Lesseon 3: The Human Person As An Embodied Spirit

QUARTER 1- INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON 11
LESSEON 3: THE HUMAN PERSON AS AN EMBODIED SPIRIT

The time has come! Let’s get started! Today’s journey will help us identify and understand the
Human Person as an Embodied Sprit has something to do with defining Man, Human, Human Being,
Person, Personhood and Human Nature (Abella, 2016).
By definition, it is generally and commonly define to represent the entire
Man
human race.
A term used to refer for various classifications and species. For a living
Human
man, human is under the classification of Mamalia.
A term used to separate man from other Human Classifications like
Human Being
animals.
Refers to an individual who possess self-awareness, self-determination,
Person rational mind, and the capacity to interact with other and with
himself/herself.
A general term refers to the state of being a person with unique, sacred
Personhood
and ethical status within him/herself.
A general term refers to the deepest and natural behaviour of a person
that distinguish human from animals. A collective traits that formed and
Human Nature
considered the very essence of humanity. Nobody can be considered
man without human nature.
What is Human Person?

Let’s find out! From the definition provided above, the human and the person, respectively, are
defined with classified origin of species and persons with birth rights. Human person is someone with an
exact origin of his/her classification. From the biblical perspective, we came from Adam and Eve. For
Science, we came from an Ape under the Class: Mamallia.
Human person from time after time learned how to live beyond what was traditional through the
various human evolutions from Hominid to Homo Sapiens or the Modern Man people learn the concept
of power, politics and economics. These reasons served as basis which led to a more structured political
and economic system. Thus, rights of an individual is considered. A human person is typically with a
body which is tangible and has a three components composed of SOUL, MIND and SPIRIT. Also, he or
she is entitled and granted rights and privileges by the state which he or she legally belong.
There are two general kinds to distinguish a human person: The Cognitive Self and the Physical
Self. The Cognitive Self (something within and cannot be physically seen) is the essential components of
a human persons that deals with THE WHAT OF A PERSON which includes human persons’ belief,
desire, dreams, and intentions. The other is one is the Physical Self (something can be seen in his/her
physical appearance) which deals with the essential features of the human way of life or THE WHO OF
A PERSON which includes his/her body type, strength and appearances.
What is Embodied Spirit? Let’s find out!
Embodied spirit is an animating core living within each of us. It is known to be the driving force
behind what we actually think, do and say. It is indeed the reflections of our total being by which our
sensations lead to our human feelings, emotions and decision. The usual and known connotation that
comes to our mind when we hear the word “embodied” is always materialized or became flesh (with
physical form). Thus, when we say “embodied spirit”, we normally believed and conclude of a spirit
becoming flesh. In the context and views of Christian philosophy, the embodiment of the spirit
particularly refers to the inseparable union of human body and soul. Inseparable which also means the
body and soul work together at all times. Hence, we can safely say that “embodied spirit” that the body is
not separate from the soul, just as the soul is not separate from the body.
What is Human Person as Embodied Spirit?
Let’s find out! As an embodied spirit human beings demonstrate these following qualities
(Abella, 2016):
1. “Self- awareness refers to person having a clear perception of oneself, including his or her
thoughts, emotions, identity, and actions (Abella, 2016).” It is the ability of one’s consciousness to look
inward thus discovering the presence of a self. Photo from:
https://angelsandcelestials.tumblr.com/post/103122385263/22- signs-that-you-are-embodying-your-
higher-self 13 The self is the subject that thinks, feels and acts. It is your I amness (Wilber, 2006). The
self enables a person to experience an inner world of dreams, thoughts, imagination, fantasy (Abella,
2016). Thus, the self represents man’s interiority (loob in Filipino).
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QUARTER 1- INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON 11
2. A human person is able to connect and interact with another person, an animal or an inanimate
object. We call this externality. So even though human beings have interiority they are not trapped inside
their heads. They are able to go beyond their limited selves and embrace others.
3. We are not determined by others. Because we have interiority; we can direct the course of our
own life. This is what we call self-determination which is “the capability of persons to make choices and
decisions based on their own preferences, monitor and regulate their actions, and be goal oriented and
self-directed” (Abella 2016) Thus human beings are free. However since our actions are based on our
decisions we have to realized that every decision has a consequence(s). There are some actions that are
good because they lead to good consequences and some actions are bad because they lead to bad
consequences. The result of our freedom is morality which is “the goodness or badness of an act” (Abella
2016)
4. Finally a human person has an inherent value and importance. This is what we call dignity.
That is why no amount of money can equal the value of a human life. This is also the reason why
individual rights are absolute (Rand 1964). The American Founding Fathers called rights as “inalienable”
because it cannot be separated from our humanity. If we are stripped off of our rights we are stripped of
our humanity. That is why slaves (who have no rights) are not being treated as human.
Human Transcendence
St. Thomas Aquinas, a philosopher and one of the greatest theologian in the Catholic Church in
the 13th century, said that “of all creatures, human beings have the unique power to change themselves
and things for the better.” (Ramos, 2016). We have encountered persons who complain of any given
situations or accept the reality or status in life as God-given thing. We heard a man sighing on TV during
the early stage of Covid-19, “mahirap maging mahirap.” Though it is true that poverty is not just personal
but also structural, as an individual person you know that you can do something to change the situation.
This power is your ability to surpass your limits. This is the definition of Transcendence. You are able to
transcend your limit through your physical and mental abilities. (Abella, 2016).
Religion and philosophy teaches human beings to overcome our limits. In technological parlance,
humans can upgrade themselves. Take for example, Buddhism. Buddha realized that all people suffers.
Maybe in your case you just accept your own suffering as part of life but not for Buddha. This reality
ignited his curiosity to examine and understand the word suffering. He left his royal life in the palace and
spent his life for 6 years in the wilderness to find answers for his questions. And when he sat under the
Tree of Enlightenment for 40 days, voila he finds the answers. The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold
Paths. For example, “The Eightfold Path” of Buddhism shown below:
1. Right view- a correct understanding of the nature of things, specifically the Four Noble
Truths;
2. Right intention, eliminating thoughts of attachment, detestation, and harmful intent,
3. Right speech, abstaining from verbal offenses such as lying, divisive speech, unforgiving
speech, and irrational speech,
4. Right action, refraining from physical offenses such as murdering, thieving, and sexual
misbehavior,
5. Right livelihood, evading trades that directly or indirectly damage others, such as trading
slaves, weapons, animals for butchery, intoxicants, or poisons,
6. Right effort, forsaking undesirable states of mind that have already arisen, preventing
undesirable states that have yet to arise, and sustaining positive states that have already
arisen.
7. Right concentration, single-mindedness.
8. Right mindfulness, consciousness of body, feelings, thought, and phenomena.
References
Abella, Roberto D. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City:
C& E Publishing Bulaong,
Christopher. (2018). Foundation of Moral Values. Quezon City: Quezon City: Rex Publishing
House.
Maboloc, Christopher Ryan. (2013). Philosophy of Man: The Existential Drama. Quezon City:
Rex Publishing House. Ramos,
Christine Carmela R.PhD. (2016) Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Rex
Bookstore: Manila, Philippines.
Rand, Ayn (1964). The Virtue of Selfishness. New York: Signet.
Tiempo, Alex. (2015). Social Philosophy: Foundation of Values Education. Quezon City: Rex
Publishing House.
Wilber, Ken (2006). Integral Spirituality. Boston: Integral Books.
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QUARTER 1- INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON 11

LESSEON 3: THE HUMAN PERSON AS AN EMBODIED SPIRIT

What is Human Person?

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