Exploring the Multifaceted Human Essence

Each one of us is an embodiment of astonishing complexity, where questions about the meaning of life, the depth of emotions, and creative energy intertwine. From the very first glance it is evident that by nature, a human being strives for truth, posing questions rooted in existence and the search for personal purpose. We are not merely rational creatures – we possess a rich inner world of emotions that is just as crucial for understanding our essence. Furthermore, many philosophical traditions view humans as creators, capable of embodying high ideals and spiritual intentions, realizing their freedom through creativity. Finally, the doctrine concerning the relationship between the inner "self" and the external world opens a dialogue between the ideal and the real, allowing us to see the complete picture of our existence. Thus, the blend of philosophical inquiry, emotional depth, and creative drive reveals the truly multifaceted meaning of life, inspiring constant growth and self-reinvention.

What Philosophical Concepts Help Us Understand What It Means to Be Human?

Philosophers examine the human being from various perspectives; there is no single formula – each concept illuminates different facets of human nature:

1. One idea is based on the notion that every person, by nature, grapples with questions about the meaning of life and their own destiny. In this sense, every human becomes a philosopher, since their inquiries aim at grasping the truth. As stated in source link :
"There is a well-known aphorism which states that every person is, by nature, a philosopher. The meaning of this aphorism is that a human being, as a thinking and rational entity, regardless of their level of intellectual development, cannot help but pose certain questions, the answers to which represent an attempt to grasp the truth—in other words, philosophy. These questions concern the meaning of life and the purpose of a human being."

2. Another perspective emphasizes that the concept of a human being cannot be reduced solely to rational existence. Here, it is emphasized that a human is not only rational but also an affective, feeling creature. This approach shows that emotions and feelings play a crucial role in defining the essence of humanity. In support of this idea, a quotation from source link is provided:
"They say that a human being is a rational animal. But why not say that a human is an affective, or a feeling animal? And perhaps what distinguishes him from all other animals is more his emotion than pure reason."

3. There is also the concept that presents a human as a creatively destined, "divinely articulate" being. According to this idea, a human is called to create in moral, spiritual, intellectual, and aesthetic realms, thereby realizing their freedom and personal destiny. This perspective is elaborated in source link , which states:
"The dialogue in which the true purpose of a human is fulfilled. For, as Father Cyprian Kern said, 'a human being is accountable before God for the execution and revelation of the design which God willed from eternity.' A human, as a ... 'divinely articulate' being, is meant to live and respond to that word concerning existence. They are called to fulfill their task creatively, that is, both rationally and freely."

4. Equally important is the philosophical concept that considers the relationship between the "self" and "non-self," the ideal and the real, thought and existence. This doctrine helps us understand how a person's internal world, ideas, and objective reality combine. This is stated in source link :
"Philosophy is the doctrine concerning the relationship between 'I' and 'non-I', or equivalently, the relationship between the ideal and the real, between thought and existence."

Thus, the dialogue among questions about the meaning of life, rational and emotional components, creative potential, and the relationship between the ideal and the real forms a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be human.

Supporting citation(s):
"There is a well-known aphorism which states that every person is, by nature, a philosopher. The meaning of this aphorism is that a human being, as a thinking and rational entity, regardless of their level of intellectual development, cannot help but pose certain questions, the answers to which represent an attempt to grasp the truth—in other words, philosophy. These questions concern the meaning of life and the purpose of a human being." (source: link )

"They say that a human being is a rational animal. But why not say that a human is an affective, or a feeling animal? And perhaps what distinguishes him from all other animals is more his emotion than pure reason." (source: link )

"The dialogue in which the true purpose of a human is fulfilled. For, as Father Cyprian Kern said, 'a human being is accountable before God for the execution and revelation of the design which God willed from eternity.' A human, as a ... 'divinely articulate' being, is meant to live and respond to that word concerning existence. They are called to fulfill their task creatively, that is, both rationally and freely." (source: link )

"Philosophy is the doctrine concerning the relationship between 'I' and 'non-I', or equivalently, the relationship between the ideal and the real, between thought and existence." (source: link )