Humanity in context to Human History

by Jose Francis M. Llenado MA RPsy

Department of Psychology, AdZU

Ancient Period Medieval Period Modern Period Post-Modern Period

3000 BC to 476 AC 476 AC to 1492 AC 1492 AC to 1789 AC 1789 AC to Present day

Frame of thought: Frame of thought: Frame of thought: Frame of thought:

Cosmocentric Theocentric Anthropocentric Constructionism
“The universe and the natural order of all “Faith and Religion as the basis of all “the human person as the starting “reality is not external and can be grasped,
things” truth” point of knowing” there are multiple realities and multiple truths”

Thinkers such as Thales, Anaximander,
Pythagoras argued on fundamental
principle or elements which comprises the
cosmos (universe)as well as its origins or
characteristics, while Sophists (Socrates,
Plato) argued the relativism in knowledge
through the dialectic argument through
human reason.
Who or what are we:
Humans are made of elements from the
universe, hence we are inherently part of it,
thus our essence as humans follows the
same natural order as that of the universe.
We are bound to the principles of the
universe/cosmos, yet capable or reason
and awareness of existence
Philosophers were concerned with
establishing respectable philosophical
foundation for theological positions
from Greek Platonic and Aristotelian
philosophy Iconic Religious figures such
as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Agustin of
Hippo argued the existence for God
and the nature of his will through
scripture and doctrine
Who or what are we:
According to religious scriptures; “God
created man in his own imaged and
likeness” - our essence as humans, are
rooted in God and our action governed
by God’s will. Humans are above all
creation
Thinkers were departing from
dogmatism and emphasizing
observation, human experience at
the starting point of reality and
societal reform. Kierkegaard,
Descartes and Nietzsche argued for
the significance of human thought
and reason as existentialism and
phenomenology emerged
Who or what are we:
The meaning of human life is based
on their function, role and duty
Existence is meaningless, unless
humans give it meaning
The nature of the human self is not
inherent with meaning until the
people gives it meaning
People create meaning in their lives through
their experiences, interactions, and
communication with other people. People are
capable of creating their own meaning.
Reality is subjective and based on the use of
language (Hermeneutics)
Reality is a product of the person’s interaction
with the world
Who or what are we:
Humans are the starting point of meaning –
reality that exists outside of the human mind is
meaningless, until humans ascribe meaning to
it. An understanding of the human being lies
within the complex dynamic of the individual’s
meaning making process.
People are the experts of their own lives

The “Avocado View” The “Artichoke View”

Humans have an Essence (core) An enduring, stable self is seen as existing at the core of a person (Essentialism) Humans have no inherent essence (core), but rather exist to find one.
Humans are born with an inherent Essence (a component of something, without which it cannot exist or becomes Existentialism or the self-created self- asserts that a person comes into being as
another thing) – Human nature is predetermined through a rational element a bare existence and exists without a fixed essence: by choosing and
standing accountable for our choices, we can create a “self”