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MEANING OF PHILOSOPHY

The word philosophy is derived from the Greek words philia (love) and sophia (wisdom) and means “the love of wisdom.”
Pythagoras was said to have been the first man to call himself a philosopher; in fact, the world is indebted to him for the word
philosopher. It is said that when Leon, the tyrant of Philius, asked him of who he was, he said, “a Philosopher” and he likened the Philosopher
to spectators at ancient games. Before that time the wise men had called themselves a sage, which was interpreted to mean those who
know. Pythagoras was more modest. He coined the word philosopher, which he defined as one who is attempting to find out. According to
him, men and women of the world could be classified into 3 groups: 1. those that love pleasure
2. those that love activity and
3. those that love wisdom.

MEANING OF PHILOSOPHY
 Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values,
reason, mind, and language.
 Philosophy is the rational attempt to formulate, understand, and answer fundamental questions.
NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY
1. Philosophy is a set of views or beliefs about life and the universe, which are often held uncritically.
We refer to this meaning as the informal sense of philosophy or “having” a philosophy. Usually when a person says “my philosophy
is,” he or she is referring to an informal personal attitude to whatever topic is being discussed.
2. Philosophy is a process of reflecting on and criticizing our most deeply held conceptions and beliefs.
These two senses of philosophy— “having” and “doing”— cannot be treated entirely independent of each other, for if we did not
have a philosophy in the formal, personal sense, then we could not do a philosophy in the critical, reflective sense.
Having a philosophy, however, is not sufficient for doing philosophy. A genuine philosophical attitude is searching and critical; it is
open-minded and tolerant—willing to look at all sides of an issue without prejudice. To philosophize is not merely to read and know
philosophy; there are skills of argumentation to be mastered, techniques of analysis to be employed, and a body of material to be
appropriated such that we become able to think philosophically. Philosophers are reflective and critical.
3. Philosophy is a rational attempt to look at the world as a whole.
Philosophy seeks to combine the conclusions of the various sciences and human experience into some kind of consistent world
view. Philosophers wish to see life, not with the specialized slant of the scientist or the businessperson or the artist, but with the overall view of
someone cognizant of life as a totality.
4. Philosophy is the logical analysis of language and the clarification of the meaning of words and concepts.
Certainly this is one function of philosophy. In fact, nearly all philosophers have used methods of analysis and have sought to
clarify the meaning of terms and the use of language. Some philosophers see this as the main task of philosophy, and a few claim this is the
only legitimate function of philosophy.
5. Philosophy is a group of perennial problems that interest people and for which philosophers always have sought answers.
Philosophy presses its inquiry into the deepest problems of human existence. Some of the philosophical questions raised in the past
have been answered in a manner satisfactory to the majority of philosophers. Many questions, however, have been answered only
tentatively, and many problems remain unsolved.
Why is there anything at all?
What is life and why am I here?
“What is the distinction between right and wrong?”
“What is truth?”

IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY
1. The study of Philosophy enables us to think carefully and clearly about important issues.
2. In studying Philosophy, we learn to take a step back from our everyday thinking and to explore the deeper, bigger question which
underpins our thought.
3. The focus in the study of Philosophy is to learn not what to believe, but how to think.
4. Studying philosophy sharpens your analytical abilities, enabling you to identify and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in any
position.
5. It hones your ability to construct and articulate cogent arguments of your own.
6. It prompts you to work across disciplinary boundaries and to think flexibly and creatively about problems which do not present
immediate solutions.
7. Because philosophy is an activity as much a body of knowledge, it also develops your ability to think and work independently.
BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY
Historically, philosophical concerns have been treated under these broad categories:
1. Logic
2. Metaphysics
3. Epistemology
4. Value theory
A. LOGIC
Logic is the systematic study of the rules for the correct use of these supporting reasons, rules we can use to distinguish good
arguments from bad ones. Most of the great philosophers from Aristotle to the present have been convinced that logic permeates all other
branches of philosophy. The ability to test arguments for logical consistency, understand the logical consequences of certain assumptions,
and distinguish the kind of evidence a philosopher is using are essential for “doing” philosophy
B. METAPHYSICS
Another traditional branch of Philosophy traditionally known as metaphysics. For Aristotle, the term metaphysics meant “first
philosophy,” discussion of the most universal principles; later the term came to mean “comprehensive thinking about the nature of things.”
It means, usually, the study or theory of reality. The question of metaphysics is: what is reality? What is real? Is reality some kind of
“thing”. Is it one or is it many? If it is one, then how is it related to many things around us? Can ultimate reality be grasped by five senses, or is
it supernatural or transcendent?
Metaphysics undoubtedly is the branch of philosophy that the modern student finds most difficult to grasp. Metaphysics attempts
to offer a comprehensive view of all that exists. It is concerned with such problems as the relation of mind to matter, the nature of change,
the meaning of “freedom,” the existence of God, and the belief in personal immortality.
C. EPISTEMOLOGY
The technical term for the theory of knowledge is epistemology, which comes from the Greek word episteme, meaning
“knowledge.”
In general, epistemology is the branch of philosophy that studies the sources, nature, and validity of knowledge.
There are three central questions in this field:
(1) What are the sources of knowledge? Where does genuine knowledge come from or how do we know? This is the question of origins.
(2) What is the nature of knowledge? Is there a real world outside the mind, and if so can we know it? This is the question of appearance
versus reality.
(3) Is our knowledge valid? How do we distinguish truth from error? This is the question of the tests of truth, of verification.

Traditionally, most of those who have offered answers to these questions can be placed in one of two schools of thought—
rationalism or empiricism.
The rationalists hold that human reason alone can discover the basic principles of the universe.
The empiricists claim that all knowledge is ultimately derived from sense experience and, thus, that our knowledge is limited to
what can be experienced.
It should be clear that there is a necessary relation between metaphysics and epistemology. Our conception of reality depends
on our understanding of what can be known. Conversely, our theory of knowledge depends on our understanding of ourselves in relation
to the whole of reality.
D. VALUE THEORY
Value theory is the branch of philosophy that studies values. It can be subdivided into ethics, aesthetics, and social and political
philosophy.
In broad terms ethics concerns itself with the question of morality. What is right and what is wrong in human relations? Within
morality and ethics there are three major areas: descriptive ethics, normative ethics, and metaethics.

ETHICS
Descriptive ethics consider the conduct of individuals, or personal morality; the conduct of groups, or social morality; and the
culture patterns of national and racial groups.
A second level of inquiry is normative ethics (what ought to be). Here philosophers try to work out acceptable judgments
regarding what ought to be in choice and value. “We ought to keep our promises” and “you ought to be honorable” are examples of
normative judgments— of the moral ought, the subject matter of ethics.
Third, there is the area of critical or metaethics. Here interest is centered on the analysis and meaning of the terms and language
used in ethical discourse and the kind of reasoning used to justify ethical statements. Metaethics does not propound any moral principle or
goal (except by implication), but rather consists entirely of philosophical analysis. What is the meaning of “good?” and Can ethical
judgments be justified? are typical problems for metaethics.
AESTHETICS
Concerns the theory of art and beauty. Questions of art and beauty are considered to be part of the realm of values because
many philosophical problems in aesthetics involve critical judgments.
There are wide differences of opinion as to what objects call forth the aesthetic response, and what beauty really is. Our concepts
of beauty may differ not because of the nature of beauty itself, but because of varying degrees of preparation in discerning beauty.
Therefore, if we cannot perceive beauty in objects that others find beautiful, it may be wise to withhold judgment until we are capable
ourselves of making a competent analysis of the aesthetic experience.

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY


Social and political philosophy investigates value judgments concerning society, the state, and the individual’s relation to these
institutions.
The following questions reflect the concerns of social and political philosophy:
 Why should some individuals or groups have political power over others?
 Why should anyone obey any government?
 What social ideals of liberty, rights, justice, equality and responsibility are desirable?
 Why should individuals live in society?
 To what positive goals should political power be directed, and what are the criteria for determining this?
 What criteria are to be used in determining the scope of political power, and what rights or freedoms should be immune from
political or legal control?

Human as an Embodied Spirit

Philosophy define the Human Person


• Philosophers also think about upon the concept of the Human Person and what makes him or her a different in nature and entity.
•“Human Person” refers to the individual, and all the attributes and characteristics that set him or her apart from other human beings.
•Like all other animals, human beings posses SENTIENCE –The ability to feel and experience and perceive things.
The Body As Intermediary
• Intermediary Connotes two meanings: as bridge and as wall
• Because of my body, and encounter and agreement occur between myself and the world. Though my body, my subjectivity is opened
to the world and the world is opened to me.
• On the other hand, because also of my body, I experience the world as separate from me. I am hidden from the world, and the world is
hidden from me.
The Body As Intersubjectivity
• My body is not only an intermediary between me and the world but also between me and others. I show myself to the other and the
other also shows himself to me through my body.
• Yet it’s also my body that I hide myself from them , and they hide their selves to me.
The Value of The Body
• As the appearance and subjectivity , my body has a unique value and dignity. It directs me not only to the world and others but also to
God.
According To The West The Notion of The Human Person As Embodied Spirit.
Aristotle’s Concept of Man
• While Plato thought of a dichotomy between the body and soul, according to Aristotle, there is none
• The body and soul are in state of unity – in his so-called hylomorphic doctrine.
• Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) explains to us the four orders of beings in this world which are properly called hylomorphic namely, non- living
bodies, plants, animals, and men.
• Hylomorphic derived its etymology from two Greek words, hyle which means “matter” and morphe which means “form”.
• The soul acts as pure actuality if the body while the body Is a material entity that posses the potentiality for life.
Aristotle presented the concepts of the kinds of soul:
• Rational Soul – Ranks the highest for it takes responsibility the functions of vegetative and sensitive souls. It is capable of thinking,
reasoning, willing, reflecting, and deciding apart from sensing and growing.
• Sensitive Soul – It feeds itself, it grows, it reproduces, and it has feelings
• Vegetative Soul – Capable of feeding, growing and reproducing itself.
A.) Man Rational Animal
• Man as rational animal. He can cognize things sensitively and intellectually. He is called animal because he is no different from any other
animals
• Man can see things as it is and then undergo an intellectual process – called ideogenesis – to give its meaning.
Scholastic (Thomaistic) Concept of the Human Person
• He was regarded of Christianizing the philosophy of Aristotle
• St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was significantly influenced by the thinking of the great Greek philosopher Aristotle.
• The presupposition that the body and the soul are 2 distinct entities of totally different natures, having completely distinct casual powers
rooted in its different natures, in which has become accessible to us for observation in thoroughly diverse ways.
• The universal element common in all living beings is the soul.
• The body and the soul are distinctive parts of the same entity. St. Thomas would often reiterate unum convertitur cum ente (there is one
entity, absolutely speaking, at any time there is a being having one act of existence, even if the being in query is composed of numerous
parts).
• Both Aristotle and St. Thomas studied them as a function of the whole of which it is a part.

HUMAN PERSON IN THE ENVIRONMENT


What is a Human Person?
A human person is a living being that contains a real and existing to direct its own development toward fulfillment through
perfect, unconditional, and infinite Truth, Love, Goodness, Beauty, and Unity, and will do so if all the proper conditions are met.
Environment
The sum total of all surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and other living things, which provide conditions for
development and growth as well as of danger and damage.

• WHAT IS THE WORLD MADE OF?


• HOW DID THE WORLD COME INTO BEING?
• HOW CAN WE EXPLAIN THE PROCESS OF CHANGE?
Those are philosophical questions brought up approximately 600 B.C.E in the Western Ionian seaport town of Miletus across the
Aegean sea from Athens, Greece.
The speculation of the pre-Socratic philosophers represent a paradigm shift– a change from mythical explanation of the origins of
the cosmos to a more rational explanation.
Eastern sages probed nature’s depths intuitively through the eyes of spiritual sages which Greek thinkers viewed nature trough
cognitive and scientific eyes (Price 2000). This thinkers were looking for the underlying laws of nature. They wanted to understand the
processes of nature by studying nature itself, not by listening to the stories about the gods.
According to Payne (2010) there are two frameworks where humans can be related.
1. Anthropocentric Model Based on the Anthropocentric model, humans are superior and central to the universe, thus it is human
centered.
 Global/Technological
 Human over/against Environments
 Calculative
 Mind
 Individualism
 Culture
 Human
The domination of humanity is linked to the domination of nature based on the anthropocentric model. An unfair or unjust
utilization of the environment result to ecological crisis. From this view, it follows that human arrogance toward nature is justifiable in order to
satisfy human interest.
Sometimes, humans adopt an exploitive attitude whenever nature is merely considered as an instrument for one’s profit or gain.
2. Ecocentric Model Ecocentric model, the ecological or relational integrity of the humans provides meaning of our morals and values and
it is nature centered. Devoted to preserving the totality of Earth’s biodiversity and the functioning of it’s life-supporting system.
 Ecology over/against humans
 Earth/Wisdom
 Relational
 Body
 Holism
 Wild
 Nature
There are three theories about the Ecocentric Model such as Deep Ecology, Social Ecology and Ecofeminism.
Deep Ecology
Is an ecological philosophy developed by Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess in the early 1970’s asserting that all life forms have
an equal right to exist, and human needs and desires have no priority over those of other organisms. Believes that the living environment
should be respected and regarded as having rights to flourish, independent of its utility to humans.
Social Ecology
It is a critical social theory founded by American anarchist and libertarian socialist author Murray Bookchin. Conceptualized as a
critique of current social, political, and anti- ecological trends, it espouses a reconstructive, ecological, communitarian, and ethical
approach to society.
Ecofeminism
It is also called ecological feminism, branch of feminism that examines the connections between women and nature. Its name
was coined by French feminist Francoise d’Eaubonne in 1974. A philosophical idea that combines feminism and ecology concerns,
emphasizing that both suffer from their treatment by a male dominated society. Comes from the idea that women and nature have
significant connection, since women most often have a close association with nature in many societies due to the nature of their traditional
roles.

Anaximander a pre-Socratic philosopher and scientist said about the Creation-Destruction. According to him, the sketch of the
genesis of the world (cosmology), the evolution of the world begins with the generation of opposites in a certain region Nature. Nature is
indeterminate-boundless in the sense that no boundaries between the warm and or the moist and dry regions are originally present within.
While, according to Pythagoras, ‘universe is a living embodiment of nature’s order, harmony and beauty.’ He sees our relationship
with the universe involving biophilia (love of other living things) And cosmophilia (love of other living beings).
For Modern Thinker, Immanuel Kant, ‘beauty is ultimately a symbol of morality (goodness). He believes that the orderliness of
nature and the harmony of nature with our faculties guide us toward a deeper religious perspective.’
Herbert Marcuse said about the power of humans over nature, while George Herbert Mead tackled about our duties and
responsibilities in nature.
Our environment is created for every humans, so you as good as one being must take Good care of nature! Remember LIFE is all
about BALANCE.

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