Unit 1: Summary
Seven Traits of Human Beings
1. Humans are created in the image and likeness of God
2. Humans are called to happiness and holiness
3. Humans are rational and free
4. Humans are moral beings
5. Humans have passions and feelings
6. Humans are blessed with a conscience
7. Humans are able to sin.
Five Principles of Humanity (Jean Vanier – Founder of L’Arche)
1. All humans are sacred
2. We are in the process of evolving
3. Maturity comes from working with others and a sense of belonging
4. Humans need to make choices and be responsible for themselves and others
5. Humans need to seek truth and meaning, to make connections, and to accept ourselves
and others.
To be human is….
1. To be human is to be a person, created in the image and likeness of God. (p. 13)
2. To be human is to be a person in relationship with others and to live in
communities (p. 21)
3. To be human is to be essentially good, despite the capacity for disorder and sin.
(p. 29)
Key Terms
Anthropology is a study of the origins, customs, and development of mankind
Culture is the set of meanings, beliefs, values, and rules for living shared by a group
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the official compilation of Catholic teachings.
Human freedom is the power to act deliberately on our own responsibility
A community is a group of people bound together by a sense of unity.
Sin is defined in the Catechism as an utterance, deed, or desire contrary to the will of God
or the eternal law
Vocation refers to God’s call to live in the spirit.
Goodness is the result of being connected to God.