Describe man from the standpoint of philosophy?

There r hundreds of different schools of Western Philosophy and It is the same with Eastern Philosophy.
Most of them say that ultimately we are Mortals. and we should not follow those who offer us some form of permanence, which is usually after death. Buddhism said our longing for permanence is what causes us much of our suffering. Buddhism recognizes many Gods and the supernatural out there but says that it is all irrelevant. It says that A god or gods are just a little bit superior to us and we should be very cautious with them. In Buddhism seeking answers to a Q like who or how the universe came to be is a cause of distraction from enlightenment, specially for the mainstream people. Taoism says Change is the only constant in this universe.
If you had asked a more narrow Q than I could have provided you a better answer.
Peace.