Introduction TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

Introduction:
DOING
PHILOSOPHY
LESSON 1
 WHAT IS
Philosophy
Etymological definition
Philosophy comes from the two Greek words
philo meaning “love” and sophia meaning
“wisdom.” Thus, philosophy means “love of
wisdom.”
Technical definition
Philosophy is defined as “the science of
beings in their ultimate reasons, causes,
and principles acquired by the aid of human
reason alone (Bittle, 1984).”
1 Philosophy is a Science

It is called a Science because the investigation is

systematic. It follows certain steps or it employs
certain procedures. In other words, it is an
organized body of knowledge just like any other
sciences.
2 Philosophy uses the power or natural
light of reason
Philosophy investigates things, not by using any
other laboratory instrument or investigative tools,
neither on the basis of supernatural revelation,
otherwise it becomes theology; instead, the
philosopher uses his natural capacity to think or
simply, human reason alone or the so-called
unaided reason.
3 Philosophy is the study of all things

Philosophy is not one dimensional or partial. A

philosopher does not limit himself to a particular
object of inquiry. He question almost anything, if
not everything. It is multidimensional or holistic.
4 Philosophy searches for the ultimate reasons,
causes and principles of beings.
This means that philosophy studies the ultimate
“whys and wherefores” of beings.
To illustrate: Philosophy does not investigate
plant life, but rather, it seeks an answer to the
question: “What does it mean to be a living thing
as opposed to a non-living thing?”
 Origin of
Philosophy
The birthplace of Philosophy in the West is
Greece.

Ancient
Greek city of
Miletus
THALES OF
MILETUS
624-546 BCE

"What is the ultimate

stuff of the Universe?"
The branches
Philosophy
Man’s philosophical
questions tend to fall into any of
the following fields:
A. METAPHYSICS
(Questions related to Being and Existence)
It studies the nature of the mind, the self, and consciousness. It is the
science which deals with the nature of being, its attributes,
constituent principles, and causes.
Metaphysics attempts to resolve the following questions:
“What is being?”
“Why is there being rather than non-being?”
“What is existence?”
“What is essence?”
B. ETHICS
(Questions related to Morality)
Ethics deals with development of a virtuous and moral character. It
is the science of the morality of human acts as ordained to the end.
Ethics attempts to resolve questions like:
“What makes my action right or wrong, and how could I know it?”
“Is there a norm good and evil?
C. EPISTEMOLOGY
(Questions related to Truth and Knowledge)
Epistemology is the science of knowledge. This includes the
statement and solution to the critical problem, nature, origin,
objectivity, and validity of knowledge, truth and certitude.
Epistemology attempts to resolve questions like:
“What is knowledge?”
“What is fact?”
“What is truth?”
D. LOGIC
(Questions related to Reasoning)
Logic studies the laws of thought. It is the science of correct
reasoning. This covers the study of simple apprehension and
ideas, judgment and proposition, reasoning and arguments.
Logic attempts to resolve the following questions:
“What makes good arguments good and bad arguments
bad?”
E. AESTHETICS
(Questions related to Beauty and Taste)
It is the science of beauty and art. Beauty means the quality
attributed to whatever pleases the beholder such as form,
color, and behavior. Art is creativeness and skill in making or
doing things that have form and beauty. It includes the concept
of creativity, expression, representation, form, and style.
Aesthetics attempts to resolve questions like:
“What are the essential characteristics of beauty?”
“What is aesthetic value?”
“Do the arts provide knowledge?
Why the study of Philosophy is important?
According to Zunjic (2011) studying or doing
philosophy could be beneficial in many regards such
as:
1. Philosophy enlarges our understanding of the world.
It expands our intellectual horizons and freedom of
thought.

2. Philosophy raises public awareness and helps in

forming engaged and responsible citizens.
Why the study of Philosophy is important?

3. Philosophy can increase our sensitivity for

universalistic moral values and stimulate our
readiness to stand up for the principles of justice
and fairness.

4. Philosophy can give one self-knowledge,

foresight, and a sense of direction in life.
Why is there a need to philosophize?
1. Men have the tendency to wonder (Plato).
For example: we asked questions about our
existence
2. Men also have the tendency to doubt
( Rene de Cartes).
For example: Men have to test and verify
information before accepting it.
Why is there a need to philosophize?
3. Men do philosophize because of his/her experience
( Karl Jaspers). Our daily experience challenged our
ideas and way of thinking.
For example: Giving money to a beggar, and found out
that he uses it for gambling.
4. Men’s love for wisdom (Socrates). Men’s desire for truth
or seeking of knowledge is not to claim ownership of it
but to get the bottom of things.
 THREE GREAT ORIGINAL CENTERS OF
PHILOSOPHY IN THE WORLD
gREEK (WESTERN) INDIAN CHINESE

All these three arose as critical reflections on their own cultural traditions.
Expanding our philosophical frames: western and non-
western traditions

Historically speaking, Asian classics of the Indians

and the Chinese predate the oldest of Western
classics. During the first centuries, there was more
Philosophical activity in the East than in the West.
 GREEK TRIUMVIRATE

SOCRATES PLATO ARISTOTLE

From the time of the Greek Triumvirate there was a reversal. The Western thinkers
started to indulge in feverish philosophical speculation, whereas the Asian
thinkers began diminishing philosophical activity.
Expanding our philosophical frames: western and non-western traditions

EASTERN WESTERN
1. Western philosophy is mainly used in the Western parts of the world, such as in
the European countries, while the Eastern philosophy is prevalent in Asian
countries.
2. Western philosophy deals with Individualism while Eastern Philosophy is
related to Collectivism.
3. Both philosophies center on virtues.
4. Eastern philosophy takes more of a spiritual approach while Western
philosophy is more hands-on.
FILIPINO THINKING:
INDIGENOUS BELIEFS
1. Loob: Holistic and Interior Dimensions

The Filipino generally believes in the

innate goodness of the human being.
2. Filipino Philosophy of Time

The Filipino believes in the gulong ng

palad (literally, "wheel of fortune") and
hence, looks at life as a series of ups and
downs (Timbreza, 1992).
3. Bahala Na

The Filipino subconsciously accepts the

bahala na attitude as a part of life. Bahala
na literally means to leave everything to
God who is Bathala in the vernacular.
4. Filipino thought and values: Positive and
Negative Aspects
PHILOSOPHICAL
REFLECTIONS
What is PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION?

The careful examination of life situation. This

involves the weighing of alternatives and
using specific standards to evaluate one’s
action. An individual reflects philosophically
when he builds on previous actions, events
and or decisions.
"the unexamined life is not
worth living.”
SOCRATES
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 others, our surroundings, and
ourselves.
PARTIAL THINKING HOLISTIC THINKING
A way of thinking that focuses
on the specific aspects of the
situation. The partial view is an
important component of
analytical thinking, on certain
areas or aspects of the problem
in order to understand it.
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 a problem. A holistic
perspective requires an individual to
have an open mindset and an ability to
get a general sense or impression
regarding a situation.
Our ability to engage in philosophical reflection helps us develop beneficial
skills, which are deemed important in our daily situations such as:
1. Philosophy enables a person to develop a critical and
analytical mindset in processing information and addressing
certain issues encountered in life.
- Our ability to critically think helps us from being tricked by
false claims and manipulative schemes.
2. Philosophy helps us develop problem solving and decision-
making skills.
- It is through our engagement with philosophy that we learn
how to analyze a problem and come up with alternative
solutions is very important skill learned through philosophy.
3. Philosophy trains us to become precise and clear in
presenting our ideas and thoughts.
- As we engage in discussion and debate, philosophy enables
us to convey our ideas precisely and clearly.

4. Philosophy contributes greatly to the self-development of a

person.
- In our quest to become a better version of our self, philosophy
encourages us to understand our self, our strength and
weaknesses, our identity and our very purpose in life along with
our engagement in the community, the nation and the world.