determination also brings about the
awareness of consequence - that every action will have results or effects.

A human person is able to reach out and interact with others. Man is a social
being and a person has a natural tendency to establish relationships with other
people. These interactions define our existence and enable us to develop.

A human person has dignity, which is the recognition that each person has a
worth and value that go beyond quantifiable terms. Each person is indispensable and
irreplaceable. Our human nature is the basis for the recognition of dignity. Being
human naturally gives us dignity as persons. Human dignity is the basis for the
recognition of our human rights. Doing good actions and upholding the good enable
the person to uphold his or her dignity.

Are you aware of yourself?

Activity 1: Define yourself

Give some of your characteristics in different aspects of your life. List at least
two of your characteristics in each aspect.

Physical Socio-emotional Moral-spiritual Intellectual

1.

2.

3.

INTRO TO PHILO-Q1-MODULE 7 5
 DeterMine Nation!

Activity 2: A Ladder to your Dream

Make a ladder to your dream by simply listing at least four specific

steps which shows your determination to achieve it. Identify the possible difficulties
which might hinder in every step you would take.

DREAM: __________

Step 2: ________________________

Difficulty: ______________________
Step 1: ______________________________

3 Difficulty: ____________________________
Step 2: ______________________________________
2
Difficulty: ____________________________________
Step 1: ______________________________________________

1 Difficulty: ____________________________________________

Guide Questions;
1. Among all the steps to your dreams, which do you think is the most difficult? Why?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

2. Among all the steps to your dreams, which do you think is the easiest one? Why?

__________________________________________________________________________

INTRO TO PHILO-Q1-MODULE 7 6
Activity 3: Dig on Dignity!
How can you preserve your dignity in different aspects of your life? List
some actions that you will take to strongly do it.

Life’s Aspects Steps to Take

1. As Student

2. As Citizen

3. As Child

CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

What I CAN Do?

Write T if the statement is True and F, if it is False

_______ 1. Children have more dignity than adult.

_______ 2. Self-determination is the missing element in most failure in life.

_______ 3. Knowing others are important is self-knowledge.

_______4. Being true to oneself brings freedom.

_______5. We can live on our own.

_______6. Dignity is now the most highly discussed topic in society.

_______7. Unexamined life is worth living for.

_______ 8. Self-determination is best when there are no difficulties.

_______ 9. Human dignity is the basis for the recognition of our human rights.

______ 10. Spirit is more significant than the body.

INTRO TO PHILO-Q1-MODULE 7 7
B. Identify the following terms associated with man’s nature as transcendence
______ 11. Human dignity is the basis for the recognition of this important right.
______ 12. The sense-experience of self enables a person to look within oneself.
______ 13. A person is not only aware but participant of it.
______ 14. Self-determination also brings about the awareness of this thing.
______ 15. Refers to the idea of the body and spirit coming together to form a whole.

ENRICHMENT

Good job! You almost have a deeper understanding of man’s nature as

transcendence. Kindly answer the following questions based on your own political
understanding.

Do you agree with the following quotations? Please give your personal opinion.

1. “Good name is better than silver and gold?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

2. “If there’s a will, there’s a way!”

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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