The 8 dimensions of the human being (and what they consist of)

Human beings are animals that have many potentialities. These can be manifested in multiple contexts, either in the form of physical actions or in capacities that characterize us.

With dimensions of the human being we refer to how the potentialities of the human being are given, which are related to the proper development, both individual and collective, of aspects such as well-being and personal growth.

Humans are beings of a biopsychosocial nature, which means that we are animals that require interactions with others and are aware of our abilities, thoughts, reflections and, in essence, of our own existence.

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Dimensions of the human being

In this article we will explain the eight dimensions of the human being, which are the ones that come next.

1. Physical

This dimension has to do with the body itself, understood in structural terms.

Our body is the physical tool that allows us to perform actions, establish contact with others and it takes on great importance with respect to how we identify and see ourselves.

Within this dimension are included those habits that people carry to guarantee the maintenance of the body, either externally or internally, and prevent it from being harmed or developing diseases.

Among the habits that can be done to prevent the physical dimension from being negatively affected are having eating healthy, engaging in sports activities and visiting doctors to see what state the Body.

2. Social or socio-political

The human being is a sociable being and that is why the interaction with others It is one of the most important dimensions that are present in your life.

As members of a society and, more specifically, of family groups, ethnic groups, friends or any other nature, it is necessary to maintain contact with other people to guarantee the survival.

Aspects such as developing emotional ties, having good friendships, living in a family without dysfunctional dynamics contribute to achieving well-being and happiness.

3. Cognitive

As intelligent beings that we are, human beings have tried to explain our world and extract from it the laws that explain it.

We have always tried to obtain the maximum possible knowledge, in order to be able to predict what happens in our environment in addition to using the new learning acquired to improve the survival.

The cognitive dimension refers to the ability of the human species to use its intellect and create new concepts, modify its environment and progress based on them.

Emotions are an aspect of great importance for the adaptation of human beings. In fact, it is thanks to this that in recent decades the idea of ​​emotional intelligence has been defended.

Not only is being afraid of a lion something that guarantees survival, but feeling sad at a funeral or showing pride and joy at one's own milestone are elements that facilitate proper social interaction and motivate further development as people.

Emotions are the result of a stimulus, either internal or external. Improving this dimension implies acquiring a better self-knowledge.

The emotional dimension does not only refer to the ability to feel emotions, but also to identify them in others and know what we are feeling at a certain moment and its cause.

Language is, without a doubt, the most remarkable ability of the human being. Thanks to it, we have been able to reach current civilizations, and it is what allows the dissemination of our knowledge over a long distance through written systems.

The communicative dimension refers to this ability of the human being to be able to create more or less complex systems of signs and symbols with which they can interact with others.

And it is that language is what allows us to transmit our ideas, opinions and experiences without having to physically represent them. It is enough that the interlocutor knows the same code that we are using and this is how the information exchange will take place.

As surprising as it may seem, language not only allows knowledge to be shared, but also to modify reality.

Giving an order, inviting reflection, explaining how something should be done are communicative acts that, in turn, materialize in actions that change the environment and the actions of others.

6. Spiritual or transcendent

Although the name of this dimension may seem to be limited to aspects more of a religious nature, the truth is that the word "spiritual" is an umbrella that includes philosophical thoughts such as understanding the meaning of one's existence.

Human beings, as animals with a highly developed intelligence, seek to understand aspects that go beyond the physical, to reach a transcendental level.

There are phenomena that physical laws do not allow us to explain, which can be a real mystery that, in addition to being frustrating, can be even more interesting.

As proof of this, human beings have created religions and superstitions since time immemorial in order to give an explanation, perhaps fantastic and irrational, to the unknown.

The idea of ​​God, spirits, ghosts and incarnations are just a few examples of the human being's search for what he cannot physically see or perceive.

7. Esthetic

Beauty is an abstract and arbitrary idea. Despite this, it is something that has acquired great importance throughout the history of mankind.

Culture has not only served to create useful goods for the most primordial needs of human beings, it has also served as the basis for creating art, in order to be admired.

The sight of something beautiful can generate a whole series of emotions and sensations that enrich the human experience.

The aesthetic dimension is clearly something that is manifested not only in all the cultures of the globe, but also each person has their own vision of beauty.

Even people who say they are not good at all things fine arts have tried doing something artistic at some point in their lives.

People need to know how to behave so as not to live in a world of uncertainty and anarchy that, undoubtedly, would lead to a situation of chaos and where the law of the most strong.

The dimension of ethics refers to the ability of human beings to recognize what is most correct, either based on their own criteria or based on what social norms indicate.

The human being must try to act guaranteeing the greatest possible good for others.

Recognize that others have the same rights as we do, that one's freedom can spell the end of one's freedom another and that in order to live in peace and harmony it is necessary to regulate our behaviors are aspects within this dimension.

Bibliographic references:

• Hernández, D (2015). Education: a vision from the dimensions of the human being and life. Academic Act, 57.
• Martínez, M. (2009) Basic Dimensions of Integral Human Development. Polis, Journal of the Bolivarian University, 8 (23). 119-138.