Lesson 4

• Man

  An important subject in Philosophy; understanding the nature and condition of man is the foremost goal of the discipline
• Terms referring to man

  • Humanity
  • Mankind
  • Humankind
• Human


  Refers to man as a specie - homo sapiens or modern human beings
• Person


  A term referring to a human being granted recognition of certain rights, protection, and responsibilities
• Biological Perspective

  1. Considers man as a part of the natural world and a product of evolution

  2. Modern humans (homo sapiens sapiens) are considered one of the most successfully adapted species on the planet

  3. Humans are closely related to primates but have developed distinct physical features such as bipedalism
• Psychological Perspective


  1. Places emphasis on human behavior and thought processes in analyzing human nature; man possesses mental faculties that enable him to possess awareness, a sense of self, and the capacity to perceive and experience

  2. Mental faculties include psyche, rationality, intelligence, introspection
• Economic Perspective


  1. Focuses on man's ability to engage in productive activities in an effort to meet his wants and needs

  2. Emerged in the 19th century and places emphasis on the “economic man” (homo economicus) who is driven by rationality and self-interest in his desire to possess wealth

  3. Man as a productive being; economic forces are a greater influence on the actions of man than society/culture
• Theological Perspective

  1. Considers man as God's creation

  2. Man is considered to have a special relationship with the Creator, being created in His image and given an immortal spirit

  3. Man's existence was brought about by the purposive creative act of God, and his ultimate destiny is part of a divine plan
• Important terms related to man

  • Awareness of self; sentience
  • Self as: innate, emergent, integrated, and developing
  • Identity, Personhood, Person
  • The person as an “autonomous being”
  • The person as a “unified individual”
  • The person in relation to others
• Monkeys are known for their playful behavior. They eat seeds, flowers, fruits, and leaves. Monkeys become adults after 3-4 years of life
• Gorillas can stand as tall as an average human. They can grow to be around 450lbs. Gorillas have unique noseprints
• There are over 100 species of lemurs. They typically eat fruit and leaves. A lemur's tail is longer than its body
• Snakes are reptiles that shed their skin. They are meat eaters and will eat things like lizards, fish, insects, or even other snakes. A snake uses its tongue to smell with
• Flamingos can grow to be over 5 feet tall. They eat algae, shrimp, insects, and plant materials. Their legs are typically longer than their bodies
• Pandas will eat small animals and fish, but 99% of their diet is made up of bamboo. Unlike most other bears, panda bears do not hibernate
• Hippos are the third largest mammals in the world. They are native to Africa and are omnivores, eating only plants