is not real. Reality according to him is how we perceive the world.
Introduction to the
Philosophy of the
Human Person
Topic: Branches of Philosophy
LEARNING COMPETENCY: Distinguish a holistic perspective
from a partial point of view.
The presented activities or exercises and texts are developed in
order to meet the
following objectives:
1. Identify the different branches of Philosophy.
2. Compare and contrast among the branches of Philosophy.
3. Apply each branch in real life setting.
LET’S LEARN:
In the previous discussion, the definition of Philosophy and its
salient features were discussed. In this lesson, the branches of
Philosophy will be tackled. Knowing only the meaning of Philosophy
and some of its characteristics are not enough if we are in search for
true wisdom. For a narrow and partial mind is wholly incompatible
with the real philosophical attitude that manifests holistic point of
view.
The discussion below on branches of Philosophy is intended
to broaden one’s perspectives and skills in doing philosophical
discourses.
There are 5 branches of Philosophy: Metaphysics, Ethics,
Epistemology, Logic and Aesthetics.
Metaphysical philosophy accounts on investigating the unreal
entities in terms of the real world that we experience through our
senses. The well-known Philosopher, Plato, enlightened the field of
metaphysics by contrasting reality and appearance. He stated that
our experience with the real world
Therefore, what is real is just products of our perception through the
mind. For example, we see a yellow chair because we perceive it as
yellow chair. But others may perceive a different color when light
affecting the appearance of the chair is obstructed.
Ethics as another branch of Philosophy deals with the evaluation of
human actions and the nature of moral virtue. As such, ethical
philosophy accounts for the nature of our moral judgements and it
also attempts to investigate our fundamental ethical ideas. From
these contentions arise the idea of right versus wrong and evil
versus good. Discourses like feminism (equal opportunities among
genders) and law-making become areas where ethical philosophy is
employed. Socrates pointed out that knowledge is not merely
theoretical nor speculative but also practical. It means that
knowledge on rules of right living is not sufficient when it is not
actually being practiced. One historical example that exemplifies
ethical philosophy is that issue laid down by William Du Bois. He
argued that there must be equal rights between black and white
Americans.
Epistemology as philosophical perspective concerns itself with the
nature, sources, limitations and validity of knowledge. Some of the
basic questions raised by Epistemology are: how do we know
what we know, how do we know what we want to know and do we
distinguish true from what is not true. Knowledge, according to this
perspective, can be acquired through induction (empiricism) and
deduction. Induction is a process of knowledge-forming by
investigating particulars (also known as empirical evidences) in order
to arrive at general idea. Conversely, deductive process employs
generally accepted ideas in order to arrive at specific ideas.
Advocates of deductive method are called rationalists. Rene
Descartes is well-known rationalist.
Another method used under Epistemology is pragmatism. William
James and John Dewey are famous pragmatists. They believe that
value in use is the real test of truth and meaning.
Logic is another branch of Philosophy. Unlike any other
philosophical perspectives, logic does not concern itself in what we
know regarding certain subjects. Thus, 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. Aristotle
was the first philosopher who employed logical method. He claimed
that truth exists when there is agreement between knowledge and
reality. This can only take place when mental ideas correspond to
the objective world. This is where logical reasoning comes in.
Reasoning is very important in our everyday lives. Decision making
can make or unmake us. Thus the quality of our logical capacity
affects our well-being. A person equipped with logic can
reason far better than those who are not.
Finally, Aesthetics as philosophical perspective concerns itself with
the notion of beauty. Whenever we created a devise or equipment
we consequently aim to improve (or beautify) it after
some time. It only goes to show that aesthetics accounts for the
criteria of beauty. Aesthetics can be used to explain matters
regarding culture and arts. It is in these fields where beauty can best
be explained with the use of aesthetical philosophy. Embedded in
our culture is our capacity to distinguish beautiful from what is not.
Arts as part of our cultural milieu manifests our ideas regarding
beauty.
What benefits can students get from aesthetical knowledge?
As students, the importance of aesthetics are: it vitalizes our
knowledge making the world more useful and alive, it helps us live
more deeply and richly for appreciation of work of arts arises, and it
keeps us in touch with our culture.
Activity 1: Below are situational cases where each need particular
philosophical perspective in order to understand the issues inherent
within each of them. Read each case and think of a particular branch
of Philosophy that can appropriately address the issue at hand.
Case 1
The resources that supply our daily needs come from the
environment. The amount of resources that we demand affects
environmental condition. Increasing our demand raises the pressure
on environment. Conversely, the condition of environment influences
the quality of life that we have. An environment in good condition
sustains life. While degraded environment brings forth social
problems. What kind of treatment should we accord to the
environment that supplies our needs then?
Case 2
For some reasons, there has been an increasing incidence of
teenage pregnancies. Despite efforts exerted by stockholders of
school community in preventing such phenomenon to happen, still it
exists. Why do teenagers engage to this kind of issues?
Case 3
Most of us are Face Book users. As such, we cannot deny the
the fact that some posts or comments seen on it lack validity or
reliability. Sometimes, we are fooled to comply to some posts.
Sometimes, we are unaware that we believe on some opinions
making such ideas become part of our consciousness. The danger of
which it reflects the kind of personality that we have. What can you
say about this?
LET’S STUDY AND ANALYZE THESE
1. What philosophical perspective or branch of Philosophy can best
explain case 1? Write your arguments on your paper.
The branch of Philosophy that can best explain case 1 is
-------------------------------------------
2. What philosophical perspective or branch of Philosophy can best
explain case 2?
The branch of Philosophy that can best explain case 2 is
-----------------------------------------------
3. What philosophical perspective or branch of Philosophy can best
explain case 3?
The branch of Philosophy that can best explain case 3 is
-----------------------------------------------
Holistic perspective enables us to understand better the world that
we live in. Thus, having equipped with the different philosophical
perspectives discussed above contributes to one’s wellbeing.
Employing a particular perspective, though, requires the element of
Natural Light of Reason as explained in the previous lesson. Having
the knowledge on branches of Philosophy gives us some edge
compared to those who didn’t have the opportunity to learn them no
matter how difficult choosing which perspective to use on a particular
situation or subject matter.
LET’S SEE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED
Philosophical perspectives can be used to analyze some
issues happening in the fields of Economics, Religion, Mass Media,
Government/Politics, Social Relations, Work Place and many
others. It is only up to us which among these philosophical
perspective is appropriate to use. Can you list down current issues
happening in our country which can be explained using any of the
philosophical perspective?
1. Metaphysics
2. Ethics
3. Epistemology
4. Logic
5. Aesthetics
Read the following items carefully. Write the letter of
your
answer.
1. The establishment of criteria of beauty is the function of
aesthetics. Which of the following statements shows the
importance of aesthetics to us?
A. It helps us understand better the nature and origin of
knowledge.
B. It brings us in touch with our culture and the arts.
C. It serves as a tool in unraveling the unknown.
D. It enables us to make plausible arguments.
2. Etymologically, it means a treatise on matters pertaining to
the human thought. As a branch of Philosophy logic does not
provide us with knowledge directly. What then is the role of
logic in Philosophy?
A. Logic enhances appreciation of arguments.
B. Logic is used in some disciplines like mathematics.
C. Logic offers opportunities discovering new knowledge.
D. Logic serves as tool concerning the validity of our
arguments.
3. A fundamental and necessary drive in every human being
is knowing what is real. Which among the branches of
Philosophy accounts for the unreal in terms of
what we accept as real?
A. Logic B. Aesthetics C. Metaphysics D. Ethics
4. Ethics is the branch of Philosophy that explores the nature
of moral virtue and evaluates human actions. Which of the
following statements exemplifies the value of ethics in
Philosophy?
A. Women are not inferior to men and that both must
complement each other.
B. All matters are composed of atoms.
C. Ideas are forms of thought representing the real objects.
D. No man is an island
5. A branch of Philosophy focuses itself with the non-
observables. Another branch deals with what is right or
wrong. What does epistemology deal with?
A. Epistemology deals with the other branches of Philosophy
B. Epistemology concerns itself with how to make arguments more
valid and
essential.
C. Epistemology deals with the nature, sources, limitations and
validity of
knowledge.
D. Epistemology focuses on discovering new knowledge unknown
to men.
6. Logic is not interested with what we know. Rather, it concerns accepted as chair only
itself on the truth and validity of our arguments. Who was the real becomes real
philosopher who devised the first method of logic? > discourses when we think of
A. Socrates B. Plato C. Zeno D. Aristotle focus on it as it is.
7. Metaphysical discourses are characterized by examination the
of unobservable entities. unobservable
Which of the following statements exhibits such character? entities like
A. Beautiful designs like arts enhances the way we think. mind and
B. If all backboned animals are called vertebrates, then a dog matter
is a vertebrate. B. Ethics > explores the Socrates > Equal
C. All objects contain water. nature > Edward opportunities
D. Exercise of freedom should always be accompanied with of moral value Burghardt for all regardless
responsibility. and Du Bois of
8. Some philosophers believe that general ideas are formed evaluates gender.
from the examination of particular facts. What method is human > Law making
employed in this kind of generating idea? actions must
A. deduction B. induction > knowledge include ethical
C. epistemological D. logical is not considerations
9. We can see things made of matter but we cannot see the only
underlying matter itself. What branch of Philosophy sees theoretical
things like this? nor
A. Metaphysics B. Aesthetics C.Logic D. Epistemology speculative
10. How do we tell good from evil or right from wrong? This but also
basic question is a concern of what branch of Philosophy? practical
A. Epistemology B. Logic C. Ethics D. Metaphysics C. > deals with > Rene > deductive
Epistemolog the Descartes method: If all
LET’S REMEMBER y nature, > John Locke objects contain
sources, > William water, then
limitations James human beings
Branch of Perspectives Proponents / Sample
and validity > John Dewey have water.
Philosophy / Philosophers Statements of knowledge > inductive: Any
Focus > puts object around us
forward is composed of
A. > accounts for Plato All terrestrial induction an element or
Metaphysics the objects (empiricism) combination of
unreal thing in are made up of and deduction elements.
terms of matter. as Therefore,
what > Objects like
 methods of elements are the
acquiring main
knowledge composition of
anything.

D. Logic > serves as > Aristotle

tool in >Zeno of
making valid Citium
arguments >Cicero
> does not
directly
contribute to
knowledge
but focuses
more on the
method
how
knowledge is
created

E. Aesthetics > deals with > > A work of art is

the Schopenhauer like a
establishment > Hans-Georg great man. Stand
of Gadamer before it. Wait
criteria of patiently
beauty and it will speak.
>gives
importance to
culture and
arts for they
manifest
social
behavior
 Directions: Take a very careful look at the picture below. Write
Reading and Writing a brief paragraph of the place using imagery, and figures of
speech. You may incorporate an experience related to the
location to make your literary description more vivid.
Activity 1: Bring out the music in me!
Directions: Select one song inside the boxes which piqued your
interest. Using your smartphone or computer, listen to the song
in any video or music streaming website you prefer. After
listening, read and accomplish what is described below.
“Imagine” “Photograph” “The “Fast Car”
by John by Ed Sheeran Scientist” by Tracy
Lennon by Coldplay Chapman
“Rainbow” “In the End” “You Belong “Out of My
by by Linkin Park With League”
Southborder Me” by Taylor by Stephen
Swift Speaks

Write about a memory triggered by the music you have

chosen. Think of where you are when you last heard the music
and what it meant for you. Include any images that come into
mind. Be sure to make your paragraph interesting by using
different figures of speech.

Activity 2: What is it like?