Lesson 7: THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE SOCIETY

GROUP 2 (DAY 1)
I. ACTIVITY

Sharing: Describe yourself in relation to the following. Complete the given statements:

In my family, I am the…
My family has made me…
In my school, I consider myself…
My school has helped me become…
In my community, I am a…
My community has enabled me to…

II. DISCUSSION

What is society? What drives human beings to establish societies?

 Humans are beings capable of establishing a Society, which is an organized group of people whose
members interact frequently and have a common territory and culture. It was brought about by the
human desire to relate with others. Society is considered a product of deliberate actions by
individuals who come together in pursuit of a common goal.
 Society greatly influences the individual, as it determines to a certain extent a person’s identity.
Society makes possible the emergence of certain individualities, which are the result of the person’s
interaction with other members of society.
 Society is also rooted in the concepts of the common good and general welfare, which refers to social
conditions that enable persons and groups to fulfill their goals and achieve well-being.
 Philosophers consider society as a product of the “social contract”, where individuals decide to
sacrifice personal interest and submit to a higher authority.

The Social Contract Theory

 During the Enlightenment, social philosophers pondered the natural laws that govern human societies.
To fully understand the true character of society, they imagined humans as living in so-called “natural
state,” removed from modernity and civilization.
 Various views emerged to explain the developments that brought about the emergence of human
society:
▪ Thomas Hobbes – proposed that persons in their natural states are governed by their
desires and these often lead to conflict with their fellowmen. Individuals who establish societies
enter into a “social contract,” an agreement where individuals sacrifice an amount of their
freedom and submit to a higher authority.
▪ John Locke – considered persons in their natural states as more cooperative and
reasonable. Society is formed through the consent of the individuals who organized it, a
concept known as the consent of the governed.
▪ Jean Jacques Rousseau – advocated the concept of “general will.” He believed that even if
the people are the ones who organized society and established an authority or government, in
extreme cases, the government can impose its will on the people.
 Society is founded on the concept of the “common good,” the social conditions that enable persons
and groups to fulfill their goals and achieve well-being.

III. ABSTRACTION

1. In what way do you see yourself making a significant contribution to society?

IV. QUIZ
 Lesson 7: THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE SOCIETY

GROUP 2 (DAY 2)

I. ACTIVITY

Sharing: Give examples of traits and values that identify us as Filipinos.

II. DISCUSSION

What are the different forms of societies?

 The development of societies throughout history shows the development of humankind in response to
changing surroundings and historical developments. Different forms of societies include:
▪ Hunting and gathering society – the earliest and simplest form of society and is generally small in
size; composed of families; they are nomadic because they spend most of their time searching for
food; hierarchy is not very varied
▪ Pastoral society – primarily relies on the domestication of animals for food; have larger populations;
often produce surplus food and resources
▪ Horticultural society – engages in the small-scale cultivation of plants; they are semi-nomadic
which means that they travel to another place when they have already depleted the resources in one
area; roles and responsibilities are more clearly defined with many tasks assigned according to
gender
▪ Agrarian or agricultural society – features a large scale and long-term cultivation of crops and
domestication of animals; characterized by improved technology and the use of tools to aid in
farming; more structured social system
▪ Feudal society – based on ownership of the land where those who own land are considered most
powerful and influential; members of society are organized based on status
▪ Industrial society – based on the use of specialized machinery in the production of goods and
services; characterized by greater inequalities in wealth, power, and influence
▪ Post-industrial society – marked by the establishment of societies based on knowledge,
information, and the sale of services which has given rise to the virtual society, where people
organize themselves through communication technology and the internet

How does society influence our development and become better persons?

 Apart from defining individualities, society also influences the person by defining the relationships
that its members are able to engage in. Society is able to define relationships and interactions among
its members through norms, the establishment of a social system and by upholding social values.
 Society provides opportunities for its members to grow and achieve well-being. Through its
various institutions, society endeavors to develop weld-adjusted and productive members who can
make significant contributions to society. In turn, individuals uphold the common good and work to
bring about positive changes in society.
 Organized action is often the best means to bring about changes in society. The concerned effort of
many groups often brings about a social movement, a large-scale action done by various groups
and organizations in pursuit of a common goal to bring about change.

III. ABSTRACTION

1. How does society enable its members to develop and achieve well-being?
2. How can individuals contribute to bringing change in society?
3. How can you uphold the common good in your respective society / community?

IV. QUIZ