Truth Seekers: Why We Need an Authentic Metaphysics of the Human Person

Truth Seekers: Why We Need an Authentic Metaphysics of the Human Person | Brian Jones, M.A. | September 1, 2011 | Ignatius Insight

In studying the metaphysics of the person, we continually receive a better understanding of ourselves and the true meaning of what it is to be a person.

An authentic metaphysics of the person continually helps us to realize we are not "asleep," but rather, an "awakened" being. As an "awakened" being, we are conscious of the world and ourselves, capable of knowing the truth, willing the good, and of experiencing love, joy, sorrow, and sadness. Unfortunately, we live in a society that has lost this fundamental metaphysical outlook. There does not even seem to be a consensus on what it means to actually be a person. And there are many who will think that this subject is of little importance and not relevant to our times. We live in a time that is predominantly motivated by a utilitarian philosophical view towards persons, and when their so-called "value" runs out, they cease being a person.

I want to provide a few brief reflections wherein which I will examine the person in relation to value, as well the relationship between person and substance in order to gain a greater knowledge of the metaphysics of the person.

The relationship between person and value is vital for a foundational understanding the metaphysics of the person. Value always involves reference to persons. Value necessitates a right or due response, and only a person is capable of making such a response.

My dog Kirby cannot give a right response, let alone any response, to value. To think that a dog or any animal could give a response to value would seem absurd. The influence of value on the world always goes through the person because it motivates us and it appeals to us as persons. Since value motivates and appeals to persons, they call for a personal decision and response. Dietrich von Hildebrand expresses this point in his book, Liturgy and Personality, when he says:

The very soul of the response to value is the consciousness that an adequate response is due to each value according to its rank. The motive of the response to value should never be the desire to bring about the transformation of the person, but to give to value its due response. (64)

Von Hildebrand notes that values "exist in themselves, regardless if they are perceived or not. Values are oriented towards the world of persons and they ought to be perceived and responded to properly by persons."

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