Philosophical Anthropology First class

Man as object of study

Definition The study of man from the angle of his being Is the systematic study of man from his ontological underpinnings The study of man from the angle of his being

Fields that study man Psychology Psychoanalysis Sociology Cultural anthropology Medicine Etc

Macheo Achievement Programme

Science and study of man? The solutions advanced by scientists are less satisfying Have informed us with great precision about organs, activity but nothing about the true nature of man universally, his origin nor his destiny. Scientific disciplines offer only a partial and superficial knowledge of man

Method of PA PA is legitimately part of philosophy as it aims to make man known as he is. Human reality poses problems that reason by itself does not succeed in resolving. Philosophy intends to find a total, complete, conclusive response to who is man.

PA proceeds from phenomena to the causes and intends to discover the ultimate reasons of the phenomena. (From action to the being of man) The soul cannot be explained by experimental anthropology but by PA.

History of PA The term PA is a recent terminology, initially there was De anima (on the soul) De homine (on man), Later Wolff called it psychology (1732) Kant introduced the term anthropology in 1778 and termed it a systematically ordered doctrine of the knowledge of man

Principal phases in PA Cosmocentric Theocentric Anthropocentric

Cosmocentric The Greeks philosophers studied man in the plane of nature , of the cosmos; for them man realizes himself only when he behaves according to the laws of nature.

Theocentric Studied man from the perspective of God. Man behaves correctly and reaches full realization of himself if he conforms to the law of God and takes God himself as his model Background on which human activity develops is based on the history of salvation

Anthropocentric In modern period that man is understood as supreme being and the measure of all things, and therefore there cannot be any scope wider than this one.

Key philosophers in each phase Cosmocentric Plato Aristotle

Plato Man is essentially soul, spiritual and incorruptible soul and therefore certainly immortal; the should should be freed from the prison of the body.

Aristotle Man is composed of soul and body Soul is the form for man and superior to the body Its corrupted by the death of the body

Theocentric Augustine St thomas

Augustine Studied man with extraordinary passion Soul is the place where God manifests himself clearly Problems he explored included evil, sin, freedom , the person, self transcedence and origin of the soul

St . Thomas Aquinas Man is essentially composed of soul and body but the soul is not subordinate to the body; rather the body is subordinate to the soul; soul possesses being directly- ie has own act of being which takes body as participant Soul is immortal

Anthropocentric Descartes Rene : man is the starting point for philosophizing. David Hume: paints a picture of man as definitive individual Comte: man as social being Freud: man as a complex of instincts Gehlen: man as anima that isnot yet specialised

The way of philosophy Philosophy is wisdom ; it is more the fruit of meditation than of study It’s a personal conquest, which is transmitted to others more through example than through communication The philosopher doesnot teach the truth, but suggests the way to discover it.

Approaches to the study of PA

1. Metaphysical Point of View It is viewing man from his ontological underpinnings [i.e. what defines man as man] It is a study of man from the point of view of his being.

2. Phenomenological Point of View This method of inquiry in which one opens oneself up to perceiving a variety of phenomena without judging or focusing on any particular one. This kind of investigation requires an inner state of devoid of pre-conceptions, intentions and judgements, particularly relating to inner movements, such as sensations, feelings or ideas.

3. Cultural Point of View Study of human cultures. Scholars in philosophical anthropology examine social and cultural influences on individual psychology and the psychological foundations of social behaviour and shared culture.

4. Faith and the vision of man Point of View Study of man from the point of view of his inner quest of search for life’s meaning within one’s own faith. In many ways, throughout history down to the present day, men have given expression to their quest for God in their religious beliefs and behaviour: in their prayers, sacrifices, rituals, meditations, and so forth. These forms of religious expression, despite the ambiguities they often bring with them, are so universal that one may well call man a religious being.

Relevance of studying PA Understanding of man grounds morality and history Understanding of man helps us appreciate his capabilities and consequently human relationships in society Helps us understand the needs and wants of man and consequently what will make him happy Gives an appreciation of the subjective and objective view of man

Helps in understanding the thinking of man Helps in understanding the emotional aspect of man (beauty) Gives us a better sense of belonging Helps us understand the religious aspect of man