Human Person
Human Person
Human Person
Man is seen, conceived and understood as part of the cosmos, in relation to the cosmos
Man is a cosmos in miniature, a microcosm
• There is a proper proportionality between cosmos and man
-- to understand the cosmos is to understand man
-- if the cosmos is made of material stuff, then man is material reality
-- if the cosmos is a duality of the world of things and world of ideas then man is a duality of Body and Soul
-- if the cosmos is one world of matter and form, man is one substance made up of body (matter) and soul (form)
Medieval Philosophy (Theocentric Approach)
• Man is part of nature, cosmos
Cosmos is not seen in itself, not simply in terms of its own consistency, harmony, unity and stability but in relation to God,
the Absolute Transcendent Reality
Though man is part of nature, he has unique and special relationship with God compared to anything, compared to the
totality of things or created order
Man is seen not simply in relation to the cosmos, but in his unique relationship with God and God’s unique relationship
with him
Modern Philosophy (Anthropocentric Approach)
• Everything is seen in relation to man, and man is starting point, point of departure for any philosophical reflection
Man as a subject: the one who philosophizes, the one who knows about nature, about God, has now become the
important, primary, fundamental and central object of philosophical reflection
• Rene Descartes
-- as he was about to consider everything as doubtful, as uncertain and therefore false, it came evident/obvious to him
what was beyond any trace of doubt; that he thinks therefore he exists; I think, therefore I am (Cogito, ergo sum)
Man is a knowing subject, a thinking subject
• Immanuel Kant
-- man is a knowing subject, moral agent, and a subject in search of meaning and purpose of his existence
• George Wilhelm Freiderich Hegel
-- Man is seen in relation to the Geist (Absolute Spirit, Mind and Idea) to its unfolding embodiment and development in
History through a triadic dialectical process
Man is the highest unfolding, manifestation and development of the Geist among individual realities
• Man is the Geist coming to consciousness (Spirit) in 3 forms
1. Subject Spirit – manifestation of the Geist in the finite, individual consciousness of nature, of his action, of himself
2. Objective Spirit - manifestation of the Geist in the world of laws and ethical institutions
3. Absolute spirit – Self-consciousness
--- Human Spirit comes to consciousness of its unity with the absolute Spirit
Clinical Counseling: This discipline involves the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with
emotional, psychological, or behavioral issues. Clinical counselors often work in mental health clinics,
hospitals, or private practice.
School Counseling: School counselors work within educational settings to provide support and guidance
to students. They help with academic, social, and emotional issues, and their goal is to promote student
success and well-being.
Marriage and Family Counseling: Marriage and family counselors work with couples and families to
address relationship issues, communication problems, and other challenges that affect interpersonal
relationships.
Substance Abuse Counseling: Substance abuse counselors help individuals struggling with addiction to
drugs or alcohol. They provide counseling and support to facilitate recovery.
Career Counseling: Career counselors assist individuals in making informed decisions about their careers.
They help with career exploration, job searching, and developing career plans.
Definition: Counseling is a professional, collaborative, and confidential process that involves a trained counselor
helping individuals, couples, families, or groups explore and understand their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and
life circumstances. The goal is to promote personal growth, enhance mental health, and facilitate positive
changes.
Scope: The scope of counseling can vary depending on the specific discipline. However, in general, counseling
addresses a wide range of issues, including mental health disorders, stress management, relationship problems,
career decisions, academic challenges, and personal development.
Enhance Mental Health: Promote emotional well-being, resilience, and psychological health.
Facilitate Problem Solving: Help individuals develop effective coping strategies and problem-solving skills.
Improve Relationships: Foster healthier relationships with family, friends, and partners.
Promote Personal Growth: Encourage self-awareness, personal development, and self-actualization.
Achieve Specific Outcomes: Depending on the individual's needs, counseling may aim to achieve specific
goals such as overcoming addiction, improving academic performance, or managing anxiety.
Core Values and Principles: Counseling disciplines are guided by a set of core values and principles, which
include:
Core values
Counseling Principles
Empathy: Counselors must actively listen and strive to understand the client's perspective, feelings, and
experiences without judgment.
Client-Centered Approach: Clients are seen as the experts in their own lives, and counseling should be
tailored to their unique needs and goals.
Confidentiality: Counselors maintain strict confidentiality, respecting the privacy of client information,
except when required by law or ethics.
Informed Consent: Clients should be fully informed about the counseling process, its goals, and potential
risks before they start, and they should provide their voluntary consent.
Boundaries: Establish and maintain clear professional boundaries to ensure a healthy and ethical
counseling relationship.
Cultural Sensitivity: Recognize and respect cultural, social, and individual differences, and adapt
counseling approaches accordingly.
Goal-Oriented: Counseling sessions should have clear objectives and work toward specific, client-defined
goals.
Feedback and Assessment: Regularly assess progress and provide constructive feedback to clients to
facilitate growth and change.
Non-Discrimination: Counselors do not discriminate based on factors such as race, gender, sexual
orientation, religion, or disability.
Self-Awareness: Counselors continuously reflect on their own biases, values, and emotions to avoid
imposing them on clients.
Professional Development: Engage in ongoing training and education to stay updated with best practices
and ethical guidelines.
Supervision and Consultation: Seek supervision or consultation when faced with complex cases or ethical
dilemmas to ensure the well-being of clients.
These principles form the basis for ethical and effective counseling practice. They help ensure that counseling
services are provided in a responsible, respectful, and client-focused manner.