The-Human-Person-in-the-Environment-Copy

The Human
Person in the
Environment
Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson the learner should be able to;
A. Notice Disorder in the Universe
B. Notice Things that Are not in Their
Proper Place and Organize Them in an
Aesthetic Way
C. Show that Care for the Environment
Contributes to Health, Well-being and
Sustainable Development
D. Demonstrate the Virtues of Prudence
Introduction
… The speculations of the pre-Socratic philosophers
represent a paradigm shift- a change from the
mythical explanation of the origins of the cosmos to a
more rational explanation. These philosophers were
looking for the underlying laws of nature. They wanted
to understand the processes by studying the nature
itself, not by listening to stories about the gods.
Though not as sophisticated in the 21 st century
standard, the pre-Socratic philosophers do represent
the first intellectual and scientific attempt to
understand the origins of the universe.
There are different views or concepts on nature or
the environment from which debates or researches
can be framed and reframed. Based on the
Anthropocentric model, humans are superior and
central to the universe. Ecocentric model the
ecological or relational integrity of the humans,
provides meaning of our morals and values.
Ecological positioning occurs in the past, present,
and future, and their environmental settings with
regard to our identifications, relations and
attachments in, about, with or for various natures
(Payne 2000).
Figure 1.1 Anthropocentric
HUMAN
model
CULTURE
INDIVIDUALISM
MIND
CALCULATIVE
HUMAN OVER AGAINST
ENVIRONMENT
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGICAL
Anthropocentric- considering human beings
as the most significant entity of the
universe.
Interpreting or regarding the world in terms
of human values and experiences.
Ecocentric- having a serious concern for
environmental issues.
The domination of humanity is linked to the
domination of nature based on the
anthropocentric model. An 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 interests. Sometimes,
human adopt an exploitative attitude whenever
nature is merely considered as an instrument
for one’s profit or gain. For example, quarrying
or cutting down age old trees could justify our
Figure 1.2 Ecocentric model
NATURE
WILD
HOLISM
NATURE/COSMOS
BODY
RELATIONAL
EARTH WISDOM
ECOLOGY OVER AGAINST
HUMANS
The ecocentric model puts the ecosystem first and
assumes that the natural world has intrinsic value.
Nature is not valued for the future survival of human
species, but is invaluable in itself. For instance, human
have a responsibility toward the land. However,
because of the anthropocentric attitude, humanity
claims ownership or authority over land. For
ecocentric model, instead, love, respect, admiration,
for nature, and high regard for its value is essential.
For instance, in the ecocentric model, land will be
considered not an instrumental mode of production
but will be preserved with integrity, stability, and
beauty. It is incorrect when it tends otherwise.
 According to Payne (2009), classrooms cannot set aside the
importance of aesthetics as well as environment that suggests
valuing that include: aesthetic appreciation; enjoyment,
relaxation, satisfaction, calm, peace, social interaction, growth
toward holism, and self-understanding. Every day, we
experience or hear of how nature is destroyed and, thus, there
are floods, flash floods, and landslides, among others.
 Our limited understanding of our environment opens for a
need for philosophical investigation of nature, applying
aesthetic and theological dimensions, as well as appreciating
our philosophical reflections with concept of nature itself. In
the earlier chapters, we have the underlying qualities of
human being as holistic and transcendental. Not only should
we value the concepts of other people but to consider
carefully, the moral, ethical, political, cultural and ecological
Guided Learning
1. Distinguish the econcentric from

anthropocentric models. Cite
examples.
2. In your observation, how do
humans regard/view/care the
environment? Explain. In what way/s
are your answers positive or
Guided Learning
Interactive work
1. Inyour opinion, how can we protect, conserve, and
restore our environment? You can further assess
your answer by planning a nature walk or simply
doing what is the basic values in your surroundings
that shows concern to your environment.
2. Based on the previous videos, Are you happy with
what you see or experience in nature? How will you
organize or improve the environment or world that
you belong to?
ANCIENT THINKERS- Early Greek
philosophers, the Milesians, regarded Nature as
spatially without boundaries, that is, infinite or
indefinite in extent. One ancient thinker,
Anaximander- employed the term
“boundless” to convey the further
thought that nature is indeterminate-
boundless in the sense that no
boundaries between the warm and
cold or the moist and dry regions are
originally present within it.
Pythagoras- 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 “cosmophillia” (love
of other living beings). Perhaps,
we could consider 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
chain of natural consequences. All events in the
universe follow a transitional process due to the
primeval pair, the yang and the 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 (Quito 1991). Human beings
happiness lies in his conformity with nature or tao, the
wise, therefore, conforms with tao and is happy.
Modern Thinkers
Immanuel Kant- “Expresses that beauty is
ultimately a symbol of morality.” ( beauty serves as a morality )
- 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 translated
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 out thoughts toward a
supersensible reality. Ultimately, Kant believes that
the orderliness of nature and the harmony of nature
with our 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
Understanding our
relationship 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
George Mead
- For Mead as human, 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.
Guided Learning
1. Compare the importance of nature
from the ancient to the modern era.
2. Review the ecocentric model and
evaluate your personal views and
attitudes toward nature.
3. How you can organize the garbage
in a more aesthetic way?
There are numerous theories to show care for the
environment aside from the ecocentric model such as
Deep Ecology, Social Ecology, and Ecofeminism.
A. Deep ecology- For this theory, ecological crisis is an outcome of
Anthropocentrism, which is already discussed. 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- For this theory,, ecological 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 a small-scale societies, which recognize
that humanity is liked with the well-being of the natural world in which
human life depends.
C. Ecofeminism- This theory argues that ecological crisis is a consequence
of male dominance. In this view, whatever is “superior” is entitled to
Erich Fromm
- German humanistic philosopher,
believes that it is about time that
humanity ought to recognize not
only itself but also the world around
it. Fromm, as human beings, our
biological urge for survival turns
into selfishness and laziness.
Fromm argues that as humans, it is
also inherent in us to escape the
prison cell of selfishness.
Proposed a new society that should encourage the emergence of a new
human being that will foster prudence(alertness)and moderation or
frugality(being economical)toward environment. These are some of the functions
of Fromm’s 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.
6. Freedom that is not arbitrariness (dictatoria) 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 can is 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 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 and slogans.
Guided Learning
Write your thoughts regarding these passages below. You are
given three minutes to complete the task.
1. The controlling attitude of humankind is extended to nature,
when in fact, humanity is part of nature.
2. Destroying nature is a reflection wherein few people
overpower others while exploiting the environment for profit or
self-interest.
3. Fromm argues that as humans, it is also inherent in us to
escape the prison cell or selfishness.
4. How do you understand the meaning of frugality and prudence
toward the environment? Cite examples.

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The Human

1. Distinguish the econcentric from

2. Being fully present where one is.

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