Philosophy of Man in three parts

(Originally written June 9, 2006 in Book 3)

I have resolved to undertake ethics. This is an attempt to combine speculation and practicality. Theories are the backbone of true practical philosophy; but, theories are useless unless they are put into practice.

Where do we begin?

1. First, there is man (singular).

Man is a complex compound of many factors (physical, social, emotional, spiritual, psychological).

Thus, man is a complex combination of five factors: physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and social. All five of these factors balance in each individual.

2. Ethics are a set of beliefs than an individual holds.

(Originally written June 10, 2006)

Beliefs come from all five parts of our individual selfs.

A. Firstly, our physical experiences give us parameters or boundaries. We find our limitations in our physical realm.

B. Secondly, our psychological responses to our physical experiences shape our beliefs. These come to us by two ways: 1) We are logically (by logic I do not mean that it is logically correct, but that it fits into our own natural progression of thought) come to conclusions. Or, 2) we learn responses from others. Thus, we have physical limits and psychological responses to them.

C. Third, there are our emotional responses to both our physical experiences and limitations and our psychological responses to them. These work in a similar fashion to psychological responses in that they are come to naturally (inside ourselves) and they are conditioned responses (learned from outside sources). Yet, psychological responses can be triggered by emotional responses and vice versa.

D. Our emotions and psychological responses (intellect or mind) stem from our very core - the soul. This is the spiritual factor of humanity. Arguing the existence of an immortal soul is not the point of this dialogue, so do not close your mind if you are irreligious, non-religious or areligious. The soul is the core of human existence. It ties us all together. It is for this reason when one person suffers from depression they experience psychological stress, emotional stress and even physical pain.

E. Social factors influence our beliefs. These are the factors of influence from other individuals or groups of individuals, the social factors or forces influence us emotional and psychological responses. They also help to form our physical limitations. Since social forces are societies we are a part of. This they impose by simply setting physical boundaries on us. We can't be in two places at once, thus the society we choose to be in sets a physical boundary. Now even when we are physically isolated we remember the societies that we are a part of and that effects our beliefs.

(Originally written June 13, 2006)

What is man?

A) Man is physical (body)
B) Man is intellectual (mind)
C) Man is spiritual (soul)

A) The physical aspect of man is mortal; that is, it dies. This is an undeniable a posteriori truth.

B) The soul is divided into two parts. First, there is the soul which is the very breath or essence that gives us a physical life. Second, there is the Soul, which is immortal. The soul, as it is connected to a physical life, is mortal. The Soul, however, is immortal, as it is not connected with the body.

C) The mind is also divided in two. It is connected to both the body and Soul. Therefore, as the soul is mortal and the Soul is immortal, so too is the mind mortal and the Mind immortal. The mind is connected to the body via the brain,whereas the mind is connected to the Soul.

Thus, man is a complex synergy of body, Soul, soul, mind and Mind. The Soul is connected to the soul. The Mind is connected to the mind. Both of these connections each create a single entity. Thus man has Soul-soul; Mind-mind, and body. Where they have interacted there is physical life. Thus, it is held all within the bodily sphere.

Since the soul is part of the Soul and the mind is part of the Mind the mortal parts gain access to the immortal parts. Thus, we as mortal men have a taste of the immortality. Each of our parts is connected to the other. Man is triune and man is one. This is part of the image of God in us all.