INTRODUCTION TO

THE PHILOSOPHY
OF THE HUMAN
PERSON
CONVERSATION INSIDE THE CLASS:

Teacher: Juan, what would you like to be when you grow up?
Juan: Ma’am, I want to be happy!
Teacher: Juan, you did not understand my question.
Juan: Ma’am, you do not understand what life is all about!
LESSON 1- WHAT
IS PHILOSOPHY?
* Philosophy, our subject matter for this
course, is really all about questions and
answers. And since by now you already
asked and answered hundreds of questions
your life experienced already prepared you to
take our philosophical journey starting now.

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Three questions are the
primary
questions of philosophy.
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 NATURE AND
FUNCTIONS
OF
PHILOSOPHY
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 PHILOSOPHY
* from a combination of two Greek words,
which are 'Philo' and 'Sophia'. 'Philo'
means 'love' and ‘Sophia' means 'wisdom’
* it means 'love of wisdom', 'pursuit of
knowledge and truth', 'systematic
investigation’
* Uses human reason to
investigate the ultimate causes,
reasons, and principles which
govern all things.

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 PHILOSOPHY IS…
 considered as the “mother of all sciences”
 is a way of life
 it is a science
 is a persistent quest for knowledge and
truth
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 ORIGIN O F PHILOSOPHY
* Greece is the birthplace of philosophy in the
West.
* Thales is the Father of Philosophy in the
Western civilization.
* Thales was the first individual who tried to
reduce the multiplicity in to a unity;
everything is related to each other.
* Thales approach highlights the difference
between religion and Religion rests
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philosophy.
on faith philosophy rests on .
 PHILOSOPHICAL
ACTIVITY
Philosophical activity is characterized by three
things:
* Philosophy involves the widest generalizations
* Philosophy is all about fundamentals. -
foundation A fundamental is the root cause
that explains
almost everything in a given context.
* Philosophy is driven by the desire to integrate 11
things in to a one coherent whole. - Holistic
 BRANCHES O F
PHILOSOPHY
Provide Concerned with
description of the standard of
being & knowing the good

Cognitive Normative
Branches Branches

Metaphysics Epistemolog Ethics Aesthetics

Logi y Politics
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BRANCHES O F
PHILOSOPHY
* To answer “Where am I””
Metaphysics- deals with questions
regarding reality and existence.

* To answer “How do I know it?”

Epistemology- study of the nature and
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means of human knowledge.
* To answer “What should I do?”
Ethics or Morality- deals with human actions
whether good or bad, right or wrong,
acceptable or unacceptable, justifiable or
unjustifiable.
Logic- science and art of correct thinking and
reasoning.
Aesthetics- deals with the nature of art/
objective judgment of beauty
Politics- deals with the principles of a proper
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social system.
* PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN
PERSON
- area in philosophy that understands
the human person from a philosophical
perspective.
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 PRACTICAL USES O F
PHILOSOPHY
1. For critical analysis and interpretation of concepts,
 definitions, arguments and problems
2. Improves problem- solving and decision – making
3. Develop clean and adequate articulation of ideas
4. Wisdom-application of knowledge/ sound choices and
judgments
5. Self- development
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GREEK PHILOSOPHERS:
 REFLECT:
1. What philosophical questions do you wish to be
answered as you study this course“? List down
five.
2. Describe a situation in your life when you were
able to engage in philosophy. What circumstances
or dilemma brought about your need to
philosophize? How did philosophy help you
address your situation?