1 UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN PERSON Contents 1.0 Objectives 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Definition of Philosophy of Human Person 1.3 Philosophy of Human Person and Other Disciplines 1.4 Method of Philosophy of Human Person 1.5 How Objective is Philosophy of Human Person? 1.6 Importance of Philosophy of Human Person 1.7 Let Us Sum Up 1.8 Key Words 1.9 Further Readings and References 1.10 Answers to Check Your Progress 1.0. OBJECTIVES The main objective of this unit is to introduce the course in Philosophy of Human Person, a course in philosophy that helps us to understand the nature of human being. After defining what Philosophy of Human Person is, the unit deals with its distinguishing characteristics vis-à-vis other branches of Anthropology and Psychology. There are other disciplines that study human beings. Hence an attempt is made to differentiate them from Philosophy of Human Person. Different courses in philosophy make use of different methods and Philosophy of Human Person has its own method. Without going into details of the different philosophical methods, the unit examines the methods that Philosophy of Human Person employs. We have also discussed briefly the question of objectivity of this discipline. The question assumes importance when we consider the fact that any study of human person tends to become subjective. A section on the importance of this course in the overall plan of philosophy makes the unit complete. All in all, the unit enables the student to take a plunge into the world of human person from a philosophical perspective. Thus by the end of this Unit the student should be able: