The Nature of The Human Person

THE NATURE OF THE
HUMAN PERSON
CHAPTER 2
Learning Objectives
• At the end of this chapter, the learners are expected
to:
• 1. Describe the nature of human person
• 2. Identify the importance of a person's ability and
capacity
• 3. Describe a person's unique qualities that make
him/her a productive social being
OVERVIEW
This chapter discusses the nature of the human person.
It answers these questions: What is a human person?
How can a human person attain his highest potential and
contribute to the common good? Even during the
ancient times, these questions have been relentlessly
asked and evaluated. Psychologist, philosophers,
theologians and scientists have written in-depth analyses
of the human nature using a wide range of theories and
observations.
THE HUMAN PERSON
• It is essentially difficult to understand the human person,
human nature, and the possibility of achieving a
productive society through the highest potential of a
person.
• Eric L. Estanol (2007) defines the human person as having
physical, spiritual, emotional and intellectual substance.
• Dictionaries define the human person as a “self-cons'cious
animal.”
CHARACTERISTICS OF A HUMAN
PERSON
• Eddie Babor (2007) discusses in his book, The Human Person Not Real But
Existing, the several characteristics of a human person, namely:
• 1. HP is a rational being. He is free to think and has the capacity to reason and
distinguish what is right and wrong.
• 2. HP is born free.
• 3. HP is unique.
• 4. Every person is intrinsically a social being and cannot detach himself from
other creatures inthe universe.
• All living things are sexual in nature, but the uniqueness of expression of a
person's sexuality makes him different.
BIBLICAL VIEWS
• The human person has a superiority and dignity inherited
from the Supreme Being. (Genesis 1: 26, 27)
• God entrusted to the human person the care of creatures
on the earth, aware of challenges, possibilities and
difficulties he will encounter in life.
• Grace C. Agbuya (1997) states that, man is designated by
God to exercise dominion over other creatures in his
everyday use of freedom, search for happiness, and
openness to the world around him.
PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS
• According to Protagoras, human person is the measure of all
things that exist and do not exist.
• Plato claimed that the perfect human being does not exist in this
world because what is in this world is just an imperfect copy of
humanity's original self in the realm of ideas.
• Parmenides presented that man has knowledge of something
that exists, for man who does not exist is nothing. A human being
becomes evident when he starts to share his thoughts and ideas
with others.
Rogelio B. Maguigad (2006)
• Discusses in his book, Philosophy of the Human Being, different
philosophical views of the human person.
• 1. Conservatism
• 2. Liberalism
• 3. Socialism
• 4. Fascism
CLASSICAL GREEK VIEWS
• Greeks define the human person as “a rational animal.” An
animal's vegetative sensory and rational element is
integrated within his being. He is a material (body) and
spiritual (soul) being. As vegetative creature, the human
person needs to have food to develop and reproduce. As a
sentient being, he needs sensory perceptions to gain
knowledge. As a rational animal he needs the power of
thought, reason, and cognition.
SOCIOLOGICAL VIEWS
• Lucila L. Salcedo (2004) states that we are looking at this
social world or the various ways that human beings
behave in a social way. Hence, when we talk about society
or the social world, what we are really referring to is the
behavior of human beings.
Wilfredo R. San Juan (2007)
• states that there is a number of common ideas about the human person:
• 1. Human persons are social animals
• 2. The human person's social behavior is learned, not instinctive
• 3. To understand the human person's behavior, we have to focus our
attention on the groups to which people belong
• 4. Sociology is a perspective that looks up the totality of relationships in an
individual's life.
HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
• Abraham Maslow, presented the levels of hierarchy of
needs in his theory of personality:
• 1. Physiological needs
• 2. Safety needs
• 3. Social needs
• 4. Self-esteem needs
• 5. Self actualization
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
• Maslow's theory points out that a person needs to satisfy first
the lower needs before realizing his self-worth and potential.
Accordingly, when the lower needs are not met, a person
cannot completely devote his time to developing his full
potential.
• Maslow's states that self-actualization is the driving force of
human personality. Thus a person cannot appreciate
intellectual and aesthetic learning when he is hungry or if he
feels unsafe. Artistic and scientific endeavors do not flourish in
a society where people must struggle for food, shelter and
safety.
Carl Rogers
• states that a person-centered therapy theory, every
person has within him an inherent desire toward a
positive transformation and the development of his
capacities. He possesses an innate goodness no
matter how imprudent his actions are.
Person-centered Therapy Theory
• Based on this theory, the society should be a
sounding board of reflection in life, so that an
individual can realize his problem and formulate
solution for it. However it is the individual who will
pave his own path and not the people around him.
He is the only one qualified to choose the path that
he should take. It may not always be smooth, but
that does not diminish his value as a person
Person-centered Therapy Theory
• A self-actualized person allows his innate goodness to
transform further. Only by understanding himself first can
he effectively relate to others. Furthermore, every person
must understand that he only exists in this world for a
temporary assignment. As such he should untilize his gifts
and talents to reach his goals and to help others realize
their own worth as a person. He must take on the
challenge that the Supreme Being has bestowed upon him.
CONCLUSION
• It is basically difficult to understand the human person. He
is described as having physical, spiritual, emotional, and
intellectual attributes, capable of knowing, loving, and
believing. Various biblical, philosophical, classical and
sociological views and perspectives offer essential insights
into the human nature.
• Man is a social being with various needs to satisfy to
enable him to reach the peak of his potential, so that he
cloud effectively retate to others and be a productive part
of his community

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