Lesson 9:
The Human Person as
an Embodied Spirit
Mr. Edward B. Noda Jr.
Jose Abad Santos SHS
Important Terminologies
Man- the general term commonly used to refer to the
entire human race.
Human- refers to man as a species- Homo sapiens sapiens
or modern human beings.
Human Being - is also to distinguish man from other
animals.
Important Terminologies
Person- Refers to human being granted recognition of certain rights,
protection, responsibilities, and dignity, above all. The totality of an
individual, possessing awareness, self-determination and the
capacity to interact
Personhood- the state of being a person
Human Nature - A general term refers to the deepest and natural
behavior of a person that distinguish human from animals. A
collective traits that formed and considered the very essence of
humanity. Nobody can be considered man without human nature.
What is a Human Person?
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:
Mammalia.
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.
Cognitive and the Physical Self
1. 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.
2. 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.
Embodied- materialized, personify, epitomize, “kumakatawan”
Embodied spirit- inseparable union of body and soul
What is Embodied Spirit?
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.
Spirit- This intangible element enables us to exercise
thought, possess awareness, interiority, and the capacity to
reach out to the outside world and other persons.
Embodiment, the representation or expression of something
in a tangible or visible form, enables us to do and
experience all the things that make us human persons.
The embodiment of the spirit particularly refers to
the inseparable union of human body and soul.
Embodied Spirit
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.
Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
1.
SELF- AWARENESS- refers to person having a
clear perception of oneself, including his or
her thoughts, emotions, identity, and actions.
It is the ability of one’s consciousness to
look inward thus discovering the presence of
a self.
The human person is defined by a deeper
awareness that is driven by rationality or
human thought. A person is aware of both his
or her surroundings and himself or herself.
Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
1.
SELF- AWARENESS
This awareness gives rise to the notion of the “self,” which the
philosophers describe as the person who is actively aware that he or she
is perceiving and experiencing reality.
We experience interiority, that is, the quality of being focused on one’s
inner life and identity.
Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
2. EXTERNALITY- It is the capability of a
person to reach out and interact with others
and the world. The realization that we are not
alone and that there are indeed other people
around us enables us to reach out and
establish meaningful relationships with
others.
Philosophers consider man as a social being
and that a person never exist in isolation.
Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
3. SELF-DETERMINATION- It refers to 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. We
are persons because we act and we are aware of our
actions.
Free will is the capacity to choose a course of action
from various alternatives.
Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
3. SELF-DETERMINATION
Consequence is the result or effect of an action or condition. Philosophers
believe that a person acts freely and with due regard for the consequences of
his or her actions.
Morality is the “goodness or badness” of an act.
Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
4. DIGNITY- It is the innate right to be valued and
respected. 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 Person as an Embodied Spirit
4. DIGNITY-
Human dignity is rooted in the nature of the human. It means that a person
has dignity simply because of the fact that he is human. Dignity is not
defined by outside factors like intelligence, beauty, skills, etc. A person
retains his dignity in spite of his or her actions or behavior.
Dignity also drives us to seek what is good. Doing good deeds upholds and
promotes dignity of the human person. This recognition of dignity is also
the basis for the recognition of human rights.
Limitations of the Human Person
The ability to surpass limits is called Transcendence, and it is also one important
trait that distinguishes the human person from other beings in existence.
Transcendence
❑As human persons, we have natural tendencies or inclinations. Some of
these are felt bodily functions like hunger, fatigue, etc. Transcendence
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 and ensure that they are exercised within the
bounds of reason.
Transcendence
❑ Each individual carries within himself the possibility of transcending
his limits by exerting enough effort and perseverance.
❑Philosophy gives us useful tools to explore our limits and possibilities.
The essence of transcendence is to acknowledge our limitations,
identify possibilities for development and change ourselves for the
better.
❑Opening yourself to new experiences and ideas is another aspect of
transcendence.
❑Our capacity for transcendence gives us the opportunity to work
toward becoming better versions of ourselves.
Transcendence
“It is through our limitations that possibilities become real.”
❑ The body limits us. Unlike birds that can fly, we have no wings to make
us fly. But with creative minds, we invented jets and planes to make us
fly even farther than any bird.
KEY POINTS:
Embodied spirit is
the driving force of
what we think, do,
and say.
In an embodied spirit,
the body is not
separated from the
soul, just as the soul
is not separated from
the body.
As an embodied spirit ,
the human person
demonstrates selfawareness, externality,
self-determination, and
dignity.
As human beings we
have the unique
power to change our
selves and things for
the better.
Transcendence is a
state of existence or
experience above and
beyond the normal or
physical level within
ourselves.
Our capacity for
transcendence gives
us the opportunity to
work toward
becoming better
versions of ourselves.