The Human Person: Exploring Views on Human Nature and Happiness
1.
2. “The human person is a complex
reality. The mystery that we are to
ourselves and to one another is
part of the rich meaning of life,
and it spurs us on to greater
reflections and understanding.”
3. So,God then is the author of who we are
and where we are to go in life, and
includes men and women in his plan.
Everything that happens in life . . .
Happiness, problems, excitements and
challenges are all from God. This are what
makes a person truly strong and molds of
what we are right now.
4. Everyoneis unique specially when it
comes to personality, likes, dislikes and
hobbies.
Even twins, they may look the same but
there will always be a difference when it
comes to their personality and how they
react to one phenomena.
6. We are affected by what
we see at home since we
are young because our
parents became our role
model, we are expected
to be like them or better
than them.
And also, the
distinctiveness or traits we
can inherit from our
parents.
7. It’s true that we should
choose our friends.
FRIENDS that are good
influence to our persona
and studies
FRIENDS that will give
respect to you.
FRIENDS that will accept
you because you’re YOU,
not because of what you
have or fulfilled.
8. The place we live in can
affect our personality, so its
good to live in a peaceful
community rather than to get
in trouble with your
neighborhoods. An
environment that is green
living because it might affect
your health. And a crime-
free community where you
can loosen-up, unwind
and relax peacefully.
11. In the part of the soul, there is the knowledge
that exist in the body that is temporary. The
just life is better than the unjust life. The unjust
human being does not always act for the sake
of the good. His life is thus worse than the life
of a just human being.
An unjust man only do things to overcome his
needs and fulfill his happiness
12. Ruling is part of plan…
One might think that the rulers in a just city
would be better off abandoning their posts and
spending all their time in the love of wisdom,
since this is the activity in which happiness
consists most of all. Thus, it can seem that the
unjust life can be better than the just life. In fact,
ruling is part of a plan to maximize happiness.
"Each ruler will spend much of his time in the
love of wisdom, but, when his turn comes, he
labors in politics and for city's sake, not as if he
were doing something fine, but as a necessity."
14. Comparison:
Theory of the Soul Theory of the Body
The soul is a non-material thing The body is a material thing
The soul is capable of The body is capable of
independent existence and independent existence, but
functioning not functioning existing after
It exists before the body does. death, but first as inert, then
as decomposing
It survives the death &
destruction of the body. The body is an impediment to
attainment of real knowledge
The soul is the part whereby real
knowledge (i.e., knowledge of The body is not the real
the Forms) is possible. person
The soul is the real person.
Indeed, the body is a prison
15. Theory of the Soul
According to Plato, the soul consists of three
basic energies which animate human beings:
Reason, Emotion, and Appetite. Reason is
given the greatest value, while Emotion and
especially Appetite are regarded as the
"lower passions". The soul that is ordered is
governed by Reason, and therefore keeps
one's emotions and one's appetites under
control.
16. The Emotions (reactions like anger or fear)
and the Appetites (needs for food, sex,
money, etc), must be ruled by Reason
(thinking, persuasion, arguement) in order
for a person to be truly happy.
When the lower passions are ruled by
Reason, a person is also therby just.
17. The psychic harmony of the soul, according
to Plato, expresses itself in four cardinal
virtues, which are each related to the three
basic energies of the soul. In relation to
Reason, the happy or just person possesses
Wisdom (or prudence). In relation to
Emotion, the just person has the virtue of
Courage. In relation to Appetite, the just
person owns the virtue of Temperance, which
is the control of natural desires.
18. Flowing outward from this psychic harmony
is the fourth cardinal virtue, Justice. Wisdom,
Courage and Temperance are directly
related to one's own self-control; Justice flows
outward from this harmony, and is directed
towards other people through acts of charity
and kindness.
Plato was prepared to say that the truly just
person, whose soul is ordered, is beyond
tragedy, and cannot be harmed. Such a
person is leading a meangingful life, as
against the immoral person.
20. Aristotle divided the soul into three: the appetitive (like worms), nutritive (like
tigers), and rational (like Humans). Humans have the highest level of soul, But they
also possess an appetitive and nutritive soul.
Aristotle had some interesting thoughts on the soul,
categorizing three types of soul. But he did not see the soul
as a detached, eternal, unchanging entity. Body and soul
coexist. The soul is more aligned with the notion of
entelechy. The soul is, in a sense, the potential we have to
become realized human beings, to follow the guiding
principle of nature.
21. From Aristotles point of view:
Every person has different things that make
them happy
Someone who indulges in simple physical
pleasures is unlikely to be happy, but someone
who learns an instrument, or a songhy person
who does not know the right way to make use
of His wealth may not be happy, but a poor
person who enjoys each day of His life to the
fullest (like Socrates) may be happy.
22. A human MUST live life to the fullest, fully
realized all three souls (since Humans
possess all three), and live in moderation.
Happiness is not some ultimate stage.
Happiness entails the process of realizing
yourself, of reaching your final cause.