UNIT 7 The Human Person in the Society

Summary

In this episode, Anna introduces the concept of the human person in society, emphasizing the importance of intersubjectivity—mutual recognition of individuals as persons. The lesson explores how societies form and how individuals are shaped by them, highlighting various types of societies such as hunting and gathering, pastoral, agrarian, feudal, industrial, and post-industrial societies. Anna also discusses the role of social institutions and how historical development influences these societal forms. She encourages viewers to reflect on how their family, school, and community shape their identities, and invites them to consider the factors that drive the formation of societies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Inter-subjectivity refers to the mutual recognition of individuals as persons, emphasizing authentic dialogue in relationships.
• 😀 The human person’s identity is shaped by family, school, and community influences, highlighting the importance of social contexts in personal development.
• 😀 The concept of society revolves around organized groups of people who share a common territory, culture, and goals, all working toward the common good.
• 😀 Social institutions like the government, schools, hospitals, and churches emerge to facilitate the collective effort toward achieving the common good.
• 😀 Aristotle’s idea of man as a social animal underscores the human need for relationships and society, with personal identity evolving through interaction with others.
• 😀 The development of societies reflects responses to historical and environmental changes, starting with simple forms and progressing to more complex systems.
• 😀 The earliest form of society was the hunting and gathering society, where people were nomadic and small in size, depending on nature for survival.
• 😀 The pastoral society, characterized by domestication of animals, offered more stability and larger populations, eventually leading to specialized roles in the community.
• 😀 Horticultural societies focused on small-scale cultivation and domestication, where semi-nomadic groups grew food and animals, with defined gender roles in tasks.
• 😀 Agrarian societies emerged with large-scale agriculture and improved technology, resulting in larger populations, structured social systems, and sometimes conflicts over resources.
• 😀 Industrial societies, shaped by the Industrial Revolution, relied on machinery and mass production, leading to cultural diversity, impersonal workplace relations, and social hierarchies.
• 😀 Post-industrial societies focus on the generation and sale of information, facilitated by advanced technology, and have a higher demand for specialized education and training.
• 😀 The concept of virtual society, born from the growth of communication technology, allows people to engage in global activities and access vast amounts of information.
• 😀 Despite technological advancements, the human person remains the center of society and the primary agent of social change, responding to events and developments that shape the community.

Q & A

What is intersubjectivity and why is it important in human relations?

Intersubjectivity is the mutual recognition of individuals as persons, which is essential for authentic dialogue and understanding in human relations.

How do human beings form societies according to the transcript?

Human beings form societies through relationships with others, and they are influenced by social contexts such as family, school, and community. Societies evolve as individuals' needs and roles change over time.

What are some examples of how the family, school, and community influence a person's identity?

The family shapes a person's initial identity by providing basic needs and love. The school influences growth through education and social interaction, while the community affects one's sense of belonging and participation in societal activities.

What is meant by the concept of the 'common good' in society?

The common good refers to benefits that apply to all members of society, where everyone works together to ensure that each person can live in a world that offers opportunities for personal satisfaction and collective progress.

What are the key elements that define a society?

A society is defined by its people, culture (shared values and practices), territory, and common goals. It is built around the idea of mutual benefit and cooperation for the common good.

How did social institutions emerge, and what are some examples?

Social institutions emerged from the human desire for survival and the pursuit of the common good. Examples include the government, school, hospital, military, and church, all of which serve to organize and support society.

What is the hunting and gathering society, and what are its characteristics?

The hunting and gathering society is the earliest and simplest form of society, characterized by small, nomadic groups that relied on hunting animals and gathering food. They had no permanent territory.

How does a pastoral society differ from a hunting and gathering society?

A pastoral society is based on the domestication of animals for a stable food supply, allowing them to settle in one place longer than hunting and gathering societies, which were nomadic. Pastoral societies also had larger populations and engaged in trade.

What role did technology play in the development of industrial societies?

Technology played a key role in industrial societies by introducing specialized machinery for mass production. It spurred innovations in transportation and communication and contributed to the growth of factories and capitalist economies.

How does a post-industrial society differ from an industrial society?

A post-industrial society focuses on information, knowledge, and services rather than industrial production. It is driven by advanced technology and emphasizes the generation, storage, and manipulation of information, resulting in cultural and societal changes.