Course name is(Philosophy of the Human Person): reflection paper guide

The Definition and Components of Meaning

Many philosophers, both historical and contemporary, have attempted to describe the concept of meaning. Aquinas, Aristotle, and Augustine are some of the common philosophers who have attempted to describe meaning. According to Thomas Aquinas, meaning is a paradox (Thomas, 1998). Meaning is a paradox because people define meaning through their intellect, which is developed through their experiences and learning (Frankly, 2004). Since every person creates their own meaning, what it means to be human is a unique experience to every person. I think that Tthere are various components of meaning, but each human being has a personal connection to what they believe is the meaning of their life. For example, Socrates believed that to be human is to strive for morality in our actions. This philosopher believed that, "The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life." (Frankly, 2004, p.251) If it is indeed true that human being’s purpose in life is to strive for morality, then it means that people across the world have different definitions of their meaning because morality of relative. However, morality is a concept defined by culture, so people from diverse cultures have a unique concept of morality. There is no single definition that could universally define what it means to be a human person. Comment by Prof. Peduti: Reliance upon authorities is one way to support a claim, but this paper asks that instead of authority, experience is offered as support. Comment by Prof. Peduti: Rework this section without all the variety of sources and simply define it.

TI believe that the meaning of life can be explained from a doctrinal perspective. Even though every person has a unique idea of what it means to a human, one thing that is universal is that all people have personal beliefs about the world. These beliefs may be grounded on religion, science, or any other body of teachings, but all people have the ability to use their rational thinking to create beliefs in a particular doctrine. The doctrinal beliefs of people affect the way they act, interact with other people, and make decisions. These beliefs also have a direct impact on people’s emotions because they affect what they consider to be a source of sadness or happiness. The concept of right and wrong, which affects how people act in life is also rooted in the doctrinal beliefs. In general, the capacity to be human is based on a person’s beliefs, which they form gradually through learning and experiences. Comment by Prof. Peduti: Avoid these unnecessary references to yourself. If a particular experience helps explain the issue, introduce it as an example of uniqueness that we all desire; otherwise keep the focus on the topic at hand. Removes these throughout the paper.

However, I we cannot ignore that one cannot be human without the somatic characteristics of a human being. To be human is not only about a person’s spirituality, beliefs, and mentality. It is about the physical characteristics that enable the person to form these non-somatic characteristics in the first place. Human beings are the most developed organismsorganisms, and this is what makes them different from other animals. The meaning of being human is having the capability to think on one’s own, and it is the physical capabilities that we are born with that make it possible for this happen. Comment by Prof. Peduti: Effective discussion

Human Experience of Meaning

Every person experiences being human according to their personal doctrinal beliefs. Since every person has their person understanding of what it means to be human, they experience being a human person differently. For instance, it is through rational thinking that human beings choose between right and wrong. Therefore, to be human is to be able to think rationally and choose between what is wrong and what is right. After a person has been able to make this decision, they live their life and interact with others according to their concept of right and wrong. However, the concept of right and wrong is unique to every person. For instance, in the case of terrorism, I believe that it is wrong to kill innocent people as a way of coercing people with power to do something. However, from the perspective of the terrorists, they are doing the right thing. Most terrorists are religious extremists who perform their acts with the belief that they are serving their god. For them, the meaning of being human is to be able to live by their religious teachings. They are able to perform acts that are universally unacceptable because their meaning of being human is only based on their personal religious beliefs. Comment by Prof. Peduti: The paper seems to leave this question unanswered.

As a person who us religious, IMany believe that the meaning of my existence is defined by the teachings of the Bible. Christians’ sense of meaning is based on the Hholy Trinity, which includes the Ffather, the Sson, and the Holy Spirit. They believe that God is three people persons in one, and that he attracts the ultimate purpose in their lives. Based on these beliefs, I many create the meaning of what it means to be human. Christianity determines what I they believe, how I they act, and my their relationships with other humans. The same trend is seen in Islam where Muslims believe in Allah and other religious prophets, who determine how they view the meaning of life. Basically, religions have their unique teachings that determine the unique view that human beings have on the meaning of life. Even the atheists, who do not believe in the existence of a god, have unique doctrines from where they gain their idea of the meaning of life. For some, it may be science. They gain their concept of meaning from scientific evidence that has been presented through time. From these beliefs they create a concept of what it means to be a human person. From every person’s unique doctrine they determine how they want to live their life (Cooper, 2002). Comment by Prof. Peduti: Delete these sources, since the paper’s assignment does not want these. See guide sheet.

I believe that Tthe true meaning of being human is to be able to choose between right and wrong. Their doctrine could have a promise of a reward if they manage to live by their true meaning. For others, true meaning of life is determined by what they want to achieve while they are still alive. Instead of focusing on the reward they will get from living a certain way, they believe that true meaning of being a human is self-satisfaction. A person may aspire to happiness as their true meaning of life. Comment by Prof. Peduti: New idea, new paragraph Comment by Prof. Peduti: The topic here is an ethical one of right or wrong, but the paragraph discusses other things that are not under ethics. Rework this to discuss only the topic.

Personal experiences also have a great impact on my view of what it means to be a human person. Aside from what is taught in my religious doctrines, weI have developed a sense of meaning from my experiences. Experiences have strengthened and sometimes changed my idea of life and what it means to be human. For example, when I we go through a tragic experience, it affects the manner in which I view life. Similarly, happy experiences affect my idea of life’s meaning. The effect that experiences has on me is highly dependent on the teachings of my religious doctrine, which is Christianity. For instance, my religion promises happiness for performing acts that are considered to be good. Therefore, a person who performs something good and ends up experiencing tragedy may find themselves stopping the belief that living is about choosing right from wrong and living by what is expected to be right. Happiness can strengthen a religious person’s belief in the ability of their respective gods to provide them with good things if their meaning is based on doing the right thing. Comment by Prof. Peduti: Remove all the references to yourself. Place it in to third person narration. Comment by Prof. Peduti: This seems redundant from the paragraph on religions.

Conclusion

There is no single definition of the meaning of human life. What it means to be human is a unique concept for every person. Human beings are special in terms of their development. They are the only organisms that are able to think rationally and make meaning from their experiences and learning. Through the meaning that a person creates, they determine how they should act, what they should know, how they should interact with others and so on. The personal understanding of what it means to be human is also affected by the relativity of the differences in the doctrinal beliefs of every person. All people have different doctrines from where they base their beliefs. For people who base their beliefs in religion, their meaning of life is to be able to live by the teachings of their respective religions. They make decisions of what is right and wrong and how they should act based on what their religious teachings tell them. For those who believe in science, meaning is based on the scientific evidence that has been developed through time. In general, the meaning of being a human person is unique to every human being. Comment by Prof. Peduti: Conclusion needs to match the thesis better.

Kai yan:

The paper does have the necessary elements required. The ideas also are worthwhile and add significance to the paper.

Suggestions for a better paper:

· Thesis needs to reflect all of the paper’s persuasive argument: broaden the thesis to conclude all of the discussion OR short the topics discussed in the body of the paper.

· Some of the paragraphs need a controlling idea. To find it ask what the paragraph was describing, then add this as the controlling idea. Then, rework the sentences around it.

· Use transitions. The paper seems to have many different aspects to a meaningful life, but these need to be tied together as a coherent whole.

· One bullet point/arrow needs to be addressed more clearly: to what extent can a personal relationship relate to us all. Only here can the personal apply.

· Conclusion needs to highlight the thesis and major points of what the paper argued in addition to closing with a resounding insight.

· Rely on experience to support the claims, not authorities.

· Correct the grammatical errors within the paper. Never hesitate to use the writing center to be another set of eyes in order to make sentences smoother.

· More importantly, review the paragraphs; do they still seem to fit what you want to say now?

75

This is considered to be a draft. For a better grade, revise and resubmit in one week.

References

Cooper, J. M. (2002). Plato: Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo. Hackett Publishing.

Frankly, V. E. (2004). Man’s search for meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the holocaust. Comment by Prof. Peduti: Titles of long works: dialogues, films and books are italicized or underlined, here and hereafter. On the other hand, titles of short works: articles, sections of books, essays, songs, poems and papers are set off with quotation marks, not italicized.

Garreau, J. (2006). Radical evolution: the promise and peril of enhancing our minds, our bodies--and what it means to be human. Random House Digital, Inc..

Thomas, S. (1988). The philosophy of Thomas Aquinas: introductory readings. Taylor & Francis.