The Human Person in the

Environment
 LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
4.1.Notice disorder in an environment PPT11/12-Ii-4.1
4.2.Notice things that are not in their proper place and organize them in
an aesthetic way PPT11/12-Ii-4.2
4.3.Show that care for the environment contributes to health, well-being
and sustainable development PPT11/12-Ij-4.3
4.4.Demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards
environments PPT11/12-Ij-4.4
• Drought

• Earthquake

• Tsunami

• Floods

• Wildfires

• Pandemic

• Volcanic eruptions

• Landslides

• Tornado-Tornado - A violently rotating column of air touching the ground, usually attached to the base of a
thunderstorm. Tornadoes are nature"s most violent storms. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can
cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. Winds of a tornado may reach 300 miles per hour.

• Hurricane-a tropical storm with winds that have reached a constant speed of 74 miles per hour or more. The eye of a
storm is usually 20-30 miles wide and may extend over 400 miles. The dangers of a storm include torrential rains,
high winds and storm surges.
 Notice Disorder in the Environment
• The domination of humanity is linked to the domination of nature based
anthropocentric model. As unfair or unjust utilization of the environment
result to ecological crisis. From this view, it follows that human arrogance
toward nature is justifiable in order to satisfy human interest.
 Current researches by Zimmerman (1994), Elgin (2009) and Pettman (2012) exposed
the environmental consequence of international politico-economic specific countries and
global regions. Research also shows the implications for both abuses of natural resources
and of the generation of waste emissions.
Numerous concepts and indicators have been used to understand environmental
impact such as the carbon footprint. For instance, the emission of greenhouse gases, such as
carbon dioxide, methane, fluoride and nitrous oxide that are part of the production goods and
services consumed in many countries.
Studies reveal that the higher the income, there is a substantial change in consumption
patterns, which result to higher CF.

1. Construction
2. Shelter
3. Food
4. Clothing
5. Mobility
6. Manufactured goods
7. Services
8. Trade
The ecocentric model puts the ecosystem first and assumes that the
natural world has intrinsic value. Land will be considered not an
instrumental mode of production but will be preserved with integrity,
stability, and beauty. However anthropocentric attitude, humanity claims
ownership or authority over land.
If humanity overworks the soil and substitute domesticated species of plants
and animals for wild ones, human made changes threaten the health of
nature. Unlike changes in the evolutionary process, our human activities
interventions have swift and even, violent effect on nature.
A study blames human activities for drastic decline in wildlife
population. Due to hunting and fishing, 52% of wildlife population
deteriorated. Whether nature can adapt to these changes and self renew
becomes a vague issue.
 The study for instance, established that the damage is not inevitable
but a consequence of our choices. Accordingly, humanity needs to develop
and “ecological conscience” based on individual responsibility.
Ecologists challenge us to adopt a lifestyle that involves simple living
that honors the right of all life. For ecologists, the right to live and blossom
should not just be for human beings but must be valid to all forms of life.
This belief stems from an awareness of our dependence to other forms of
life, not a master-slave relationship.
 In 2004, indigenous grandmothers, representing tribes from Arctic Circle,
Nepal and Tibet, held a meeting to able to preserve their community. Deeply
concerned with the destruction of Mother Earth, including the combination of air,
water, soil, war, poverty, and destruction of the indigenous way of life, they have
committed themselves to form an alliance that will embrace prayers, education, and
healing for our Mother Earth, for all her inhabitants and for the future generations.
In 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 and 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.
 Notice Things that are not in their proper
place and organize them in an aesthetic way
A. ANCIENT THINKERS
ANAXIMANDER-(Creation and Destruction)
The evolution of the world begins with the generation of opposites in a certain region of
nature. The portion of the boundless first differentiates itself into a cold-moist mass surrounded by a
roughly spherical shell of the warm-dry. Once the warm-dry has been separated out, surrounding the
cold-moist, it begins to evaporate the moisture of the latter, and this process forms a vaporous
atmosphere. Eventually, the expanding vapor or stem bursts the enclosing fiery shells into rings, and
rushing outward, envelopes them. The opposite forces caused an imbalance that necessitated their
ultimate destruction. What appear to us heavenly bodies are in reality parts of the fiery rings that we
glimpse through openings left in their steamy, vaporous envelopes. The revolution of the stars, sun,
and moon around the central earth is in reality the rotation of the vapor-enveloped rings of fire.
PHYTHAGORAS-

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). Perhaps, we could consider him the early him as an ecologist.

The Chinese cosmic conception, on the other hand, is based on the assumption that all that happens
in the universe is a continuous whole like a chain of natural consequences. All events in the universe follow a
transitional process due to the primeval pair, the yang and yin. The universe does not proceed onward but
revolves without beginning or end. There is nothing new under the sun; the “new” is a repetition of the old.
Human being’s happiness lies in his conformity with nature or tao; the wise, therefore, conforms with tao and
is happy.
B. MODERN THINKERS
IMMANUEL KANT
He expresses that the beauty is ultimately a symbol of morality. According to him, we must
ignore any practical motives or inclinations that we have and instead contemplate the object
without being distracted by our desires. For instance, one should not be tempted to plunge into
the water in a seascape portrait. In a sense, therefore, the stance that we take forward the
beautiful object is similar to that which we take forward other human beings we are properly
respectful of their dignity.
The beautiful encourage us to believe that nature and humanity are part of an even bigger design.
This sense of order in a beautiful object is not translatable into a formula or a recipe. Rather, the
concept of a larger design, the belief in an ultimate goal in which every aspect of the sensible world
has its place in a larger purpose, draws our thoughts toward a supersensible reality. Ultimately, Kant
believes that the orderliness of nature and the harmony of nature without faculties guide us
toward a deeper religious perspective. This vision of the world is not limited to knowledge and
freedom or even to faith, in the ordinary sense of the term. It is a sense of cosmic harmony.
HERBERT MARCUSE, GEORGE HERBERT MEAD
Understanding our relation with the environment can also refer to the human
beings with ecology and nature. For Herbert Marcuse, humanity had dominated
nature. There can only be change if we will change our attitude towards our
perception of the environment. Moreover, for Mead, as human beings, we do
not have only rights but duties. We are not only citizens of the community but
how we react to this community and in our reaction to it, change it.
 Show that care for the environment contributes to
health, well-being, and sustainable development
A. DEEP ECOLOGY- ecological crisis is an outcome of anthropocentrism. The
controlling attitude of humankind is extended to nature, when in fact, humanity
is part of nature. Deep ecologists encourage humanity to shift away
anthropocentrism to ecocentrism.
B. SOCIAL ECOLOGY-ecological crisis results from authoritarian social
structures. Destroying nature is a reflection wherein few people overpower
others while exploiting the environment for profit or self-interest. 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.
C. ECOFEMINISM
Argues that ecological crisis is a consequence of male dominance. In
this view, whatever is “superior” is entitled to whatever is “inferior”. Male
traits as in the anthropocentric model are superior as opposed to female traits
as in the ecocentric model. Domination works by forcing the other to conform
to what is superior. Nature must be tamed,, order and submit to the will of the
superior. For the adherents of this view, freeing nature and humanity means
removing the superior vs. inferior in human relations.
 These theories value the care, conservation, preservation of nature and humanity.
Our search for the meaning of life must explore not just our own survival but calls for a
new socio-ecological order. Erich Fromm (2013), a German humanistic philosopher,
believes that it is about time that humanity ought to recognize not only itself but also the
world around it. For Fromm, as human beings, our biological urge for survival turn into
selfishness and laziness. Fromm, argues that as humans, it is also inherent in us to escape
the prison cell of selfishness.
the human desire to experience union with others is one of the strongest motivators
of human behavior and the other is desire for survival. From these two contradictory
strivings in every human being, it follows that the social structure, its values and norms,
decides which of the two becomes dominant. Cultures that foster the greed for possession
are rooted in one human potential. Cultures that foster being and sharing are rooted in the
other potential. We must decide which of these two potentials to cultivate.
Demonstrate the virtues of Prudence and
Frugality toward Environment
• What is the difference?
Prudence
the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. 2. :
sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs. 3. : skill and good
judgment in the use of resources.
Prudence (Latin: prudentia, contracted from providentia meaning
"seeing ahead, sagacity") is the ability to govern and discipline oneself
by the use of reason
Frugality
Frugality is the quality of being frugal, sparing, thrifty, prudent or economical in
the consumption of consumable resources such as food, time or money, and
avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance. In behavioral science, frugality has
been defined as the tendency to acquire goods and services in a restrained manner,
and resourceful use of already owned economic goods and services, to achieve a
longer term goal.
the quality of being economical with money or food; thriftiness.
• "he scorned the finer things in life and valued frugality and simplicity"
• "Frugal" and "prudent" both mean being cautious and
economical in the use of resources. "Prudent" also has the
meaning of being cautious in other matters of self interest.
"It would be prudent not to tell your boss that you are
looking for another job." "Be prudent in what you say to the
police..."
 Demonstrate the virtues of Prudence and
Frugality toward Environment
Fromm (2013) proposed a new society that should encourage the emergence of a new human being that will foster prudence
and moderation or frugality toward environment. These are some of the functions of Fromms envisioned society:
1. The willingness to give up all forms of having, in order to fully be.
2. Being fully present where one is.
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. (having or showing a
lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous: She's so naive she believes everything she reads. He has a very naive
attitude toward politics. having or showing unaffected simplicity of nature or absence of artificiality; unsophisticated;
ingenuous.)
6. Freedom that is not arbitrariness ( is the quality of being "determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity,
reason, or principle".) It is also used to refer to a choice made without any specific criterion or restraint. 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.
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 is so satisfactory that the concern for what for
what night 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 this society cross all party lines; for protecting nature needs focused
conservation, action, political will, and support from industry. If all these sectors agree on the
same goals, the possibility of change would seem to be considerably greater, especially since
most citizens have become less and less interested in party loyalty slogans.