Philosophy of Man
Human Nature: Overview
Prepared by: Maria Elena J. Magno
Asking the Right Questions
Philosophy is the science
that investigates all
things in their ultimate
causes, reasons and
principles through reason
alone.
The Love of Wisdom
Comes from the
Ancient Greek word:
“philo” = love
“sophia” = wisdom
Philosophy literally
means “the love of
wisdom.”
Human Nature
People may differ in many aspects. They
may differ in size, color of skin, race,
socioeconomic status and many more. Despite
these differences, they are all human beings
with divergent concept and views about
human nature.
Western Philosopher
Man according to Western
Philosopher
Philosophers ?
Who studies Philosophy
comes from the Ancient
Greek “philosophos”,
which literally means
"lover of wisdom".
Man according to Western
Philosopher cont.
Thales
“the principle of all things is
water, that all comes from water
& to water all returns”
Man according to Western
Philosopher cont.
Socrates
“ Man is a being who thinks
and wills”
Man according to Western
Philosopher cont.
Plato
“man is a soul using body”
Man according to Western
Philosopher cont.
Plato’s view
Human body
Levels of Human soul
Head
Chest
Stomach
Rational Level
Spiritual Level
Appetitive Level
Man according to Western
Philosopher cont.
Aristotle
“man as a single essence
composed of body and soul”
Man according to Western
Philosopher cont.
Three Kinds of soul
Grades of being
Kinds of Soul
Man
Animals
Plants
Rational
Sensitive
Vegetative
Oriental Philosopher
Man according to Oriental
Philosopher
Man according to Oriental
Philosopher
The Hindu View of Man
Man in Buddhism
Man in Confucianism
The Taoist view of Man
Christian view of Man
Man according to Oriental
Philosopher
The Hindu View of Man
According to this view,
man possesses the atman or soul,
the highest aspect of what is
understood as the principle of life.
Man according to Oriental
Philosopher
Man in Buddhism
According to this view man
is subject to the law that all things
rise, decay and fall. There is no
soul. There is no permanence.
Man according to Oriental
Philosopher
Man in Confucianism
Man is regarded as a moral
being and as a social being.
Man according to Oriental
Philosopher
The Taoist view of Man
Taoism as a philosophy
advocates what is natural and
spontaneous, simple and necessary.
According to this philosophy that
by which anything and everything
comes to be, is the “Tao”.
Man according to Oriental
Philosopher
The Christian view of Man
Man is made by God, in his
image, for his glory
Toward being a Human
What does it Means to Be a Man
What Does it Mean to Be a Man?
Man is a being, a
creature, whose destiny
is to live in two world
via the spiritual and
physical or material
world.
Man as a being-at-the-world
Man exists as a being at work in the world.
And the world becomes the fruit of his
labors.
Man as a being-for-others
One of the basic needs
of man is the need to
love and be loved.
However the common
orientation at present is
not to be for others but
for oneself.
Man as a being-for-God
Man has different
beliefs and convictions
about his existence.
Man as a being-for-God
“For God so loved the world that He gave His
Only begotten Son that whosoever believe in
Him shall not perish but have an everlasting
life”
John 3:16
Man as a being-for-God
“Even before the world was made, God
had already chosen us to be His through our
union with Christ; so that we would be holy
and without fault before him”
Eph. 1:4
END