PHILOSOPHY

-study of general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind and
language.

-way of thinking about the world, the universe, and society,

-works by asking very basic questions about the nature of human thoughts, universe, and connections
between them.

PHILOSOPHERS- people who engage in philosophy.

PHYTHAGORAS- mathematician and scientist, he was credited with formulating the Pythagorean
theorem.

HERACLITUS- he proposed that everything exists is based on a higher order or plan which he called
logos.

DEMOCRITUS- he devoted himself to the study of the cause of natural phenomena.

DIOGENES OF SINOPE- known advocate for living a simple and virtuous life.

EPICURUS- he believed that philosophy could enable man to live a life full of happiness.

SOCRATES- considered the foremost philosopher of ancient times.

-He was credited w/ formulating the Socratic method- 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- student of Socrates.

-Theory of Forms- he proposes that everything that exists is based on an idea or template than can only
be perceived in mind.

-Dialectic Method- where two opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt to arrive at new knowledge.

*Lasting contribution to learning was his founding of the academy; an institution of higher learning.

ARISTOTLE- prominent student of Plato.

-for him, all ideas and views are based on perception and our reality is based on what we can sense and
perceive.

-his studies in logic led to the formulation of a formal process of analyzing reasoning.

HOLISTIC THINKING- perspective that considers large-scale patterns in systems.

PARTIAL THINKING- focuses on a specific aspect of a situation.

*Thinking holistically is the opposite of analyzing something, which involves breaking down a larger
system into its details.
*In philosophy, POINT OF VIEW describes the perception of an event of phenomenon and how exactly it
is viewed. It is often shape by an individual’s beliefs or experiences.

*HOLISTIC VIEW- gives to a more appreciative perspective about life, as we are able to look at life in its
totality.

WHY DO WE PHILOSOPHIZE?

-because we all have the potential or tendency to wonder and doubt.

*A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and adequately present his/her ideas.

*Doing philosophy involves an evaluative process, it allows a person to make better decisions and act
accordingly to situations with the help of various philosophical skills.

*On life perspectives, philosophy enables reflective thinking which greatly influence a person’s view of
life, challenges, and relationships.

*Holistic perspective is always required. Failure to do so or only using a partial point of view may lead to
illogical or incorrect conclusions.

PLATO traced man’s need to philosophize to his senses of wonder.

French Philosopher RENE DESCARTES traced the need to philosophize to doubt.

Swiss-German KARL JASPERS saw the need to philosophize because of experience.

*The need to philosophize is driven by the love for wisdom. To love wisdom is to have an insatiable
desire for truth.

BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY
AESTHETHIC- deals with beauty and what makes things beautiful.
LOGIC- deals with correct reasoning.
EPISTEMOLOGY- discusses the nature of knowledge and knowing.
ETHICS- deals with moral questions or dilemmas.
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY- deals with questions of justice, power, and rights.
METAPHYSICS- deals with questions regarding reality and existence.
PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON- understand the human person from philosophical
perspective.
REFLECTION- requires a person to be willing to examine one’s thoughts, feelings, and action and to learn
more about one’s life and experiences.

HUMAN SELF-REFLECTION- capacity of humans to exercise introspection and to attempt to learn more
about their fundamental nature and essence.

PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION- leads to the development of beneficial skills that individuals can apply in
everyday situations.

*When we reflect, we can judge whether our actions or decisions are reasonable or not.

*Doing a philosophy also improves problem-solving and decision making.

*Knowledge of Philosophy contributes to self-development.

EXAMPLES OF REFLECTION:

-Learning from your mistakes and not repeating them.

-Evaluating and knowing the best choice from a set of options.

- Gaining a holistic point of view first before making any conclusion.

THEORY

-Explanations of natural phenomena. They aren’t predictions, they are explanation as to why we observe
something.

-They aren’t likely to change. Theories can indeed be facts and it can change. It is not just one person’s
idea about something.

LAW

-Principles that can be used to predict the behavior of the natural world; supported by observations and
experimental evidence.

- Describes the patterns we see in a large amount of data, but do not describe why patterns existed.

*THEORIES explain why we observe what we do and LAWS describe what happens.

PRINCIPLE -basic truth or law or assumption.

METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING

PHILOSOPHICAL METHOD- is the study of how to do philosophy.

TRUTH- most often used to mean being accord with fact or reality.

PROPOSITIONS- statement about the world or reality.

KNOWLEDGE- clear awareness and understanding of something.

FACTS- propositions w/c are observed to be real or truthful.

CLAIM- statement that is not evidently known to be true; proven by experimentation and verification.

DOUBT- it drives our desires to discover the truth.

BELIEF- is true if it can be justified or proven through the use of one’s senses.

*Philosophers emphasize the importance of belief as a basis for determining truth, But as philosopher,
we do not assume that every statement is true.

DISTINGUISHING OPINION FROM TRUTH

FACT- something concrete, that can be proven; are the truths and are accepted as such.

OPINION- less concrete; is what someone’s believes or thinks and is not necessarily the truth.

CONCLUSION- judgement based on certain facts.

BELIEFS- expresses conviction that are not easily and clearly explained by facts.

EXPLANATIONS- assume the claim to be true and provide reasons why the statement is true.

ARGUMENTS- provide reasons to convince the reader that a claim or opinion is truthful.

FALLACIES- arguments on faulty reasoning.

BIAS- in favor of or against an idea or thing; close-minded prejudicial.

EXAMPLES OF FALLACIES

AD HOMINEM- attacking the person representing the argument instead of the argument itself.

APPEAL TO EMOTION- using emotions such as pity or sympathy.

APPEAL TO THE POPULAR- idea is presented as acceptable because a lot of people accept it.

APPEAL TO TRADITION- acceptable because it has been true for a long time.

BEGGING THE QUESTION- assuming the thing or idea to be proven is true; also known as circular
argument.

CAUSE AND EFFECT- assuming “cause and effect “relationship between unrelated events.

FALLACY OF COMPOSITION- assuming that what is true of a part is true for the whole.

FALLACY OF DIVISION- assuming that what is true for the whole is true for its parts.
EXAMPLE OF BIASES

1. CORRESPONDENCE BIAS- tendency to judge a person’s personality by his/her actions w/o regard for
the external factors or influence.

2. CONFIRMATION BIAS- tendency to look for and readily accept information w/c fit one’s own beliefs or
views and to reject ideas or views that go against it.

3. FRAMING- focusing on a certain aspect of a problem while ignoring other aspects.

4. HINDSIGHT- tendency to see past evets as predictable or to ascribe a pattern.

5. CONFLICT OF INTEREST- a person/group is connected to or has vested interest in the issue being
discussed.

6. CULTURAL BIAS- analyzes an event or issue based on one’s cultural bias.

METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING- a process of determining the truth and drawing conclusions from a
statement using various philosophical methods such as;

SOCRATIC METHOD- also known by the Greek term “elenchus” w/c means “to inquire” or to “cross
examine”; exchange of ideas using Socratic questioning.

-In a classroom, this method is used not to intimidate students but to produce a deeper understanding
of thoughts and ideas through further questioning statements or claims.

DIALECTIC METHOD- comes from the Greek word “dialektike” w/c means “the art of conversation.”

-Act of talking back and forth, disagreeing one another and arguing about contentious issues.

-In philosophy, it is a method of coming up with a conclusion from an exchange of contradicting logical
arguments.

*Both the Socratic and Dialectic method are based on a discussion between two or more people who
may carry differing views but wish to pursue the truth by seeking an agreement w/ one another.

TYPES OF REASONING

-Deductive Reasoning- Top-Down Logic; Conclusion comes first followed by main points and the last will
be the supporting date, facts, examples and evidences. General idea comes first before the specific or
particular idea.

-Inductive Reasoning- Bottom-up Logic; Supporting data, facts and examples comes first. Vice versa of
the deductive because idea comes first before the general.

HUMAN BODY IMPOSES LIMITS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSCENDENCE

Human composition of a man- general term commonly used to refer to the entire human race;
Humanity, mankind, humankind.
HUMAN- refers to a man as species; HOMO SAPIENS OR MODERN HUMAN BEINGS

PERSON- personality of a human being so called “self.”

HUMAN NATURE- defines as the nature of humans especially the fundamental characters and traits of
humans.

PERSONHOOD- state of being a person.

*These traits are expected to arise independent of the influence of culture and society. Ex. Thinking,
Feeling, and Acting,

WHAT IS THE HUMAN PERSON?

SELF- AWARENESS- refers to the person having a clear perception of oneself, inc. his thoughts, emotions,
identity and actions.

SELF DETERMINATION- refers to the capability of person to make choices and decisions based on their
own preferences and regulate their action and be goal-oriented and self-directed.

CONSEQUENCE- result or effect of an action.

*Philosophers believe that a person acts freely and w/ due regard for the consequences of his actions.

EXTERNALITY- refers to the capability of a person to reach and interact w/ others and to the world.

DIGNITY- refers to the innate right to be valued and respected.

LIMITATIONS OF THE HUMAN PERSON

-Human persons are naturally deficient being, means that we are not prepared w/ the best physical
aspects among all the beings.

LIMITATIONS CAN LEAD TO POSSIBILITIES

-Transcendence is the ability to change, be dynamic and continually redefining one’s self w/c works with
our facticity to create change.

HOW DO LIMITATIONS LEAD TO TRANSENDENCE?

-Facticity refers to the things in our life that are already given.

Ex.- LIFE- we are free to define who we are and who we are to be.

“IF YOU WERE BORN POOR, IT’S NOT YOUR MISTAKE BUT IF YOU DIE POOR, IT’S YOUR MISTAKE.”-
BILL GATES