DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

REGION III
Schools Division of Cabanatuan City
Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan City

The Human Person in the Environment

Introduction to the Philosophy of

the Human Person

12
SHS
 GUIDE FOR THE LEARNER, PARENTS,
GUARDIANS AND LEARNING FACILITATOR

To You, Learner:
Welcome to Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person Self-Learning Module (SLM) on
the meaning and process of doing philosophy.
This module introduces the learners to the study of Philosophy as an exploration of the fundamental
questions an \d issues that have faced humanity. It aims to help learners better understand themselves and
the world they live in and enable them to navigate through the challenges of life.
To You, Parent/s, Guardian/s and Learning Facilitator/s:
This Module was collaboratively developed and reviewed by the teachers, school heads and
supervisors of DepEd Division of Cabanatuan City to assist you in helping the learners meet the standards
set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their different constraints in schooling. As a facilitator, you
are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You also need to keep track of the learners'
progress while allowing them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage
and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
This Module provides varied and relevant activities and opportunities to help you in understanding
of the key concepts and competencies as prescribed in the introduction to the Philosophy of the Human
Person
Explore and get to know the processes involved in understanding the issues, concepts and topics
about the human person that will enable you to understand yourself better.

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 OBJECTIVES

At the end of the session, the learner should be able to:

1. Discuss philosophical views and how they influence human action regarding the environment
2. Notice disorder in the environment
3. Notice things that are not in their proper places
4. Organize things that are not in their proper place:
5. Organize things in aesthetic manner
6. Show that care for the environment contributes to health, well-being, and sustainable development
7. Demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards the environment
8. Recognize that human nature brings the possibility of transcendence
9. Recognize their own limitations ad possibilities
10. Evaluate their own limitations and possibilities for transcendence
11. Recognize how the human body imposes limits on and possibilities for transcendence
12. Distinguish the limitations on and possibilities for transcendence

COMPETENCY

4.1 Notice things that are not in their proper place and organize them in an aesthetic way.
4.2 Show that care for the environment contributes to health, well-being and sustainable development.
4.3 Demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards environments

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 WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW?

Direction: Read each question carefully and encircle the letter that corresponds to the best
answer.

1. What focuses on the significant role of humankind in nature?

a. Consumerism b. Biocentrism c. Ethnocentrism d. Antropocentrism

2. What do you call the place where beings interact with one another?
a. Environment b. Home c. Ecosystem d. Forest

3. What place great value on ecosystem and biological communities?

a. Consumerism b. Biocentrism c. Ecocentrism d. Antropocentrism

4. Which of the following is not an environmental issue?

a. Global Warming b. Waste Management c. Pollution d. None of the above

5. Which relationship exists between man and his Divine Being?

a. Man & God Relationship c. Man & Self Relationship
b. Man & Fellow Being Relationship d. Man & environmental Relationship

6. Which relationship exists between man and his fellow men?

a. Man & God Relationship c. Man & Self Relationship
b. Man & Fellow Being Relationship d. Man & environmental Relationship

7. Which relationship exists between man and the place in which he lived in?
a. Man & God Relationship c. Man & Self Relationship
b. Man & Fellow Being Relationship d. Man & Environmental Relationship

8. Which relationship exists between man and his internal aspect?

a. Man & God Relationship c. Man & Self Relationship
b. Man & Fellow Being Relationship d. Man & Environmental Relationship

9. How do you call the moral approach that analyses the relationship between human and the environment?
a. Environmental ethics c. Work Ethics
b. Biological Ethics d. Business Ethics

10. What is meant by “Man is a rational animal” in relation to his environment?

a. Taking Care of Environment c. Giving meaning to the Environment
b. Preserving the Environment d. All of the above

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 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Man as Being-in the-world

The Human Person is a being-in-the world. The human body is the link of the man with the world. The
human person gives meaning into his world. The world is not just the physical surroundings of the human
person. The world is an avenue for the human person where he forms a network of meanings for himself and
where he organizes his life. Man as being-in the-world does not only mean that he lives in a world but also it is
here where he finds meaning and make a world for himself. Here, the human person becomes aware of his
surroundings and how he interacts with the world which consists of fellow human person, the environment and
God.

The human person relates into three different aspects of his persona:

a) Man is relation to himself and others- Man cannot live alone and as such he relates to fellow human
beings. He does not only consider himself but he also considers the people around him in relation to
his world. There is an aspect of being relational to other people. Here, we can say that man does not
only think but he also relates to other individuals as well.

b) Man in relation to God- There are different expressions in a belief to a Supreme Being who is thought
to be the source of all things. There is this relationship that man maintains in relation to
something/someone that he considers the highest in relation to himself. He finds meaning into what
he does and considers his actions In relation to this Supreme Being. In simple terms, Man finds meaning
in relation to God. As the Biblical passage speaks of Man as an Imago Dei (made in the image and
likeness of God) man fulfills a certain command to fulfill his duty to be goo in relation to his God.

c) Man in relation to the world- There is no one else that should take care of the world but God. Man lives
in a world that provides for his needs and in return man must fulfill his duties of taking care of the
world. The world here represents the place where he lives in and the environment surrounding it.

Person’s Relationship with the environment

Environmental Philosophy or environmental ethics- the discipline in philosophy that studies the moral
relationship of human beings with the environment and its non-human contents. Here, issues such as
humanity’s role in the natural world, the interaction between nature and human activities, and humanity’s
response to environmental challenges is being tackled.

The human person has a special relationship with nature. Unlike any other organisms that are merely
part of ecosystems and exist to perform certain biological roles, the person has the ability to change the
environment to suit up his/her purposes. All throughout the history of the world mankind has always played a
vital role in preserving the environment. Forests gave way to farmlands, mountains and rivers and lakes gave
food to man. The pattern continues every day. The vital role of the human person is to take care of the
environment as it provides for him.

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 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

As a rational being, the person is not only capable of transforming the world, but also of understanding
the laws which govern nature .It can be said that the world is a text which the person can read and “access” nature,
the role of the person in relation to it can take in different forms. The person can transform the environment to
become greater than what it originally is if taking care of the environment is taken seriously but this is not always
the case.

Major views regarding the relationship between humanity and the environment

a) 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 resource.

b) Biocentrism- believes that humans are not only significant species on the planet, and that all organisms
have inherent value and should be protected. This view drives the activities of human organizations that
advocate the ethical treatment of animals.

c) Ecocentrism- place great value and 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.

d) Environmental Aesthetics-philosophical view that believes maintaining order in the environment will
bring out the natural beauty of the surroundings and contribute to the well-bring of the people and other
organisms living in it. The appreciation of natural beauty brings about the concern for he environment and
helps people relate more effectively with nature.
e) b applies an ecological and ethical approach in analyzing society and sees a relationship between social
problems and environmental problems. Society should, therefore, implement changes in order to address
issues regarding the environment.

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 WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

Direction: Read each question carefully and encircle the letter that corresponds to the best
answer.

1. What focuses on the significant role of humankind in nature?

a. Consumerism b. Biocentrism c. Ethnocentrism d. Antropocentrism

2. What do you call the place where beings interact with one another?
a. Environment b. Home c. Ecosystem d. Forest

3. What places great value on ecosystem and biological communities?

a. Consumerism b. Biocentrism c. Ecocentrism d. Antropocentrism

4. Which of the following is not an environmental issue?

a. Global Warming b. Waste Management c. Pollution d. None of the choices
5. Which relationship exists between man and his Divine Being?
a. Man & God Relationship c. Man & Self Relationship
b. Man & Fellow Being Relationship d. Man & environmental Relationship

6. Which relationship exists between man and his fellow men?

a. Man & God Relationship c. Man & Self Relationship
b. Man & Fellow Being Relationship d. Man & environmental Relationship

7. Which relationship exists between man and the place in which he lived in?
a. Man & God Relationship c. Man & Self Relationship
b. Man & Fellow Being Relationship d. Man & Environmental Relationship
8. Which relationship exists between man and his internal aspect?
a. Man & God Relationship c. Man & Self Relationship
b. Man & Fellow Being Relationship d. Man & Environmental Relationship
9. How do you call the moral approach that analyses the relationship between human and the
environment?
a. Environmental ethics c. Work Ethics
b. Biological Ethics d. Business Ethics

10. What is meant by “Man is a rational animal” in relation to his environment?

a. Taking Care of Environment c. Giving meaning to the Environment
b. Preserving the Environment d. All of the choices

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 ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY 1

Reflect on how you and your family use natural resources at home. Copy tha teable and fill out with
the appropriate responses.

Createthat
Activities an illustration of who use
show sustainable you of
areresources
as a human person expressing
Activitiesyour
thatcapacity to think
show misuse of and reflect.
resources
Provide an explanation for the illustration that you have created.

Write three ways on how you can change your ways in your misuse of resources

1.________________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________________

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 ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY 2

Write an essay explaining how you will apply prudence and frugality in using natural resources at home
and in your community. Cite a situation where these values can help you address environmental
problems and describe how your actions will contribute to solving the problem.

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 ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY 3

Read the lyrics of the song “Masdan Mo ang Kapaligiran” and answer the question that follows:

MASDAN MO ANG KAPALIGIRAN

Wala ka bang napapansin sa iyong mga kapaligiran?
Kay dumi na ng hangin, pati na ang mga ilog natin.
Hindi na masama ang pag-unlad
At malayu-layo na rin ang ating narating
Ngunit masdan mo ang tubig sa dagat
Dati'y kulay asul ngayo'y naging itim
Ang mga duming ating ikinalat sa hangin
Sa langit huwag na nating paabutin
Upang kung tayo'y pumanaw man, sariwang hangin
Sa langit natin matitikman
Mayron lang akong hinihiling
Sa aking pagpanaw sana ay tag-ulan
Gitara ko ay aking dadalhin
Upang sa ulap na lang tayo magkantahan
Ang mga batang ngayon lang isinilang
May hangin pa kayang matitikman?
May mga puno pa kaya silang aakyatin
Hindi na masama ang pag-unlad
Kung hindi nakakasira ng kalikasan
Bakit di natin pagisipan
Ang nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran
Darating ang panahon mga ibong gala
Ay wala nang madadapuan
Masdan mo ang mga punong dati ay kay tatag
Ngayo'y namamatay dahil sa 'ting kalokohan
Lahat ng bagay na narito sa lupa
Biyayang galing sa Diyos kahit nong ika'y wala pa
Ingatan natin at 'wag nang sirain pa
Pagkat pag Kanyang binawi, tayo'y mawawala na
Mayron lang akong hinihiling
Sa aking pagpanaw sana ay tag-ulan
Gitara ko ay aking dadalhin

1. What is the message of the Song about progress and the environment?

2. Which line of the song do you like the most. Why? Explain your answer.

3. How is the message of the song relevant in today’s world? Explain your answer.

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 ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY 4

Create a slogan that depicts the problems and challenges concerning the environment today. Provide a brief
explanation for your illustration

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 12
What have you learned? What do you already know?
1. 1. d 1. d
2. 2. a 2. a
3. 3.c 3.c
4. 4.d 4.d
5. 5.a 5.a
6. 6.b 6.b
7. 7.d 7.d
8. 8.c 8.c
9. 9.a 9.a
10. 10.d 10.d
ANWER KEYS
 REFERENCES

Books

1. Abella, Roberto (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City. C & E
Publishing, Inc.
2. Zulueta, Francisco (2010) Introduction to Philosophy. Mandaluyong city.ational Bookstore Publishing.
3. Bernardo Jr., Juanito Philip Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Pssay City. JFS Publishing
Services
4. Bill Long (2005).Understanding the essence and Various Kinds of Law. Retrieved
from”http://www.drbilllong.com/Jursiprudence/AqII.html]
5. Festin, Lorenz (2010). Course Notes in phenomenology: Philosophical Anthropology. Makati City

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 This Module will lead you in understanding key concepts about the human person, enabling you to come
up with answers in underlying fundamental questions about the self, the world and God.
This self-learning module focuses on understanding the meaning and the process of doing philosophy
through various philosophical methods.
Our study of philosophy aims to produce well-adjusted, productive individuals who are able to face the
opportunities and challenges of life, successfully, and maintain a healthy relationship with others. May you find
joy and peace as you learn to get to know yourself in relation to others, to your surroundings and to God.

The Human Person in the Environment

Written and Compiled by: Cesario Junior S. Villarico

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region 3
Division of Cabanatuan City
Curriculum Implementation Division (CID)
Learning Resource Management and Development System (LRMDS)
This self-learning module (SLM) is developed by the SDO Cabanatuan City CID-LRMDS Team under Project
EL AR: Enhanced Learning thru Adequate Resources.
14 Jan B. Briones. Project EL AR logo by Gemmarie G. Rivas
Cover and page elements illustrations by Carl