The person is a part of the nature and at the same time is firmly connected with society. Philosophers call human nature binary and define the person as the biosocial being having consciousness, the speech, thinking capable to create instruments of labor and to use them.
There are two unilateral approaches in a ratio question in the person natural and social began. Naturalistic approach, first of all, sees its physical, natural basis in the person. It belongs to the highest mammals, possesses blood, muscular, nervous and other systems. On an equal basis with animals, clean air, food, water is necessary for it. The human health is an important condition of performance of its social functions. The biological level he submits to laws of the nature. Adherents of social Darwinism transfer biological regularities to development of society. Naturalistic approach declares the invariance of the human nature which is not coming under social influences.
Other extreme is a recognition in the person only of the social beginning and neglect by the biological party. Undoubtedly, the person - a social being, conceding to animals in development of some bodies, he qualitatively surpasses them in potential opportunities. Biological properties of the person are strictly not programmed therefore there is an opportunity to adapt to various living conditions. The biological beginning is always socially caused.
Not only the philosophy, but also religion had a great influence on understanding of essence of the person. Most of modern scientists considers that the person is an organic unity natural and public, but its essence rather socially. Thanks to the physical and spiritual organization, the person becomes the personality capable to creativity, conscious activity, purposeful actions and moral responsibility. He has ability to perceive and learn the world sense organs, but to work according to concepts about the good and evil. The person exists in society, and the public way of life promotes strengthening of a role social, extra biological, regularities in his life. Production, political, spiritual activity is purely social phenomena which develop on, excellent by nature, to laws. Consciousness is not natural property, the nature creates only physiological base for it. Conscious mental qualities are formed as a result of education, training, language acquisition, culture. Human activity is purposeful, it has conscious and strong-willed character. People model the behavior and choose various social roles. They have ability to understand the remote consequences of the actions. Animals cannot make high-quality basic changes, they adapt to the world around which defines their way of life. The person will transform reality, proceeding from the constantly developing requirements, creates the world of spiritual and material culture.