Grade 12: Philosophy of Human Person
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Darry BlanciaGrade 12: Philosophy of Human Person
Uploaded by
Darry BlanciaGrade 12
PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN PERSON
Module THE4: HUMAN PERSON IN THE
ENVIRONMENT
2nd Semester, S.Y. 2020-2021
Prepared by:
DARRY BLANCIA
Subject Teacher
____________________________________________________________________________
MDM-Sagay College, Inc.
Office: Feliza Bldg., Marañon St. Pob 2, Sagay City
Campus: National Highway, Poblacion 2, Sagay City, Negros Occidental
Tel.# 488-0531/ email: mdm_sagay2000@gmail.com.
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Module 4: THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Lesson 1. Human Person and Environment
Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:
1. Notice things that are not in their proper place and organize them in an aesthetic way
2. Show that care for the environment contributes to health, well-being and sustainable development
3. Demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards environment.
What is It
The Human Person in the Environment: Have you ever wondered what happens to
the things you throw away? Did you ever think of the effects of these things on our
surroundings? If not, it is time for you to reflect. As the popular saying goes, “what goes
around comes around,” it tells us that for every action there will be effects to it. Blocked
drainage, wastewater flooding, diseases, and different kinds of pollution are some of the
consequences we are experiencing because many people show no concern for our
environment.
I. ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY
Environment philosophy is the discipline that studies the moral relationship 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. This means that as
human person, we interact not only with our fellow human beings, but also with other living
and non-living elements in our environment. Humankind is a part of the world, and we
significantly affect our environment in the same way that changes in our environment affect
us
1. Anthropocentrism – focuses on the significant role of humankind in the
world and considers nature as the means by which humans are able to meet
their needs and survive. This view believes that humans are the most
important species on the planet and they are free to transform nature and use
its resources.
2. Biocentrism – believes that humans are not the only significant species on
the planet, and that all other organisms have inherent value and should be
protected. This view advocates ethical treatment of animals.
3. Ecocentrism – places great value on ecosystems and biological
communities. This view believes that humankind is a part of a greater
biological system or community and that we have a significant role as
stewards or guardians of nature. This view promotes the idea that order and
balance in nature brings about stability and beauty.
II. ENVIRONMENTAL AESTHETICS A philosophical view that believes in
maintaining order in the environment will bring out the natural beauty of surroundings
and contribute to the well-being of the people and other organisms living in it
Pythagoras: He described George Herbert Mead Herbert Marcuse
the universe as living “Man have duties and “Human have power over
embodiment of nature’s responsibilities in nature” nature.”
order, harmony, and beauty.
He sees our relationship
with the universe involving
biophilia (love of other living
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things) and cosmophilia
(love of other living beings).
Immanuel Kant
“The orderliness of nature
and the harmony of
nature with our faculties
guide us toward a deeper
religious perspective”
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT According to the World Commission on Environment and
Development, sustainable development defines as: “Development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” To put
it simply, the idea of sustainable development is any environmental, economic and social
advances can be realized within the carrying capacity of earth’s natural resources.
PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY
1. 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.
2. Economic efficiency- this is to ensure that there is minimum to zero waste in using
our natural resources.
3. Equity- it refers to conserving our natural resources so that the future generations
will still be able to use it.
IV. THEORIES IN RADICAL ECOLOGICAL PHILOSOPHY
1. Deep ecology- Arne Naess, proponent of Deep ecology, assumes that all
living things possess equal value and intrinsic worth regardless of their usefulness or
utility to other beings. This is experiencing ourselves as part of the living earth and
finding our role in protecting the planet. It highlights the shifting away of approaches to
environment from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism.
2. Social Ecology- Murray Bookchin, proponent of Social ecology, believes that
ecological problems can be traced to social problems. Societies that are structured
around hierarchies as well as economic classes use their authority to dominate natural
resources and exploit the environment for profit and self-interest.
3. Ecofeminism- It assumes that male-centered view of nature is the root cause
of ecological problems. To address environmental problems humanity has to remove
the superior vs. inferior in human relations. Ecofeminism also believes that a society
that tolerates the oppression of women is directly linked with its tendency to tolerate the
abuse of the environment and the degradation of nature.
V. PRUDENCE AND FRUGALITY
Prudence and frugality are two of the many virtues that can help us in addressing
various environmental problems and solving the challenges these problems have
created.
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 a
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truly righteous person embodies the value of prudence since it controls one’s
overindulgences and as such is vital for a certain society. Prudence is not purely an
individual virtue, but concerns the social dimension too. It means that prudence favors
not only the private good of a certain person, but also the common good. Prudence can
help us become wiser, more responsible in terms of using our natural resources and,
most importantly, become more appreciative of nature’s essential value.
Frugality:
is the quality of being thrifty. It is the careful supervision of one’s resources. Frugality,
aside from prudence, is another fundamental value that can help us develop a sense of
right and wrong and attain whatever we want in life. One of the main benefits of being a
frugal person is that it is environmentally friendly. When someone is being frugal in
using natural resources like electricity and water, this person is putting lesser damage
on our natural environment. Furthermore, a frugal person usually lives out the idea of
“reduce, reuse, recycle” just to minimize expenses. Yet, this same idea also minimizes
overall environmental impact.
Assessment
I. Directions: Read each statement carefully and write “KALIKASAN” if your
answer is True and “KASIRAAN” if it is False.
1. Anthropocentrism focuses on the part of humankind as a stewards or
guardians of nature in our greater biological system or community.
2. Both ancient and modern thinkers believe that man will bring out the natural
beauty of environment if they are capable to govern the nature.
3. Biocentrism advocates ethical treatment of animals.
4. Deep ecology is a philosophical idea that combines feminism and ecology
concerns, emphasizing that both suffer from their treatment by a male dominated
society.
5. Environmental Aesthetics is a philosophical view all life forms have an equal
right to exist, and human needs and desires have no priority over those of other
organisms.
II. Directions: Identify the correct answer as described in every item. Write your answer
on the space provided.
________________1. Bringing your own cup whenever you refill your coffee in 7-
eleven shows what principle of sustainability?
________________2. A businessman grabbed and bought a vast land from the farmers
and decided to convert it into a subdivision. During the construction, farmers left without
jobs and hundreds of trees were uprooted and streams were covered in cement. What
principle of sustainability was violated? ________________3. Gerardo Alminaza,
Bishop of San Carlos, stand firm to stop coal mining as part of his vision for the care of
our common home. What principle of sustainability did he use?
________________4. A factory in a province irresponsibly withdraws their wastes in the
river and hire mostly women because of cheap labor. What theory in radical ecological
philosophy explains this ecological problem?
________________5. Finishing your meal without leftovers shows what principle of
sustainability?