THE HUMAN PERSON IN SOCIETY
The objectives of studying this topic is to discuss the following:
What is society.
What is sociocultural evolution.
What are the different forms of society.
What are the views of Confucius, Plato and Aristotle on the
nature of society.
Differentiate the views of Hobbies and Locke on why society
needs a social contract.
How is the individual transformed by society.
1. What is society?
organized group of people whose members interact frequently and have a
common territory and culture.
companionship or friendly association with others, an alliance, a community,
or a union.
2. Sociocultural Evolution
It is the process by which a society’s social structure changes as its culture
and technology become more sophisticated.
3. How individuals form societies?
-The person is by nature a social being because he or she has the tendency to
go out of himself or herself to form bonds and relationships with others.
The fact that we do not need to do our activities alone.
The experiences of an individual as he/she grows through interactions with
other people in different settings.
The natural desire for goodness.
Pursuit of a common goal.
The human desire to achieve the goal of survival.
The concept of common good.
The Different Forms of Societies
Hunting and Gathering Society
earliest and simplest form of society.
small size.
composed mainly of families.
Nomadic
Pastoral Society
domestication of animals for food.
have larger populations than hunting and gathering societies.
remain longer in one place.
produce surplus food and resources.
Horticultural Society
small-scale cultivation of plants, fruits, and vegetables and the domestication
of animals.
semi-nomadic.
similar to the pastoral society, there is also a surplus of goods assignment
of tasks and occupations were often based on gender
Agrarian or Agricultural Society
a further evolution of the pastoral and horticultural societies.
large-scale and long-term cultivation of crops and domestication of animals.
have improve technology and the use of tools to aid in farming.
have increased production, giving rise to a growing population.
Feudal Society
based on the ownership of land.
Organized based on status.
Social relations: dependence
- Lord depends vassals’ resources. Vassals depend peasants’ service.
Peasants depend vassals’ protection.
Industrial Society
use of specialized machinery in the production of goods and services.
technological advances brought about by industrial revolution resulted in
improved trade and commerce.
greater inequalities in wealth, power, and influence.
people interact with individuals from different social settings.
Post-Industrial Society
based on knowledge, information, and the sale of services.
led by human mind, aided by highly advance technology.
generation, storage, manipulation, and sale of information.
members of society: have higher educational attainment, better training and
specialized roles
Virtual Society
organized people through communication technology and internet a
product of a post-industrial society.
engage in a complex relationships.
do not necessarily subscribe to certain norms or established standards of
behavior.
The views of Confucius, Plato and Aristotle on the nature of
society.
Confucius
Society should be based on virtue.
Plato
Society should be based on function and harmony.
Aristotle
Society is the natural state of humanity.
The views of Hobbes and Locke on why society needs a
social contract
Hobbes
Society needs a social contract to coexist peacefully.
John Locke
Society Needs a social contract to protect natural rights.
4. How individuals are transformed by societies?
-It is through our interactions with other individuals and institutions that we begin
to adopt the traits, traditions,and characteristics.
Experiencing a variety of relationships.
Interactions within society.
Society and its various aspects provide support that ensures the
development of the human person.-education, opportunities, unique traits
and characteristics.
You adopt the prevailing culture, identity, values, ideas, and knowledge of the
persons, groups, and communities that surround us.
The various groups and institutions in society that have contributed to our
identity as a person.
The interactions with your family, friends, schoolmates, teachers, and other
people in your community have all left inedible marks on your identity.
Its ability to define the relationships and interactions among its members.
Society influences the interactions of its members through the establishments
of norms.
Our continuous interactions and relations with different social classes,
groups, and social institutions contribute to shaping our view of the world and
defining our identity.
The historical development of society has brought about significant changes
in the way human beings relate to each other.
Society shapes us is through social values, which are actions or ideals that
are considered important and vital to maintaining an orderly society.
Other aspects of society that contribute to the formation of the individual
include language, religion, and historical events.
5. How does society enable me to become a better person?
-As much as we are influenced by our surroundings, our physical limits, and our
society, our personhood still provides us an opportunity to transcend and define
ourselves on our own terms.
Society recognizes the capability of the person to develop, and
provides its members with opportunities to better themselves.
Effective and efficient public service, education, and the maintenance of
peace and order ensures productive lives and realize our potential.
Various institutions and groups develop well-adjusted and productive
members, promote individual dignity of persons and guarantees that they are
able to live harmoniously with others.
Social systems ensures welfare of the person in society.
Apart from choosing not to be fully defined by society, Persons can
also undertake to contribute to society through their decisions and
actions.
A person can contribute to a social change by enacting and upholding his or
her social responsibilities well.
Upholding common good and welfare in respective societies.
support democratic values
cooperate with members of the community and other institutions uphold
values and goals of their respective societies
continues to be oriented toward what is good and beneficial for all
An individual’s actions can also cause great changes in society.
Numerous opportunities provided nowadays by improved technology and
access to information, have given ordinary people (non-political/non-
influential) the means to be sources of social change themselves.
Prepared by:
Alex Sabellano
Danish Anire
Niño Lhar Caraga
