Lesson 6.2: Human Body as an Embodied Spirit Flashcards
Approaches to the Philosophical Study of the Human Person:
metaphysical and existential approach
kinds of substances and capacities that uniquely make up a
human person; examines the essential components of a human person.
metaphysical approach
kind of life/mode of existence, that is unique to a human person.
This examines the essential features of the human way of life.
existential approach
describes the metaphysical approach as dealing with the
what of a human person, while the existential approach as dealing with the who of a human
person.
martin heidegger
dealing with the
what of a human person,
metaphysical approach
dealing with the who of a human
person.
existential approach
emphasizes its life-giving function.
soul
emphasizes its consciousness.
mind
nonbodily, nonbiological, or nonphysical nature
spirit
three possible views of what makes up a human person
unspirited body view, disembodied spirit view, embodied spirit view
no spiritual component, no such thing as spirit.
unspirited body view
is essentially just her/his spirit. This view maintains that the
human person has both body and spirit but claims that it is the spirit that essentially defines
a person.
disembodied spirit view
unity of body and spirit. Both cannot exist independently of one
another. Each will not survive with the absence of the other
embodied spirit view
Two strong supporters of the disembodied view are
plato and rene descartes
plato called the spirit as the
soul
descartes called the spirit as the
mind
belief in the disembodied view led to the belief in
immortality and reincarnation (belief of plato)
belief that the soul travels from one body to another)
reincarnation
views of Reality as composed of 2 different types of substances, namely,
mind (nonphysical kind) and matter (the physical kind)
rene descartes
includes the imperfect minds of human and the perfect mind of God.
mind
supporters of embodied spirit
aristotle and thomas aquinas
regards the soul as the principle (cause) of life, it gives life to something.
aristotle
the principle (cause) of life
soul according to aristotle
material aspect or matter
body according to aristotle
formal aspect or form
soul according to aristotle
natural capacity, ability or function of something
form according to aristotle
the kind of material that it is made of.
matter according to aristotle
a set or system of capacities or abilities that gives life to something.
soul
vegetative/nutritive soul
soul of plants
nourishment, growth, reproduction, sensation and
locomotion
soul of animals/sensitive soul
nourishment, growth reproduction, locomotion sensation ,
intelligence or rational thinking, and freedom or free will.
soul of humans/rational soul
Aristotle does not believe in the
immortality of the soul
said that the rational soul of humans has a dual nature. There is a part of it that is
dependent on the body, but there is also a part of it that is not dependent on the body.
thomas aquinas
The rational ability to think is
not dependent on the body
The rational souls are
immortal according to aquinas
The soul that survives after the death of the human body is
no longer a human person according to aquinas
aquinas calls the human soul “________” rather than a substance to indicate that the
human soul, though immortal is incomplete in nature – and which can only be complete
again once the body is resurrected to reunite with its soul.
subsistent
the human quest for Absolute truth
hinduism
That the one’s soul and the Brahman or Atman (Absolute soul) might become one.
hinduism
who believes in hinduism
indians
for the indians, god first
created sound and the universe arose from it
the most sacred sound, is the root of the universe and everything that
exists and it continues to hold everything together.
Aum (Om)
Transcendence comes from the Latin prefix
Trans-
trans means
climbing or going beyond
Dual nature of human beings involves
soul and body
the spiritual and immortal essence.
soul (in hinduism)
it is ultimately real and eternal but is bound by the law of Karma(action) to the
world of the matter.
soul (in hinduism)
it can only escape after spiritual progress through an endless series of births.
soul (in hinduism)
temporarily encased in his body.
soul (in hinduism)
is empirical life and character.
body (in hinduism)
It is considered as nothing more than an illusion and
an obstacle to the realization of one’s real self.
body (in hinduism)
moksha means
liberation
jiva means
spirit
samsara means
continuous cycle (of life)
a doctrine that adheres to the belief that the person’s
soul passes into some other creature, human or animal.
transmigration/ metempsychosis/ reincarnation
one of the oldest Eastern traditions for about 5000 yrs.
hinduism
Humanity’s basic goal in life in hinduism
liberation (moksha) of spirit (jiva)
vidya means
true knowledge
atman means
real self
The attainment of self-knowledge means to
overcome congenital ignorance
four primary values of hinduism
wealth and pleasure; duty/righteousness; enlightenment; repeated existence
worldly values
wealth and pleasure
refers to patience, sincerity, fairness, love, honesty, and similar virtues
duty/righteousness
by which one is illuminated and liberated and finds release from the wheel of existence.
enlightenment
the destiny of those who do not achieve enlightenment
repeated existence
Finally, to understand enlightenment, one must undergo the
law of karma
From tears to enlightenment
buddhism
founder of buddhism
Siddharta Gautama or buddha
Turning away from Hindu Polytheism and palace pleasures, He began searching for
answers to the riddle of life’s sufferings, disease, old age and death.
buddhism
His life was devoted to sharing his “Dharma” or Law of Salvation
Siddharta Gautama or buddha
a simple presentation of
the gospel of inner cultivation of right spiritual attitudes, coupled with a self-imposed
discipline whereby bodily desires would be channeled in the right direction.
dharma
dharma means
law of salvation
four noble truths (readings)
life is full of suffering; suffering is caused by passionate desires, lusts, and cravings; only as these are obliterated, will suffering cease; the eradication of desire may be accomplished only by following the eightfold path of earnest endeavor
eightfold path (readings)
RIGHT belief in; aspiration; speech; conduct; means; endeavor; mindfulness; meditation
-Lies through self-abnegation, right discipline of mind and body, a consuming love for all
living creatures, and the final achievement of that state of consciousness which marks an
individual’s full preparation for entering the NIRVANA (enlightened wisdom) of complete
selflessness.
way to salvation
nirvana means
enlightened wisdom
Buddhism stresses the cultivation of wisdom and discernment
REFRAIN FROM destroying life; taking what is not given; misuse of the senses; wrong speech; taking drugs or drinks that tend to cloud the mind
in christianity, philosophy is
love of god
-Teachings of Christianity are based on the
love of god
as presenting the full revelation of the true God, is the only full and true philosophy
christianity
Augustine’s view of humanity
man as a rational soul using a mortal body (platonic view); man is a rational substance constituted of soul and body
the soul may be considered as a
substance (according to augustine)
freed from anger and bitter vs. the hardness of the heart that is
reinforced by whole series of rational arguments.
forgiveness
There is perfection – in every single flower, for a hug, for every sunrise and sunset, to eat
together as a family, are our miracles.
Truly, moments of grace. Touch us deeply and the human heart is spontaneously lifted
During this experience, we need to offer praise.
beauty of nature
-without acknowledging the help of others, is to live without meaning and direction. Such
moments of poverty and dependence on others are not a sign of weakness but being
true with ourselves.
vulnerability
force us to confront our weaknesses and limitations and force us to surrender to
a mystery or look upon a bigger world. Such acceptance of our failures gives us hope and
trust that all can be brought into good.
failures
can be rooted from our sense of vulnerability and fear of death. But it is our
choice to live in an impossible world where we are always happy.
loneliness
is to experience richness, positivity and transcendence.
love
