Lesson in

Philosophy

Mr. Joenhell Aninon

unit # 2
Humanity and Personhood
Most philosophical questions one would encounter in this
subject would revolve on man’s being – questions like, “What is
the meaning of life?”. As thinking creatures, only human beings
can make reflections about their lives, how it affects the world,
and vice versa. Since the dawn of civilization, a great number of
philosophers have asked a myriad of questions which they all
attempted to answer in order to make sense of man’s life and
personhood. In this lesson, weshall tackle some of these
attempts to answer the most puzzling questions of man, and
how these contribute to our daily existence.

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 For all purpose
Philosophy in our World
Gary would be graduating from high school
in a few months. Gary is still quite uncertain
as to which specialization he would take
in college. His mom wants him to take a
course in Nursing and eventually go to
medical school while his dad prefers that he
takes a course in Economics and later on, go
to law school. Some of his relatives have also
given him advice. So, Gary is becoming quite

For Presenration
confused. He knows that whatever his
decision is, it will change his life.
A few months or years from now, you might find yourself to be in Gary’s
situation. You wil graduate from high school and proceed to college. ​
Eventually, you will have to work, earn, and build your own life in your own
terms. This is a situation one must think of very carefully. This would affect
your life, the society where you belong, and most importantly, the world
you live in. This is a picture of a person being in a crossroad of choices
which requires a significant time of philosophical reflection.

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Lesson 1: The Bigger Picture
In learning Philosophy, one would realize that it encompasses all aspects
of life. But why does it matter at all? Our main concern is how
philosophizing can make us better thinkers, so we can make better
choices that will determine the way we live.

Starting out:
How does Philosophy affect my life?
 For all purpose
Learn about it:
Most philosophers and students of Philosophy have asked a lot of
complex, even seemingly absurd questions that both shook and shaped
the world. These are the questions that we do not encounter everyday,
and when we are presented with these questions, we find ourselves
taking time to think of an answer. Some even dismiss these questions as
irrelevant and daft. But, if we look again and more closely, if we give
these questions a second chance, we would, perhaps, find them to be
making sense.

For Presenration
 Philosophy originated from two Greek words​ : philo which
means love, and ​sophia which means wisdom. Etymologically,
the word philosophy means “love of wisdom”. If philosophy
translates to love of wisdom, this means that a philosopher is a ​
lover of wisdom​. But what does it mean to love wisdom?

Wisdom is generally referred to as an insight, skill or

intelligence. This is the state of having an experience,
knowledge and good judgment. In Philosophy, we define wisdom as
the right application of knowledge. Most importantly, wisdom
requires the element of human experience because this is where
we gain knowledge and start questioning and seeking for answers
thus, Philosophy.
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 While the term Philosophy was coined by Pythagoras, it is usually attributed to the
ancient philosopher, Socrates. He was regarded as a true philosopher – a true lover of
wisdom. During his time, he would proceed to the marketplace of Athens, where most
people could be found, and ask them questions about almost anything – what is justice,
knowledge, truth, etc. Socrates had his own ways of provoking the people of Athens to
think. He would ask them questions and when answered comes up with another
question. He did this not to be famous nor to look superior but he wanted to leave
them with curiosity, wonder, and a thirst for the Truth. He believes that every person
possesses wisdom that needs to be triggered so he thought that he should help
the people to get them to questioning and reflecting. However, some did not
appreciate Socrates’ work which led him imprisoned and be sentenced to death.
Socrates’ method of asking questions, providing an answer, asking
further questions, and so on is known as the Socratic method or
the Socratic Dialogue​. The Socratic Dialogue, which is
considered as a form of ​dialectics​, is a two-way process that works
between two parties discussing a central idea. It is an active
process that allows people to exchange their views, beliefs, and
arguments to arrive at the truth they would believe. The Socratic
Dialogue als allows people to hear each other’s opinion and
perspective to put them into consideration and eventually make
decisions that takes big questions into account.

Eventually, the Socratic Dialogue makes us rethink of the concepts and

ideas we think we already know. It is a careful examination of our own
minds and thoughts. Sometimes, we feel so certain of our decisions only
to prove ourselves wrong. To avoid this, we could use the Socratic
Dialogue to see a point of view other than our own.
 Let us take an example. Here is a dialogue between two people who are trying
to define the word “chair”. Let’s say that one of these people is Socrates
himself.
Socrates: What is a “chair”?
Person 2: A chair is a furniture on which one can sit on.
Socrates: So, because I can sit on the table, does it mean it’s also a chair?
Person 2: No, a chair is created to be sat upon. Whereas a table is not. It is
defined by its purpose.
Socrates: I see. If I use a chair as a tool to elevate my body and reach the
ceiling, does it mean it is no longer a chair because it is not serving its purpose?
 This situation may prove to be both awkward and irritating to Person 2.
However, it would also make him realize that he may need to reexamine his
idea of a chair, and of other ideas that may be significant to the way he lives his
life.
During the Modern period, the German idealist, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
presented another form of a dialectical method similar to the Socratic
Dialogue, and is continuously developing. He presented it in three levels – a
thesis, an antithesis, and a synthesis.

The thesis is one’s prevailing idea or situation. It is our current perception of the world
and all its aspects that affect us. It is a proposition that claims to be true. The ​
antithesis is the idea that opposes the thesis. These are the problems we encounter in
the situations we find ourselves in. Through a constant dialogue, the problems
(antithesis) are resolved which results to synthesis. The synthesis is the product of
struggle between the thesis and antithesis. Eventually, the synthesis becomes the new
thesis which would find itself an antithesis and produce a synthesis. It is a cycle that is
in constant flux and is continuously evolving.
 The ​thesis is one’s prevailing idea or situation. It is our current perception of the
world and all its aspects that affect us. It is a proposition that claims to be true. The ​
antithesis is the idea that opposes the thesis. These are the problems we encounter
in the situations we find ourselves in. Through a constant dialogue, the problems
(antithesis) are resolved which results to synthesis. The synthesis is the product
of struggle between the thesis and antithesis. Eventually, the synthesis becomes the
new thesis which would find itself an antithesis and produce a synthesis. It is a cycle
that is in constant flux and is continuously evolving.

Thesis: The Earth is flat and the Sun revolves around it. (Prevailing idea) Antithesis:
The Earth is not flat and the Sun does not revolve around it. (Opposing idea)
Synthesis: The Earth is round, revolves around the Sun, and rotates in its own axis.
(New thesis)

The synthesis is now the new thesis, which would find itself to have an
antithesis and a synthesis as the history of the world progresses.
These two methods – the Socratic dialogue, and the Hegelian dialectics –
have been used not only by students of Philosophy, but also by scholars
who have made some of the biggest decisions in the world. This method
can be used both in simple situations and concepts, and in the immense
problems the world finds itself to be in. These methods allow us to
reevaluate
 Philosophizing can be both daunting and annoying. Hence, the general
perception is that it is an irrelevant, impractical pursuit. However as
thinking creatures contained in a finite amount of time in this world, the
least we can do is pause, reflect, and make it more meaningful by
asking ourselves questions we have never asked before.
 Check your Understanding

Give the corresponding antithesis to the theses provided in each number.

1. A vaccine shot prevents a child from getting sick.

2. Genetically Modified Organisms are harmful to the
body.
3. Men are better drivers than women
. 4. Philosophy is boring and unimportant.
5. Teenagers are impulsive and irresponsible.
 Philosophy Applied
Children are considered as the best philosophers of all time. They have these
innocent questions about themselves, about the world, without the hidden agenda.
They are like the Socrates in our lives.

Imagine yourself being stuck in a room with a five or six-year old child. It could be
your little brother or sister, it could be your niece or nephew, or your godchild.
He/she asks you intriguing questions like, “Where do babies come from?” or “What’s
up there in the sky?”, “Why are leaves green, and not red or blue or anything?”, “Why
is grandma’s hair white?”, “Why are you becoming a doctor, instead of being a
teacher?”.
These are the kinds of questions about our ordinary live. We may have already
taken them for 7 ​granted, but if someone were to ask you these, would you be
able to answer him/her? How would you formulate your answer? What
method/s would you use when you are faced with these questions?
 Lesson 2: The Picture Within

After learning the method and significance of Philosophizing, we can also apply
it in situations we find ourselves in. How can Philosophy bring us to a better
understanding of ourselves? Many people, including you, may have
experienced asking questions about the meaning of life and the life you lead.
In this lesson, a discussion about the significance of self-reflection will be
analyzed so we can live making better decisions.

Starting Out
How do I find the meaning of my life?
 Learn About It!
Socrates was highly credited for introducing the dialogue as
a method of philosophical analysis. His question-answer-
question process brought thinkers to a wide
accomplishment. Not only with his method, Socrates was
also concerned about the topics of his questions. He asked
questions about the society, justice and righteousness, but
he also focused on questions that encourage self-
reflection. Introspection​, or the examination of oneself
through the analysis of the meaning of one’s life, was given
emphasis on his philosophy. According to Socrates, “The
unexamined life is not worth living.”. He prompted people
to think about things that matter most in life – courage,
love, the soul, etc.
 During the Medieval period, Christianity was at its peak. It provided answers to
questions the ancient philosophers have started. Questions about the meaning of
life, death, purpose, and how one should lead his life have been answered through
the revelation of God’s word. Many have turned to religion to find their life’s
meaning. It starts with the idea that there exists an 9 ​all-knowing (omniscient), an
all-powerful (omnipotent) and an all-present (omnipresent) Supreme Being who
created the world and all the creatures in it, including human beings. This
leads to the belief that the Supreme Being has chosen a certain path for man even
before he is conceived, and it is the man’s task to discover and walk through it. Many
theologians and philosophers like St. Augustine have written different works to
describe the nature of God, how man can be in accordance to God’s will, religious
concepts like the soul, the Holy Trinity, and virtues that would guide man towards a
meaningful life.
However, there are people who do not adhere to the idea of religion, as
it poses unanswered questions about God’s existence. Religion may
explain everything about the meaning of life, but it does not provide an
explanation for itself nor answer its fundamental premise of where
God comes from. Hence, some people have chosen to find meaning by
themselves.
During the Second World War, there have been countless casualties even after it
has ended. It was a time that the individual was given paramount importance.
Since the war has destroyed lives and cities, people started to value their lives in
a greater way than before. It is during this time that the philosophical school of
thought called ​ Existentialism has become even more popular. Its most famous
proponent, Jean-Paul Sartre, was a French philosopher who is widely known for
his words, “Existence precedes essence.” He referred to “essence” as meaning or
purpose. Contrary to a religious perspective wherein man already has a purpose
assigned to him by a supreme being even before he existed in the world, Sartre’s
view is that man does not have a purpose yet when he is born. Man existed first,
without meaning or purpose, and as he goes through his life, he creates the
meaning and purpose for himself. For the Existentialists, it is the individual, not the
society who can provide meaning in his own life. Freedom, responsibility, and
authenticity are the virtues that Existentialism has focused on.
 For example, you were assigned a project by your teacher. You have formed a group
and your groupmates chose you as their leader. In this situation, you have the ​
freedom to choose whether you will accept the leadership or not. Whatever you
choose, it would lead to certain events that you should be responsible for based
on your choice. If you choose to accept the 10 ​leadership and the project becomes a
success, it’s your responsibility. If it fails, it is still your responsibility. ​Authenticity​, on
the other hand, is the virtue of being true to oneself, to your own desires and
character. If you made the choice of accepting the leadership, the question is
about whether it is your true wish. Existentialists upholds authenticity, as being true
to oneself can we get to know ourselves and provide meaning to it. Existentialists
believed that people who pretend and are not honest with themselves and their
actions are acting on ​ bad faith​.
Since the ancient times, many philosophers have attempted to put meaning on the life in this
world. Some even think that there is no meaning at all – that whatever accomplishments
humanity has, it would still perish one day. Some think that it doesn’t have to be meaningless
at all – that we can still find meaning in small-scale, in our seemingly mundane everyday lives,
and keep our attention to it until it goes to an end.
 Check your understanding
Answer the following questions substantially.

1. What did Socrates mean by, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”?

2. How do people find the meaning of life with a religious perspective?

3. How did the Second World War give rise to Existentialism?

 Philosophy Applied
Most of our lives are governed by routine:
we wake up in the morning, take a bath, eat
our meals, go to school to study and see our
friends, go back home and finish our
homework, and sleep. Tomorrow, we do the
same. We may have a bit of a break during
the weekends to spend some more time
with our family, but afterwards, we would go
back to our routine. Our lives may change
after we graduate and get to work, but we
would still settle to a certain
routine in our lives. What is it all for? Why do
we do it at all? What is the meaning in all of
it?
Who’s that Philosopher?
Jean-Paul Sartre
Date of Birth: June 21, 1905
Location of Birth; Paris, France
Schools/Universities Attended: Lycee
Henri IV Ecole Normale Superieure
Degrees Earned: Diploma of Higher
Degrees in Philosophy,Psychology,
Sociology, and Physics
 Be the Philosopher
Suggested Learning Tasks

Task: On a paper, write down three philosophical questions about

man, life, and how he finds meaning in this world. Leave a sufficient
space between each question. Then, find a partner whom you can
exchange and answer the papers with. If applicable, provide
examples based on your own experiences to strengthen the
argument of your answers. Afterwards, share your questions,
answers, and examples to your class, and start an exchange of views
and ideas
 Wrap up!

● The dialectic method of philosophizing is a method of discovering the

truth through question and answer process. It is a two-way exchange of
ideas between two parties with differing points of view.

● Both the Socratic and Hegelian dialectic methods allow the thinkers to
learn from each other’s perspective to arrive at a broader view of life.

Socratic dialogue:​Questions Answers

Hegelian dialectics: ​Thesis Antithesis Synthesis

● The meaning of one’s life is an in-depth and personal endeavor one must
throughout its course. The examination of one’s life contributes to its
significance makes one’s existence more profound.

● Some people makes their life meaningful through religion. They see their
lives as a journey of discovering one’s purpose in order to fulfill the will of
God. While others choose to create the meaning for themselves through an
exercise of freedom, responsibility, and authenticity.
 Bibliography
Gould, James A. and Mulvaney, Robert J. 2007. ​Classic Philosophical
Questions​, 12​th​ed. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc.

Nagel, Thomas. 1987. ​What Does It All Mean?: A Very Short Introduction
To Philosophy​. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.

Palmer, Donald. 2002. ​Does The Center Hold?: An Introduction to

Western Philosophy​. USA: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Plato. ​The Trial And Death Of Socrates: Four Dialogues​. Translated by

Benjamin Jowett. New York: Tudor Publishing Company, 1992.
Answers to Check Your
Understanding
Lesson 1: ​The Bigger Picture

1. A vaccine shot does not prevent a child from getting sick.

2. Genetically Modified Organisms are not (necessarily)
harmful to the body.
3. Men are not (necessarily) better drivers than women.
4. Philosophy is not boring and unimportant.
5. Teenagers are not impulsive and irresponsible.
1. What did Socrates mean by, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”? Socrates
put value on self-reflection. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” is meant
for us to realize that we should analyze our lives and get to know ourselves better
so 16 ​we can proceed to it in a more meaningful way. Our lives would only be
worth living if we know who we are and act on decisions that are well-founded
and carefully examined.

2. How do people find the meaning of life in a religious perspective? People who
believe in the existence of a supreme being also believe that they have
been created for a purpose – that God has laid out a plan for their lives. In a
religious perspective, people find meaning by studying and attempting to
understand the will of God. Once they have fulfilled their purpose, their live would
come to an end and they shall be reunited with God.
 3. How did the Second World War give rise to Existentialism? The
devastation brought by the war made people realize that each life is,
indeed, precious and short. An individual’s life was put into the spotlight,
and that individuality, instead of the society, should be given emphasis.
This has led Existential philosophers to write on how one can provide a
more meaningful experience to make life more profound and significant.
Glosarry
1. Antithesis – ​the direct opposite of a thesis
2. Authenticity – ​the virtue of being true to one’s character
or personality
3. Dialectics – ​the method of philosophical discussion
through a dialogue
4. Existentialism – ​a 20​th​century school of thought that
focused on individual existence
5. Introspection – ​the act of reflecting about oneself; an
inspection of the self
6. Synthesis – ​the product of presenting the antithesis
towards the thesis to attain a higher form of truth
7. Thesis – ​a prevailing idea or proposition