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 a "love for wisdom" and was soon applied to a
science or discipline which uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and
principles which govern all things.
Since ancient times, people have been reflecting on and discussing various issues related
to philosophy. Asian communities already had thriving schools of thought and belief systems since
2000 BCE. In the west, the first philosophical schools emerged in ancient Greece around the 6th
century BCE. These first schools of thought gave rise to changes and developments which brought
about the emergence of philosophy as we know it at present.
Western Philosophy is primarily concerned with uncovering the truth through systematic
argumentation and theory. There is greater emphasis on the use of reason rather than faith, and an
increased focus on man as an individual. This perspective has led to the development of a more
scientific, theory-based approach in philosophy, and a more individualistic, self-oriented approach
in analyzing the human condition.
Greece was home to one of the great civilizations during the Ancient Period. Among the
most notable characteristics of ancient Greek civilization was their love for learning. For a Greek
to claim himself a wise and learned person, he must know a lot of things from various disciplines.
From Ancient Greece, the thoughts and ideas of philosophers soon gained popularity in
many places throughout the world. 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 an ancient philosopher who was considered an
"expert" in various fields of learning.
The following are among the most notable ancient Greek philosophers:
Pythagoras — A mathematician and scientist, he was credited with the formulation of 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 — He proposed that everything that exists is based on a higher order or plan
which he called logos. For him, change is a permanent aspect of the human condition and
he was credited with the saying, "No man ever steps on the same river twice.
Democritus — He devoted himself to studying the causes of natural phenomena. He was
among the first to propose that matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms.
Diogenes of Sinope — He was a known advocate of a simple and virtuous life. For
Diogenes, one should not only talk of virtue but should show it in words and actions.
Socrates — 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

Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by R. D. Abella

 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 — A student of Socrates, he wrote down his teacher's writings and incorporated some
of his own ideas into them. His teachings and writings were considered the foundation of
Western philosophy.
Aristotle — He attended the Academy, and was a prominent student of Plato. Aristotle,
however, disagreed with Plato's theory of forms and took a different view 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.
These and other ancient philosophers contributed greatly to the development and spread of
philosophy in Greece and throughout Europe. Many of their ideas survived through the centuries,
and these formed the basis for the development of modern Western Philosophy.
Western Philosophy
The science and discipline of Philosophy, as we know it at present, is primarily a product
of developments and changes in the Western world. From the early developments in Ancient
Greece, various historical developments in Europe and the Western world led to the gradual
shaping of Western Philosophy from an ancient discourse into a modern science.
The development of western philosophy is defined by the emergence of various schools of
thought in various periods in history.

WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
Historical Period School of Thought Main Features, Beliefs Notable Philosophers
Ancient Rome Stoicism Emphasis on morality, Seneca
(1st century BCE to virtue, calm, and Epictetus
5th century CE) emotional fortitude Marcus Aurelius

Medieval Period (5th Scholasticism Application of St. Thomas Aquinas

to 15th centuries) philosophy to define St. Augustine
and explain religious
doctrines
Renaissance (14th to Humanism Emphasis on the human Petrarch
17th centuries) person; use of Desiderius Erasmus
philosophy to Niccolo Machiavelli
understand society, Francois Rabelais
nature, and humanity

Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by R. D. Abella

 The Enlightenment Rationalism Reason and logic Rene Descartes
(17th to 18th considered the basis of Immanuel Kantz
centuries) knowledge and belief; Gottfried Leibniz
man has innate
knowledge that can be
accessed through
intuition or deduction
Empiricism Knowledge is gained David Hume
through the senses and Francis Bacon
experience; reliance on John Locke
inductive reasoning to
arrive at generalizations
Social and Political Discussions on the ideal Voltaire
Philosophy human situation and Jean Jacques Rousseau
society; emphasis on Thomas Hobbes
individual rights and John Stuart Mill
liberties
Modern Period (19th Existentialism Human experience is Soren Kierkegaard
to 20th centuries) defined by the views, Friedrich Nietzsche
emotions, and actions Martin Heidegger
of the individual. Jean Paul Sartre
Simone de Beauvoir
Pragmatism Emphasis on the Charles Peirce
practical use of William James
knowledge and ideas John Dewey
Phenomenology Experience is studied Edmund Husserl
based on the subjective
viewpoint of the
individual.

Absurdism Man will never Albert Camus

understand the human
condition and the
meaning of life.

Postmodernism, Analysis on how Jacques Derrida

Post-structuralism knowledge, ideas, and Michel Foucault
power relations are
defined

Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by R. D. Abella

Eastern Philosophy
As the ancient Greeks were laying the foundation of Western philosophy in Europe, several
belief systems and philosophies were already prevalent in many communities in Asia. Eastern
Philosophy consists of schools of thought which are often closely tied with religious beliefs.
Eastern philosophies are often described as "wisdom" literature, where stories, sayings and texts
encourage people to adopt an ethical and harmonious way of life. There is great emphasis on social
relations, and the family and community are considered a central aspect of life. The goal of
philosophy is to achieve a balanced life and find one's role in society.
Eastern philosophies are classified according to theistic (belief in a Supreme Being or
deities) and nontheistic philosophies. There are also a variety of indigenous philosophies or belief
systems among small indigenous communities throughout Asia.

EASTERN PHILOSOPHY
School of Thought, Proponents,
Historical Period Belief System Main Features, Beliefs Major Texts
(Region or Area)
ca. 2000 BCE Judaism Belief in one God Abraham, Moses,
(Israel, the Levant) (monotheism), who has a various prophets
role in the ultimate
destiny of mankind; the Tanakh, Torah, and
Jewish people are God's various scriptures
chosen people

The observance of God's

commandments will
result in rewards. A
deeper study and
understanding of God's
laws as revealed in the
sacred scriptures will
lead to wisdom.
ca. 1500 BCE Hinduism Belief in a pantheon of The Vedas
(India, South Asia) gods, with three main
gods — Brahma, Shiva,
and Vishnu

Belief in a cycle of birth

and rebirth (samsara),
which is broken when a
person achieves ultimate
union with the Divine
(moksha)
Emphasis on dharma,
the fulfillment of duties

Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by R. D. Abella

 and behavior in
accordance with the
established order in the
world; individual actions
contribute to either a
good or bad effect
(karma) in a person's life

ca. 600 BCE Shinto An animistic religion No distinct

(Japan) influenced by Japanese philosophers or
myth and traditions sacred texts

The material and spiritual

worlds are closely
connected; rituals and
traditions are a way to
connect with the spiritual
world.

Mankind and the world

are essentially good and
pure.

Harmony and balance are

essential in maintaining
purity.
Ca. 400 BCE Buddhism Shares a number of main Siddharta Gautama
(South Asia, East Asia, beliefs (samsara, dharma, (Buddha)
Southeast Asia) moksha) with Hinduism Tripitaka

The Four Noble Truths

describe worldly
existence as imperfect
and influenced by earthly
desires and suffering
(dukkha); to rid oneself
of desire and achieve
liberation from suffering,
one must follow the
Eight-fold Path.

Divided into two major

branches: Theravada
Buddhism and Mahayana
Buddhism

Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by R. D. Abella

 Ca. 400 BCE Confucianism The contemplation of the Confucius
(East Asia) order of things can lead
to self-transformation. The Five Classics
Self-transformation can
lead to the betterment of
the family and society.
Human relationships are
based on mutual
obligations; individuals
should perform their
intended roles and
contribute to social order.

Why is there a need for man 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 as a
science.
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
over-abounding 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, since many of the things he sees 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, meanwhile, traced the need to
philosophize to doubt. Descartes was famous for rejecting or questioning old 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. In the sciences, there is a need to verify
an information or explanation 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 in order 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.

Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by R. D. Abella

Perhaps the one philosopher that exemplified this perspective was Socrates' who 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 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.

Source: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person by R. D. Abella