Senior

High

Humanities and
Social Sciences
(HUMSS)
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human
Person
Quarter One – Module 3:
The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
 What I Need to Know

The human person is an important subject in Philosophy and an understanding of the nature
and condition of the person is one of the foremost goals of the discipline.

In this module, let us discover what makes us special by pondering on our human nature.
After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Define human nature

2. Recognize how the human body imposes limits and possibilities for transcendence
3. Evaluate own limitations and the possibilities for their transcendence

What I Know

Try this!

Activity 1: Pre-Assessment

Identification. Choose answers from the box below. Write your answers on a separate sheet of
paper.

Body Person
Dignity Philosophy
Free will Self
Human Spirit
Mind Transcendence

___________________ 1. It refers to the characteristics that distinguish humans from all other
creatures.
___________________ 2. This is the intangible element that enables us to exercise thought,
possess awareness, and reach out to the outside world and others.
___________________ 3. This enables the person to act whenever he or she wants to and
makes self-determination possible.
___________________ 4. This is the inherent value of a person which cannot be expressed in
a quantifiable terms.
___________________ 5. This is the ability to surpass knowledge.
___________________ 6. It refers to the totality of an individual, possessing awareness, self-
determination and the capacity to interact with others and with himself or herself.

___________________ 7. The person who is actively aware that he or she is perceiving and
experiencing reality.
___________________ 8. Human beings have _______ and spirit.
___________________ 9. It gives us useful tools to explore our limitations and possibilities for
transcendence.
___________________10. It is an important tool that allows us to go beyond many of our
physical limits.
 What’s In

Activity 2

Matching Type. Match column A with column B. Write the letter of your answer on a separate
sheet.

Column A Column B

____ 1. statements which are observed to be real a. claims

____ 2. lies at the heart of any inquiry b. facts
____ 3. statements about the world or reality c. fallacies
____ 4. clear awareness and understanding of something d. knowledge
____ 5. personal view, attitude, or personal feelings e. opinion
____ 6. arguments based on faulty reasoning f. propositions
____ 7. statements that are not evidently or immediately known to be g. truth
true
____ 8. It is an argument which attacks the person rather than the h. Appeal to force
issue.
____ 9. “You came from a family of singers. I’m sure you have a i. Ad hominem
good voice.”
____10. “Get a good grade, or else I will cut your allowance.” j. Fallacy of
composition
Processed Questions:
1. Why it is important that our knowledge must contain what is true?
2. Do we know something by means of the physical world and our senses alone?

What’s New

Activity 3: Draw a Venn diagram

Venn Diagram: Compare and Contrast human beings from horses. Write answer on a separate
sheet.

SIMILARITIES
Unique to humans Unique to horses
Processed questions:

1. Did you find it easy?

2. What were the obvious similarities that humans and horses have?
3. Did you consider yourself special than a horse? Explain your answer

What is It

What is the human person?

We often ask ourselves, “What makes us special?” Pondering our human nature allows
us to determine the special traits that make us human unique as a species. Further reflection
on our nature as humans will also help us figure out what makes us special as individual and
how this uniqueness is shared with our fellow human beings.

The most basic definition of a human being relates to the nature of humans as animals.
Philosophers, however, believe that the human being is not just a mere animal. There is
something in the human individual that sets him or her apart from other beings. These special
traits make human a distinct individual person. Philosophers refer to the human person as the
totality of an individual, possessing awareness, self-determination and the capacity to interact
with others and with himself or herself.

Characteristics of a Human Person

1. Self-awareness. It refers to the person having a clear perception of oneself, including

his or her thoughts, emotions, identity, and actions. The human person is defined by a
deeper awareness which is driven by rationality or human thought. A person is aware of
both his or her surroundings and himself or herself. A human person knows that he or
she is living and experience and is an active participant in this experience. This
awareness gives rise to the idea of the “self,” which philosophers describe as the person
who is actively aware that he or she is perceiving and experiencing reality.
2. The self enables us to reach out and interact with things outside of ourselves. This
is called externality. This further means that we are not only aware of our surroundings
and everything around us – but we are also aware of other human beings. When we see
a person smiling or nodding at us, we are aware that another person has seen us and
acknowledged us as a person.
3. Self-determination. This refers to the capability of persons to make choices and
decisions based on their own preferences, monitor and regulate their actions, and be a
goal-oriented and self-directed. Our free will enables us to do actions whenever we
want to and makes self-determination possible. Free will is the capacity to choose
a course of action from various alternatives. It enables us to act willfully, control our
actions, and recognize ourselves as the source of action.
4. Dignity. Philosophers consider all humans as having an inherent worth or value. Each
person is worth the same as another person in the sense that every person is priceless,
unique, unrepeatable, and irreplaceable. Human dignity drives us to seek what is good.
Doing good actions, therefore, upholds and promotes the dignity of the human person.
Since we recognize ourselves as persons with dignity who deserve to be treated well
and respected, we should also treat other persons in a respectful manner.
 A human being is composed of a body and a spirit. The body is the tangible or physical
aspect while the spirit is the intangible one. Physical
qualities are not the only criteria of being human. If
you describe yourself as someone who is “hopeful,”
“happy” or “friendly”, are these traits evident in your
physical body? No, but these characteristics are very
much part of us, yet are not seen in any physical trait
we possess and are only made evident through our
actions. Philosophers point to another unseen aspect
of the human person which, along with the body,
defines us as persons. This intangible element is the
spirit which enables us to exercise thought,
possess awareness, interiority, and the capacity to
reach out to the outside world and other persons.

Philosophers consider the human person as defined by the union of the body and the spirit.
The human person is an embodied spirit. They are not just united but also integrated with
each other. This means we cannot separate the two and they go hand-in-hand in making us
who we are. Whatever affects the body also affects the spirit, and this unique trait of a person
enables him or her to experience both the physical world and the spiritual world. Embodiment
enables us to do and experience all the things that make us human persons.

Our experience is a product of embodiment. The human mind processes information

through the senses, which are experienced through the body. Aside from perceiving our
surroundings, we also react to the things we experience emotionally. Most of our meaningful
experiences are often closely tied to emotions such as happiness, anger, or sadness. If you are
to recall a happy moment in your life, you not only remember the people you were with and the
events that happened at that moment, you also feel the happiness you felt at that moment.

The human body also stands as the mediator of the material world and the spiritual world.
Being an embodied spirit, the person is able to encounter the world of objects in a manner that
transcends the physical. Human embodiment allows persons to attach certain feelings or ideas
not only to people, but also to objects. For example, a watch that has a sentimental value. You
value the watch not because it is expensive but because it is given by someone whom you love.

With human embodiment, physical acts are no longer purely physical acts, because the
body conveys something from a person’s inner world. These emptions or ideas are given to
another person who, because of interiority, recognizes the thoughts that the other wishes to
convey. The mere act of “holding hands” conveys a powerful message between lovers, as it is
through this act that they can express their affection toward each other.
How does my human nature enable me to explore my limits?

Though the nature of the person as an embodied spirit

provides numerous opportunities to explore everything around us
and even within us, our human nature still imposes limitations.
There are a number of things that humans naturally cannot do.
For instance, we do not have a natural ability to fly or to breathe
under water without breathing apparatus. Compared to other
animals, we have limited capabilities with regard to strength,
speed, and the use of our senses. Despite these natural
limitations, we have used our intellect to devise means to
achieve several accomplishments. We use airplanes to fly
and scuba gear to swim under water. We invent tools and
machines to perform things beyond our physical capabilities. For
instance, we use trucks to carry heavy materials from one place to another. This ability to
surpass limits is called transcendence. It is also one important trait that distinguishes the
human person from other beings.
Our mind is an important tool that allows us to go beyond many of our physical limits.
We cannot travel through time, but we use our minds to recall the past and even imagine the
future. We can even think of things that do not exists in reality like fire-breathing dragons,
winged horses, and flying elephants. Although we have physical limitations, we ca transcend
them because of our spiritual dimension.

Transcendence also means overcoming oneself or being in control even if the body
reminds us of certain tendencies. Although these tendencies are felt, the person can govern
them. A person who has no control over his or her eating habit eventually becomes unhealthy
and develops an eating disorder; a person who allows the pleasures of dangerous drugs to rule
over him eventually becomes a drug addict.
Each individual has the possibility of transcending his or her limits. Most of our limits
often involve facing a challenge or obstacle or overcoming a weakness. For us to experience
transcendence, we must identify and face our own personal limits.
Philosophy gives us useful tools to explore our limitations and possibilities for
transcendence. The essence of transcendence is to acknowledge our limitations, identify
possibilities for development, and change ourselves for the better. It may be physical or
behavioral change such as trying a new sport or hobby or adopting a healthier lifestyle. You
can also take on a mental challenge such as learning a new skill or doing better in your studies.
Our capacity for transcendence gives us the opportunity to work toward becoming better version
of ourselves.

What’s More

Now that you have learned concepts about the human person as an embodied spirit, you are
now equip with knowledge and skills on how to transcend your limitations. Try to do this activity.

Activity 4: Explore your abilities and limitations.

Instruction: Copy the table below. In the “I can” column, write down the skills and
abilities that define you as a person. In the “I cannot” column, list down the things you have tried
to do but could not because of your personal limitations. Write your answer on a separate
sheet.

I CAN I CANNOT

Processed questions:

1. What enabled you to do things you identified in the first column?

2. Do you see yourself overcoming the limitations that prevented you from doing things you
stated in the second column?

What I Have Learned

Activity 5

Answer the following question on a separate sheet:

1. What are the four characteristics of a human person? Provide a short explanation for
each characteristic. (8 pts.)
2. How does the body and spirit related? (5 pts.)
3. What is transcendence? (2 pts.)
 What I Can Do

Now that you have answered the above activity, you have already learned something
about philosophy and its significance in our lives. To deepen your understanding about what
you have learned, try this activity.

Activity 6: Essay

Cite an experience in your life where you were able to transcend your limitations. Write
at least one (1) paragraph with 5-10 sentences. Write it on a separate sheet of paper.

RUBRICS FOR ESSAY

10 points
The experience shows the
concept of transcendence. It is
well explained and has good
grammar. The work follows the
instruction and it is readable.
8 points
The experience shows the
concept of transcendence. It
has few spelling or grammatical
errors. The work follows the
instruction. The handwriting is
quite difficult to read.
6 points
The experience does not show
the concept of transcendence.
It has many misspelled words
and the grammar is bad..The
work contains less than five
sentences.

Assessment

Activity 7

Multiple Choice: Read each item carefully before you answer. Write the letter of your choice on
a separate sheet.

1. This term refers to man as a species and distinguishes man from other animals.
a. being
b. human
c. sapiens
d. creature
2. This refers to the totality of an individual who possesses awareness, self-determination, and
the capacity to interact with others.
a. Person
b. Hominid
c. Wholeness
d. Completeness
3. This refers to individual who is actively aware that he or she is perceiving and experiencing
reality.
a. Knowledge
b. Self
c. Conscious
d. Active
4. This is the capability to act and be aware of one’s actions.
a. Self-awareness
b. Self-confidence
c. Self-conscious
d. self-determination
5. This enables the person to act whenever he or she wants to and makes self-determination
possible.
 a. Free will
b. Choice
c. Capability
d. Ability
6. This is the capability to reach out and interact with others and the world.
a. Assistance
b. Teamwork
c. Externality
d. Experience
7. This is the inherent value of a person which cannot be expressed in quantifiable terms.
a. Price
b. Attitude
c. Ability
d. Dignity
8. This is the intangible element that enables us to exercise thought, possess awareness, and
reach out to the outside world and others.
a. Spirit
b. Freedom
c. Self
d. Embodiment
9. This is the ability to surpass limits.
a. Transcendence
b. Strength
c. Overcome
d. Prudence
10. Which of the following does NOT belong to the group?
a. body
b. intellect
c. soul
d. tail
11. The following is true about human nature except
a. Human beings know something not just by senses.
b. Human beings are composed of body and spirit.
c. Human beings have an inherent worth or value.
d. Human dignity depends on one’s status in life.
12. Which of the following BEST explains the human person as an embodied spirit?
a. Human beings are composed of a body and a spirit.
b. The body and spirit are united and integrated with each other.
c. A healthy person is a physically fit person and has a good diet.
d. We love someone not just with our heart but with our entire being.
13. Which of the following statements expresses transcendence?
a. accepting one’s limitation
b. overcoming one’s weakness
c. listen to people’s negativity
d. quit when things are difficult
14. During the distribution of the corrected test papers in Math, you found out that you have the
lowest score. You realize then that you have poor performance in Math subject. How you will
show transcendence in this situation?
a. blame yourself for getting low scores
b. accept it and just focus on other subjects
c. spend more time studying in Math subject
d. just tell yourself that you are not good at it
15. You respect the dignity of a person when you
a. treat him/her for who he/she is
b. find him/her friendly and accommodating
c. receive some help from him/her
d. compare him/her to others
”
 Additional Activities

Activity 8: Research on an individual who has overcome his or her limitations to great
success. Provide a picture and give a short summary of his or her biography especially on how
transcendence happens in his or her life. Do not forget to cite the source where you get the
information. Copy and fill out the table with the appropriate responses. Do this on a separate
sheet. Follow this format:

PHOTO

SHORT BIOGRAPHY
OR LIFE STORY
Source:______

RUBRICS
10 points 8 points 6 points
The work follows the correct The work follows the correct The work has a different format.
format. The photo is clear. The format. The photo is clear. The The picture is unclear.
process of transcendence was process of transcendence was Transcendence is not evident in
evident in the story. not clearly stated in the story. the story.

Processed question:

1. Why did you choose this particular person?

2. Were you inspired by his or her story? Explain.
3. What was your realization after doing this activity?
 Answer Key

Activity 1: What I Know Activity 2: What’s In

1. Human 1. B
2. Spirit 2. G
3. Free will 3. F
4. Dignity 4. D
5. Transcendence 5. E
6. Person 6. C
7. Self 7. A
8. Body 8. I
9. Philosophy 9. J
10. Mind 10. H

Activity 7: Assessment
1. B
Activity 5: What I have Learned 2. A
1. Characteristics of human person 3. B
a. Self-awareness (explanation) 4. D
b. Externality (explanation) 5. A
c. Self-determination (explanation) 6. C
d. Dignity (explanation) 7. D
2. Human beings are composed of 8. A
body and spirit. The body and spirit 9. A
are not just united but integrated with 10. D
each other. This is the reason why the 11. D
human person is said to be an 12. D
embodied spirit. 13. B
3. Transcendence is the ability to 14. C
surpass one’s limits. 15. A

References
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—. 2016. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person (Textbook). Quezon City: Department of
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https://publicdomainvectors.org/en/free-clipart/Human-mind/40089.html.

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SilviaP_Design. 2016. Pixabay. September 16. Accessed July 14, 2020.

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/man-woman-pair-man-and-woman-1674042/.

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