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Lesson 4 The Human Person in The Environment
Lesson 4 The Human Person in The Environment
Lesson 4 The Human Person in The Environment
Objectives
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
KEY QUESTIONS
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
What A Wonderful World Lyrics (Louis Armstrong)
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
INTRODUCTION
Philosophical questions brought up around 600 B.C.E. in the
Western Ionian seaport town of Miletus, Greece.
•What is the world made of?
•How did the world come into
being?
•How can we explain the
process of change?
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
Ecocentric model – the ecological or relational integrity of
the humans provides meaning of our morals and values.
Nature
Wild
Holism
Mature/Cosmos
Body
Relational
Earth/Wisdom
Ecology over/against humans
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
• Researches exposed the environmental consequence of
international politico-economic specialization for specific
countries and global regions as well as the implications for both
abuses of natural resources and of the generation of waste and
emissions.
• Numerous concepts and indicators have been used to understand
environmental impact such as carbon footprint (CF).
• Studies reveal that the higher the income, there is a substantial
change in consumption patterns, which resulted to higher CF.
Below is an example of a household chart in North America and
average composition vis-à-vis CF:
1. Construction 5. Mobility
2. Shelter 6. Manufactured goods
3. Food 7. Services
4. Clothing 8. Trade
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
• The Ecocentric model, in contrast, puts the ecosystem first
and assumes that the natural world has intrinsic value.
• Nature is not valued for the future survival of human species
per se, but is invaluable in itself.
• Human made changes threaten the health of nature.
• Unlike changes in the evolutionary process, human
interventions have swift and even, violent effect on nature.
• The damage is not inevitable but a consequence of human
choices, thus, humanity needs to develop an “ecological
conscience” based on individual responsibility.
• The right to live and blossom should not just be for human
beings but must be valid to all forms of life because humans
are dependent to other forms of life.
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
• The 2007 United Nation’s Declaration grants the Indigenous
people “the right to conservation, restoration, and protection
of the total environment and the productive capacity of their
lands, territories, and resources, as well as the assistance for
this purpose from States and through international
cooperation.”
• The relationship of the
indigenous people with the
environment is, thus,
spiritually and materially
strengthened.
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
Destruction of Property:
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
B. Social Ecology
•Ecological crisis results from authoritarian social structures.
•Social ecologists call for small-scale societies, which recognize
that humanity is linked with the well-being of the natural world in
which human life depends.
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
C. Ecofeminism
•Ecological crisis is a consequence of
male dominance.
•In this view, whatever is “superior” is
entitled to whatever is “inferior.”
•For the ecofeminists, freeing nature
and humanity means removing the
superior vs. inferior in human
relations.
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
• The three theories mentioned value
the care, conservation, preservation
of nature, and humanity.
• The search for the meaning of life
must explore not just our own
survival but calls for a new socio-
ecological order.
• Erich Fromm believes that humanity
ought to recognize not only itself
but also the world around it.
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
• For Fromm, human beings have
biological urge for survival that turns
into selfishness and laziness as well as
the inherent desire to escape the
prison cell of selfishness to experience
union with others.
• Which of these two contradictory
strivings in human beings will become
dominant is determined by the social
structure currently existing in society.
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
PRUDENCE AND FRUGALITY
TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
3. Trying to reduce greed, hate, and illusions as much as one is
capable.
4. Making the full growth of oneself and of one’s fellow beings as
the supreme goal of living.
5. Not deceiving others, but also not being deceived by others;
one may be called innocent but not naïve.
6. Freedom that is not arbitrariness but the possibility to be
oneself, not as a bundle of greedy desires, but as a delicately
balanced structure that at any moment is confronted with the
alternatives of growth or decay, life or death.
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
7. Happiness in the process of ever-growing aliveness, whatever
the furthest point is that fate permits one to reach, for living
as fully as one can is so satisfactory that the concern for what
one might or might not attain has little chance to develop.
8. Joy that comes from giving and sharing, not from hoarding
and exploiting.
9. Developing one’s capacity for love, together with one’s
capacity for critical, unsentimental thought.
10. Shedding one’s narcissism and accepting that tragic
limitations inherent in human existence.
• The ideals of Fromm’s society cross all party lines; for protecting
nature needs focused
conservation, action, political will,
and support from industry.
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).
ASSIGNMENT:
1.In your observation, how do humans regard the environment?
Explain. In what way/s are your answers positive or negative?
2.In your opinion, how can we protect, conserve, and restore our
environment? Elaborate your answer by planning an activity that
would support it.
3.Compare the importance of nature from the ancient to the
modern era.
4.Write your thoughts regarding the following passage: The
controlling attitude of humankind is extended to nature, when in
fact, humanity is part of nature.
5.What is freedom? Relate Fromm’s view with other philosophers
discussed in previous lessons.
((Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, by Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Rex Publishing, 2016, pp. 69-91).