Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

THE HUMAN PERSON IN

THEIR ENVIRONMENT
Week 4 – Q1 – Module 4

M.A. Espiritu
LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION -
Environmental Philosophy
THE HUMAN PERSON IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT

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Activity 1.1. Watch and Listen
Watch and listen to the video clip and Examine the
lyrics of the song.

“Wala ka bang napapansin sa iyong mga kapaligiran?Kay

dumi na ng hangin, pati na ang mga ilog natin. Hindi nga
masama ang pag-unlad at malayo-layo na rin ang ating
narrating…”

–ASIN 3
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 Guide Questions:

1. What is the message of the song?

2. Which lyrics serve as most
meaningful? Why?

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 Environmental Philosophy
is the discipline that studies the moral relationships
of human beings with the environment and its non-
human contents. Philosophers believe that the human
person has the ability to change the environment
to suit his purposes. It will enable them to become
aware of their relationship and its related issues in our
society and their impact on the lives of human persons.

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 Environmental Philosophy
“What is the world made of?” “How did the world
come into being?” and “How can we explain the
process of change?” were philosophical questions
already brought up approximately 600 B.C.E. (before the
common era) in the Western lonian seaport town of
Miletus across the Aegean Sea from Athens, Greece.

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 Environmental Philosophy
The speculation of the pre-Socratic philosophers
represents a paradigm shift- a change from mythical
explanation of the origins of the cosmos to a more
rational explanation.

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Anthropocentric HUMAN
Model CULTURE
INDIVIDUALISM
Based on the MIND
anthropocentric model,
humans are superior and CALCULATIVE
central to the universe, thus, HUMAN OVER / AGAIST ENVIRONMENT
it is human centered
GLOBAL / TECHNOLOGICAL

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 NATURE
WILD
Ecocentric Model HOLISM

It is the ecological or relational NATURE / COSMOS

integrity of the humans that BODY
provides meaning of our morals
and values and it is nature RELATIONAL
centered. Devoted to preserving
the totality of Earth’s biodiversity EARTH / WISDOM
and the functioning of its life –
supporting system ECOLOGY OVER / AGAINST HUMAN
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Activity 1.2. Guided Learning
1. Distinguish the ecocentric from the
anthropocentric models. Cite Examples.
2. In your observation, how do humans
regard the environmental? Explain, In
what way/s are your answers positive /
negative?
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Lesson 2: Notice Disorder in the Universe
THE HUMAN PERSON IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT

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 Activity 2.1. What’s In?

Identify the location and the environmental

issues in the pictures. Write your answer in
the space provided.

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ADD A FOOTER 14 Aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines
ADD A FOOTER 15 Marble Quarry at Teresa Rizal, Philippines
ADD A FOOTER 16 Makati Skyline, Philippines
The domination of humanity is linked to the
domination of the nature based on the
anthropocentric model. An unfair or unjust
utilization of the environment result to ecological
crisis. From this view, it follows that human arrogance
toward nature is justifiable in order to satisfy human
interest.

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The domination of humanity is linked to the
domination of the nature based on the
anthropocentric model. An unfair or unjust
utilization of the environment result to ecological
crisis. From this view, it follows that human arrogance
toward nature is justifiable in order to satisfy human
interest.

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ADD A FOOTER 19 Marble Quarry at Teresa Rizal, Philippines
Coal-fired
20 power plant in Calaca, Batangas. (Greenpeace photo)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Caraga Region says intensified campaigns
against illegal logging in the area during the first four months of 2020 resulted in the confiscation of over
PHP8.4 million of illegally-cut logs and lumber products. Twenty-three cases have also been filed against
40 individuals for violating the country's forestry
21 laws. (Photo courtesy of DENR-13 Information Office)
Carbon Footprint AVERANGE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF A TWO-PERSON

Travel Home
HOUSEHOLD

Food Goods Services

A carbon footprint is the total 17%

amount of greenhouse gases 36%

(including carbon dioxide and

methane) that are generated
18%

by our actions.
7%

22%

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Typhoon
23 Ulysses (2020), Marikina City
Typhoon
24 Ondoy (2009), Marikina City
Typhoon
25 Ondoy (2009), Marikina City
World
26 War II, Manila
Poverty,
27 Manila, Philippines
Land
28 slide, Cherry Hills Subd.
Activity 2.2: Guided Learning
Based on the previous images, What could
be improper? Are you happy with what you
see or experience in nature? How will you
organize or improve the environment or
world that you belong to?

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Lesson 3: Notice things that are not in their
proper place and organize them in an
aesthetic way
THE HUMAN PERSON IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT

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ANCIENT THINKERS

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Anaximander
• Anaximander a pre-Socratic
philosopher and scientist said about
the creation-Destruction. According to
him, the sketch of the genesis of the
world (cosmology), the evolution of the
world begins with the generation of
opposites in certain region Nature.
Nature is indeterminate-boundless in
the sense that no boundaries between
the warm and or the moist and dry
regions are originally present within.

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Pythagoras
• Pythagoras described the
universe as living embodiment of
nature’s order, harmony, and
beauty. He sees our relationship
with the universe involving
biophilia (love of other living
things) and cosmophilia (love of
other living beings).

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MODERN THINKERS

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Immanuel Kant
• Beauty is the ultimately a
symbol of morality (goodness).
He believes that the orderliness
of nature and the true harmony
of nature with our faculties guide
as toward a deeper religious
perspective.

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Herbert Marcuse

• For Herbert Marcuse, humanity

had dominated nature. There
can only be change if we will
change our attitude towards our
perception of the environment.

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George Herbert Mead

• For Mead, as human beings,

we do not have only rights but
duties. We are not only citizens
of the community but how we
react to this community and in
our reaction to it, change it.

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 Activity 3.1: Let’s Check Your
Understanding

Directions: Answer the following questions:

1. Compare the importance of nature from
the ancient to the modern era.
2. Evaluate your personal views and
attitudes toward nature.

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 Lesson 4: Show that care for the
environment contributes to health, well-
being, and sustainable development
THE HUMAN PERSON IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT
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Principles of Sustainability

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Environmental Integrity
Environmental Integrity – means that
any human activities or economic
advances should not unduly disrupt
the environment and human
communities located in the area. The
environment should not be drastically
impacted by human activities (Abella 2016).
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 Economic Efficiency

This is to ensure that there is

minimum to zero waste in using our
natural resources (Abella 2016)

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 Equity

it refers to conserving our natural

resources so that the future
generations will still be able to use it.
(Abella 2016).

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There are numerous theories to show
care for the environment aside from the
ecocentric model such as:

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 Deep Ecology
For this theory, ecological crisis is an outcome of
anthropocentrism which already discussed. The
controlling attitude of human kind is
extended to nature, when in fact, humanity
is part of nature. Deep ecologist encourage
humanity to shift away from anthropocentric to
ecocentric.
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 Social Ecology
For the theory, ecological crisis result from
authoritarian social structures. Destroying nature is
a reflection wherein few people overpower
other while exploiting the environment for
profit of self interest. Social ecologist call for small-
scale societies which recognize that humanity is linked
with the well being of the natural world in which
human life depends
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 Ecofeminism
These theory argues that ecological crisis is a
consequence of male dominance. In this view, what
ever is superior is entitled to whatever is inferior. Male
traits as in anthropocentric model are superior as
opposed to female traits as in the ecocentric model.

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Lesson 5: Demonstrate the Virtues of
Prudence and Frugality toward
Environment.
THE HUMAN PERSON IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT
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 Prudence
is the capacity to direct and discipline one's
activities and behavior using reason. It is the
behavior that is cautious and, as much as
possible, keeps away from any risks

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The Theory of Moral Sentiments

According to Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral

Sentiments (1759), a truly righteous person
embodies the value of prudence since it controls
one's overindulgences and as such is vital for a
certain society.

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 Human Finiteness

is indivisible from the physical environment,

which means that we, vulnerable beings, depend
on a no less fragile and vulnerable natural world,
the ultimate source of human well-being and
economic prosperity

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 Frugality

it is a virtue that can guide us in making choices

in life and receiving the most value out of those
decisions.

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 Activity 5.1: Essay

Write an essay regarding in the following questions.

1.What is happiness? If possible, relate Fromm’s
view with other Philosophers discussed.
2.What is freedom? Relate Fromm’s view with other
philosophers discussed in previous lessons.
3.What is joy? Do you agree with Fromm’s view?

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 “The earth is what we all
have in common”
WENDELL BERRY

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