PHILOSOPHY

What is Philosophy?
PHILOSOPHY
+PHILOS: love
+SOPHIA: wisdom

+Applied to the study or discipline that uses

human reason to investigate the ultimate
causes, reasons, and principles which govern all
things.
PHILOSOPHY
+Study of theoretical basis of a particular branch
of knowledge or experience.

+Defined as the science that by natural light of

reason studies the first cause or highest principles
of all things. Under this definition, four things are
to be considered:
a. Science
+It is called science because the investigation is
systematic. It follows certain steps or it
employs certain procedures.
b. Natural Light of Reason
+The philosopher uses his natural capacity to
think or simply, human reason alone or the so-
called unaided reason.
c. First cause or highest principle
+A principle is that from which something
proceeds in any manner whatsoever. The First
Principles are the following:

+Principle of Identity – whatever is is; and

whatever is not is not; everything is what it is.
Everything is its own being, and not being is
not being
c. First cause or highest principle
+Principle of Non-Contradiction – it is
impossible for a thing to be and not to be at
the same time, and at the same respect

+Principle of Excluded Middle – a thing is either

is or is not; everything must be either be or not
be; between being and non-being, there is no
middle ground possible.
c. First cause or highest principle
+Principle of Sufficient Reason – nothing exists
without a sufficient reason for its being and
existence.
d. Study of all things
+This sets the distinction between philosophy
from other sciences. All other sciences concern
themselves with a particular object of
investigation.
GROUP WORK
+1. What does it mean to be a lover of wisdom?

+2. What characteristics should a philosopher possess?

+3. Name one Greek Philosopher and discuss what he/she

has contributed in Philosophy.