Module 4

INTRODUCTION TO THE
PHILSOPHY OF THE
HUMAN PERSON

Grade 11
1st Semester
Prepared by:
Mr. Michel E. Regalario, LPT
_____________________
Name of Student
I. Students Guide ……………………………………………………………. 3
II. Introduction………………………………………………………………... 4
III. Most Essential Learning Competencies…………………………………… 5
IV. Lessons
A. Lesson 4.1- Notice Things that are not in their Proper Place and
Organize them in an Aesthetic Way…………………………………… 6
B. Lesson 4.2- Show that Care for the Environment Contributes to
Health, Well-Being and Sustainable Development …………………… 8
C. Lesson 4.3- Demonstrate the Virtues of Prudence and Frugality
Towards Environment ……………………………………………….... 9
V. Activities
A. Activity 15-17 Workbook/Module …………………………………… 15
VI. Reflection………………………………………………………………… 21
1. This module is recommended for 3-weeks study time.
2. This is a self-paced module; you can accomplish this on your own pace but it is
recommended that you spend 30 minutes every day working on this module.
3. This module has several components:
a. Introduction: This contains the overview of the module.
b. Learning Objectives: These are the goals of the module which you need to
accomplish. They are packaged into skills and knowledge that you need to acquire.
c. Activities: This section contains all the lessons and task you need to do for the module.
d. Assessment: This contains tasks and/or tests to measure your learning.
e. Reflection: To evaluate your learning process, this section will ask you to reflect on
your learning process.
f. Additional Resources: This section allows you to access more resources you want to
expand your learning experience beyond the module.
4. You may contact your subject teacher for this module on the following schedules:
a. Schedule: Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00 pm only during asynchronous time.
b. Contact Details: (email address/telephone/cellphone/messenger)
c. Format of online consultation:

Always include the following:

Your Name: _____________________________
Subject Area and Section: __________________
Question/Inquiry/ Concern: _____________________________________________
 “What is our place in the environment?” what is the relationship between man and
environment?” Is there any relationship at all between the two?”

Environment is seen in philosophy from a total different perspective. This perspective has
a long and intricate history before it came to what enjoys now. The present status of
environmentalism is still in progressing in the lens of ethics, economics and politics. This
environmentalism is a way of showing us that all human beings, and other living and non-
living things, are part of the whole. Man as microcosm is treated as part and parcel of the
environment.

In this module, the student will learn to observe and notice disorder in the environment.
He/she would learn to recognize when things are not in their proper place and able to organize
in aesthetic way. Moreover, the student will learn to care for the environment and realize the
caring for it contributes to health, well-being, and sustainable development. By the end of this
lesson, the student shall demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards the
environment.
CHAPTER 1. THE HUMAN PERSON IN HIS ENVIRONMENT

Most Essential Learning Competencies

After reading and analyzing the unit, you should be able to;
4.2 Notice things that are not in their proper place & organize them in an aesthetic way;
4.3 Show that care for the environment contributes to health, well-being and sustainable
Development; and
4.3 Demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards environment.
LESSON 4.1 NOTICE THINGS THAT ARE NOT IN THEIR PROPER PLACE AND
ORGANIZE THEM IN AN AESTHETICS WAY
At the end of lesson/s, the learners will be able to:
1. discuss philosophical views regarding the environment and its relationship with man;
2. explain how philosophical views influence and define human action regarding the
environment; and
3. organize program advocating environmental awareness and action in their community.

MAN AND HIS ENVIRONMENT

According to the point of view of every creationist, man was originally created perfect and
placed in a perfect, friendly environment designed to be his home. – He does not see agriculture
as destructive of nature but remembers that God intended the earth to be cultivated (Gen. 2:5, 15).
• In this perspective, everything in creation is recognized as having its own rightful place.
Yahweh/God pronounced that all His creation was exceedingly good (Gen.1:31). – Therefore,
respect for the Creator requires respect for His creation. It is thus with a sense of respect, humility,
gratitude and obligation that the creationist assumes his role as steward of his Master's estate and
cares for God's handiwork, not to please himself with personal comfort, but to please his Creator
and to have fellowship with Him.
Theological views hold that mankind is intended to live in harmony with all creation. The bible
says that God created man and granted him dominion over all creatures and tasked him to
“subdue”-pacify, calm the earth (Gen.1:26-28). Man has a responsibility to safeguard the planet as
it has been entrusted to him by God.

Environment is derived from the medieval French word “environnement” used to describe the
action of surrounding something and also to refer to conditions in which a person or other organism
lives and develops.

"Laudato Si” is the 2nd Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis entitled “Care for God's Creation.”
According to some classical philosophers: Philosophy begins with a sense of wonder and
awe. But it is something unjustifiable to wonder on nature if what we perceive and encounter is
only disorder in our environment.
• Every individual must look on areas of our surroundings wherein we see an ugly picture of our
environment, and transform it into a place wherein we can see harmony in nature.
 The philosophy of art and beauty in relation to artistic taste can include nature and
environment. The extent of environmental aesthetics has expanded to embrace not only the natural
environment but also man-made structures within the natural environment.
Nature of Philosophy According to Ancient Thinkers:
1. Anaximander said that nature is indeterminate-boundless in the sense that no boundaries
between the warm and cold or the moist and dry regions are originally present within it.
He was the first metaphysician.
2. Pythagoras described the universe as living embodiment of nature’s order, harmony, and
beauty. He sees our relationship with the universe involving biophilia (love of other living
things) and cosmophilia (love of other living beings).
3. Immanuel Kant expresses that beauty is ultimately a symbol of morality (goodness). He
believes that the orderliness of nature and the harmony of nature with our faculties guide
us toward a supersensible reality.
4. Herbert Marcuse says that humanity had dominated nature. There can be only change if
we will change our attitude towards our perception of the environment.
5. Herbert Mead is a socio-environmental maker. For Mead, humans do not only have rights,
but duties as well. According to him, the relationship between the human organism and its
environment can be understood neither as a determinism where all the causality lies on the
side of the environment.

Humans are not just citizens of the community. We have rights as individuals but we also have
our share of duties and responsibilities as good stewards of Mother Earth. It is time to react and
make a change to improve our current situation. We have an obligation to fulfill.

Causes of Environmental Crisis can be classified into 4 types:

1. Physical causes refer to those causes that can in principle be studied by the sciences. It can
either be natural or human- induced is brought about solely by the processes of nature. The natural
physical causes include earthquakes, forest fires, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, dry seasons, and
pests.
2. Legal causes include existing laws of the land that have something to do with environment. It
includes the absence of laws that would effectively prohibit practices damaging to the environment
and of legal mechanisms that would effectively punish those violating existing environmental
laws, especially those occupying positions of power such as public officials and private
corporations. Generally, it refers to those causes of the crisis that are within the control of the
government.
3. Socioeconomic causes are factors that are brought about by social arrangements and the
economic status of human persons. Such causes include over-population, which naturally results
in the competition over limited resources, which in turn contributes to the depletion-reduction of
these resources. They include poverty because people most often prefer cheap but non-
environment-friendly products & practices.
4. Attitudinal causes refer to the beliefs & values held by humans about nature that allow them
or make it permissible for them to cause damages to the natural environment

How Does Philosophy define Man’s Relationship with the Environment?

Environmental philosophy or environmental ethics is a branch of philosophy that is concerned
with the natural environment and humanity’s place in it. Man’s role in nature and how humanity
responds to environmental challenges are among the major issues discussed in environmental
philosophy.
It deals with issues concerning humanity’s role in the world, the interaction between nature and
humans, and human response to environmental challenges.

Environmental
Philosophy

nature human

• Philosophers believe that persons have a special relationship with nature because of their
rationality. They are not only part of nature, but they can also shape, transform, and
cultivate it. However, this also means that they are also capable of inflicting the most harm
on it.
An environmental value system refers to how a person sees and values environmental concerns.
It can be classified into three major categories: ecocentrism, biocentrism, anthropocentrism, and
technocentrism.
1. Anthropocentrism considers humans the most significant species on the planet, and that nature
provides humankind with the means to survive and develop.
Look around and you can see evidence of human transforming the environment to suit their needs.
• Landscapes were reshaped to schools, building, and other structures.
• Farmers till vast tract of land to grow crops, illegal loggers clear forests for lumber, and
mining companies dig up land and even level mountains to access minerals and metals.
Biocentrism believes that humans are not only significant species on the planet, but rather, all
organisms have inherent value and should be protected.

• This view drives the activities of human organizations that advocate the ethical treatment
of animals.
• Our government has passed laws that recognize the rights of animals to be treated kindly,
such as R.A. 8485 or “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998”
Ecocentrism emphasizes great value on ecosystems and biological communities.
• This view believes that humankind is part of a greater biological system or community and
that we have a significant role as stewards or guardians of nature.
• This view also promotes the idea that order and balance in nature brings about stability and
beauty.
• Biologists believe that all biological organisms living with each other and that each
organism occupies a significant role within an ecosystem.
• Human activities have a significant impact on the environment. Current scientific evidence
proves that human activities over the centuries have resulted in great changes in climate
patterns throughout the world. Climate change and its related effects are among the most
important environmental issues we face today.

Human Being’s Approaches to Environment

1. Instrumental Approach human being affirms the protection of the environment as long as it
possesses value or importance for human being. He/she takes care of the environment because it
is a medium in establishing his/her society and civilization.
2. Axiological Approach human being recognizes the intrinsic value of the environment. This
demands him/her to protect & take care of it.
3. Anthropological Approach is the primary concern of human being is to unveil his/her being
as human or what being human ought to be. The focus of establishing relationship with the
environment is not environment itself, but his “being”. He/she sees the importance of protection,
care and respect for the environment.

Spirit of Stewardship human being is part of creation. He/she is not the author of his/her
existence. Hi/her existence comes from his/her creator; he/she is not the master of his/her
existence. According to Timbreza, human being has the responsibility to take care, protect, and
cultivate his/her potentialities, faculties, and functions. But this responsibility is not limited to
his/her own self, but it extends to his/her external world.
 2 Views or Concepts on Nature or Environment (Payne, 2009)
1. Anthropocentric Model means humans are superior and central to universe.
2. Ecocentric Model means that the ecological or relational integrity of the humans provides
meaning of our morals and values.
Paradigm Shift is a change from the mythical explanation of the origins of the cosmos to
a more rational explanation
2 Frameworks (Payne, 2010)
ANTHROPOCENTRIC MODEL ECOCENTRIC MODEL
Human Nature
Culture Wild
Individualism Holism
Mind Nature/cosmos
Calculative Body
Human over/against environments Relational
Global/technological Earth/wisdom
Ecology over/against humans

LESSON 4.2 SHOW THAT CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT CONTRIBUTES TO

HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
Environmental aesthetics is a philosophical view that believes maintaining order in the
environment will bring out the natural beauty of the surroundings and contribute to the well-being
of the people and other organisms living in it.
How can humanity address the damage inflected on the environment?
Environmentalism advocates to address the growing environmental problems.
Environmental ethics is a moral approach that analyzes the relationship between humans and the
environment and seeks to address environmental problems brought about by human activities.
The main ideas of environmental ethics are as follows:
1. All nonhuman elements of the world, including animals and natural resources, have
intrinsic value and should be preserved.
2. The reservation of the envrironment will benefit humans by providing for ht eneeds of
present and future generations.
3. Humankind has a responsibility to safeguard the planet as stewards of creation.
Environmental ethics has resulting in the development of varied views:
• Social ecology 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 addrss issues regarding the environment.
• Environmental justice refers to the fair distribution of environmental benefits, as well as
the burden of meeting environmental challenges.
• Environmental justice influenced the emergence of the concepts of climate ethics and
climate justice.
 • Environmental aesthetics advocates emphasizes that knowledge about nature will not
only enable humans appreciate nature’s innate beauty but will also help them relate more
effectively with the environment.

What can I do to uphold environmentalism and care for nature?

One of the major conceps that drive environmentalism is sustainability or sustainable
development. This concept focuses on reconciling human activities and economic development
with the protection of the environment.
• One of the major ideas of sustainability is that we must make wise decisions regarding the
use of natural resources to ensure that there is still enough left for future use.

Look back at how you have been using other natural resources like water and electricity. Have
you been using them in a responsible and efficient manner? How can you improve the way you
use resources to make them more sustainable?
Green Revolution is a movement to boost food production through: a) the launching of high-yield
crop varieties; b) the use and treatment of fertilizers and pesticides; and c) the application of
advanced agricultural techniques (mechanization). The objective is to eliminate or at the very least,
reduce hunger by further enriching crop performance.
Dr. Norman Ernest Borlaug (U.S. plant pathologist/plant breeder) is considered the father of Green
Revolution. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970.
The Need for Green Revolution
1. Continuous increase in population
2. Food shortage
3. High cost of production.
4. Environmental problems
Green Revolution: Promise of Hope
1. Hunger reduction
2. Intensify food production
3. Foster technological knowledge
4. Availability of materials to local farmers
5. Strengthen and improved global carrying capacity
Biotechnology is the next Green Revolution which …
 ✓ supports farmers produce higher yields on less land as compared to conventional plant
breeding
✓ More precise state of the art farming technology
✓ Farming methods/practices become less time consuming
Green Revolution and Biotechnology in the 21st Century
➢ The need to obviously continue because:
a. Food shortage is a global problem
b. Overpopulation put pressure and threatens food supply
c. Modern technologies can facilitate in enhancing food production.
Sustainability relies on three important principles:
1. Environmental integrity refers to maintaining the state of environment.
2. Economic efficiency refers to the prudence in decision-making regarding the use of
resources to ensure that there is minimum to zero waste.
3. Equity demands that we use our natural resources in such a manner that these are
conserved so that the next generation will be able to use them
As human persons, it is our responsibility to treat with respect not only our fellow humans,
but also everything in our world. Upholding environmentalism and sustainability will enable us to
take the first steps in addressing environmental issues and contribute to solving the greater
environmental challenge of climate change.

LESSON 4.3 DEMONSTRATE THE VIRTUES OF PRUDENCE AND FRUGALITY

TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTS

How do we understand virtues of prudence and frugality? It is by defining the meaning of the
terms through Thomistic understanding of virtues. Virtues are habits that are frequently repeated
actions, Thus, man has to do it all the time, and eventually acquires them as part of his system of
action.
Prudence is defined as the intellectual habit that helps man to judge and evaluate the right means
to take in order for us achieve the end we aim for. Prudence is the ability to regulate one’s actions
and behavior.
Prudence requires us to have knowledge beforehand. We cannot apply this virtue without knowing
what the issue is at hand. Thus, it requires us to understand better the meaning of environment like
its depletion of resources that are finite and its effects that are harmful as brough about by human
activities.
Prudence makes us responsible users of the environment. Since environment contributes to our
well-being, health and sustainable development. We need to keep it that would sustain us not only
the present generation but also the future as well. It means environmental concerns need to be
protected over time so that the future generation will also enjoy the benefit of what the environment
would bring to their well-being and health.
With prudence, it aligns every action with reason. This reason knows the end of every action.
The end in this chapter refers to the good of the human community and the environment as well.
Our prudent action can avoid negative effects on them.
Frugality
The second virtue is frugality. How do we relate frugality to environment? Frugality can be
constructed in ethical and economical terms. The verb frugal entails ethics and economics, and
more to that, it is a virtue. Just like prudence, this virtue helps us become responsible user of
environment by way of decision-making. To help us understand better of the meaning of frugality,
there are four synonyms – sobriety, temperance, thrift, and simplicity of life – as exposed by
Antono Argandona, in his paper Frugality. He also explains this virtue vis-à-vis the theory of
human action.

1. Frugality means sobriety. A person is frugal when he/she exercises limit in consuming
the quantity of food and drink intake.
2. Frugality means temperance. It is one of the cardinal virtues when a person exercises
self-control, but this time on the quality of what one consumes.
3. Frugality means thriftiness. The term thrifty is understood in positive sense. A thrifty
person consumes or purchase items for himself but he shares them to others. In short that
person is generous and selfless. It is also being thrifty with the use of one’s resources.
4. Frugality means simplicity of life. Simplicity implies not being extravagant not only is
consuming and purchasing. This person does not give all hi/her time and effort in earning
a living alone but spend time with other matter like family and leisure.
As good stewards of these God-given resources, let us contemplate on the model of consequences
of our actions. Mother Earth must give too much attention in recent times in an attempt to save the
future of young generations.
So, what we can do in our little way to help save the environment, which is our common home?
Let’s begin with the basics. 3R’S - REDUCE-REUSE-RECYCLE
Reduce means purchase only what is needed as oppose to what is desired and limit packaging
materials and decrease unnecessary, useless, and wasteful purchases. Reduction means to make
something smaller.
Reuse means buy reusable products, consider looking for new ways to make use of old stuff that
are about to be thrown away and use an item again more than once.

Recycle is to transform or convert materials/waste into reusable items. It subjects objects through
a process or treatment that permits them to be used again, usually for a different purpose.
Recycling is a process of collection and segregation, processing and manufacturing, and
purchase and use. The recipients of recycling are: you, society and environment.

Benefits of Recycling
1. Monetary benefits
2. Management of resources
3. Energy reduction
4. Community development
5. Provision of work
6. Ecological security
Based on the discussion presented, it is very obvious that there is a need to reduce, reuse, and
recycle. It’s not asking too much to get involved and participate in this campaign for a better
environment. After all, we are part of it and we all want to live in a safe healthy environment.
Humans have impacted the environment in different ways – in most parts the impact is negative.
Like all living things, humans are integral part of the environment. It is a case of co-existence.
We are all witness of these phenomena – from climate change, global warming, land
desertification, flash floods and host of other natural calamities. Humans have evolved as the
main cause behind environmental changes, disruption and deterioration.
Notes:
Kindly look and answer the said activities in module entitled (PHILOSOPHY & ME) by
Franco, Glenn B. & Taguiwalo, Lagyl D.
Answer Activity No. 15-A on page 23 Lakbay Tara.
Answer Activity No. 17-A on page 25 Examples of Virtue of Prudence and Frugality.
Observe the criteria below for your content reference.
Criteria:
Content -5
Presentation of Ideas -5
Creativity -5
Lifelong Learning -5
20 pts.
Philosophy Journal 4
Make a personal commitment to sustainability and environmentalism. Create a poster
or slogan, poem, song, etc., showing the actions that you can do to uphold environmentalism in
your community. Explain in a precise and holistic manner your masterpiece below.
Reminders: Maximum of 3 sentences only! Do not copy paste your answers in the internet.

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