My Philosophy of Human Nature

**photo credited to Monica Del Rosario and Marvin Tolentino

Our professor, in the beginning of our class in the Philosophical, Psychological and Sociological Foundations of Guidance, asked us to explore our thoughts about how we view human nature in general. 

My Philosophy of Human Nature

                Man’s existence is not a matter of meteorological chance, so as the world where he exists. Man and the world exist because of the divine plan. The will of God and His words put man into being and He directs his becoming. As I have earlier stated, God patterned man’s image from His own and so the divine potentials rest in him as he come into life- but he is also an earthy being that tends towards destruction (of any form). Since God patterned man from His own image, man’s innermost being is divine. But why is he vulnerable and corruptible? Because he is in an earthy place and he has freewill, like what St. Thomas said. This condition allows him to deviate from his godly root and only by divine intervention and his own will that he be able to return to such state. So, what constitutes man? God. And his own will.

                Given with loved condition, an atmosphere of acceptance and belongingness, man shall bloom favorably. It is in the spirit of love that man is prompted to be and to do. The absence of love, in fact, is what also motivates man. When a person is loved he will be able to trust in the goodness of things around him. When he trusts he will be free enough to explore his world; he knows when to hold on and to let go. When he is free he can initiate things and master it. When he does so, he will let his own self known to him -he is able to differentiate himself from others. When he finds himself, he is now ready to generate love –by receiving and giving it to his important circles. This is what genuine love can do for a person. Love is the reason behind man’s action. Why he chooses to trust or distrust –it’s love. Why he chooses to hold on or let go –it’s love. Why he chooses to excel or remain low –it’s love. Love prompts man to be who he is and to do what he does. Now, what is this big thing called ‘love’? God is love –and love is God. Whenever there is love, God is there. Wherever God is, love is there. We prove that love is the reason behind man’s action –actually it is God. We long for God as much as we long for love. Like what St. Augustine says, “We all are wanderers until we find God”. So, what moves man? God. And love.