Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Schools Division Office I Pangasinan
Pangasinan National High School
Lingayen, Pangasinan

Introduction of the
Philosophy of the Human
Person

The Human Person As An Embodied

Spirit
Quarter 1 - Week 6– Module 3

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Evaluate own limitations and possibilities for

transcendence

PPT11/12-Ig-3.2

Prepared by:

Armie B. Viray
Master Teacher I
Lesson 3. The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
Many people admire Jason for being the youngest director of the biggest conglomerate in the
Philippines. He is also one of the richest bachelors under 30 years old. Little people know that he
once a poor boy who dreamed big and worked hard to attain his current status. When asked about
his successes, Jason said that he considers seeing his family, imparting his knowledge to others,
and being able to serve others as the successes he is most proud of. Like
Jason, all people have lifelong goals that they want to fulfill.

What I Need to Know

Most Essential Learning Competency:
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
1. Evaluate one’s limitations and the possibilities for their transcendence.
Specific Objectives
1. Recognize one’s limitations and possibilities.
2. Distinguish the limitations and possibilities for transcendence.
3. Evaluate own limitations and possibilities for transcendence.

What I Know
Directions: Write your answers in 2-3 sentences on the space provided.

1. If you were finally able to meet your dreams, how would you feel?
____________________________________________________________________________
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2. Do you think your perspective in life will change?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________

What’s In?
The previous example talks about transcendence or a state of “existence above and beyond the
limits of material experience”. Transcendence originated from the words trans, meaning “go
beyond”, and scandare, meaning “climb”. In the example, fulfilling a goal entails transcendence
because it opens a state of thinking and feeling that there is something more than just physical and
material things. Much like Abraham Maslow’s self-actualization concept, transcendence is a state
of being intrinsically satisfied with life regardless of physical and tangible factors.
In totality, a man is physical body, a living soul (the inner self; mortal) and a spirit (the life-
force; immortal).The spirit takes form through the mortal, physical body to represent its qualities
in the conscious, physical world. Each body part has its worldly function that is communicated in
an expressive and understandable form.
 For Aristotle, a human person is a personal being that possesses its intellectual nature in a
natural unity with a material body. This unity is called: “man as rational animal”. For St. Thomas,
vision of man would be the “embodied spirit”.

What’s New

Limitations and Possibilities For Transcendence

Here are some limitations of transcendence.

- may not occur to everyone

- does not come at a specified period

- varies across all people

- may coincide with physical limitations of the body

Possibilities For Transcendence

- developing a positive outlook in life

- working toward reaching a goal

- learning from experience

It is also important to know that the transcendence may be applied to present worries by living in

the present. This means that life is lived from moment to moment in a carefree and cheerful manner

where concerns for stress are reserved for the future and regrets or guilt feelings are kept in the

past.

What is It?

The Human Body in Imposing Limits and Possibilities

From a biological and physical standpoint, it can be recognized that the human body although
it can perform many functions, also has limitations. Limits in the environment, demographics, and
society may also hinder a person from reaching transcendence.
Here are some examples of Bodily limitations
- mental and emotional disorders (anxiety, intellectual disability)
- disabilities (e.g. amputated leg, deafness)
- diseases and illnesses (e.g. hypertension, cough)
- failures and experiences (e.g. failing a subject)

Social and Environmental Limitations

- socio economic status
- location of neighborhood (e.g. armed, disorganized or violent neighborhood)
- abusive relationship (e.g. emotional abuse)
- negative influence (e.g. drug abuse)
Evaluate Own Limitations and Possibilities for Transcendence
Let us evaluate our human limitations and how we can also transcend them.

Many of us would experience any of the following; for emerging from deep within and felt
a sense of being in tune with the mystery of our own being, and with the mystery of life that
transcends us. Let us consider the following examples (Edwards 1983).

A. Forgiveness
When we forgive, we are freed from our anger and bitterness because of the actions and/
or words of another. On the other hand, the hardness of heart is reinforced by whole series of
rational arguments.

B. The Beauty of Nature

There is perfection in every single flower; this is what the three philosophies believed. For
a hug, for every sunrise and sunset, to eat together as a family, are our miracles. These kinds of
experiences can be truly moments of grace. They touch us deeply and the human heart is
spontaneously lifted. During this experience, we need to offer praise.

C. Vulnerability
To be invulnerable is somehow inhuman. To be vulnerable is to be human. Supermen or
superheroes are hiding from their true humanity. The experience that we are contingent, that we
are dependent for our existence on another is frightening. To work in the office or study in school,
without acknowledging the help of others, is to live without meaning and direction. We need to
acknowledge the help of other people in our lives. Such moments of poverty and dependence on
others are not a sign of weakness but being true with ourselves.

D. Failure
Our failures force us to confront our weaknesses and limitations .When a relationship fails,
when a student fails a subject, when our immediate desires are not met , we are confronted with
our possibility of our plans, and yet, we are forced to surrender to a mystery or look upon a bigger
world. Such acceptance of our failures makes us hope and trust that all can be brought into good.
Even of vulnerability and fear, if we have sinned, as Augustine had, there is hope and forgiveness.

E. Loneliness
Our loneliness can be rooted from our sense of vulnerability and fear of death. This
experience is common. However, it is our choice to live in an impossible world where we are
always “happy” or to accept a life where solitude and companionship have a part. With our
loneliness, we can realize that our dependence on other people or gadgets is a possessiveness that
we can be free from.

F. Love
To love is to experience richness, positivity, and transcendence. Whether in times of
ecstatic moments or struggles, the love for a friend, between family members or a significant
person, can open in us something in other which takes us beyond ourselves .Life is full of risks,
fears, and commitment, pain and sacrificing and giving up thing/s we want for the sake of the one
we love. In a Buddhist view, the more we love, the more risks and fears there are in life…
(Aguilar 2010).
What’s More
Title of the Activity: “COMPLETE ME”
Directions: Complete the chart by rewriting your present limitations with your reference in the
previous activities. Make an action plan towards transcendence.

MY LIMITATIONS PLAN TOWARDS TRANSCENDENCE

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

Title of the Activity: “MY POINT OF VIEW”
Directions. Answer the following questions below in 3-5 sentences. Write your answer on the
space provided.

1. How do you view suffering? (as a blessing or a curse)

______________________________________________________________________________
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2. How can forgiveness free us from anger.

______________________________________________________________________________
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WHAT I CAN DO
On this part you are going to showcase your ability from what you have learned.
Title of the Activity: MYSELF, MY FAMILY, MY COMMUNITY
Directions: Answer the real -life questions provided to you in 3- 5 sentences.

1. As a student, how do you acknowledge the hep of others.

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How do you show your love towards others? Friends? Family? People in need?
______________________________________________________________________________
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ASSESSMENT

Direction: Read and analyze the questions and statement carefully. Write the letter of your best
answer.

1. What do you call the state of being or existence above and beyond the limits of material
experience?
a. Transition b. Transcendence c. Transformation d. Transgression
2. What does the term scandare mean?
a. “to exist” b. “to impart” c. “to climb d. “ to deduce”
3. According to this philosopher, the human person is an embodied spirit. Who is he?
a. Socrates b. Aristotle c. Immanuel Kant d. St. Thomas
4. Which of the following is biological limitation for transcendence for a student whose goal is
to be a valedictorian?
a. joining a dance troupe c. watching videos over the internet
b. being absent for a week due to fever d. criticism from his teacher on his project
5. Which of the following is not a possibility for transcendence?
a. looking for help c. working to reach a goal
b. having a positive outlook d. learning from experience
6. Annie is a poor 15 year -old girl whose dream is to finish her studies.
What can she do to make her dream possible?
a. Join the church choir to lessen her stress in her studies.
b. Start on organization that fights for human rights.
c. Work during her free time to gain extra money for school.
d. Read books on her own.
7. Why do some people fail to experience transcendence?
a. They are not willing to experience it.
b. They have a feeling that it will not occur.
 c. They are not hardworking.
d. They have a goal that is impossible to achieve.

8. Which of the following statement is true?

1. Transcendence is for younger ages.
2. Transcendence is similar to self -actualization.
a. Statement 2
b. Both statements 1 and 2.
c. Statement 1.
9. How does the human body play a role in transcendence.
1. The body has its limitations.
2. The body functions against transcendence.
a. Statement 2
b. Statement 1
c. Both statements 1 and 2.
10. Which of the statement is true?
1. Limitations of transcendence varies across all people.
2. Limitations of transcendence may not occur to everyone.
a. Statement 1
b. Statement 2
c. Both Statements 1 and 2.

References:
A. Books

Christine Carmela R. Ramos, PhD, (2016) Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human
Person
ABELLA Roberto D.M. Div.,D. Min..”Freedom of the Human Person” in Introduction to the
Philosophy of the Human Person Quezon City C&E Publishing Inc. 2016.
jefjust24.”The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit”.
https:// philonotes.com/index.php/2018/12/01/the-human-person-as-an-embodied-spirit/
(Accessed January 16,2020)

B. Online and Other Sources

1. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, Alternative Delivery Mode, Quarter 1-
Module 3 : The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit SHS
2. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, Grade 12, Alternative Delivery Mode,
Quarter 1- Module 3: The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit, First edition 2020
3. http;//www. youtube.com/c. PHILO notes
4. Merriam Webster