University of San Jose – Recoletos

Senior High School Department

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Module IV | The Human Person and the Environment

Good day learners! Congratulations on making it this far in Introduction

to the Philosophy of the Human Person. We continue now with the next
topic at hand, the Human Person in their Environment. In this module, we
will explore the connection of the human person and their environment
as well as the substantial roles of the human person in maintaining the
well-being and sustainable development of the environment where they
live in. Afterwards, we will test how far you have understood the lesson
through short tests as well as reflective activities.

Specifically, this module consists of the following learning competencies:

1. Notice the disorder in an environment

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

In the previous quarter, you were familiarized with the famous dictum of Socrates that
an unexamined life is not worth living as espoused by Aristotle that it is our nature to
desire to know. Thus, we continually seek questions and in search for answers in the
quest for truth. This reminds us of the etymological definition of Philosophy as the love of wisdom
wherein as lovers of wisdom, we are an embodied spirit. Thus we continue to ask questions in our
experience of dread, death and transcendence. Asking questions is not simply a mental exercise
but it’s the very act of doing Philosophy strengthened by the conscious effort of applying the
methods of philosophizing. But if you were to describe your experience in the 1st quarter, what
was it like?

Activity 1: What’s The Relationship

A particular category will be given to you dear learners. You will then choose an example from that
category and describe that example like presenting its characteristics. After that, you will into how
that example represents or connects to what you have learned or experienced in the first quarter.
Example: Dessert (category) Halo-halo – a mixture of flavors and so on.

The state of life cannot be simply reduced to a mere experience. One

has to learn from these experiences and live on these lessons so as
to create a meaningful relationship from these endless possibilities.
And so to speak, relationship is not solely constrained with other
human beings but also extends to its utmost level of consciousness
to our environment.

Activity 2: Picture Analysis

Using the picture shown below, you will be analyzing the message/s conveyed by answering the
process questions.
Process questions:
1. What message is conveyed on the picture presented?
2. What virtues are implied in the picture?
3. What is frugality? Prudence?
4. How does the picture demonstrate frugality towards the
environment?
5. How does the picture demonstrate prudence towards the
environment?
The relationship between human beings and the environment is sometimes wrongly viewed in an
instrumental way. The earth is valued only because of its resources. This type of relation is that of
extraction and exploitation. What is really our role as people to the environment?

Activity 3: Expound Further

You will be sharing your thoughts or views on the famous line of Protagoras using the process
questions below:

Process Questions:

1. How does this statement make sense to you?

2. How does this statement extend to the relationship between human beings and the
environment?
3. What should be the relationship between human beings and the environment, instrumentality
or reciprocity? Justify your answer.
4. Is this kind of relationship a matter of idealism or realism?
5. What could be done?

As man is the measure of all things, our actions towards the environment is also a moral choice.
Take for example our spending and consumption patterns, it isn’t just for a mere survival discourse
but more on values, a demonstration of the virtues of frugality and prudence towards the
environment.
Activity 4: Pep Pep

A picture will be presented to you dear learners. . Important terms or concepts about the lesson
will be discussed. The meaning, definition or description will be provided but the students will
expound of how these terms/concepts are conveyed in the picture. Thus, giving the picture a new
life and energy.

The Human Person in their Environment

Environmental Philosophy – It is the branch of philosophy that is concerned with the natural
environment and humanity’s place within it. The major issues tackled by environmental
philosophers are humanity’s role in the natural world, the interaction between nature and human
activities, and humanity’s response to environmental challenges

Various views regarding the role of man in nature:

 Anthropocentrism

It is the belief that humans are the central and most significant species on the planet.
Humans are considered as the primary cause that drives changes in the environment
  DEEP ECOLOGY

It sees the natural world as being maintained by the interrelationship among living
organisms and that every living thing on the planet is dependent on each other for survival.
For deep ecology we are always one with nature. We do not own the Earth but rather we
belong to its as part of a whole.

 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 the earth (Gen. 1;26-28)This dominion did not mean wanton exploitation
and destruction but rather to care for nature and the environment, enhance it and
contribute to its growth and development

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

Emerged in the 1970’s and advocated human responsibility and action with regard to
environmental issues. It emphasizes key ideas that combine philosophical, pragmatic, and
theological perspectives.

First: Nonhuman elements include animals, natural resources, have intrinsic value and
should be preserved.

Second: The preservation of environment is beneficial to humans, as it continue to provide

for the present and future generations.

Third: man has a responsibility to safeguard the planet as it has been entrusted to him by
GOD.

Environmental Aesthetics

A perspective which applies philosophical concepts of beauty in discussing nature

SOCIAL ECOLOGY – Applies ecological and ethical approach in analyzing society, and sees a
relationship between:
 Social Problems
 Environmental Problems

Society, should therefore, implement changes in order to address issues regarding environment.
 PRUDENCE FRUGALITY

-PRACTICAL -THRIFTY

-WISE -SAVING

-RESOURCES -VALUE

Frugality-Characterized by being thrifty or economical in the consumption of consumable

resources such as food, time or money, and avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance

Prudence- the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason

Process Questions:

1. What disorder in the environment that is very evident or noticeable to you?

2. If you were to suggest a solution, how should this disorder be organized aesthetically?

3. How does the care for the environment contribute to health, well-being and sustainable
development?

4. In the understanding of the reciprocal relationship between human beings and the
environment, what essential values will be forged?

5. How will you demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards the environment?

Individuals can impact the environment through their choices and actions. Collectively, a lifestyle
change through sustainable consumption behaviors, low carbon emissions, informed-decision
makings and functional education are channels to frugality and prudence towards the
environment that will impact in accelerating climate action. Consequently, this will contribute to
our health, well-being and for sustainable development.
Activity 5: Pep Talk
Pep talk is usually a brief and intense talk designed to influence and encourage an audience
positively. Students will choose a term or concept based from the discussion. Then they will do a
pep talk about their chosen topic within 1 to 2 minutes following the format Content (What is it
about?), Purpose (What is it for me?) and Relevance (What is it for you?). The CPR format in the
Pep Talk must also put the target learning competencies about the module in a nutshell which are
the following:

 Notice the disorder in an environment

 Notice things that are not in their proper place and organize them in an aesthetic way

 Show that care for the environment contributes to health, well-being and sustainable
development

 Demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards environment

Process Questions:
1. What important life lesson is acquired from the discussion?
2. How will you translate this lesson that you’ve learned into action?
3. What particular core value of our institution is espoused in the module we’ve covered?
4. As both Josenian students and as citizens, how can you contribute in fostering a positive
relationship with the environment?
 CRITERIA SCORE RATING

5 4 3 2 1

The discussion is The discussion is The The content The content of

done excellently in comprehensive, discussion of the the discussion
terms of holistic, concrete presents discussion not only lacks
comprehensivenes and depth. good salient lacks substantiation
CONTENT s, holistic points but substantiati but also ideas
approach, some ideas on and are
concreteness and are not connectedn disconnected,
depthness. thoroughly ess but the not thoroughly
covered. presentatio covered and
n is good. presentation is
not
commanding.
The presentation is There is a blend The talk
The talk There is no
impactful and of personalizing presents the narrowly presentation of
personalized the content merits of
presented how the
through grounded on the how the concepts to be
PURPOSE connecting to life one’s experience concepts on concepts deepened have
experience that and its a personal can be purpose on the
gives more functionality but level bututilized in life of the
meaning to the the personal lacks the personal speaker or how
content. impact is less deepening life of the can it improve
powerful. and impact. speaker. one’s life view.
The talk The talk presents The talk
There is an The speaker
commands power, a message of although attempt failed to bring
uplifting and acceptance of naturally from the the message
inspirational to the differences and motivational speaker to across to the
audience that it respect for but is
sound audience.
RELEVANCE conveys a message people with seemingly a motivationa
of acceptance of disabilities and narration of l but the
differences and underprivileged. what theway the
respect for people It’s uplifting but audience message is
with disabilities less powerful. must learn. delivered
and and the
underprivileged. message
itself is
insufficient.
The costs of natural disasters are on the rise and if not responded to accordingly will further bring
us to a higher degree of severity. The need for action is immediate and imperative. Collective
action from the business, government and the society is the way forward to amplify a unilateral
green initiatives.