Levels of Human Nature and Related Principles

This article (Module 3, Lesson 2: The Three Levels of Human Nature) forms part of the course Philosophical and Ethical Foundations of Values Education.

Our human nature has three-fold levels: they are somatic, attitudinal, and behavioral. Let`s go and talk about each of these levels of human nature.

1. Somatic Level of Human Nature

When we say Somatic Level – we are talking about the material body itself or the constitution of our body. Halimbawa: height, weight, color, shape of the face, nose, ears, lips, the color of skin, eyes, hair, and so on.

These are conditioned by our nurture and heredity. Kasama na yong mga namana natin sa genes or DNA. Noong ipinangank tayo, ang template ng ating bodily structure ay nakuha syempre sa ating mga magulang. Kung Filipino ang parents, syempre ang itsura natin pinoy din. Kung Pinay at Kano ang parents, syempre ang itsura natin mejo kakaiba sa tipikal na pinoy, di ba? So, depende sa template. And the way we look physically is determined by that template. So, that is somatic level.

2. Attitudinal Level of Human Nature

When we say Attitudinal – it refers to the mental action of every human to a given stimulus, or the position of every individual concerning his/her opinion, feeling, or mood. It also refers to our internal dispositions and motivations that drive us or push us to act or not to act, to be or not to be.

In other words, our attitudinal aspect, or ang ating attitude ang nagtutulak sa atin na kumilos o magbehave in a certain way.

Kaya mahalaga na sa mental level pa lang, nadidisiplina na natin ang ating sarili, o ang ating mga istudyante kase ito ang pinag-uugatan ng maganda at pangit na pag-uugali. At nakikita ito sa ating behavior, yond mode of acting natin. Kaya natin nasasabi na masama ang attitude o ugali ng isang tao, kase yong kilos at pananalita ay hindi ayon sa standard natin ng kabutihang asal.

Again, our attitudinal aspect or attitude, that is, at the mental level, that is where the battle begins. The battle to be positive or negative; and the battle to react nicely or violently. This is where Values Education plays a crucial role because if we can be victorious in molding our mental state or attitude, we can most probably expect good behavior among our students.

3. Behavioral Level of Human Nature

Lastly, the Behavioral Level of human nature refers to the mode of acting of every human person.
It is our way of doing things or saying our positions and reactions.

This is the product of our mental reactions or dispositions, or our attitudes. Our behavior is the external product of our attitude.

Kaya napakahalaga na formed o nahulma ng maayos ang attitude because it usually determines our altitude in life.

So, those are the three-fold level of human nature.

Principles related to human nature

Now, let`s talk about some principles related to human nature or levels of human nature.

1. Human being is the substantial union of body and soul

When we say a Human being is the substantial union of body and soul, the soul, even as it is a source of vital functions, needs the support of the body. Thus, while the soul has its own peculiar functions, certain acts are shown by the soul (psyche) and the body (soma). Thus, these actions are called psychosomatic. The human being is both material and spiritual beings.

This is a foundational premise in the context of Values Education. When we talk about our nature, our purpose in life, our tendencies, and our origin, it is crucial that we begin or at least acknowledge the reality that we are a composite of material and immaterial elements. Failure to acknowledge this premise will result in a faulty understanding of our essence and ultimate end.

2. Human being is a social being.

When we say a human being is a social being, a human is a person who always exists with others in the world. Human’s social nature is ontological because human is always a being-with-others even if there is no actual presence of “others”.

Human beings do not need to experience being social in order for them to be social since our social nature is inherent in every individual. The quality of our relatedness or relationship to our fellow human beings requires a learning process, that`s because relationships, especially good relationships, are not given, but made and built.

Hence, in Values education, we provide opportunities and avenues for our students to learn how to build, repair, maintain, and promote good relationships.

3. Human being is a historical being.

When we say, a human is a historical being, it means that we are being-in-the-world, which makes us a being-in-history. As we transcend from our present to the past, we become aware of our simple origin; and as we transcend from our present to the future, we are able to envision life and envision how we can develop and give progress to the world and to our own existence, which is rooted in this world.

In Values Education, we help our students learn from history, specifically from their own historical experiences. Their experiences, including the experiences of others, are good sources of learning essential values or virtues. Both the good and the bad experiences and stories in the past can serve as springboards to values discussion and learning so they can characterize those values in their present lives and become good citizens in the future.

4. Human being is an acting being.

When we say, a human being is an acting being, it differentiates us from animals who only move; but we humans, move and act with purpose. We are acting beings. We are the only creatures that possess spiritual powers (intellect and will) rooted in our spirituality.

As rational and free, we are capable to know that there are actions that are right and wrong, and good or bad; and we know that we are responsible for our actions. Our rationality enables us to think and to know actions that are leading to truths and to achieving wisdom, which is the ultimate goal of our knowledge.
On the other hand, our will enables us to choose better or best options. It enables us to perform good acts that can practice virtue, which is the ultimate goal of the will.

In Values Education, we incorporate activities that are done for the purpose of forming the will or the conscience of our students. It is not enough to just understand that human beings are acting beings. If we are acting beings, then, in Values Education, we educate our students to learn how to act morally and behave accordingly.

Our primary target in Values Education is the attitudinal level of our students. As I mentioned, that is where the battle begins. If we win at the attitudinal level of our students, then, half of the battle is already won.

So, those are the important principles related to the three levels of human nature.

To recap, we discussed the three levels of human nature (somatic, attitudinal, and behavioral); and the principles related to human nature.

For other modules in this course (Philosophical and Ethical Foundations of Values Education), check the links below:
Module 1: Introduction
Module 2: Philosophies of Man
Module 3: Human Nature

Alternatively, you can watch on YouTube this brief lecture on human nature.

REFERENCES

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• Lipio, F.C.O.P. (1998). Conscience: A Catholic Filipino View. St. Paul’s Philippines.
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