PHILOSOPHY

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human

Person
 OBJECTIVES:

1. Define philosophy
2. To know the branches of philosophy
3. Importance of studying philosophy
4. Distinguish philosophy from sophistry and from pilosopo.
5. To distinguish a holistic perspective from a partial point of view.
6. To recognize human activities that emanated from deliberate reflection.
7. To realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a broad perspective
in life.
PHILOSOPHY

Literally the “love of wisdom”; an attempt

to provide rational and coherent
understanding of the fundamental
questions of life.
-The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.
PHILOSOPHY

Greek word "philosophia”

"philo“- to love
“Sophia”- wisdom

“Love of Wisdom”
 MAIN DIVISIONS/BRANCHES OF
PHILOSOPHY

Metaphysics - essence and existence

Epistemology - truth
Ethics - moral
Aesthetics - beauty
Logic - validity of arguments
4 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN PHILOSOPHY

1. Science- it is called science

because the observation is
systematic.
4 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN PHILOSOPHY

2. Natural Light of Reason-

the philosopher uses his natural capacity
to think or simply human reason alone.
4 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN PHILOSOPHY

3. Study of All Things-

it is multidimensional or holistic.
4 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN PHILOSOPHY

4. The First Cause or the

Highest Principle
a. Principle of Identity
b. Principle of Non- Contradiction
c. Principle of Excluded Middle
ANCIENT GREECE
ANCIENT
GREECE
ANCIENT GREECE
-GREECE IS A COUNTRY IN SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE, KNOWN IN GREEK AS HELLAS AND CONSISTING
OF A MAINLAND AND AN ARCHIPELAGO OF ISLANDS. GREECE IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF:

1. Western philosophy (Socrates, Plato & Aristotle)

2. Literature (Homer);
3. Mathematics (Pythagoras & Euclid);
4. History (Herodotus)
Ancient Philosophy
(The Pre Socratic Philosophers)
“What is the underlying
substance that reality is
made of ?”
THALES [THAY-LEEZ]
(640- 546 B.C.)
Water – Man is water.
Water is the material
substance that constitutes
man, as everything else in
the universe.
Human brain is 80% water
and the human body 70%.
ANAXIMANDER
[AN-NEX-IM-AN-DER]
(610-547 B.C.)

Man is an indeterminate
boundless (Apeiron)
He believed that this
apeiron is the source of
ceaseless motion that
produces the warmth,
cold, earth and fire.
This Apeiron evolves
continuously that it
generates different
organisms in the world
ANAXIMENES
[AN-NEX-IM-IN-EEZ]
(AROUND 545 B.C.)

Air – Man is air.

Air is boundless. It is
spread everywhere.

Union of Body and Soul

PYTHAGORAS
[PUH-THAG-UH-RUS]
(580-500 B.C.)
Man is Number
The first man to use the
word “philosopher”

Everything are made up

of numbers.
Numbers purify the soul
HERACLITUS
[HAYR-UH-KLITE-US]
(535-475 B.C.)
Fire– Man is Fire.
Fire is a primordial
element. Fire is the origin of
all mater.

Known as the “Flux and Fire”

Philosopher
“You cannot step twice into
the same river”
PARMENIDES
[PAHR - MEN - I - DEEZ ] (C.510
BCE.)
Change is an Illusion

What the people perceive

as changing is actually
not changing at all
because we are just being
deceived by our senses.
EMPEDOCLES
[EM-PED-UH-KLEEZ]
(490-430 B.C)
Man is air, earth, fire and
water.
Everything in this world
he supposed is ultimately
made up of four elements.
He attributed the gods:
Zeus for fire, Hera for air,
Nestis for water and
Aidoneus for earth.
DEMOCRITUS
[DEE-MOK-RUT-US]
(460-370 B.C.)
Man is atom
Atoms were simple, invisible,
indestructible, internally
solid.
Homogenous particles that
are perpetually in motion in
the void of empty space.
 Philosophers Urstoff (material
substance)
1. Thales 1. Water
2. Anaximenes 2. Air
3. Heraclitus 3. Fire
5. Pythagoras 5. Numbers
6. Empedocles 6. Earth, Air, Fire &
Water
7. Democritus 7. Atom
8. Anaximander 8. Apeiron
THE GREAT LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA
PHILOSOPHY DOES NOT

1. Make real progress like the sciences.

2. Only mean stating your personal opinion.
PHILOSOPHY IS

1. One’s view in life or other matters.

2. Light reading, something you relax with in
the evening, after all the serious work of
the day is done.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY

1. Educationally and Intellectually.

2.Socially and Politically.
3. Morally and Practically.
4.Psychologically and Personally.
5.Pragmatically
1. EDUCATIONALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY.

Philosophy enlarges our understanding of

the world.
It expands our intellectual horizons and
freedom of thought.
2. SOCIALLY AND POLITICALLY

By discussing political and social issues

philosophy raises public awareness and
helps in forming engaged and responsible
citizens.
3. MORALLY AND PRACTICALLY

It increases our sensitivity for

universalistic moral values and stimulates
our readiness to stand for the principles
of justice and fairness.
Provides tools to reflect on our basic
values and concepts.
4. PSYCHOLOGICALLY AN PERSONALLY

It touches upon our own existence and

deals with the questions of our own
identity.
It can lead to self discovery, expansion
and consciousness and self renewal.
5. PRAGMATICALLY

The ability to analyze problems.

To organize ideas and issues.
To assess the pros and cons.