What Makes Man Fully Human?

[CICCIO]

Im trying to write a speech, but m haveing trouble. I want to lay out the things that man(a person) does which make him fully human. I cant really think of another way to say it. These are things, i guess, like those aspects which most fully mirror the image of God perhaps. Or something like, those actions which best describe or contribute to the fulfillment of mans office, if you will. Anyway, im not sure if i sound like i know what i talking about, but does anyone know some things that might be what im looking for?...ok, guess another example is like, how man is communal/ desires community. idk, anyway, maybe someone knows what the heck im talkin about :)

[CICCIO]

maybe its just the Virtues...

[M.SIGGA]

moveable thumbs... j/k

Yes we have a soul and are the only creation made in the image of God, but I think what you are asking is that man is set apart b/c of a conscience and free will.

[phatcatholic]

free will, the ability to reason, we have a soul given to us by God, we are made in His image. also see:

--Man

--Human Acts

--Reason

--Free Will

the article on Man is particularly helpful

pax christi,

phatcatholic

[Laudate_Dominum]

Man is is person because He is made in the image of God. This fact is grounded in man's relation to God who is Absolute Good. This relation is the basis of man's transcendent dignity. In secular terms you might say that man is a creature aware of himself and aware of his relation to the Absolute, to absolute values, and the transcendent (for example he can ask "what happens when I die", "what's outside of the universe", or even the fact that he has a concept of the universe and time and eternity, the good, etc.). This fundamentally sets him apart from lesser creatures. He percieves transcendent values, not merely the subjectively satisfying, he possesses an awareness of creation both in the mode of particulars and universals. He intuits the ultimate unity of being, is capable of metaphysical knowledge, experiences intersubjectivity. Can define himself, posseses self-determination, has an "I" or indivisible center of being, this center cannot be broken down into parts. As a being with selfhood and the ability to percieve transcendent values his acts take on a transcendent, personal significance. In other words man exists in relation to the Absolute (God) and his acts, thoughts and the center of his being are connected with this Absolute. In other words he has a transcendent dignity and a transcendent end and Absolute values apply to him. For example "thou shalt not kill", whereas a beast can rightly be destroyed to be eaten or to make a pair of shoes because their being is continuous with contingent being so their dignity is only comparable to that of human dignity by way of analogy. They lack a dignity that is rooted in a direct, personal relation to God. They are not end points in being as it were, constituted with incorruptible selfhood in relation to the ultimate Beginning and End of all things.

This is just some parts of my philosophy so it's not dogma or anything, but I hope it helps. I could explain in point in a great deal more detail but I would hate to bog down this post with jargon. Ask and you shall receive. ;)

[Theoketos]

I think for us to fulfill our true nature, which is to be truely alive, is what it means to be fully human. Now above there are great answers, but I think that what you are really asking is what happiness is. From Aquinas it is a activity of the soul in accordance with virtue. John Paul II says that it is total gift of self with in the bonds of true Love. They are reconciable, ponder them and you will have an answer.