Branches of Philosophy
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Philosophy - came from two Greek words philo and
sophia which means “to love” and “wisdom” Simply put,
Philosophy means the love of reasoning making wisdom
as its primary goal. Technically, Philosophy is defined as
the science that by natural light of reason studies the
highest principles of things.
Salient Features of Philosophy
1. Philosophy is a Science - It is called as such
because it is systematic and follows certain
steps or procedures
2. It employs Natural Light of Reason - This means
that philosophical investigation does not use any
laboratory instrument, investigative tools nor
supernatural approach. Philosophers use their
natural thinking capacity or use the so-called
unaided reason
3. Philosophy has an inclination to Study All Things
- Other sciences concern themselves with a
particular object of investigation. Philosophy may
deal with human beings, society, and plants
among others It is this character that Philosophy
is considered multidimensional or holistic
4. Philosophy employs First Cause or Highest
Principle - Note that principle means a reason (or
an explanation) from which something proceeds
in any manner. This is composed of:
1. Principle of Identity – asserts that a thing is
identical with itself, i.e. everything is the same
with itself. This is to say that a true statement
is not a false statement, but a true one; or that
if a statement is true, then it is true.
2. Principle of Non-Contradiction - This principle
states that it is an impossibility for a particular
thing to be and not to be at the same time at
the same respect.
No statement can be both true and false.
3. Principle of Excluded Middle – this states that
a statement is either true or false. Logically
useful sentence cannot be neither true nor
false and cannot simultaneously be both true
and false. There is no middle value between
truth and falsity. Logical space has only two
sides; true and false; yes and no; right and
left.
4. Principle of Sufficient Reason - This principle
states that there is sufficient reason for the
being and existence of everything.
Conversely, nothing exists without any
reason at all
By using the aforementioned philosophical concepts will
enable one’s argumentation more valid, reliable and
strong. Thus, doing philosophy becomes easier and more
intelligible.
1. Metaphysics – is the philosophical branch that
studies reality, existence , the nature of being, the
physical world and the universe. Samples of
metaphysical questions are; How did mankind
come to be? How was universe made? Does God
Exist?
2. Ethics – also known as moral philosophy, is a
branch of philosophy that is concerned with
human conduct, more specifically the behavior of
individuals in society. Questions like When is
taking human life justified? Is it ever okay to lie?
What is Conscience? What does ‘right’ even
mean?
3. Epistemology – it examines the definition, scope
and parameters of knowledge and knowledge
formation. Some basic questions are what is
knowledge? How do we know what we know?
What distinguishes knowledge from mere belief?
4. Logic – is the branch of philosophy that studies
correct reasoning or good arguments. logic does
not provide us knowledge of the world directly. It
only serves as tool to guide one’s arguments or
discourses so as to keep them valid and true
5. Aesthetics – refers to the study of everything
related to beauty, art, and good taste. This branch
of philosophy concerns itself with questions like;
What is art? Is art an expression of feelings? Why
do we find certain things beautiful?
2 Major Traditions of Philosophy
1. Western Philosophy
2. Eastern Philosophy
Western Philosophy
We focus on the three most renowned Greek
philosophers, namely; Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
These three prominent names of Western tradition
introduced intricate ideas concerning the rational
capacities of man and how these capacities can be used
and developed.
Socrates
- Socrates was born about 470 B.C. in Athens,
Greece. His appearance was frequently
described as grotesque
- His way of doing philosophy was by making
dialogues with various people. Thus, he would
spend most of his time in the marketplace and
talk to people from different walks of life
- His philosophy was focused on getting at the
answers to the questions that are important and
relevant in everyone’s life (justice, virtue,
morality, life and death
- -“The unexamined life is not worth living”, “Be
kind, for everyone who you meet is fighting a
hard battle”, “Strong minds discuss ideas,
average minds discuss events, weak minds
discuss people”, The only true wisdom is in
knowing you know nothing”.
Plato
- One of the students who gathered around
Socrates was Plato. Aristocles was his real
birthname. He was born on about 428 and died
about 347 B.C.
- Plato's way of doing philosophy sought to solve
the question of the real and unreal. In other
words, it seeks the truth.
- Plato’s most famous work is the Republic, which
details a wise society run by a philosopher. He is
also famous for his dialogues (early, middle, and
late), which showcase his metaphysical theory of
forms—something else he is well known for.
- Plato also founded the Academy, an academic
program that many consider to be the first
Western university, where he stressed the
importance of science and mathematics.
Because of this, he became known as the “maker
of mathematicians.”
Aristotle
- Aristotle was born about 384 B.C. He studied
under Plato, and later on, put up his school called
Lyceum
- Aristotle learned much of Plato’s philosophy but
the path he took was different from his mentor’s
interests. For one, he opposed Plato’s Theory of
Forms. He did not reject the idea of the form itself
but claims that Plato was more concerned with
the abstract, referring to the world of ideas which
can be reached only by thoughts.
- Aristotle put forward the notion that the forms
have two categories, namely, the substance and
accidents. To elucidate Aristotle's ideas, let us
take this example: as a human person, you are
composed of body and mind. Having these two
as your substance, it is expected from you to use
your intellectual and physical capacities to the
fullest. What you become by using your capacity
would be the accident of your being; either you
become a priest, doctor, policeman or fireman.
But your substance, that is, being a human
person with rational and physical capacity,
remains the same.
Eastern Philosophy
Eastern Philosophies are centered on finding the answers
to the question “who and what am I?” They focus on
searching for the meaning of being human. The goal of
their respective philosophical enterprises is not only to
understand human nature, but most importantly, to
practice how to truly live as a human person. It may be
noted that eastern philosophy is often understood
interchangeably with religion. For them, philosophy and
religion are intimately connected.
Confucianism
- Being one of the greatest traditions in ancient
China, Confucianism started by Kongzi or
Confucius over 2500 years ago.
- Confucianism includes a wider scope of subjects,
including morality, society, philosophy and
religion, and practices and values
- Two notable Confucian virtues are expected from
each and every human being of character. First is
Jen (ren), which means human heartedness,
which denotes a compassionate person. The
second is called Yi, or righteousness, which
consists of doing things in the right manner
- Golden rule of Confucianism: “Do not do unto
others what you would not want others do unto
you”
Buddhism
- Buddhism is a living tradition whose roots can be
traced from the life and teachings of Siddharta
Gautama, who is also known as the historical
Buddha.
- Buddhism is anchored on the idea that human
person lives in suffering and that he should
overcome this. This suffering refers to the deep
dissatisfaction that pervades human experience,
and the thirst for endless desires
- Main Philosophy are: 1. The Four Noble Truths
which is articulated in these statements
a. Life is full of pain and suffering
b. Human desire causes this suffering
c. By putting end to desire, humans can end
suffering
d. Human can end desire by following the
Eightfold Path
2. Reincarnation, when someone dies, they will
be reborn as something else depending on their
actions in their previous life 3. Karma refers to
action driven by intention which leads to future
consequences.
Indian Philosophy
- The knowledge of Indian Philosophy inculcates in
a person, the habit of reflecting on one’s life,
thought and action, on what is happening in the
society of which he is a member
- Indian Philosophy is all about four goals of life:
1. Righteousness/Moral Values
2. Prosperity/Economic Values
3. Pleasure, Love/Psychological Values
4. Liberation/Spiritual Values
- Unlike western philosophy that focuses much on
knowing the materialistic cause of the universe,
Indian Philosophy is more concerned with the
importance of the cause