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Philo-Module-1 - Module
Introduction to
the Philosophy of
the Human Person
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
The Meaning and Process of
Philosophy
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Introduction to
the Philosophy of
the Human Person
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
The Meaning and Process of
Philosophy
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their
needs and circumstances.
In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:
As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage
their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
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The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner
is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and
skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.
What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.
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1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and
gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it
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This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the principles of Philosophy. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary
level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the
course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with
the textbook you are now using.
What I Know
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Read the following items carefully. Write the letter of the correct
answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following is the study that uses human reason to investigate the
ultimate causes, reasons, and principles that governs all things?
a) Anthropology
b) Economics
c) Philosophy
d) Psychology
2. Who among the following pioneered the various field of knowledge such as
history, astronomy, mathematics, medicine and even physics?
a) Americans
b) Greeks
c) Moslems
d) Russians
3. Philosophy is derived from two Greek words: philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom).
Which of the following is the common meaning of Philosophy?
a) Love of Truth
b) Love of Wisdom
c) Lover of Truth
d) Lover of Wisdom
8. Greg is very good in the art of correct thinking. He uses syllogisms to validate
his reasoning. What philosophy is this?
a) Logic
b) Ethics
c) Aesthetics
d) Epistemology
10. Which of the following statements could be a reason why philosophy is hard
to define?
a) Philosophy is specific.
b) Philosophy is reflective.
c) Philosophy includes standards and thoughts.
d) Philosophy changes historically in respect to its content and character.
12. What do we call the activity that requires a person to examine his/her
thoughts?
a) Analysis
b) Meditation
c) Reasoning
d) Reflection
14. It is a way of looking at things using particular and specifics of a given situation.
a) Bias
b) Claim
c) Opinion
d) Partial Thinking
What’s In
1. What is knowledge?
2. How do we know?
3. What is good?
4. What is freedom?
5. What is beauty?
6. Does God exist?
7. Can we prove the existence of God?
8. What is good life?
9. What is man? Who is man?
What’s New
What is It
ACTIVITY 1
What words come to your mind when you hear the word Philosophy? Copy the
graphic organizer and write the words in the blank circles.
Philosophy
A. Definition:
1. The word Philosophy comes from the two Greek words philos (love) and Sophia
(Wisdom), (Abella 2016). Thus, Philosophy is the love of wisdom. This is the
most common and simplest definition of Philosophy. Philosophy may also be
defined as a science of thinking that deals with the study of processes
governing thoughts and conduct, (Garcia 2016).
2. Philosophy is the study that uses the human reason to investigate the ultimate
causes, reasons, and principles which governs all things. (Abella 2016)
B. Characteristics:
- Just as there are many ways at looking at things, like, experiences, situations,
problems, Philosophy can also be seen and treated in different ways.
Philosophy can be seen as a framework, as an examination of knowledge and
as a discipline. (Abella 2016)
PHILOSOPHY
FRAMEWORK DISCIPLINE
EXAMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE
Let us ponder:
Based on the characteristics of philosophy, would it be
possible for any person to engage in philosophical
discussion? Why or Why not?
(Abella 2016)
Logic
o a branch of philosophy that deals with the
nature of thinking and reasoning using
empirical support and information which are
reliable, valid and objective.
o it is the science of correct thinking.
Epistemology
o a branch of Philosophy that concerns with the definition of knowledge and
related concepts such as the sources and criteria of knowledge.
Ethics
o it comes from the Greek word “ethos” which means character.
o it is the science of correct doing.
o it is the study of what is right and what is wrong in human behavior in the
pursuit of beauty and goodness of life.
Metaphysics
o it comes from the Greek words “meta” which means beyond and “physikon”
which means nature.
o it is branch of philosophy which is concerned with the nature of ultimate
reality.
Aesthetics
o it is derived from the Greek word “aesthetikos” which means one who is
perceptive of things through his sensations, feelings and intuitions.
o it is concerned with the essence of perception of beauty and ugliness.
Political Philosophy
o it refers to a body of knowledge that looks up on the society, politics and the
people that makes it whole.
o it is believed that society is inseparable to politics.
D. Philosophy of Religion
• Does God exist?
• Can we prove the existence of God?
• What reasons are there to believe in God?
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What’s More
ACTIVITY 2
Give examples of scientific and philosophical questions.
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
AYN RAND:
- “Philosophy studies the fundamental nature of existence, of man, and of man’s
relationship to existence. As against the special science, which deals only with
particular aspect, philosophy deals with those aspects of the universe which
pertain to everything that exists. In the realm of cognition, the special sciences
are the trees but philosophy is the soil which makes the forest possible.”
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1. The word Philosophy comes from two Geek words philos (love) and Sophia
(wisdom).
2. Philosophy is the study that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate
causes, reasons and principles which governs all things.
3. Philosophy is a distinct area of knowledge with its own goals, concerns and
ways of doing things.
4. Philosophy is divided into several branches namely: Aesthetics, Logic,
Epistemology, Ethics, Metaphysics and Political Philosophy.
5. Philosophy can be seen as a framework, as an examination of knowledge and
as a discipline.
6. Philosophy is concerned with the deepest and widest questions in life.
What I Can Do
How does philosophy look at man? How does science look at a man?
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
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Additional Activities
Periods Philosophers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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What’s in
Let us think about: The Story of the Five Blind Men and an
Elephant
Guide Questions
a. What is the story all about?
b. What is the source of argument among the five blind men?
c. How can the five blind men come up with a common understanding of an
elephant?
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What’s new
What is it
Holistic point of view and partial point of view are two different views with different
point of references. Both views give us a reality that we can look into and come up
with a reflection or wisdom. There are different and possible ways that may help us
understand the dynamics of holistic and partial of view. First, we may use the
principles, theories and findings of science in contradistinction of the dictum and
jargons of philosophy. Secondly, we may use Marcelian way as presented by the
philosopher Gabriel Marcel and lastly, the difference between the shadow and reality
from Plato’s master piece, the Allegory of the cave. (Garcia 2016)
A. Science
It is widely accepted that science is a good and
reliable source of knowledge, information and
data. It uses a standard in identifying whether
a certain discovery is scientific or not through
experimentation and observation. Through
science we can explain and understand the
natural world. Science is empirical. It uses the
senses in arriving into a truth or reality called
sense knowledge. Scientific knowledge covers a
very small part of the world.
Science is investigative. This means, it must investigate to describe facts and events.
Specifically, it gives us knowledge of particular facts. The method of science in
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biological functioning of
Having a “life.” Having a
organs
1 life career, friends, loved ones,
Ex. Breathing, beating of the
problems, happiness. etc.
heart
It is more of a structure. It
structure, design, size of a is a home where
2 house
house relationships are built in the
context of a family.
expression of feelings
It may mean giving oneself
5 love Reduced as a chemical
to others
reaction in the brain
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The ‘Allegory of The Cave’ is a theory put forward by Plato, concerning human
perception. Plato claimed that knowledge gained through the senses is no more than
opinion and that, in order to have real knowledge, we must gain it through
philosophical reasoning.
The Cave
• Imagine a cave, in which there are three prisoners. The prisoners are tied to some
rocks, their arms and legs are bound and their head is tied so that they cannot
look at anything but the stonewall in front of them.
• These prisoners have been here since birth and have never seen outside of the
cave.
• Behind the prisoners is a fire, and between them is a raised walkway.
• People outside the cave walk along this walkway carrying things on their head
including; animals, plants, wood and stone.
The Shadows
• So, imagine that you are one of the prisoners. You cannot look at anything behind
or to the side of you – you must look at the wall in front of you.
• When people walk along the walkway, you can see shadows of the objects they
are carrying cast on to the wall.
• If you had never seen the real objects ever before, you would believe that the
shadows of objects were ‘real.
The Game
• Plato suggests that the prisoners would begin a ‘game’ of guessing which shadow
would appear next.
• If one of the prisoners was to correctly guess, the others would praise him as clever
and say that he was a master of nature.
The Escape
• One of the prisoners then escapes
from their bindings and leaves the
cave.
• He is shocked at the world he
discovers outside the cave and does
not believe it can be real.
• As he becomes used to his new
surroundings, he realizes that his
former view of reality was wrong.
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• He begins to understand his new world, and sees that the Sun is the source of
life and goes on an intellectual journey where he discovers beauty and
meaning.
• He sees that his former life, and the guessing game they played is useless.
The Return
• The prisoner returns to the cave, to inform the other prisoners of his findings.
• They do not believe him and threaten to kill him if he tries to set them free.
The Allegory of the cave by Plato should not be taken at face value. In essays and
exams, whoever is marking it expects you to have a deeper understanding of the
meaning of the theory. You can then use these to think about criticisms and then to
form your own opinion.
The Cave
• In Plato’s theory, the cave represents people who believe that knowledge comes
from what we see and hear in the world – empirical evidence. The cave shows
that believers of empirical knowledge are trapped in a ‘cave’ of
misunderstanding.
The Shadows
• The Shadows represent the perceptions of those who believe empirical
evidence ensures knowledge. If you believe that what you see should be taken
as truth, then you are merely seeing a shadow of the truth. In Plato’s opinion
you are a ‘pleb’ if you believe this (their insult for those who are not
Philosophers)!
The Game
• The Game represents how people believe that one person can be a ‘master’
when they have knowledge of the empirical world. Plato is demonstrating that
this master does not actually know any truth, and suggesting that it is
ridiculous to admire someone like this.
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The Escape
• The escaped prisoner represents the Philosopher, who seeks knowledge
outside of the cave and outside of the senses.
• The Sun represents philosophical truth and knowledge
• His intellectual journey represents a philosopher’s journey when finding truth
and wisdom
The Return
• The other prisoner’s reaction to the escapee returning represents that people
are scared of knowing philosophical truths and do not trust philosophers.
(https://www.philosophyzer.com/the-allegory-of-the-cave-by-plato-summary-and-
meaning/ n.d.)
What’s more
ACTIVITY 3
Philosophy Science
Meaning: Meaning:
Method: Method:
Area of Concern: Area of concern:
ACTIVITY 4
Use the Marcelian way of Philosophical Reflection and come up with an example
using the table below.
2
3
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4. Science is a good and reliable source of knowledge, information and data. It uses
a standard in identifying whether a certain discovery is scientific or not through
experimentation and observation.
6. The Allegory of the Cave by Plato is a classic example of using the process of
reflection in philosophizing.
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What I can do
Rubrics:
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Additional Activities
Using the Primary and Secondary reflection of Gabriel Marcel, reflect on the meaning
of becoming a person and answer the following questions.
Guide Questions:
1. Partial perspective:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Holistic perspective:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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Rubrics:
Structure/Logic and Transition 15 points
Content 15 points
Vocabulary/Word Choice 10 points
Grammar 10 points
Total 50 points
Assessment
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
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I. TRUE OR FALSE. The following are statements about the meaning and process of
philosophy. On a separate sheet of paper, write TRUE if the sentence is correct,
write FALSE otherwise.
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References
n.d. (htttp://Discordia.loveshade.org/apocrypha/elephant.html).
Abella, R. D. 2016. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person.
n.d. Discordia.loveshade.org. Accessed July 20, 2020.
htttp://Discordia.loveshade.org/apocrypha/elephant.html.
Garcia, M. et. al. 2016. Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person.
n.d. http://www.mindmotivations.com/resources/free/optical-illusions-test-2.
http://www.mindmotivations.com/resources/free/optical-illusions-test-2.
n.d. https://www.philosophyzer.com/the-allegory-of-the-cave-by-plato-summary-
and-meaning/. https://www.philosophyzer.com/the-allegory-of-the-cave-by-
plato-summary-and-meaning/.
Marcel, Gabriel. 2016. https://plato.stanford.edu. March 3.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marcel/.
—. 2016. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marcel/. March 3.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marcel/.
Mel Garcia, et.al. 2016. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human person.
n.d. www.mindmotivations.com.
http://www.mindmotivations.com/resources/free/optical-illusions-test-2.
n.d. www.mindmotivations.com.
http://www.mindmotivations.com/resources/free/optical-illusions-test-2.
n.d. www.mindmotivations.com.
http://www.mindmotivations.com/resources/free/optical-illusions-test-2.
n.d. www.mindmotivations.com. Accessed July 18, 2020.
http://www.mindmotivations.com/resources/free/optical-illusions-test-2
n.d.
n.d. www.mindmotivations.com. Accessed July 20, 2020.
http://www.mindmotivations.com/resources/free/optical-illusions-test-2.
n.d. www.mindmotivations.com. Accessed July 20, 2020.
http://www.mindmotivations.com/resources/free/optical-illusions-test-2.
n.d. www.philosophyzer.com. https://www.philosophyzer.com/the-allegory-of-the-
cave-by-plato-summary-and-meaning/.
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