2. Objectives:
Discuss philosophy and its importance as a discipline
and a means for understanding life
Distinguish a holistic perspective from a partial point
of view
Recognize human activities that emanated from
deliberate reflection
Do a philosophical reflection on a concrete situation
from a holistic perspective
3. Read and Analyze the following conversation between a
high school teacher and her student in 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!
4. Do you think that Juan’s answer
was appropriate for his teacher’s
question?
5. What do you think was Juan’s
interpretation of his teachers
question?
Based on his responses, what kind of
student do you imagine Juan to be?
6. If you were Juan’s teacher, how would
you respond to him?
How is philosophy related to this
situation?
8. Serious Questions:
Why do I have study?
What do I need to do to get better grades?
What should I do to achieve my goals in life?
How can our budget cover our family’s expenses?
Would it be better if I apply for a new job?
9. Deep Questions
What is love?
Is love worth giving up everything?
Where can one find true happiness?
Why do good people suffer?
10. A big part of living is spent pondering many
questions, and our lives become more
meaningful because we search for answers to
these innumerable questions. This is the
essence of philosophy --- the search for
answers to life’s questions.
11. Group Activity:
Read the following news headlines. What “simple”, “serious” and “deep”
questions come to mind when you read them?
Flash floods in remote village kill a hundred people.
Abused child kept chained in basement for five years finally rescued.
Man sentenced to ten years for stealing milk to feed his baby.
Lottery winner donates half of winnings to local orphanage.
13. What is Philosophy?
The word philosophy comes from 2 Greek
words: philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom).
The ancient Greek used this term to refer to
“love of wisdom” and they soon applied it to
the study or discipline that uses human reason
to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons and
principles which govern all things.
14. Philosophers
Or lovers of wisdom, people who engage in
philosophy.
Among the ancient Greeks, philosophers
became pioneers in various fields of
knowledge such as history, biology, medicine,
mathematics, astronomy an even physics.
15. Unlocking the terms
PHILOSOPHY- an academic discipline that seeks truth
through reasoning rather than empiricism.
EMPIRICISM- a pursuit of knowledge purely through
experience especially by means of observation and
sometimes by experimentation.
-most reliable source of human knowledge is
experience, by perception.
16. Unlocking the terms
WISDOM- an element of personal character that
enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise.
-the discretionary use of knowledge for the greatest
good.
-the ability to make a decision based on the
combination of knowledge, experience, and intuitive
understanding
17. Greek Philosophers
Pythagoras – a mathematician and scientist.
- formulates the Pyhtagorean theorem
- established a community of learners who were
devoted to the study of religion and
philosophy.
Heraclitus – everything exist based on a higher order or plan
which he called logos
- change is a permanent aspect of human
condition .
- “No man ever steps in the same river twice.”
Democritus – causes of natural phenomena. Matter is
composed of tiny particles called atom.
18. Diogenes of Sinope – advocate of living a simple and virtuous life.
- one should not only talk in virtue but should show it
in actions.
- teachings and views influenced the development
of several schools of philosophy, Cynicism and
Stoicism.
Epicurus – philosophy could enable man to live a life of happiness.
Epicureanism – a school of philosophy which believes that
wisdom and simple living will result in a life free of fear and
pain.
Socrates – Foremost philosopher of ancient times.
-made great contribution in the field of ethics.
- Socratic Method – a means of examining a topic by devising
a series of questions that let the learner examine and analyze
his knowledge and views regarding the topic.
19. Plato – student of Socrates, his teachings and writing were
considered as foundation of the Western Philosophy.
-Theory of Forms-everything that exists is based on an idea
or template that can only be perceived in the mind, these
nonphysical ideas are eternal and unchanging.
- ideal society and ideal model of the government and
society which is ruled by wisdom and reason.
-dialectic-method of inquiry were two opposing ideas are
discussed in an attempt to arrive at a new knowledge.
-Academy-lasting contribution, an institution of higher
learning, first of its kind in the Western World.
20. Aristotle – attended the Academy, student of Plato.
- for him all ideas and views are based on perception and
our reality is based on what we can sense and perceived.
-involved in a great variety of disciplines such as zoology,
psychology, ethics and politics.
-proposed a system for the classification of plants and
animals.
-deductive reasoning-the process by which specific
statements are analysed to reach a conclusion or
generalization.
21. What are the reasons that compel a person to
engage in philosophical thinking?
How can you as a person benefit from
philosophizing?
22. WHY IS THERE A NEED TO
PHILOSOPHIZE?
PLATO – sense of wonder
RENE DESCARTES – doubt
KARL JASPER – experience(limit situations)
*driven by LOVE OF WISDOM insatiable desire for
truth.
SOCRATES – I KNOW THAT I DO NOT KNOW…
- THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING.
23. HOW DO WE CHARACTERIZE THE
STUDY OF PHILOSOPHY?
A way of analyzing frameworks.
Framework – a way of thinking about the world and is
composed of the views and beliefs of a person.
Internal questions – questions dealing with our own
correctness and values, can be addressed using our own
personal frameworks.
External Questions – seek to question the very frameworks
upon which people base their own beliefs and views.
24. An examination of a particular area of knowledge.
Philosophy itself is a distinct area of knowledge with
its own goals, concerns, and ways of doing things.
25. Branches of Philosophy
Aesthetics – deals with beauty and what makes things
“beautiful”.
Logic – deals with correct reasoning.
Epistemology – discusses the nature of knowledge and
knowing.
Ethics – deals with moral questions and dilemmas.
Political Philosophy – studies government and deals with
questions of justice, power and the rights and obligations of
citizens.
Metaphysics – deals with questions regarding reality and
existence.
26. Philosophy of the Human Person – not a branch itself,
an area in philosophy that understands the human
person from a philosophical perspective – integrating
and synthesizing the different branches of
philosophy and the other fields of study to know the
truth about the human person.
27. Two Important Facts of Philosophy
It is a reflective and meditative activity.
A method of mental exercise.
28. Holistic and Partial Thinking
Holistic Thinking-refers to a perspective that considers large-scale patterns in
system.
- describe as looking at “big picture”.
- it requires an individual to have an open mind-set and an ability to get
the general sense or impression regarding a situation.
-philosophy utilizes holistic thinking in making sense of problems and
issues related to the human experience.
-holistic perspective can enable a person to step back and consider the
general aspects of a certain problem.
-give rise to amore appreciative perspective about life, as we are able to
look at life in its totality.
-encourages us not only to be more critical but to be considerate in dealing
with other.
29. Partial Thinking-focuses on specific aspects of situation.
-partial view is an important component of analytical thinking, as an
individual focuses on certain aspects or areas of a problem in order to
understand it.
-people tend to apply analytical perspective when looking at problems or
situations.
30. Cite a situation where you adopted a holistic view in
looking at a problem or situation. How did adopting
a holistic view help you make sense of the situation.
How can having a holistic view help us become
better individuals?
31. How does one engage in reflection?
Reflection-requires a person to be willing to examine one’s
thoughts, feelings and actions and to learn more about one’s
life and experiences.
-allows an opportunity to think more deeply about your
action, your motivations for doing such action, and even it’s
possible consequences.
-vital in ensuring that our actions and decisions are well
thought out and are done with due regard for their implications
and consequences on ourselves, others, and our surroundings.
32. -helps us understand ourselves and our actions better.
-when we reflect we can judge whether our actions or
decisions are reasonable or not.
-Taking time to analyze your decisions and actions is one
vital skill that will greatly help you as you encounter more
challenges in life.
33. Practical uses of Philosophy in our lives
Philosophy enables a person to engage in a critical analysis
and interpretation of concepts, definitions, arguments and
problems.
Philosophy also improves problem-solving and decision
making.
A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and
adequately present his/her ideas.
Wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing, refers to a
persons ability to apply knowledge to daily life particularly in
making sound choices and judgment.
