PHILOSOPHY

PRESENTED BY:

Leah Ancheta
Ezra Aquino
Xander Alfonso
Table of
Contents:
I. Definition of Philosophy
.......................
II. ................ The Origin of Philosophy
III.................. The Cause of Philosophy
IV. ................... Purpose of Philosophy
V. ..................... Philosophical Fields
VI.......... Minor Branches of
Philosophy
PHILOSOPHY RECOLLECTION

phi·los·o·phy ( φιλοσοφία )
/fəˈläsəfē/

The word philosophy comes from the Greek philo (love) and sophia
(wisdom) and so is literally defined as “the love of wisdom”.
 Definition of Philosophy

There are two views relative to the question of

definability or undefinability of philosophy. The first
holds that philosophy cannot be defined. Adherents to the
latter view contend that philosophy is a process of
personal reflection of the meaning of the human life.
Thus, it is believed that philosophy is a quest for a
personal outlook personal lifestyle concerning the
wholeness of reality. This makes the philosophy
undefinable since the process of finding the meaning of
human existence is endless. Hence, the process has only
begun and it will undoubtedly have no end.
 A. The Greek Minds
Etymologically, philosophy is derived from two Greek words philia
meaning “love” or “friendship” and Sophia meaning “wisdom”.
Literally, philosophy means love of wisdom. But what is love and
what is wisdom? Basically, love is an urge or drive of the will
towards a particular object. As a drive, love always seeks unity with
its object; it desires to possess its object. On the other hand, wisdom
means the good exercise or application of knowledge. Thus, wisdom
cannot be dissociated from knowledge. Truth, however, is
considered as the ultimate object of knowledge. Hence, truth is being
showed and practiced by a man of wisdom. Now, if philosophy
means the love of wisdom, to philosophize, therefore, is to be a
quest, or to have a desire towards living the truth.
 B. The Chinese Minds
Philosophy, as love of wisdom, is an understanding of philosophy
given to use by the ancient Greek philosophers. The Chinese,
however, define philosophy as Zhe-Xue or Che Shueh (this is
originally coined by Dr. Nishi Amane). The Chinese understand
Zhe-Xue or philosophy as the “study of wisdom”. Obviously, this
definition stands close to the ancient Greek’s definition of
philosophy as “love of wisdom”. For the Chinese, Zhe (as a
character) means “wisdom” and Xue (as a character) means study.
Significantly, however, the Chinese character Zhe bears the
emblem of mouth and hand. This suggests the inseparability of
words and action. Thus, for the Chinese, philosophy is the
translation of words into action or application of theory into praxis.
Hence, Chinese, philosophy singles out a person to live what he
says.
C. The Hindus Minds
Indian philosophical concepts, theories, and schools that developed
in the Indian subcontinent, including present-day Pakistan and
Bangladesh. Most of the philosophical works were written in the
Sanskrit language, while in modern times, philosophical works
are written, in India, mainly in English, but also in the many
modern Indian languages. The Sanskrit words for “philosophy”
were “ānviksiki” (examination of things by the means of true
cognition) and darśana (a mode of seeing).

If the Greek and Chinese have their own definition of

philosophy, the, Hindus, too, have something to called their own.
For them, philosophy is a Darsana. Darsana means seeing,
seeing not only through the eyes but through the whole being of
the one that sees. In other words, philosophy for the Hindus
means seeing the whole reality through a total advertence and
involvement of the looker. This kind of definition debunks our
preconception, biases, and prejudices of a certain reality since
all this are partial and unholistic treatment of any phenomenon
or any reality.
 The Origin of Philosophy
“Philosophy begins in Miletus” says Reginald
Ellen. The radix of the claim lies on Thales:
The acclaimed first philosopher. Way back in
the 6th century B.C. lived a man named
Pythagoras who is acclaimed as the first
philosopher (because he coined the term
philosophy). But by virtue of the point of
origin of philosophy – which is wonder (by the
way, we do not mean that Pythagoras didn’t
wonder, the thing is, Thales wondered earlier
than Pythagoras) – It is Thales. This highlights
the origin of philosophy.
 cause of philosophy
Before we will explain the cause of philosophy, let us first define cause. Usually, cause is
identified with reason. This is misleading. Cause and reason are not identical terms. It does not
necessarily follow that the reason of something is at the same its cause. Cause refers to
anything that contributes to the production of any reality while reason refers to that which, in
any manner, contributes to the explanation or understanding of any reality or thing.

The cause of philosophy – not necessarily the ultimate cause – is wonder; philosophy
starts at wonder. Wonder, however, is normally expressed in a question. The first man who
questioned or wondered was Thales (we will discuss the contents of Thales’ wonder under the
heading: The Greek Philosophers’ Concept of Human Nature). Since philosophy takes wonder
or question as its cause, it leaves the questioner the answer of his questions. Thus, in philosophy
what matters is the question not the answers – this is because answers can become question
themselves. In this vein, it is sine qua non that in philosophy only correct questions should
come to the fore since philosophy considers correct questions ask more important than correct
answers because the latter are just the consequence of the former.
In English, we are told that sentences that end with the question mark are questions. In
philosophy not all statements that end in question mark are questions. What is a correct
question then? A correct question is that which hits the target. That which is sensical. It
has a direction which is rooted in a reality that serves as the point of interest in the
discussion.

By wondering and eventually positing correct questions the application of philosophy

surfaces. To philosophize or philosophizing is the proper term attributed to this cerebral
and empirical activity. Philosophizing starts in a wonder. Wonder is expressed in a
question. When question arises, reasoning to experience, reflection, intuition,
meditation, imagination, and speculation starts of work. Eventually, the reasoning
activity will lead to critical thinking.

This is why philosophizing always involves questioning, analyzing, criticizing,

synthesizing, evaluating and judging.
Therefore, we can say that the spark of wonder is the dynamic force that leads to the
progressive motion of the act of philosophizing. And, thus, philosophy begins when the
 Purpose of

Philosophy
The pleasure of philosophizing, thinking, reflecting, analyzing, evaluating, etc. is fulfillment or satisfaction
alien to a person who has a narrow interest of reality. There is indeed a joy of philosophizing, a joy which
only the pundits can experience.
Philosophy enables us to understand ourselves better;
Philosophy helps us to understand others, our fellowmen;
Philosophy helps us to understand others’ way of thinking;
Philosophy helps us to understand the world and our place and role in it;
Philosophy helps us understand the significance, meaning, value, and finality of human life;
Philosophy helps us know and understand God in his nature, essence, activities, and attributes.
  Philosophical Fields

2 Divisions of Philosophy

A. Theoretical
1.Ontology – being as being
2.Metaphysics – being
3.Epistemology – knowledge
4.Theodicy – God-man relationship
5.Cosmology – universe and world
6.Psychology – animal and human behavior
B. Practical
 
1.Logic – correct reasoning

2.Ethics – morality

3.Aesthetics – arts and beauty

4.Semantics – words and meanings

5.Axiology – values and its hierarchy

 Minor Branches of Philosophy.

 These branches (sub-fields) have particular doctrine in answering key questions in philosophy.
1. Philosophy of Art – deals on art, aesthetic value, expression, and other concepts that the critic employs.

2. Philosophy of Education – deals with speculation and application of philosophical methods in the study of
educational issues and problems.

3. Philosophy of History – deals with the description of events and actions of man’s past happenings and those that
are to happen in man.

4. Philosophy of Language – deals with languages, their meanings and how to use and manage the language to
man’s existence.
5. Philosophy of Law – deals with the formulation of theories
and concepts in law to help man understand the nature of
law, its sources of authority and role in society.

6. Philosophy of Mathematics – is concerned on the critical

examination of basic mathematical entities, mathematical
theories and number system.

7. Philosophy of Nature – deals with whatever issues

regarding the actual features of nature as reality. It is
divided into Philosophy of Physics and Philosophy of
Biology.

8. Philosophy of Psychology – deals with actual theories and

research efforts of contemporary psychologists.
9. Philosophy of Politics – deals with the question of the origin of the state and
authority and the law of the land.

10. Philosophy of Religion – deals on situation, experience, issues and problems

relating to religion and its methodology

11. Philosophy of Science – provides intellectually and accurately satisfying

explanations of a broad range of natural phenomena.

12. Philosophy of Society – deals with questions about personal morality in

relation to man’s existence as member of society.

13. Philosophy of Man – is concerned on the study of human nature, purpose,

existence, destiny including his relationship with people in society and God. It
is sometimes referred to as Philosophy of Human Person.
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