DOING

PHILOSOPHY

GIAN CARLO C. VILLAGRACIA

General Mariano Alvarez Technical HS
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 TO THE LEARNERS

Here are some reminders as you use this module:

 Use the module with care especially in turning each page.
 Be reminded to answer the Pre-Test before moving on to the
Learning Module.
 Read and comprehend the directions in every exercises.
 Observe honesty in answering the tests and exercises.
 Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of this
material.
 Try to finish a given activity before proceeding to the next.

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Introduction to
the Philosophy
of the
Human Person

Wonder: Philosophy begins!

GIAN CARLO C. VILLAGRACIA

Copyright 2019

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 WHAT IS THIS MODULE ALL ABOUT?

This module serves as a learning resource material in understanding the

target competency expected in the curriculum.

TOPIC
Wonder: Philosophy begins!

CONTENT STANDARD
The learner understands the meaning and process of doing philosophy

PERFORMANCE STANDARD
The learner reflects on a concrete experience in a philosophical way

LEARNING COMPETENCY
PPT11/12-Ib-1.2: Recognize human activities that emanated from
deliberate reflection

The presented activities or exercises and texts are developed

in order to meet the following objectives:

1. Familiarize the early beginnings of Philosophy

2. Exercise activities that emanates philosophical discourse

3. Appreciate the value of self-reflection

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 PRE-TEST

Read the following items carefully. Write the

letter of your answer in a separate sheet of
paper.

1. Philosophy began through -

A. Wonder
B. Experimentation
C. Observation
D. Trial and Error

2. Who are the so-called “Milesians”?

A. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

B. Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes
C. St. Thomas, St. Bonaventure, and St. Anselm
D. Martin Heidegger, Friedrich Nietzche, and Soren Kierkegaard

3. How do you define the first ways of philosophy?

A. It is all about knowing the truth

B. It is a non-mythological way without the aid of instruments
C. It is based on facts and principles
D. It is about what you believe

4. What do you call a doctrine that all matters have life?

A. Sophists’ doctrine
B. Mythological doctrine
C. Biological perspective
D. Hylozoist perspective

5. For Thales, all matter consists of -

A. Air
B. Fire
C. Water
D. Wind

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6. Who is the philosopher that claims about the existence of apeiron?

A. Thales
B. Anaximander
C. Anaximenes
D. Anaxagoras

7. Change is the only permanent in this world. Who is the philosopher

that claimed this?

A. Parmenides
B. Heraclitus
C. Zeno of Elea
D. Empedocles

8. This philosophy is all about the never-ending quest for the truth

A. Western Philosophy
B. Eastern Philosophy
C. Philosophy of Religion
D. Philosophy of Science

9. Their philosophy is always inclined to religious practices and beliefs

A. Western Philosophy
B. Eastern Philosophy
C. Philosophy of Religion
D. Philosophy of Science

10. Who says the famous quotation: “The unexamined life is not worth
living”?

A. Thales
B. Aristotle
C. Plato
D. Socrates

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 REWINDING THE PAST

The image above shows the different branches of philosophy.

Can you still remember each branch?

Each branch of philosophy connotes one important insight: that

philosophy is, indeed, the mother of all discipline! From hard sciences
up to the soft sciences, philosophy is present in every manner.
Philosophy is used to transcend the scientific way of inquiry. And it
only proves that philosophy is present in all aspect. Now, the question
is how does philosophy began? What is the first method of
philosophy? How do you do philosophy? And who are regarded as the
early philosophers in ancient history? Let’s find out!

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 PLAYING THE CONCEPT

Philosophy began through wonder!

It all begins with a feeling of curiosity or doubt. When you want

to know a certain truth, even before you do investigations, it is always
natural for a human being to wonder. Wondering is the primary action
when we seek answers to a lot of questions.

Wondering can be articulated through questions: to philosophize

is to ask questions. There are questions that enormously asked even
before the early civilizations like, ‘What is life made of?’, ‘How do
things come to be, change and pass away?’, or ‘Is there anything that
remains even when everything change?’, etc.

During the ancient times, there are many ways to come up with
a certain answer. Scientists prove the existence of life in a sensible
and observable method. But ancient philosophers tried to think
deeper than what can be observed. They come up with answers that
are non-mythological in nature – meaning, proofs that are not based
on beliefs, just pure wonder!

One of best examples among these early philosophers is no other

than Thales of Miletus, the father of Western
Philosophy.

His philosophy is basically about the

presence of water as the primary substance
of reality in all things. He did not incline his
philosophy from a mythological perspective.
Instead, he used natural explanations for
natural phenomena.

Going back to the idea of wonder, it all

makes sense now! When we think about the
word ‘WATER’ – it is really present in
everything! Example, almost 75% of our body
is made up of water.

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 PAUSE AND TRY AN ACTIVITY

Follow the instructions carefully. Do this activity for 10 minutes!

EARTH WATER WIND FIRE

Ex. Fruits Ex. Rain Ex. Electric fan Ex. Sun

1. There are four icons given above, the 4 basic elements: earth, water,
wind and fire.

2. Below each icon, write as many persons/things/foods/places/events

as you can – make sure you think it is related to these given icons –
for 5 minutes!

3. For the next 5 minutes, reflect and answer these questions:

A. Among these elements, which has a largest number of examples?
B. Which has the least number?
C. Why do we need to see the relationship of these elements with all
other things?

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 PAUSE AND ANALYZE THE ACTIVITY

You have given answers based on your own stock knowledge.

These knowledge are mainly products of your experiences, because you can
never cite an example if you do not have any idea of these concepts. Most
importantly, you WONDER about the possible answers that you may give.
Now, let us analyse each elements and answer how you come up with such
examples.

What is the significance of knowing earth element as part of

our lives?
How do we appreciate the earth element as human being?
How shall we relate with the earth in our contemporary world?

EARTH

What is the significance of knowing water element as part of

our lives?
How do we appreciate the water element as human being?
How shall we relate with the water in our contemporary world?

WATER

What is the significance of knowing wind element as part of our

lives?
How do we appreciate the wind element as human being?
How shall we relate with the wind in our contemporary world?

WIND

What is the significance of knowing fire element as part of our

lives?
How do we appreciate the fire element as human being?
How shall we relate with the fire in our contemporary world?

FIRE

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 PLAYING THE CONCEPT ONCE AGAIN!

In analyzing the activity, we can conclude that these basic

elements of nature are indeed part of each existing beings. We come
across this kind of insight without the aid of any instruments, just
wonder! That’s why, looking back in the ancient history, it didn’t end
with Thales’ philosophy alone; it was followed by Anaximander and
Anaximenes respectively. These first three
philosophers are also known as the
Triumvirate (before Socrates, Plato,
and Aristotle) which means a group
of three men holding powers in
particular or basically just a group
of three wise men.

These pre-Socratic philosophers are all considered as Hylozoist;

someone whose doctrine lies in a concept of life in all matters. From
Thales up to Leucippus and Democritus, they all focus on this kind of
philosophical argument – providing the fundamental substance of
reality.

Here are the list of pre-Socratic philosophers who contributed

significant theories about the fundamental substance of reality:

This philosopher,
___________, says that The primary substance/element in reality is…
Monists – philosophers who believe in one element
Thales WATER – it can change into solid, liquid
Anaximander APEIRON/ INFINITE – everything is ageless and eternal
Anaximenes AIR – holds our soul together, encompasses the world
Pythagoras NUMBER – all things consist of numbers, *calculated*
Heraclitus CHANGE – the only thing that is constant in this world
Parmenides BEING – something indestructible, immovable complete
Pluralists – philosophers who believes in many elements
Empedocles 4 BASIC ELEMENTS – earth, air, fire and water
Anaxagoras No single element – matter becomes infinitely divisible
Zeno of Elea All beings are interconnected –method of dialectics
Leucippus and Democritus ATOMS – inseparable and indivisible

In general, we have learned how the early days of philosophy

began – how they focused on the matters of life, etc. The relevance of

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this list is to realize the manner of doing philosophy; from WONDER,
the former has respectively philosophized on the theories of the latter,
and it goes on and on! Thus, it simply defines that western philosophy
is all about the never-ending quest for what is truth.

Comparing it with eastern philosophy, eastern religions define

their very philosophical way of thinking. It is not about the quest for
the truth but know it and live a harmonious way of life. Philosophy for
them is literally by action. It is always incline in religious beliefs, thus
it may be bias since we do not share a universal religion in our world.

Hence, as we go along our journey in knowing the truth about

the essence of a human person, we shall be immersed with a western
way of philosophizing – to know what’s true about you and me.

LET’S STOP AND APPLY WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED

How are we going to apply this lesson in our daily lives?

We may be unconscious but there is certainty that we

philosophize every day. Without a doubt, thinking is a natural part of
being a human person. Man is not man if he does not think. And
beyond the thinking process is the act of wondering – asking questions
over given questions.

At home, it is our duty to help our parents in doing household

chores. But do we ask ourselves, “Why am I doing this? Do I wash the
dishes because I am told to do so? Or Do I wash it because it makes me
feel complete (not to mention that it makes my parents happy)? etc.” We
start to have a deeper outlook on things around us – that a simple
chore could mean a lot in the future to come.

At school, we study because we want to learn more. But the

question is, “Are these lessons enough yet?” If we start to be contented

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about what we know, then we cease to exist as a human person. Why?
Because as a philosopher, we do not stop learning! Just like a Latin
maxim that says, “Noli cedere cognoscere” which literally means never
stop learning. The principle of life didn’t end with Leucippus and
Democritus – it is continued and developed up until the present time.

As citizens of the Philippines, what makes one a real Filipino?

How are you going to exemplify yourself as you? How do you become
a Filipino philosopher? Start wondering and answer these questions
every single day ahead of you.

Self-reflection is a key to start philosophizing. In spite of having

a toxic environment, we shall still find a place, a moment, a time to
examine ourselves. We take time to realize all things that happens to
us. We shall always look into a deeper meaning of the things we do.
After all, we shall remember the words of the great Socrates:

“The unexamined life

is not worth living.”

POST-TEST

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 Read the following items carefully. Write the
letter of your answer in a separate sheet of
paper.

1. How do you define the inclinations of the early philosophers during the
ancient times?

A. It is all about knowing the truth

B. It is a non-mythological way without the aid of instruments
C. It is based on facts and principles
D. It is about what you believe

2. What concept does the principle of fundamental substance of life falls

into?
A. Sophists’ doctrine
B. Mythological doctrine
C. Biological perspective
D. Hylozoist perspective

3. It is an action towards philosophizing –

A. Wonder
B. Experimentation
C. Observation
D. Trial and Error

4. What is the element that Thales realized to be the core of all things?
A. Air
B. Fire
C. Water
D. Wind

5. Who is the philosopher that claims about the existence of apeiron?

A. Thales
B. Anaximander
C. Anaximenes
D. Anaxagoras

6. Change is the only permanent in this world. Who is the philosopher that
claimed this?

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 A. Parmenides
B. Heraclitus
C. Zeno of Elea
D. Empedocles

7. They are the so-called pre-Socratic philosophers.

A. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

B. Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes
C. St. Thomas, St. Bonaventure, and St. Anselm
D. Martin Heidegger, Friedrich Nietzche, and Soren Kierkegaard

8. This philosophy is all about the never-ending quest for the truth

A. Western Philosophy
B. Eastern Philosophy
C. Philosophy of Religion
D. Philosophy of Science

9. Their philosophy is always inclined to religious practices and beliefs

A. Western Philosophy
B. Eastern Philosophy
C. Philosophy of Religion
D. Philosophy of Science

10. Who says the famous quotation: “The unexamined life is not worth
living”?

A. Thales
B. Aristotle
C. Plato
D. Socrates

LET’S REPLAY!

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 Philosophy began through WONDER!

 The early thinkers philosophize without an aid of instruments and

didn’t base their theories from mythological biases.

 The so-called pre-Socratic philosophers focus on Hylozoism where

the doctrines pertain to the matters of life – fundamental substance of
reality.

 This early philosophers founded the concept of dialectics –

investigating the philosophy of the other and propose a new
philosophy, and so on.

 Thus, we conclude that western philosophy is all about the never-

ending quest for the truth – the urge to know more, the drive to seek
higher knowledge.

 And it all boils down to the idea of the SELF – promulgating the
practice of personal contemplation/reflection/philosophy, every single
day.

Answer Key

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 Pre-Test

1. A
2. B
3. B
4. D
5. C
6. B
7. B
8. A
9. B
10. D

Post-Test

1. B
2. D
3. A
4. C
5. B
6. B
7. B
8. A
9. B
10. D
11.

REFERENCES

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O'Grady, P. (n.d.). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved May 9, 2019, from
www.iep.utm.edu: https://www.iep.utm.edu/thales/

Vinzons, M. P. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City: Vibal Group,
Inc.

Media Sources

https://philgcg11chd.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/main-branches-of-philosophy.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thales_of_Miletus

https://www.kissclipart.com/element-icon-clipart-water-earth-symbol-s6yzdl/

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 This module maybe adopted, modified and
reproduced for educational purposes with appropriate
credit to the author.
For inquiries, feedback and suggestions, please
contact the author through the Division Learning
resource Supervisor at Tel. No. _________________ and/or
email address ________________ @deped.gov.ph

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