Doing Philosophy

Prepared by: Ernesto Bais A. Arcenas Jr.

 Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the session, you should be
able to:
• 1. identify the major questions of philosophy and
2. discuss the branches of philosophy that deal
with these questions.
• What is real? Are we able to
perceive and understand reality
and everything in it?
Which came first ?
Which do you prefer?
Unsa man gyud beh?
Which color you like ?
Combat against COVID 19
What is a philosophical
thought?
Philosophical thought
• Philosophical thought is a
reflexive thought (Reflexive thought is the
reflection of the thought on itself). In other
words, philosophical thinking is not only
one-sided thinking. It is also to question
the questioning itself or the result of the
questioning. This is a two-way thinking.
DOING PHILOSOPHY short vid
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOwJSAznxGY
Watch the video
WHAT ARE SOME MAJOR QUESTIONS
THAT PHILOSOPHERS PONDER UPON?
•What is real?
•Are we able to perceive
and understand reality
and everything in it?
1. The Question of Reality
• Reality refers to the state of existence of
things independent of human
consciousness.
• Reality includes physical things that we see,
feel, taste, and smell, and things that we
cannot easily perceive and comprehend.
• It includes things that already existed,
things that presently exist and things that
are yet to exist.
• Philosophers believe in the existence of an
“objective and absolute” reality, means
everything that exists in reality has a
specific nature or character.
METAPHYSICS
• The branch of Philosophy which addresses
questions regarding reality.
• Study the fundamental reality
• Ontology – a branch of Metaphysics.
Which focuses on the classification of
existing things. Topics related to the
discussion of reality includes: time, space,
the nature of the universe, the nature of the
human being. What makes man what he is.
Themes of Metaphysics
• 1. The study of the First Cause – God
or The Supreme Being.
• 2. What characteristics distinguish
man from all other things that exists?
Ontology – a branch of Metaphysics.
Which focuses on the classification of existing things.
Topics related to the discussion of reality includes: time, space,
the nature of the universe, the nature of the human being.
What makes man what he is.
How do we know what we know?
Are the things that we know true?
2. THE QUESTION OF CERTAINTY
Certainty refers to perfect knowledge that is
free from error or doubt.
A. RATIONALISM – is a theory on knowledge
which believes that knowledge is a priori
knowledge or based on pure reasoning without
the benefit of any experience.

B. EMPIRICISM – posteriori knowledge or

knowledge is gained through experience and
senses.
C. SKEPTICISM- questions the certainty of
established doctrines or truths and believes that
the mind has limits in perceiving and
understanding reality-thus all knowledge is
uncertain.
D. EPISTEMOLOGY- is the study of 
knowledge.
• First, we must determine the nature of
knowledge; that is, what does it mean to
say that someone knows, or fails to know,
something?
• Second, we must determine the extent of human
knowledge; that is, how much do we, or can we,
know? How can we use our reason, our senses,
the testimony of others, and other resources to
acquire knowledge? 
• Are there limits to what we can know? 
 WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE CAUSE OF ALL
THINGS?
WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE IN THIS WORLD?

TO WHAT EXTENT ARE OUR CHOICES AND

ACTIONS CONSIDERED “FREE” ?
3. QUESTION OF CAUSALITY
3. QUESTION OF CAUSALITY
• Philosophers analyze causality by examining
events in the context of a cause-and-effect
relationship.
• Trying to understand the underlying principles
that govern a certain phenomenon and uncover
the true nature .
A. The concept of causality are
questions regarding the origin of
things.
B. Another concept of causality is PURPOSE
or the explanation of a thing’s function or
goal. It also refers to the reason for a thing’s
existence.
• A thing’s purpose is often considered as its Final
or Ultimate Cause.
For Man:
C. A concept of Causality is AGENCY. Which is the capacity
of man to govern or control his actions.
• Philosophers believed and accept that human beings
are capable of making decisions that define their
actions. Agree?
What does it mean for a person to have agency?
Agency is defined as the capacity of individuals to act
independently and to make their own free choices.
Freewill or the capability to choose among
possible actions. (reason, belief, desire &
morality)
The concept of choice is an important aspect
of any discussion on agency and free will.
An important perspective regarding
causality and agency is
• Determinism – which shows that each event is
determined or influenced by a specific set of
events or factors.
Destiny- predetermined courses of events leading
to a specific outcome or future.
The branch of Philosophy that
studies causality is Etiology
• the investigation or attribution of the
cause or reason for something, often
expressed in terms of historical or mythical
explanation.
TELEOLOGY is the branch that deals
with the question of purpose.
ACTIVITY:
Do THINK in page 31 (SS4 ebook)
How should one live his or her life?
What is the right course of action in
the face of problems or dilemma?
4. QUESTION OF ETHICS
which define human behavior.
Conflict between Ethics and Law
Some notable philosophies to warm you
up in understanding more about life?
Activity:
• What are your own personal questions in life? Philosophical
questions you wish to find answers in this course. Give at
least two.

• NOTE:
This two questions will be answered at the end of this
course as one of your final output (Essay Writing). Seek and
discover the answers to these personal questions as we go along
the lessons in Philosophy.