Back in the past, people started to wonder about such thing such as the existing of supreme

beings, workings of the universe (kosmos), and the mystery of human experience. This is when
Philosophy started. (Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, 2018)
What is Philosophy?
According to the Department of Philosophy in Florida State University, in broad sense,
Philosophy is an activity people to attempt when they seek to understand the fundamental truths
about themselves, the world in which they live, and their relationships to the world and to each
other.
Source: https://philosophy.fsu.edu/undergraduate-study/why-philosophy/What-is-Philosophy

THE BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY

o METAPHYSICS
- Study of Existence
- Based on what we’ve discussed during High School, Metaphysics investigate the
nature of existence or being, the cause, substance and the ultimate meaning or
purpose of things.
- deals with the fundamental questions of reality
Sample Statement:
a. “What are space and time?”
b. “What is a thing and how does it differ from idea?”
c. “Is a human being free to decide his fate or do circumstances determine his
actions?”

o EPISTEMOLOGY
- Study of Knowledge
- Based on what we’ve discussed during High School, Epistemology investigates the
origin, nature, methods and limits of human knowledge.
- deals with our concept of knowledge, how we learn and what we can know
Sample Statement:
a. “What is knowledge?”
b. “How do we tell the difference between the scientific knowledge and doubtful
pseudo-science?”
c. “What are valid sources of knowledge and truth?”
o ETHICS
- Study of Morality
 - Based on what I have learned back in High School, Ethics explore the nature of
moral virtue and evaluates human actions.
- According to Kristel Marie Pujanes, 2020, Ethics is a study that teaches us what
the virtuous life is like and how we can put thes virtues into practice.
Sample Statement:
a. “How to live a good life?’
b. “How should we act?”
c. “What does ‘right’ even mean?”

o LOGIC
- Based on what we’ve discussed during High School, Logic studies the principle
and criteria of valid reasoning. There are two kinds of reasoning:
1. DEDUCTIVE REASONING – Inferences in which conclusion cannot be
false given that premises are true.
EXAMPLE:
a. “All humans are mortal. Socrates is human ergo. Socrates is
mortal.”
2. INDUCTIVE REASONING – The process in making inference to
predictions about what will happen or does happen, based upon what has
happened.
EXAMPLE:
a. 4=4
b. 6=3

o AESTHETICS
- Study of Art
- Based on what we have discussed in High School, Aesthetics is the science of
beautiful various manifestations including the sublime, comic, tragic, pathetic, and
ugly.
AESTHETIC UNIVERSAL
1) Expertise/ Virtuosity
2) Style
3) Criticism
4) Imitation
5) Special Focus
- deals with the notion of beauty and the philosophy of art
SAMPLE STATEMENT:
 a. “What is beauty?”
o POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
- According to Kristel Marie Pujanes, 2020, Political Philosophy examines various
concepts related to politics, government, laws, liberty, justice, rights, authority,
state, and even ethics (ethical ruling). It discusses how states should be built and
run, and how its constituents should act.
SAMPLE STATEMENT:
a. “What is government?”
b. “What is the extent of the power of the government?”
c. “What makes a government work?”

REFERENCES:

 https://www.philosophy-index.com/philosophy/branches/
 http://www.importanceofphilosophy.com/FiveBranchesMain.html
 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, 2018
 https://www.google.com/amp/s/thebadbread.com/2020/04/08/philosophy-101-the-six-
branches-of-philosophy/amp/