THE HUMAN PERSON AS

AN EMBODIED SPIRIT
THE HUMAN PERSON AS AN EMBODIED SPIRIT

St. Thomas, the Philosopher who believed that

the human person’s nature as an embodied spirit
enables us to engage in meaningful experiences
and makes transcendence possible. He was also
regarded of Christianizing the philosophy of
Aristotle
HUMAN COMPOSITION OF MAN
WHAT IS THE HUMAN PERSON?
 SELF AWARENESS
refers to the person having q clear perception of onesefl, including his
thoughts, emotions, identity and actions.

Try saying this!

• I am a person
• I am alive
• I exist
• I am living at this moment
LET’S EXAMINE

Little Jose is playing in the living room while his mom is

the kitchen. He accidentally bumps into a table, causing
a vase to fall. Upon hearing, his mom went to the living
room and saw him, standing near the broken vase. She
asked, “Did you break the vase?” What do you think
Jose’s answer will be?
SELF - DETERMINATION
refers to the capability of persons to make choices
and decisions based on their own preferences,
monitor and regulate their actions, and be goal –
oriented.
CONSEQUENCE

Is the result or effect of an action or

condition. Philosophers believe that a
person acts freely and with due
regard for the consequences of his
actions.
EXTERNALITY

refers to the capability of a

person to reach out and interact
with others and the world.
DIGNITY
• To the innate right to be valued and respected.
• Philosophers consider all humans as having an
inherent worth or value. “You’re worthless!” is
an insult since it attacks the very notion of a
person having value or worth.
LIMITATION OF THE HUMAN PERSON

Human person are naturally defecient beings.

This means that we are not prepared with the
best physical aspect among all the beings.
LIMITATION CAN LEAD TO POSSIBILITIES

Transcendence is a ability to change, be

dynamic, and continually redefining one’s
self which works with our facticity to
create change.
HOW DO LIMITATIONS LEAD TO
TRANSCENDENCE?

refers to the things in

our life that are already
given.
SPATIAL – TEMPORAL BEING

As temporal beings, our most obvious limitation is

our finitude – our finite quality or state. For
example, Walang forever, pero meron talaga.As
spatial beings, we are limited by our bodies to be
present in two or more places at the same time.
We are limited by space (spatial) and the time
(temporal). Our spatial-temporal situation sets our
preconditions of understanding.
 THE BODY AS INTERMEDIARY

• Intermediary means acting as a mediator (Merriam-

Webster). Having a body may prevent us from revealing
what we really want to express. How do we communicate
with each other?WORDS
• But can words really capture the things we want to
express? But this limitation can also be an advantage… In
most cases, words are not enough.
• EXAMPLE: Magbabago Na Ako Promise!!!
LIMITATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR
TRANSCENDENCE

Many people admire Mark

Zuckerberg being a co-founder and
CEO of the social-networking
website Facebook, which he started
in his college dorm room at Harvard
University. He’s one of the world’s
youngest billionaires in this
generation.
• Like Mark, all people have
dreams that they want to
fulfill. If you were finally
able to meet you dreams,
how would you feel?
• Do you think your
perspective in life will
change?
WHAT IS TRANSCENDENCE?

Originated from the words Trans, means “go

beyond”, and scandare, meaning “climb”.
In the example, fulfilling a dream requires transcendence
because it opens a state of thinking and feeling that
there is something more in life than just physical and
material things. Much like Abraham Maslow’s self-
actualization concepts, transcendence is a state of being
intrinsically satisfied with life regardless of physical and
tangible factors.
LIMITATION AND POSSIBILITIES FOR
TRANSCENDENCE

Here are some limitations and possibilities for transcendence:

• may not occur to everyone
• does not come at a specified period
• varies across all people
• may coincide with physical limitations of the body
• developing a positive outlook in life
• working towards reaching a goal
• learning from experience
POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSCENDENCE

It is also important to know that transcendence may

be applied to present worries by living in the present.
This means that life is lived from moment to moment in
a carefree and cheerful manner where concerns for
stress are reserved for the future, and regrets or guilt
feelings are kept in the past.
THE HUMAN BODY IN IMPOSING LIMITS AND
POSSIBILITIES

From a biological and physical standpoint, it can be

recognized that the human body. Although it can perform
many functions, also has limitations. Limits in the
environment, demographics, and society may also hinder
a person from reaching transcendence
BODILY LIMITATIONS

Examples:
1. Mental and emotional disorders (e.g. anxiety,
intellectual
2. disability) disabilities (e.g. amputated leg,
deafness)
3. disease and illnesses (e.g. hypertension, cough)
4. failures and experiences (e.g. failing a subject)
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITATIONS

Socioeconomic status
location of neighborhood (e.g. armed, disorganized, or
violent neighborhood)
1. abusive relationships (e.g. emotional abuse) negative
influences (e.g. drug use)
OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS

• Bodily limits can be tested by trying on new experiences and

working on challengeswith increasing levels of difficulty. The
human body, if given enough exposure to any situation, can
attain a goal with efficiency.
• Social and environmental limitations are more difficult to
overcome than bodily limitations because they involve the
influence of other people and the external world. However, with
a proper mindset, clearly defined goals, and motivation to rise
above challenges, one may successfully overcome his or her
limitations.
RECOGNIZE AND EVALUATE OWN LIMITATIONS
AND POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSCENDENCE

Even though you are still young, you are not prevented
from further understanding yourself. Transcendence is
even more possible when you begin to understand that
you can go beyond your limitations if you set your mind
on your goals.
SOME POINT TO REMEMBER WHEN GOING
BEYOND YOUR LIMITS

you are connected to the external or eternal world

• challenges are learning opportunities
• your goal is more important than your fears
• think outside the box
• recognize that everyone has fears