SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Reading Materials and Activity Sheets

Quarter 4
Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Human Person

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 LETTER TO THE LEARNERS

This learning module contains all the topics for 4th Quarter on Introduction to the
Philosophy of the Human Person. It will help you to understand the human person’s freedom;
the intersubjective human relations; the interplay between the individuality of human beings
and their social contexts; and the human beings as oriented towards their impending death.
It contains activities that will show situations that demonstrate freedom of choice and the
consequences of choices; performs activities that demonstrate an appreciation for the talents
of persons with disabilities and those from the underprivileged sectors of society; evaluates
the formation of human relationships and how individuals are shaped by their social contexts;
and writes a philosophical reflection on the meaning of his/her own life. The module is self-
instructional and allows you to learn in your own space, and at your own pace.

To fully understand the lesson from the reading materials, follow the following
instructions:

1. Read and follow instructions carefully.

2. This reading material has an accompanying activity sheets, write your answers in the
Activity Sheets. Use extra sheets only if you are told to do so. And, submit Activity
Sheets only.
3. For the whole quarter, you are tasked to answer 4 Written Works and 4 Performance
Tasks.
4. Let your parent/guardian affix their signature in every Activity Sheet.
5. Answer all the Activities provided. If you have some confusion/clarification about the
Activity, feel free to communicate with your teacher. You may reach me thru my
cellphone#09977263011/09559614869 and messenger account: Roden Avila
6. Submit all the Activity Sheets on time.
7. Relax and enjoy learning.

RODEN R. AVILA

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 Lesson Freedom of the Human
5 Person
When you wake up this morning, what did you do first? Did you wash your face? Took a bath?
Or immediately walked towards the dining table for a hearty breakfast? What made you do so? Who
decided what you wanted to do? If your answer is yourself then you already have some practical
application of freedom. In this module, the learner will be able to
• Realize that all actions have consequences.
• Evaluate and exercise prudence in choices
• Realize that choices have consequences and some things are given up while others are
obtained in making choices
• Show situations that demonstrate freedom of choice and the consequences of
their choices.
Lesson 5.1 Definition of Freedom and Its Kind

In our previous discussions about the human person, we have learned that a person must
possess 4 qualities that validate him or her as a person namely: self-awareness, externality, dignity, and
self-determination. Self-determination is the capability of the person to make choices and decisions
based on their own preferences, monitor, and regulate their own actions and be goal-oriented and self-
directed. Let’s compare how animals and human persons behave to get a better understanding of
freedom. We see some animals behave like human beings because they seem to perform actions in
response to commands. A well-trained dog can perform certain tasks on command such as “stay” or
“fetch” because it has been trained and conditioned to perform them. The same cannot be said about
human beings. You cannot just approach a stranger, toss him or her ball and say “fetch!” Surely, you will
be embarrassed with curious and suspicious stares from that person. A person will not respond
automatically to the command “fetch” because he or she is not conditioned to obey like a dog. The
human person does not experience the world in the same way that animals do. Animals act instinctively,
meaning their actions are more like predetermined responses to certain stimuli. A person on the other
hand, can choose the course of action to take when given incitement or faces with a certain situation.
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With us humans, our inherent freedom makes us very dynamic creatures and our actions do not
necessarily follow a set pattern.
Freedom is categorized into three kinds:
1. Physical Freedom
This is the first type of freedom that comes into mind when talking about freedom. It refers to
the absence of any physical restraint and the freedom of mobility to act and go whatever, whenever and
wherever he or she pleases.
2. Psychological Freedom
It is also called the freedom of choice. The person is free to perform actions that he or she
considers right and wise. A person is also free to act or not to act. Psychological freedom is innate and
cannot be denied a person. No outside force or influence can compel a person to act against his or her
will.
3. Moral Freedom
This refers to using freedom in a manner that upholds human dignity and goodness. Freedom is
not an object that a person may use in whatever way he or she pleases. A person becomes freer when
he or she uses freedom well but becomes less free when he or she uses it in a bad way. Humans have a
natural inclination for what is true and good and when a person uses his or her freedom to do acts that
violate human dignity and goodness, he or she dehumanizes himself or herself and effectively negates
human freedom.
Read and reflect on the situation below:
Bert was on his way home from school when unknowingly, he stumbled upon a wallet. It
appears to be full of cash as well as several Identification Cards of the owner.
Bert knows he was short on the budget he needed to complete the school project he was
working on and he could also spend some on new shoes.
Imagine that you are in his situation.
Which among the situations pictured below will be your most truthful action?
Turn-in the wallet to the nearest Take the money and spend it on Leave the wallet alone and
police station and tell them what the things you need and want continue walking home
happened

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 Freedom gives us the choice to undertake one of these possible actions. It also enables us to
come up with new choices. For example, some may take some of the cash before reporting it to the
police to purchase their needs. The essence of freedom is that it does not confine our actions to those
do set or expected by others; we can imagine your actions and decide to undertake them.

Now recall your answer and ask yourself why you chose to take that action. Reflecting upon
your actions will enable you to know yourself better as a person. Your actions also determine to uphold
human dignity and freedom. Having freedom, however, also entails certain responsibilities. It is possible
for a person to diminish or deny a freedom through the choices that he or she makes.

Freedom requires a degree of control from the person who exercises it. A person becomes freer
when he or she exercises control over himself or herself. On the other hand, a person becomes less free
when he or she is no longer in control of himself or herself and is instead controlled by other forces.
“We are who we are because of the choices we make.” Life is a long journey, and, in this journey, we
would likely face the same situations again and again. Every repeated choice that we make in the same
scenario can develop into a habit. If this habit continues, it becomes one of your character traits.

Lesson 5.2 Elements of Freedom

What makes us Free?

How does Freedom shape our experiences?
There are two elements that define freedom. Voluntariness refers to the ability of a person to
act out of his or her own free will and self-determination. This means that a person may decide to act or
not to act, and these decisions are made of his or her own free will. Voluntariness also means that a
person may act even if he or she is not required or called to act. Voluntary acts are free acts which can
be assigned a corresponding moral value.
Let us analyze the following scenario and figure out how voluntariness was expressed in the
situation.
Freddy was on vacation in a resort prior to graduating senior high school. He was relaxing on the
poolside when he noticed two kids playing near the pool without their parents. He did not mind them
since he knows there is an on-standby lifeguard in the area. After a short while Freddy heard a splash.
When he looked, he saw both kids struggling to grasp for air desperately wailing their hands on the air
to call for help. He immediately got up and headed for the Lifeguard tower but to his dismay, no one

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was there. Freddy knows he is not an expert swimmer, but he decides to rescue the children himself. He
successfully secured both to the side of the pool.
Reflect on the actions and choices that were made in that situation. Why did the children play
near the pool unsupervised? Why was the Lifeguard not there? Why did Freddy save them? Did Freddy
have to save the two children whom he did not know at the expense of his own life? One can argue that
he does not have the responsibility to save them since he is not a lifeguard. If he did that, what would be
the result of his inaction?
Whenever we decide to act, this results in a certain consequence. All human actions have
consequences, and this affect not only the person who commits the action, but also other people in our
surroundings. As a free being, the person must accept the consequences of his or her actions to take
responsibility for them. The second element of freedom, responsibility, refers to the person being
accountable for his or her actions and their consequences.
Taking responsibility can either mean a person will voluntarily taking responsibility for his or her
own actions or being held responsible by other people. Whenever you know you committed a bad
action, you can either voluntarily confess to it or other people will point it out and hold you responsible.
Responsibility can also have a positive or negative meaning, and it goes hand in hand with voluntariness
in determining the morality of an action.
Another reality that we must face as we exercise our freedom is the fact that freedom is
experienced through the path of making choices. Although human freedom gives us the ability to think
of countless decisions and possible actions, we only get to choose one of these possible actions or
decisions. Having the ability to choose and to enact a course of action does not automatically mean that
we should act every time.
When we make the choice to do a particular action, we can never go back and redo our actions
and make another choice. Real life is not a movie where we can stop and get a second take on the
situation. Therefore, it is very important that when confronted with choices, we exercise caution and
prudence and reflect on our possible courses of action.
There are significant factors to consider in the exercise of freedom. These are Prudence and
Self-reflection.
Prudence is the ability to govern and discipline oneself with the use of reason; it is having
caution and giving good judgements in making decisions. Making hard choices is an exercise of

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freedom. But freedom should also be based on truthful knowledge and wise reasoning. Hence, we
should practice self-reflection on every decision we make.
Self-reflection allows each person to analyse his life both in small and big details in terms of the
decisions, actions and choices he make- Browning, G (2000). It is a deeper form of learning where if
practiced with higher sense of wise judgement and keen perception, the experiences he makes are more
meaningful and serve as guide for improved and informed decisions, actions and choices.

Lesson 6 Intersubjectivity
The whole world is more connected now more than
ever in the 21st century. Using communication technology such
as the Internet, we can discover and even interact with other
cultures around the globe.
Look at the picture on the right. Does each person
depicted look the same? Does each person have different
clothing from the other? With the Earth as the background of
the image, what do you think the image represents?

In this module, the learner will be able to:

 Realize that intersubjectivity requires accepting differences and not to impose on to
others
 Explain that authentic dialogue means accepting others even if they are different from
themselves
 Performs activities that demonstrate an appreciation for the talents of persons with
disabilities and those from the underprivileged sectors of society

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 Lesson 6.1 What is Intersubjectivity?

In one of the past chapters of this module, we have learned that a human person has self-
awareness, self-determination, externality, and dignity. We have explored that a person recognizes what
he or she is and what he or she can do. Further, we have learned that a person is a social being and since
the establishment of the first form of civilization has thrived because of the links and relationship one
has.
Our ability to engage in meaningful interactions with other people, our surroundings, and
everything around us is rooted in our capacity for self-awareness and transcendence. Before we begin to
relate with others, we must first be aware of ourselves as rational individuals capable of determined and
reasonable action. Interpersonal relations are made possible when the self becomes aware of the other,
which includes everyone and everything outside of the self.
Take a moment to look at one of your family members. Are you aware of his or her existence? If
your answer is yes, then you are correct since you can perceive your family member through your
senses. Your classmate is the other, a being that exists outside of yourself. Now look at an object at your
desk. It may be a pencil, ball-pen, piece of paper, or any object. That object is also another, as it is a
thing that also exists outside of yourself.
Now, which of the following actions is more reasonable?
You begin talking to your family member, You begin talking to the piece of paper on
telling him or her about a funny experience you your desk, telling about a funny experience you
had in school. had in school.

Of course, you will select the left statement since it describes a reasonable and logical human
act. You only interact with objects when you need to use them. You reach out for the pencil and paper
only when you need to write, and you do not need to talk to these objects to enable them to function.
Interacting, with other human beings, however, is a more complex act. What drives human persons to
interact with their fellow humans in a more meaningful way?

Our human nature not only enables us to recognize the self that defines our individuality, it also
enables us to recognize that other human beings also possess a self. We can relate meaningfully with
other human beings because we consider ourselves as essentially the same. This notion of recognizing
the self in the other is how philosophers define interpersonal relations.

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 Intersubjectivity is a philosophical concept that explores the mutual recognition of each other
as persons. It cannot be denied that we interact with other beings in the world, but some of these
beings that we interact with are persons and must be recognized as such. Intersubjectivity also carries
the meaning of unique relationship between distinct subjects. It refers to the characteristics of the
human person to engage in a very intimate and personal relationship with others who are different from
him or her but who are also like him or her. This is possible because the person has an inner life or
interiority. Having an inner life allows the person to give himself or herself to others.

This also allows the individual to receive others in his or her life and relate with
them. Intersubjectivity also allows a person to become closer to others in many ways. In everyday social
interactions, persons could agree and cooperate with each other. There is also the experience of shared
or “common” knowledge and shared emotions such as grief, joy, and love.
A deeper level of interaction between the self and the other, on the other hand, is the
awareness of the self as being seen by others. Imagine, for instance, that one of the people you are
watching suddenly stops and looks straight at you. You are immediately aware of this person’s action as
another which is the stranger looking at your direction. Also, you are aware of another significant fact
that you know that the stranger staring at you is aware of you as a person. This self-consciousness is
considered by philosophers as a defining characteristic of the self-other relationship.

Read and reflect on the situations below:

Look at the images above. The image on the left is a boy staring at his crush while the one on
the right is a man talking to a woman while her child awkwardly stares at the man. Now, which among
the two situations depict the “self” acknowledging the “other”? Which among the two situations shows
an internal reaction unique only to the “self” and the “other” he or she perceives? Lastly, if you are in
both situations, which of the two would elicit the most emotions out of you? Would it be staring at your
crush or staring at a stranger?
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 This unique phenomenon of the human gaze is considered a defining characteristic which sets
apart human interaction from the interaction of other species. Also, the awareness of the “self in the
other” is an important element in all other aspects of interpersonal interactions. The way we act with
other people is often influenced by our ideas of how these people see us.

These actions are referred to as “seeming”, where an individual presents himself or herself in a
certain way when dealing with others. Person's take on role or app out characters when dealing with
certain people or when in certain situations. This is considered as an unconscious, natural app on the
part of humans.

Lesson 6.2 Interpersonal Relationships

Most human interactions, however, are not based on deception period since our human nature
drives us to uphold dignity and goodness, our interactions with others are also geared toward what is
good and beneficial. This led humans to strive to achieve deeper and more substantial interactions and
relations with other people.

This deeper and more genuine interaction is called a dialogue, and this is made possible when
the self realizes that the other is genuine and unique individual. When two individuals begin to view
each other as another that is and truly acknowledging each other’s presence, then that is the beginning
of an authentic relationship and a dialogue.

A dialogue is an interaction between two persons that happens through speech or the use of
words, expressions, and body language. The person is
a being who is open to others that can receive others
in a dialogue. Ordinarily, we think of it as a kind of
communication that usually occurs through a
conversation. However, it must be noted that
dialogue is not confined to words. Actions, gestures,
and other expressions maybe used to convey a
person's inner life. Because persons are beings with
inner lives, the words uttered during a dialogue are rooted in each person’s inner life. Whenever a
person speaks, he or she expresses a personal interiority and communicates this part of himself or
herself to another person. This is the reason why it is not possible to have a dialogue with the material,
object, a plant, or even a pet. Only beings with interiority or an inner life can engage in a dialogue.

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 A dialogue occurs when two persons “open up” to each other and give and receive one another
in their encounter. Genuine dialogue occurs when persons are willing to share themselves with one
another period, the awareness of each other’s presence as a true person defined by the acceptance of
each other's uniqueness and differences. When everyone enters a dialogue with this mind set, then it is
truly a dialogue between equals.

Philosophers agree that this is important for humans to pursue and achieve genuine
relationships to attain development. Human persons naturally seek and can achieve and maintain
genuine, meaningful relationship with each other. The human person is considered as a “being with
others,” which means that his or her identity and destiny are shaped by relating with others. Human
existence is a continual dialogue with the other, and that the self becomes whole through interaction
with other people and his or her surroundings.

Empathy, or the ability to share emotions, is an important aspect of intersubjectivity. This

emotion is driven by a person's awareness that the other is a person with thoughts and feelings. Human
persons are actively aware of the emotional states of other people and they use this information to
determine their own actions and behaviour. Empathy enables us to experience another person's
emotions such as happiness, anger, and sadness.
Another characteristic of a meaningful and genuine
human relationship is availability, or the willingness of a
person to be present and be at the disposal of another. For
instance, you went to an unfamiliar place and cannot
locate the place where you are supposed to go. What will
you do? You might think of asking directions from the
people living in the area. How will you feel if you were
asking for directions, but the people you were asking kept
ignoring you? What will you think about these people? Let
us say a stranger approach you in the street asking for
help. What will be your first reaction? Will you try and help
that person, or will you ignore him or her?

Important values related to Inter subjectivity include acceptance of differences and embracing
diversity. We understand that each person is unique; therefore, differences will exist among groups of
people. When we look at physical traits and even behaviour, we can see that no two persons look and
think the same. When we consider views, beliefs, and ideas the differences become much more
pronounced. We must accept that people will have different views and beliefs. What unites us all is our
shared humanity and dignity.

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 The recognition of our shared humanity and dignity is what drives us to extend assistance and
help with concern towards others, especially towards individuals or groups that experience hardships
and discrimination. For instance, those who are physically and mentally challenged often experience
hardships because of their condition.

You must realize, however, that these individuals, despite their limitations, can have the same
skills as those who are fully able in mind and body. They also have hopes and aspirations like us, and
many of them have successfully transcended their disabilities to become productive and happy
individuals.

Society must be founded on relationships and bonds established through mutual respect and
recognition of human dignity. If we recognize that the other person is the same as ourselves, if we
consider him or her as an individual with dignity as a person, then he is not different from us, and we
will be able to forge ties and build a community of harmony.

Lesson The Human Person in

7 Society
Lesson 7.1 Society: What Drives Human Person To Establish It

You have learned in the previous modules about the nature of man. You have also encountered
the lesson about intersubjectivity and how it defines our interactions with other persons. Now, let’s
explore how it is connected with the idea of establishing society.

As we have learned in the previous lessons, humans have the natural tendency to establish
relationships with other people. The ability of a person to engage in meaningful interactions with other
people, or even with his/her surroundings and the objects around him/her, is deeply rooted by one’s
awareness of himself/herself and of others. This shared awareness and understanding among persons is
referred to as inter subjectivity.

Through inter subjectivity, the relationship between the self and the other enables the person
to relate, establish and to maintain meaningful relationships with others. Meaningful and beneficial
human relationships are founded on the values of acceptance, openness, and respect beyond diversity.

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 With this prior knowledge, let us explore now the idea of what propels human to establish
society. Are you ready to embark on this journey? Let’s GO!

Direction: Complete the statement below by describing yourself in relation to the social group being
mentioned in each statement. Copy each item and write your answers in your activity notebook.

1. In my family, I am the …
2. My family has made me …
3. In my circle of friends, I am the …
4. My friends has helped me become …
5. In my classroom, I am the type of student that …

From your answers on your recent activity, you think and reflect with your place within the
social group being mentioned. In this way, you attentively recognized that you are a part of a social
group. Thus, you are a part of our existing society. However, you might ask yourself; what is society?
Society is an organized group of people with a common territory and culture whose members interact
frequently. Furthermore, society is a large group of people who live together in an organized way,
making decisions about how to do things and sharing the work that needs to be done. But then you
might popped up the question that other animals also form groups for survival and mutual protection,
are these form of groups considered as society? Society being formed by human individuals is
considered unique among all other groups because the relationship being established and the
interaction towards common good/goal is a way more difficult and uniquely profound.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Culture indicates the flow of relationship between society and human individuals. It is one of the
human natures to desire and to act according to some goal which is commonly the goal of survival.
When one person meets another person with the same goal, then it can be considered that they desire
for the common good.

Common good may include peace within the community, clean and safe environment, efficient
public service, etc. With these common good, humans are required to work together and to establish
relationships with each other, which results in establishing forms of society.

For instance, family is the basic unit of society. Through this, infants first relate with their
parents or guardians as the source of basic needs for survival. As they grow, they expand their
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connections and start relating and forming bonds with people outside their family. Friendships are
established starting from childhood up to adulthood. They also learn how to deal and to interact with
other superiors aside from their parents/guardians (e.g. principal, teachers, company boss, elderly
persons).

Lesson 7.2 Different Forms of Society

You have learned in the previous lesson about society and what urges human to establish
society since no man is an island. Now, let’s explore the different forms of societies emerged over the
years.

1. Hunting and gathering society: is the earliest and simplest form of society and is
generally recognized by its small size, since it consists mainly of families. They spend most of their time
searching for food, thus, they are considered as nomadic; no permanent territory. Its members are
treated equally and decisions are usually derived through consensus. As a result, the roles of its
members and the distribution of labor is not clearly defined.

2. Pastoral society: is characterized by the domestication of animals served as a source for

food supply. Compared to hunting and gathering society, this form of society has a larger population and
remains in one place. They also produce surplus food and resources which they trade with other
societies forming meaningful bonds. This relative prosperity enables the people to engage in other
activities apart from those necessary for survival, such as handicrafts which eventually leads to the
emergence of specialized tasks in the community.

3. Horticultural society: engages in the small-scale cultivation of plants, fruits, and

vegetables and the domestication of animals. Semi-nomadic, which means that they travel to another
place when there is shortage of the resources in one area.

4. Agrarian/agricultural society: involves in a large- scale and long-term cultivation of

crops and domestication of animals. Characterized by improved technology and usage of tools to aid in
farming which results in increased production giving rise to a growing population in agricultural
societies. Large population leads to a more structured social system that helps manage resources and its
member.

5. Feudal society: is based on the ownership of land. Its members are organized based on
status which consists of higher class/ruler (people who own a land), vassal/follower (granted a right to
manage a land), and peasants (workers who cultivate the land and tend the animals in exchange of
military protection). This society is mindful of the hierarchy system. It arose during Medieval times in
Western part of Europe.

6. Industrial society: is based on the use of specialized machinery in the production of

goods and services. The emergence of new production and industrial methods along with innovations in
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transportation and communication are results from the advances of science and technology in the late
18th century. In this era, improved trade and commerce, public education and better life conditions are
evident for many people. However, an important factor in social relations within this form of society is
the workplace where people interact with individuals who do not come from the same family, clan, or
community, thus, cultural diversity and bureaucratic forms of organization arises.

7. Post-industrial society: emerged by the establishment of societies based on knowledge,

information, and the sale of services. Virtual society arises where people organize themselves through
communication technology and Internet. This society is composed of members with higher educational
attainment, better training, and specialized roles.

With all these growth and development of various forms of societies, the human interactions
are also growing more complex over the span of time. Factors like science and technology
advancements and cultural changes brought improvement to the society along with complexity and
various ethnicities. But despite these innovations and developments, the human person still remains the
heart of the society and drives social changes based on respective responses and needs for the
betterment.

Lesson 7.3 Interralationship between Human Person and Society

You have understood in the previous lesson about what drives human to establish society and
the different forms of societies being established as time flies. You have also learned that with all those
growth and development of various forms of societies, the human interactions are also growing more
complex over the span of time. But despite those progresses, the human person still remains the heart
of the society and drives social changes based on respective responses and needs for the betterment.

Now, let’s continue to embark on our journey with how human relations are transformed by
social systems.

It can be said that you cannot think of a person outside of society and you cannot think of a
society without a group of persons. Thus, human persons and society are interrelated to each other in
which one cannot exist without the other.

Moreover, society’s role is considered important in the growth and development of a

person as well as the person’s role in transforming society.

One important way wherein society influences us, as person is, its ability to define the
relationships and interactions among its members. There are various ways that society influences our
development and interactions but one way is through the establishment of the following:
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 ● Norms – a set of traits and behavior that society considers acceptable, thus, to be encouraged
to pass unto other members (e.g. pagmamano : Filipino’s unique gesture to greet and show
respect to elders)

● Laws – more formal and stringent norms that establish and define acceptable behavior of
citizens (e.g. using of pedestrian lanes when crossing streets)

● Folkways – less formal norms that arise from tradition and do not result in punishment when
violated (e.g. concept of appropriate swimwear, others might wear T-shirt and shorts, others
might wear bikini)

● Social system – organized or patterned set of relationships among individuals and groups that
compose a society

● Social role – actions and behaviors expected of a certain individual

● Social groups/ Social classes – individuals who share similar backgrounds or perform similar
roles

● Social institutions – certain groups that perform vital functions in society which include the
family, school, government, and religion

● Social values – actions or ideals that are considered vital in maintaining an orderly society
(e.g. cooperation, obedience to the law, concern for others, respect for diversity, etc.)

Over the course of an entire life, a person will undergo various social roles as he/she
continually interacts with other person within a society and gradually expands his/her social
circles.

Lesson Human Persons as Oriented

Towards their Impending
8
Death
Lesson 8.1 Meaningful Life

You have encountered in the previous modules about all the concepts you need to better
understand human nature and what drives human to establish relationships and the things that

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influenced the development of a human person. You have gone through the journey of getting much
deeper understanding about all the aspects that relate with human nature.

Now, let’s explore what is the essence of living. Have you ever wondered about how nothing
seems to last forever? Objects get worn out, food and drinks get expired, and even trends become
outdated after some time. Even more, what about the cycle of being born, growing up, getting old,
being sick and dying? These go to one very important reality at some point of our human condition; we
are temporal beings which mean that we are human beings oriented towards impending death.

Surely, the very thought of death and the mystery surrounding it have caused a lot of grief and
anxiety to a person. You may certainly feel that thinking about death at this point of your life is a bit
inappropriate or unnecessary since you are still young and you still have your whole life ahead of you.
Thus, the idea makes you a bit uncomfortable but then it is an essential element in the human condition
which definitely deserves attention. Only in reflecting on the reality of death can we begin to explore
and understand the meaning of our own and very existence.

#YOLO (You Only Live Once) Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.

In the essence that we, humans, are oriented towards our impending death, this concept has
given rise to such various expressions being mentioned above. Commonly, death is understood as the
end of bodily functions which signals the end of a person’s life. It also refers to the separation of the
body and the spirit. As you have learned in the past modules, the human person is an embodied spirit.
The body, being material, is subject to growth, death, and decay. While the spirit, being immaterial, will
continue to exist even after the body has passed.

Accepting the fact that we are persons facing the reality of death allows us to determine the
course of our actions and of our entire life. Thus, the essence of freedom is self-determination which
refers to the capacity to choose and act for oneself. For instance, a person cannot stop the natural
bound law of growing old, however, he/she can choose to embrace aging gracefully by taking pride in
their gray hair, wrinkles, and the fact of having grandchildren. But others might take a different path and
use any means to mask their physical aging by getting cosmetic surgery and having “age-defying”
treatments.

Ultimately, we must embrace the fact that death is an integral part of our life so that once we
have come in good terms with that inevitable aspect of being human, we can focus not just on the
quantifiable aspects of life (e.g. possessions, luxurious years) but also on its quality. It can give us clearer
purpose and focus on our daily activities. Since we cannot do everything in our lifetime, we must be able
to reflect on what we need to do and identify the goals we need to achieve so we can say that we have
lived in a meaningful existence.

17
 The human person is an embodied spirit which refers to the unity of a body and a spirit. The
body grows and dies, while the soul continues to exist even after the body has passed. It is true that
there was no exception, we will face the inevitability of death, but we have the freedom to live our lives
well or not. Temporality challenges us to make choices that will be good for us and the people around
us. Although we are oriented towards our impending death, death, itself, is not the goal of life. Yet, the
challenge is to live a meaningful life.

Lesson 8.2 Realizing Positive Life Goals

As you go through the previous modules, you have encountered the reality of death. By the law
of nature, it is inevitable that we all face the brink of our existence. Thus, by embracing this knowledge,
we are motivated to spend our life in a more meaningful way as possible.

Now, let’s continue to loosen the amazing journey of one’s existence. We all know that as we
approach our death, we experience both happiness and suffering. The two are not really meant to be
polar opposites, for they can also enrich one another. You cannot appreciate the essence of genuine
happiness and success if you did not experience suffering, pain or difficulties.

What brings you happiness? Is it the food you eat? The clothes
you wear? The gadgets you own? The achievements you reap? The
moments you share with your loved ones? Whatever it is, you feel
something good and pleasurable.

Happiness is a state of being, not just an emotional experience or

a chosen mental attitude. In fact, we do not choose happiness, happiness
is always there, and we just choose the means/path to achieve it. We
consider the sources of happiness as something that is good for us. That
good has three kinds:

● Noble good is one which is pursued for its own sake; it is good in itself. For example: love and
friendship.

● Useful good is considered good as long as it serves as a means to an end; its goodness is found
only from what it can provide. For example, money.

● Pleasurable good provides some form of pleasure, though it doesn’t have to be physical. For
example a trip to favorite places.

18
 However, you should always remember that happiness from a material thing slowly fades away
as soon as you have it. Meanwhile, happiness formed by friendship only grows as it progresses. Happy
moments with people precious to you are priceless. Thus, do not be blinded by earthly living and live a
meaningful life for real happiness can be found in more permanent and meaningful things.

On the other hand, negative experiences are also part of our lives. Suffering takes place when
we patiently endure unpleasantness, discomfort, and pain. It comes in the form of physical suffering
(e.g. physical sensations such as discomfort, hunger, distress, homelessness, and pain from an injury,
disease, or even lack of basic needs) and mental suffering (e.g. emotional and mental states such as
depression, anxiety, fear, loneliness, and grief). Disappointments and rejections in life may also be a
cause of suffering. More often, we normally experience adversities in life and how we deal with them is
determined by our mindset regarding suffering. After all, without pain and suffering, we are unable to
grow and improve to become wiser and tougher. Thus, our positive experiences might lose meaning and
significance without the recognizance of one’s suffering and difficulties in life.

With all these growth and development of various forms of societies, the human interactions
are also growing more complex over the span of time. Factors like science and technology
advancements and cultural changes brought improvement to the society along with complexity and
various ethnicities. But despite these innovations and developments, the human person still remains the
heart of the society and drives social changes based on respective responses and needs for the
betterment.

19
 QUARTER 4 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY AND THE
HUMAN PERSON
ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 1

Name:___________________________________ Grade and Section:____________

WRITTEN WORK NO. 1

A. INSTRUCTIONS: Identify the following.

_______________1. This is the ability to make choices and perform actions

and is an essential property of the human person.
_______________2. This is freedom from any physical restraint.
_______________3. This is the freedom of choice.
_______________4. This is the ability to act out of one’s own free will and self-
determination.
_______________5. This refers to the person being accountable for his or her
actions and their consequences.

B. INSTRUCTIONS: Put a check beside the number of the statement which shows
responsible use of freedom.

______1. Joy was not happy with the health protocols of the Inter Agency Task
Force. She finds the protocols disturbing. She confronted and
insulted them when a group of IATF personnel visited their area. She
was not sorry for what she did, because she believes her freedom of
speech was exercised.
______2. Nikko thought of upgrading his mountain bike because his friends
have bought new parts to make biking faster and easier. Instead of
asking his parents to buy him new bike parts, he cleaned his bike,
maintained the quality of its parts and practiced biking more for
stamina and power.
______3. Bubbles opened her messenger and read Karina’s message that she
had a hard time doing the Math performance task and asked her to let
her copy her work. Bubbles refused. She invited Karina for a video
20
 chat instead , so that she could explain to her what to do.
______4. Justin told his friends that he will join them playing basketball as soon
as he is done feeding his pet dogs.
______5. Upon knowing that there are tons of activities in the module, Leo got
tire just the thought of it and decided to sleep the whole day without
accomplishing a single task.

C. ANALYZING SITUATIONS. Read the following situations below. How are you
going to apply prudence in making a choice to exercise your freedom more
responsibly? Encircle the letter that corresponds to your answer.

1. Your grandmother, due to old age, is forgetful and has a difficulty in hearing;
she often tells you to keep on repeating instructions and also scolds you if
your voice is too soft, how will you act accordingly to your grandmother’s
situation?

A. I will yell at my grandmother when she asks me to repeat something that I

already told her so she can hear clearly and won’t have to ask me again.
B. I will ignore her and pretend that I did hear her asking me to repeat what I
just said.
C. I will immediately write it down on a piece of paper instead of repeating it
to my grandmother.
D. I will patiently repeat to my grandmother what I previously said in a clear
and moderate voice and ask her if she could like it if I wrote it down in
case she forgets it.

2. Your aunt sends you for an errand to collect the payment from her customer
when on your way back with the money; you met your classmates on the
previous grade and asked you if you could have some chit chat with them
over some snacks. When the bill came, one of your classmates exclaimed
that she can’t pay the whole amount and asked if you could shoulder some
portion of the bill. What decision are you going to make?

A. I will tell my classmates that I don’t have money to pay for the food.
B. I will tell my classmates that she should not ask me to pay because I was
just invited and I have no obligations to pay for the snacks that they also
eat.
C. I will contribute to the amount my classmate told me and later explain to
my aunt what happened.
21
 D. I will pay the whole amount of the bill, anyway it is my aunt’s money, she
will understand.

3. Two of your classmates were having a hard time deciding over the P500.00
notes they saw on their way to the canteen. One wanted to buy it for their
snacks because he said that there is no way that the real owner will know
about it. While the other one wanted to surrender it to the Lost and Found
Section of the school. If you were one of the friends, what are you going to
do?

A. I will decide to split the money with my friend and use it to buy for the
needed supplies for my class project.
B. I will shout and announce in the canteen if there is someone who
happens to have lost his money and if there is no reply, I and my
classmate will buy some snacks.
C. I will assure myself and my friend that this is God’s plan and that He gave
it to both of us to buy some food because we are both hungry.
D. I will immediately report to the Lost and Found Section personnel and
surrender the money so that the real owner may claim it.

4. You caught your friend cheating during your Math exam but you just ignored
him. When the results came, he topped the test and everyone cheered on
him. What should you do as a concerned friend? Should you tell him that he
does not deserve to get the highest score? Or should you report him to your
teacher? What do you think is the best thing to do?

A. I will report this incident and allow him to explain his side to our Math
teacher.
B. I will confide to my classmates about what my top-notched friend did so
that the news will spread of his cheating in the Math test.
C. I will just let it pass by and just keep it as a secret.
D. I will advise him that it would be meaningful and rewarding if things are
done with honesty and encourage him to study diligently instead.

5. You read in the news feed that hand washing with soap is the best and
cheapest way to prevent spreading the virus. However, in your community,
water supply and distribution is very challenging. What are you going to do
so that you will maintain proper hygiene in your family and community?

A. Will use hand sanitizer and alcohol instead no matter the cost anyway
my mother is buying them.
B. I will collect rain water or get water from the community’s well and store it
for hand washing and cleaning purposes this way I could save money
22
 and at the same time help the family healthy and virus free.
C. I will call water district to improve their services to my place so that my
neighbours will also benefit from it.
D. I will use mineral water instead for hassle-free and virus-free family.

PERFORMANCE TASK NO. 1

REFLECTION – Listen to (or view) the message of Ruth Chang via Ted Talk on
making hard choices through https://www.ted.com/talks/ruth_chang. Then, make a two-
minute talk video about your own difficulty in choosing (career path, relationships,
studies, etc) and send it to me. The idea here is whether you made a good or bad
decisions and its effect on you as a person.

Rubrics for video

Criteria Rating
Content Organization: The video output must show clear
statement of purpose, what is this video about and must be
able to present at least two hard choices in your life and the 1 2 3 4
decision you make, its consequence and how you deal with it
until this time.
Originality: The video output must not be copy-pasted from
other person’s work or ideas with a sense of creativity and with
punch lines or “hugot”. It must relate to your own personal 1 2 3 4
experience and thoughts.

Production Standard: The video output must have smooth

picture quality, lighting is sufficient, audio is clear, back drop is
pleasing and speaker is in his formal casual/school uniform 1 2 3 4
attire.

Completion: The video output must be complete following the 1 2 3 4

maximum time of two minutes.

TOTAL (16 Points)

23
Getting the Mean: Total Score/4 Descriptions: 4=Outstanding

3=Very Satisfactory

2=Satisfactory

1=Needs Improvement

SUBJECT PARENT/
TEACHER’S GUARDIAN’S
NAME AND RODEN R. AVILA NAME AND
CONTACT NO. SIGNATURE
09977263011/09559614869
DATE RECEIVED BY:
SUBMITTED:

24
 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY AND THE
HUMAN PERSON
QUARTER 4

ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 2

Name:___________________________________ Grade and Section:____________

WRITTEN WORK NO. 2

A. Essay -INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the following questions briefly and straight to the
point.

1. How does empathy enable persons to establish genuine relationships with others?

2. What is availability? Have you ever made yourself available for others?

3. What enables human persons to establish meaningful interaction with others?

25
4. How is Inter subjectivity related to self-awareness and transcendence?

5. How does establishing dialogue with others benefit a person?

B. TRUE OR FALSE
INSTRUCTIONS: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is wrong. Write the
correct answer on the space beside the number,
_____________1. Intersubjectivity refers to shared awareness and understanding among
people.
_____________2. Man has the natural tendency to establish relationships with other
people

_____________3. The views and ideas of other people, as well as social context do not
influence our behavior as individuals.
_____________4. We are primarily aware of people as objects and not as persons.

_____________5. Seeming refers to the capacity of individuals to engage in genuine

26
 interaction with others.
_____________6. An authentic relationship is possible only if individuals acknowledge each
other's presence as persons.
_____________7. Availability refers to the willingness for person to make himself or herself
available for another.
_____________8. All humans find it difficult to have meaningful relationships with others.

_____________9 Empathy requires an individual to accept the other as a thinking, feeling

person.
_____________10 It is not important to care about the welfare of others to establish a
dialogue.

.PERFORMANCE TASK NO. 2 - Research

INSTRUCTIONS: Research the life and works of the following persons. Write about their
significant contributions in their respective fields and how these people will help you understand
and accept individual differences. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

A. GRACE PADACA
B. FATIMA SORIANO
C. RAYMOND MARTIN

SUBJECT PARENT/
GUARDIAN’S
TEACHER’S
NAME AND
NAME AND RODEN R. AVILA SIGNATURE
09977263011/09559614869
CONTACT NO.
DATE RECEIVED BY:
SUBMITTED:

27
 QUARTER 4 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY AND THE
HUMAN PERSON
ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 3

Name:___________________________________ Grade and Section:____________

WRITTEN WORK NO. 3

I. MULTIPLE CHOICE: Read each item carefully. Choose your BEST answer.
Write the ONLY letter of your corresponding answer on the space beside the
number. Avoid erasures.

1. It is an organized group of people whose members interact frequently and

have a common territory and culture.

a. Society c. Country
b. Community d. All of the above.

2. It is the basic unit of society.

a. Human c. Barangay
b. Family d. Government

3. The following are examples of virtual society, EXCEPT ONE, which is it?

a. Facebook c. Google Classroom

b. Instagram d. Classroom

4. Social values are actions or ideals that are considered vital in maintaining an
orderly society such as mentioned below, EXCEPT ONE, which is it?

a. Cooperation c. negligence of duty

b. obedience to the law d. concern for others

28
 5. Social institutions are certain groups that perform vital functions in society
which include the following, EXCEPT ONE, which is it?

a. Best friends c. school

b. Family d. government

II. Determine which form of society is referred by the following statements. Choose
your answers from the box. Write the corresponding letter of your answer on the
space provided beside the number. Write the letter only. Avoid erasures.

A. Hunting and gathering society

B. Pastoral society
C. Horticultural society
D. Agrarian / Agricultural society
E. Feudal society
F. Industrial society
G. Post-industrial society

1. A society based on knowledge, information, and the sale of services.

2. A society based on the ownership of land.
3. The earliest and simplest form of society.
4. This society features large-scale and long term cultivation of crops and
domestication of animals.
5. This society primarily relies on the domestication of animals for food.
6. A society which is generally small in size and is composed of families.
7. A society that uses machinery in producing goods and services.
8. This society has given rise to the virtual society.
9. People who owned a land are considered most powerful and influential in this
form of society.
10. This society engages in the small-scale cultivation of plants.

29
PERFORMANCE TASK NO. 3

Make an illustration/poster that describes society and shows the relationship between how
individuals form societies and how individuals are transformed by societies. It can also
showcase the progress and development of different forms of societies (For example: In Post-
industrial society; before, the means of communication of the people around the world was
thru telephone, telegrams-which would take months before the message can reach to the
recipient, and the like; but nowadays, fast and efficient transfer of information can be done by
means of cellphones and internet –Facebook, messenger, Google meet, etc. For Agricultural
Society; before, farmers used carabao to pull the plough in preparing the land, but now the
plough is being pulled by a tractor.). Use short bond paper and utilize any art materials
available.

Criteria:

Organization & Composition: overall content - 25 pts

Originality: theme - 15 pts

Creativity & Neatness: overall appearance - 10 pts

TOTAL : 50 pts.

30
 QUARTER 4 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY AND THE
HUMAN PERSON

ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 4

Name:___________________________________ Grade and Section:____________

WRITTEN WORK NO. 4

Test I. Multiple Choice. Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Knowing that our lives are temporary, we should

a. Be sad because our problems will eventually end.

b. Be happy because our problems will eventually end.
c. Do something to delay our death.
d. Do our best then leave a good name behind.

2. Happiness from material things diminishes as soon as you won it, while
happiness gained from friendship only grows as it progresses is an example of:

a. Noble good c. Pleasurable good

b. Useful good d. Permanently good

3. It is a kind of happiness that can be found in more permanent and meaningful

things.

a. Real c. Temporary
b. Fleeting d. Forever

4. Philosophy considers happiness as an achievement and it must be gained by

living a:

a. Productive and moral life c. Looking into your needs

31
 b. By winning in life d. Having money in life

5. Happiness also shas a social element, as we should not only be concerned

about our own happiness, but also;

a. What we can get from others c. The well-being of others

b. What others can give to us d. Others thinking

Test II. Pairing Types: Direction: Match column A with column B.

Column A Column B
6. It takes place when we patiently endure Mental suffering
unpleasantness, discomfort and pain.
7. It is a kind of suffering that refers to discomfort, Injury
hunger, stress, and pain.
8. It is a kind of suffering that includes depression, Sadness caused by death
anxiety, fear, loneliness, and grief. of a loved one
9. One of the causes of physical suffering. Physical suffering
10. One of the causes of mental suffering. Suffering

PERFORMANCE TASK NO. 4

Create a photo collage showing the things that makes your life
meaningful. You can also include things that makes you happy or things
that drives you to do more in life despite of adversities. Bring out your
uniqueness and creativeness.

32
 Criteria
Organization & Composition: overall content - 15 pts
Originality: theme - 10 pts
Creativity & Neatness: overall appearance - 5 pts
TOTAL : 30 points

SUBJECT PARENT/
TEACHER’S GUARDIAN’S
NAME AND RODEN R. AVILA NAME AND
CONTACT NO. SIGNATURE
09977263011/09559614869
DATE RECEIVED
SUBMITTED: BY:

33
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