Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Roberto D. Abella, M.Div., D.Min.

Lesson 1: What is philosophy?

The word philosophy comes from two Greek words: philos (love) and sophia (wisdom). The ancient
Greeks used this term to refer to "love of wisdom" and they soon applied it to the study or discipline that uses
human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which govern all things. People who
engage in philosophy are called philosophers or “lovers of wisdom." Among the ancient Greeks, the
philosophers became pioneers in various fields of knowledge such as history, biology, medicine, mathematics,
astronomy, and even physics. It was quite common to hear of ancient philosophers who were “experts” in
various fields of learning.

The following are the most notable ancient Greek philosophers:

Pythagoras (570 BCE to 495 BCE) A mathematician and scientist, he was

credited with formulating the Pythagorean theorem. His work earned him many
followers, and he established a community of learners who were devoted to the study
of religion and philosophy

Heraclitus (53 BCE to 475 BCE) He proposed that everything that exists ls
based on higher order or plan which he called logos. For him. change is a permanent
aspect of the human condition as he was credited wlth the saying. 'No man ever steps
in the same river twice.”.

Democritus (460 BCE to 370 BCE) He devoted himself to the study of the causes of natural
phenomena. He was among the first to propose that matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms.

Diogenes of Sinope (412 BCE to 323 BCE) He was a known advocate of living a simple and virtuous
life. For Diogenes. one should not only talk of virtue but should show it in words and actions. His emphasis on
austerity and simplicity often went to the extreme, and he was said to have lived like a beggar. He was also
known to be a vocal critic of well-known philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. His teachings and views
were later developed by his followers and influenced the development of several schools of philosophy such as
Cynicism and Stoicism.

Epicurus (341 BCE to 270 BCE) He believed that philosophy could enable man to live a life of
happiness. His views gave rise to Epicureanism a school of philosophy which believes that wisdom and simple
living will result In a life free of fear and pain.

1
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Roberto D. Abella, M.Div., D.Min.

Socrates (470 BCE to 399 BCE) He was considered the

foremost philosopher of ancient times. He made great
contributions to the field of ethics. Socrates was a known critic of
intellectuals during his time, but he himself did not claim to be
“wise” and merely considered himself a "midwife" that helped
inquiring minds achieve wisdom. He also believed that philosophy
could enable a man to live a life of virtue. He was credited with
formulating the Socratic Method a means of examining a topic by
devising a series of questions that let the learner examine and
analyze his knowledge and views regarding the topic.

Plato (427 BCE to 347 BCE)- A student of Socrates. he wrote down his mentor's teachings and
incorporated some of his own ideas into them. His teachings and writings were considered the foundation of
Western philosophy. Plato’s most significant ideas included his Theory of Forms, which proposes that
everything that exists is based on an idea or template that can only be perceived in the mind; these nonphysical
ideas are eternal and unchanging. He also focused his studies on the ideal society and proposed an ideal model
of government and society which is ruled by wisdom and reason. Plato is also known for his dialectic a method
of inquiry where two opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt to arrive at new knowledge. Plato's lasting
contribution to learning was his founding of the Academy, an institution of higher learning which was the first
of its kind in the Western World.

Aristotle (384 BCE to 322 BCE)- He attended the Academy. and was a preminent student of Plato.
Aristotle, however, disagreed with Plato’s theory of forms and took a different stance in interpreting reality. For
him, all ideas and views are based on perception and our reality is based on what we can sense and perceive.
This view greatly influenced the study of the physical sciences. Aristotle was involved in a great variety of
disciplines such as zoology, psychology. ethics, and politics. He also proposed a system for the classification of
plants and animals. His studies in logic led to the formulation of a formal process of analyzing reasoning which
gave rise to deductive reasoning the process by which specific statements are analyzed to reach a conclusion or
generalization.

Why is there a need to philosophize?

Philosophers have often wondered and argued about the role of philosophy in man's life. One view is
that each one of us is a philosopher, whether or not we have studied philosophy. We all have the potential to

2
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Roberto D. Abella, M.Div., D.Min.

philosophize since we have the tendency to wonder and doubt. We possess the capacity to reflect on our
experiences, and we have a never-ending need to learn and discover.

The Greek philosopher Plato traced man’s need to philosophize to his sense of wonder. Whenever we
are confronted with an experience, we always wonder how it came about. Man’s overbounding curiosity drives
him to ask questions, some of which have no definite answers. Where did we come from? Why do we exist?
For what purpose were we created? Consider a small child’s curiosity about all the things around him, most of
which he encounters for the first time. This perspective drives the need of a philosopher to question, examine,
and learn more.

The 15th-century French philosopher Rene Descartes traced the need

to philosophize to doubt. Descartes was famous for rejecting or questioning
established ideas, and he even went as far as doubting his own ideas. His
method of examining ideas and perspectives became the basis of critical
thinking and analysis in the sciences. For example, a scientific hypothesis
must first be tested and verified before it is accepted as truth. in life, we will
be faced with several ideas and arguments which present themselves as
“truths." A critical and questioning perspective is necessary to determine if indeed these ideas or views are
correct or true.

The 20th-century Swiss-German philosopher Karl Jaspers saw the need to philosophize because of
experience. Jaspers believed that man is often confronted by experiences which challenge his ideas and
frameworks. Jaspers called these experiences limit situations, and these are often accompanied by feelings of
helplessness, anxiety, or dread. For Jaspers, philosophy provides us a means to understand adverse or
challenging conditions, and to rise above them and gain new knowledge and perspectives.

Finally, the need to philosophize is driven by the love for wisdom. To love wisdom is to have an
insatiable desire for truth. A philosopher does not seek knowledge to claim ownership of it; and one who
engages in philosophy is not satisfied with figuring out the answer to a question. He seeks to continue to
question, to probe, and to discuss in order to get to the bottom of things. The philosopher who exemplified this
perspective was Socrates. He gained fame for his curiosity and his constant debates with many of the
intellectual elite in Greece. Socrates is famous for having said “I know that I do not know...” and it is in
accepting this state of ignorance that one can begin to learn and understand. By expanding our knowledge
through philosophy, we begin to realize that learning is unceasing there is a lot more to learn and experience in

3
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Roberto D. Abella, M.Div., D.Min.

life. Socrates is also recognized for his motto: “The unexamined life is not worth living? And nowhere is it
more appropriate to embark on philosophy than in an examination of our own life.

How do we characterize the study of philosophy?

Just as there are many ways of looking at a problem, philosophers have employed . varied means of
looking into the fundamental questions regarding the human condition. This has given rise to various
viewpoints, thoughts, and approaches in philosophy.

One way of looking at philosophy is to consider it as a way of analyzing frameworks. A framework is

defined as a way of thinking about the world and is composed of the views and beliefs of a person. Whenever a
person encounters a problem or question in life, he or she often goes back to his or her own framework in order
to make sense of the problem. Questions dealing with our own correctness and values are considered internal
questions which can be addressed using our own personal frameworks.

Also, there are external questions that seek to question the very
frameworks upon which people base their own beliefs and views. For
instance, a child who is going through the bitter experience of his or her
parents’ separation will be in a state of confusion as his or her experience
does not conform to his or her personal framework of what a family should
be. In this case, the child begins to question the very framework or concept
of family that he or she has built based on previous experiences. By
questioning his or her ideas and concepts, the child has already touched on
an important aspect of philosophy. The child seeks to clarify, examine, and
evaluate the basis of frameworks which he or she uses to deal with the world and give meaning to his or her
experiences.

Philosophy can also be thought of as an examination of a particular area of knowledge. The central
principle in philosophy is examination and questioning, and this is often applied in the analysis of the
frameworks of other areas or sciences. Philosophy goes hand in hand with other disciplines in examining their
fundamental purposes and evaluating the changes they experience. There is a philosophy of science, which
seeks to understand the fundamental principles that guide scientific thought. There is also a philosophy of

4
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Roberto D. Abella, M.Div., D.Min.

religion, which examines the basic tenets of any faith. There is philosophy of education, political philosophy,
philosophy of history ; every aspect of knowledge can benefit from the inquiring nature of philosophy.

Philosophy itself is a distinct area of knowledge with its own goals, concerns, and ways of doing things.
It is often divided into several branches each of which deals with a particular aspect of life or phenomena. The
philosophy which deals with beauty and what makes things “beautiful" is called Aesthetics. Logic is the branch
of philosophy which deals with correct reasoning, while Epistemology discusses the nature of knowledge and
knowing. Ethics is the branch which deals with moral questions and dilemmas, while Political Philosophy
studies governments and deals with questions of justice, power and the rights and obligations of citizens.
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy which deals with questions regarding reality and existence. Although
not a branch itself, Philosophy of the Human Person is an area in philosophy that understands the human
person from a philosophical perspective - integrating and synthesizing the different branches of philosophy and
other fields of study to know the truth about the human person. However complex and varied the perceptions,
they suggest two important facts about philosophizing: philosophy is a reflective and meditative activity, and it
has no designated subject matter of its own. It is also a method of mental exercise on any type of experience.
When confronting human experience, philosophers often employ tools that engage the mind in analyzing
problems and situations. For instance, in discussing complex philosophical issues, philosophers often use
thought experiments. Individuals also engage in this form of philosophizing when they ponder possible
consequences _ regarding their actions. When one imagines certain alternatives and possible outcomes, one
already engages in philosophy.

Additionally, philosophy does not limit itself to its own field. Philosophy makes sense of information
gathered from various fields of knowledge (eg., science, psychology, economics, politics, etc.) by integrating
and synthesizing them to have a deeper and more complete understanding of reality.

What is the difference between holistic thinking and partial thinking?

Holistic thinking refers to a perspective that considers large-scale patterns in systems. This is often
described as looking at the "big picture" when describing and analyzing a situation or problem. A holistic
perspective requires an individual to have an open mindset and an ability to get the general sense or impression
regarding a situation. Partial thinking, on the other hand, focuses on specific aspects of a situation. The partial
view is an important component of analytical thinking, as an individual focuses on certain areas or aspects of a

5
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Roberto D. Abella, M.Div., D.Min.

problem in order to understand it. Though partial thinking is useful, philosophy utilizes holistic thinking in
making sense of problems and issues related to the human experience.

People tend to apply an analytical perspective when looking at problems or situations. For instance,
doctors often focus on a specific set of symptoms to determine the cause of a patient's illness. Once a particular
cause has been identified, the doctor then prescribes the appropriate medicine and other treatments to address
the illness. In the case of a person who experiences a stomach ache, a doctor may prescribe the appropriate
medicine that will address the physical causes of the problem.

A holistic perspective, however, requires the doctor to look at the "big picture" and view the patient's
illness as an aspect of his or her lifestyle and personal circumstances. When using this perspective, a doctor
may be able to identify other underlying causes of the illness. The doctor can interview the patient and get an
idea of his or her situation. ln the case of the patient with stomach problems, the doctor's inquiry into his or her
habits and lifestyle may lead to the discovery that fatigue and stress may be factors that cause the illness.
Knowing this, the doctor can advise the patient to make changes in his or her habits to reduce stress and
eventually improve his or her well-being.

A holistic perspective can enable a person to step back and consider the general aspects of a certain
problem. In the case of an argument among friends, would it be beneficial to take one side or act as a mediator
and try to reconcile all sides? Should we simply condemn a person who misbehaved in a video that has gone
viral? Or should we reserve judgment until we get all the facts regarding what made that person act in that
manner? Adopting a holistic approach in thinking encourages us not only to be more critical but also to be more
considerate in dealing with others.

A holistic view also gives rise to a more appreciative perspective about life, as we are able to look at
life in its totality. This means that we try to understand a situation from different vantage points so we can see it
more fully. Just as we savor food in its entirety and not pick out each ingredient and taste it, we experience and
appreciate life in its entirety and not just its specific “flavors". All the positive and negative experiences in our
life come together to give meaning to our existence, and we learn to appreciate our individual experiences as
vital aspects of a larger and more meaningful life.

6
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Roberto D. Abella, M.Div., D.Min.

How does one engage in reflection?

Reflection requires a person to be willing to examine one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions and to learn
more about one’s life and experiences. One can reflect on almost any subject. For instance, the moment you
wake up you can already reflect upon the things that you plan to do for the day. This will enable you to set your
daily goals and set you on the path of thinking of ways to achieve them.

Seemingly simple or mundane actions take a whole new meaning when one engages in reflection. When
buying clothes, for example, think of the questions that you ask yourself as you consider buying the t-shirt or
blouse you are holding. You may start with the simple questions: "Will this fit me?" "Do l look good in this
color?" These are the usual questions any buyer would ask himself or herself.

But since we are in a reflective and philosophizing mood, let us now try and think of "deeper" questions
and reflect on the situation. You may find yourself asking the following questions: “Do I even have to buy a
new t-shirt today?" "Am I better off spending my money on other things?" "Do I see myself wearing this shirt
often, or am I just going to wear it once?" "What sort of person wears this kind of shirt?"

Notice the difference when you engage in reflection. The simple task of buying a shirt becomes
something much more. If you concentrate only on the simple questions, you would just buy that shirt
immediately. But reflection allows you an opportunity to think more deeply about your action, your
motivations for doing such an action, and even its possible consequences. Buying a shirt becomes a much more
meaningful act with the aid of reflection. Constant reflection on your possible purchases may even help you
make wiser choices and improve your spending habits in the future.

Reflection is vital in ensuring that our actions and decisions are well thought out and are done with due
regard for their implications and consequences on ourselves, others, and our surroundings. Reflection helps us
understand ourselves and our actions better. When we reflect, we can judge whether our actions or decisions
are reasonable or not. Taking time to analyze your decisions and actions is one vital skill that will greatly help
you as you encounter more challenges in life.

What are the practical uses of philosophy in our lives?

Philosophy has an important place in our daily lives. Engaging in philosophical reflection leads to the
development of beneficial skills that individuals can apply in everyday situations.

7
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by Roberto D. Abella, M.Div., D.Min.

Philosophy enables a person to engage in critical analysis

and interpretation of concepts, definitions, arguments, and
problems. It also trains us to be critical of our own ideas as well
as of others meaning, we don't simply accept or reject whatever
is presented to us. One can apply this critical and analytical
mindset in processing information gained from media and
addressing certain issues encountered in life. Critical thinking
skills can help us avoid being tricked by false claims or
manipulative schemes.

Philosophy also improves problem-solving and decision making. The ability to analyze a problem or
dilemma, identify its significant aspects, and come up with alternative solutions is an important skill learned
through philosophy.

A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and adequately present his or her ideas.
Discussion and debate require skills in presenting and communicating ideas. Philosophy can also help us be
more open to new and different ideas. Communication skills are also enhanced by the study of philosophy
because it trains us to be very clear and precise about our thoughts and sentiments in order to express exactly
what we want to say.

Wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing, and this refers to a person’s ability to apply
knowledge to daily life particularly in making sound choices and judgment.

Finally, knowledge of Philosophy can contribute to self-development. One can be a better student,
scientist, artist, professional, and citizen if he or she has the capacity for inquiry, critical thinking, and
reflection. ln addition, philosophy encourages a person to know oneself, his or her strengths and weaknesses,
establish an identity, and determine his or her purpose in life. Self-knowledge also grows along with one's
understanding of the world and this is essential to the realization of the self. These are tools to develop one's
own ideas and views and engage fully in useful activities in the community, nation, and the world at large.