JOURNAL

I. Self-introduction (include your photo)

Three (3) Interesting Things about Myself

1. I'd most likely to be remembered for hating or not liking the color pink.
2. Whether it's cold or hot during the night, I'd still put my blanket or jacket.
3 .I am a person who understand someone's feelings, ready to help and to listen to their
problems.

II. Module 1: Doing philosophy

Philosophy
PHILOS (to love or to desire)
SOPHOS (wisdom). SOPHY, English from of the Greek word Sophos.
- Study of thought
- Love of wisdom
- Rational investigation concerning existence knowledge and ethics.

The Big Three

1. Socrates
- “Athens’ street and sculptor”
- Famous for creating the Socratic Method of Teaching.
2. Plato
- “The philosopher who could be king”
- Born as Aristocles from wealthy family. His nickname Plato was given by his
friends.
- Wrote “The Republic”
- Believed that life is nothing more than the imprisonment of the soul in a physical
body.
3. Aristotle
- “A long walk to the Golden Mean” or “The Mean”
- Plato’s best student
- Well-paid tutor of Alexander the Great
Predecessors of the Big Three
1. Thales of Miletus
- First proper philosopher
- Proposed that the whole universe was composed of different forms of water.
2. Anaximander of Miletus
- Proposed that the whole universe was made out of air.

3. Heraclitus of Ephesus
- Known as “The Obscure” or “The Weeping Philosopher” because of his allegedly
paradoxical philosophies.
- Proposed that the whole universe was made of fire.
4. Anaximander
- Thales’ student
- Known in the historical documents as the first one to write down his teachings.
- Proposed that the whole universe was made from an unexplainable substance
usually translated as “the infinite” or “the boundless”.
5. Pythagoras of Samos
- Led a bizarre religious sect and essentially believed that all of reality was
governed by Mathematics.
6. Parmenides of Elea
- Considered as the founder of the school of either Metaphysics or Ontology.
- Argued that motion is an illusion.
- Used a complicated form of reasoning to deny the concept of change and argued that
everything that exists is permanent, indestructible, and unchanging.
7. Zeno of Elea
- Pointed out that the concept of infinity in divisibility is a problematical
- Inventor of the dialectic.
8. Empedocles
- Proposed that everything is made up of the four (4) classical elements which influenced
almost anything for almost 2,000 years
9. Democritus
- Proposed the theory of the atomos, which became one of the foundations for modern-day
Chemistry
- Developed the study of Aetiology (study of causation or origination).

Western vs Eastern Philosophy

A. Differences
Western
- School of thought based mainly from Greece.
- Laws govern the universe’s behavior exist
- Individualistic approach
- Success is conquering one’s goals
- Principle is about social responsibility
- Heavily depends on Logic, Science, and Rationalization
- Vocal leadership
- Respect is earned

Eastern
- Based in Asia; majority is Chinese philosophy
- The universe exists “as is” without laws
- Success is conquering one’s self
- Collective approach
- Principle is about unity
- Heavily depends on eternal life and Reincarnation
- Respect for the hierarchy

B. Similarities
- Both share a concept that a deeper understanding of reality is possible that’s
normally available in everyday experience.
- Both philosophies believe a supreme deity exists who guides the human kind and
provides for all the created beings.
 Why having philosophies is important?
- It improves critical thinking
- It provides tools to assess ethical issues
- Provides understanding on the perspective of others
- It reminds us there’s still so much to learn and to know

ACTIVITY
1. Choose one (1) of the following philosophers:
 Jean-Jacques Rousseau
 John Locke
 Montesquieu
 Voltaire
 Thomas Hobbes
 Laozi
 Amartya Sen
2. Research on your chosen philosopher’s famous arguments.
3. Compose a 300-word (minimum) comparative essay comparing their arguments with your
own personal experiences in life, as well as how they can apply one (1) of their
philosophical arguments to improve your life.
Answer:
Montesquieu was one of the greatest philosopher. His famous work was the spirit
of laws, with his idea, he outlined how the government would its best. He used this so
that corruption on government could be avoided. He saw that government should not
threaten the freedom of the people. Montesquieu hoped that the government would
reduce the problem of the society and improve human life. This separation of power,
idea of Montesquieu had an enormous impact, such that each branch of government
with equal but different powers. That way, the government would avoid placing too
much power with the people that surrounds them. The separation of power became the
basis of the United States Constitution.
          Philippines is a republic country where people got the chance to vote for their
leader. The current state if the Philippines is not good. All I can say about the
governance in the Philippines is poor. Some of the politicians here are corrupt. The
politicians are always quarrelling instead of reconciling and working together for the
good of the country. I thought the country’s problem including in my family, would be
reduced or solved but no, many people are suffering and I am one of them. There was a
politician, who said that a woman is not capable of leading and running a country, for
me, it is an insult because he seems to imply that women are weak. According to
Montesquieu, the calmness and gentleness of women would be helpful in making
decisions in government and I absolutely agree with him. I saw a lot of women that are
able to govern. My mother can do a lot of things just like my father, and I can also do
some stuff that boys can do. Montesquieu didn’t felt that all people were equal and I
also felt that. People would criticize or discriminate anyone who doesn’t reach their
standard, I also been criticized for being fat. I think Philippines will improve if separation
of power is applied. The problems of the country may reduce or there will be no corrupt
politicians. It would have a great impact if this would be the basis, people would feel and
see that the government is doing their best for the sake of the country.

III. Module 2: Methods of Philosophizing

~Traditional Branches of philosophy~

A. Metaphysics
- Is the branch of philosophy which deals with the fundamental questions or reality
- Meta (over / beyond)

Two (2) traditional branches of metaphysics

1. Cosmology
- Seeks to understands the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at
large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order
2. Ontology
- Is the investigation into what types of things there are in the world and what relations
these things bear to one another. It deals with questions concerning what entities exist or
can be said to exist, and how such entities can be grouped, related within a hierarchy, and
subdivided accordingly to similarities and differences.

B. Epistemology
- Is the branch of philosophy which deals with our concept of knowledge, how we learn,
and what we ca know. It addresses four (4) main questions:
1. What is knowledge?
2. How is knowledge acquired?
3. What do people know?
4. How do we know what we know?
 C. Logic
- Is the branch of philosophy which studies the rules of valid reasoning and argumentation.

D. Ethics or Moral Philosophy

- Is the branch of philosophy which is concerned with human values and how individuals
should act. All about morality. (concepts like good, and bad, right and wrong, justice and
crime)

E. Aesthetics or esthetics
- Is the branch of philosophy which deals with the notion of beauty and the philosophy of
art
- It deals with the nature of beauty, art, taste, and the creation and appreciation of beauty

F. Political philosophy or politics

- , is the branch of philosophy which studies the concepts of liberty, justice, property,
rights, law, and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why (or even
if) they are needed, what makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it
should protect and why, what form it should take and why, what the law is, and what
duties citizens owe to a legitimate government if any, and when it may be legitimately
overthrown, if ever.

Methods of Doing Philosophy

Truth and Opinion

Truth
- Defined as being in accordance with fact and reality, sometimes considered as fidelity to
an original or standard.
Example:
The total Covid cases in the world: 237 million
(to know if this statement is true, go to websites to confirm this)
Opinion
- Is defined as a view or judgement formed by a person about something, which is not
necessarily based on fact or knowledge

Methods of philosophizing
1. Logic
Truth is based on reasoning and critical thinking analysis and construction of
arguments. It serves as a path to freedom form half-truths and deception. Logic, as the
study of reasoning, or the study of the principles and criteria of valid inference and
demonstration, attempts to distinguish good reasoning from bad reasoning.

Types:
a. Inductive Reasoning
- Moves from specific to a general conclusion.

b. Deductive Reasoning
- Moves from a general truth to a specific conclusion.

Fallacy
- False or mistaken idea
- An often plausible argument using false or invalid inference

Types of Fallacy
1. Strawman Fallacy
- Involves an opponent misrepresenting or oversimplifying the other side’s argument to
make it simpler to attack or debate. They set up a metaphorical ‘straw man’ for them to
destroy instead of engaging with the original and precise premise of the other side’s
argument. This helps them to confuse the audience and create the illusion of having
defeated the other side inn an intellectual battle.
Example: