Department of Education

Bureau of Learning Delivery

Teaching and Learning Division

Supplementary Learning Modules

for Senior High School Learners

Grade Level: Grade 11/12

Core Subject: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human
Persons

Semester: First/ Second Semester (WEEK 1)

 DOING PHILOSOPHY

At the end of the module, you should be able to;

1.1. Distinguish a holistic perspective from a partial point of view

PPT11/12-Ia-1.1
1.2. Recognize human activities that emanated from deliberate
reflection
PPT11/12-Ib-1.2
1.3. Realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a broad
perspective on life
PPT11/12-Ib-1.3

Lesson 1: Doing Philosophy

1.1 Philosophy: An attempt at its history, nature and
definition
1.2. Why Philosophy?
1.3 Philosophy as the Tradition of Knowledge
1.4 Importance of Studying Philosophy

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Introduction
Philosophy begins with a sense of wonder. Human being wonders at God, the world
and his/her very being. Among the ancient Greek thinkers, philosophy was mainly a wonder at
the cosmic realities around them. However, in the medieval times, the focus of philosophy was
shifted to God. But with Renaissance and Reformation that ushered in the next phase of
philosophical thinking, and more especially with the philosophy of Descartes, the main object
of philosophy became human being. This does not mean that early philosophers were unaware
of the importance of appreciating the human person. In fact, we find Socrates and few other
thinkers attempted at understanding human person. With the rise of experimental sciences in
the modern times, human person has become the primary and exclusive object of many
disciplines like psychology, psychoanalysis, sociology, anthropology, political science, etc.
Now-a-days even in theology, there is an anthropological trend. However, the approach and
object of Philosophy of Human Person is quite different from these sciences as we shall discuss
them at a later stage.
Philosophy of Human Person could be roughly understood as an attempt to unify
disparate ways of understanding behaviour of humans as both creatures of their social
environments and creators of their own values. Although the majority of philosophers
throughout the history of philosophy can be said to have a distinctive ‘anthropology’ that
undergirds their thought, Philosophy of Human Person itself, as a specific discipline in
philosophy, arose within the later modern period as an outgrowth from developing methods in
philosophy, such as phenomenology and existentialism. The former, which draws its energy
from methodical reflection on human experience (first person perspective) as from the
philosopher's own personal experience, naturally aided the emergence of philosophical
explorations of human nature and the human condition. The latter, with its major concern on
interpersonal relationships and the ontology involved during these relationships, also helped in
the growth of Philosophy of Human Person. Among these relationships, inter-subjectivity is a
major theme, which studies how two individuals, subjects, whose experiences and
interpretations of the world are radically different in understanding each other and relate to
each other.

What is
philosophy?

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Task 1: INSTRUCTION: Write your answer in the space provided below. Provide a
paper for your answers.

What words come to your mind when you hear the word Philosophy? Why do we
need to study Philosophy?

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FROM WONDER TO WANDER

Wonder Wander
 Walk or move in a leisurely,
• To be filled with curiosity or
casual, or aimless way.
doubt
 An act or instance of
• An event inexplicable by the
wandering.
laws of nature; a miracle.
verb. roam - ramble –
• A feeling of puzzlement or
rove – stray
doubt.
noun. wandering –
stroll - saunter - ramble

Simple, Serious, Deep???

Abused child kept chained in a basement for five years finally rescued
Man sentenced to five years for stealing milk for his baby
Lottery winner donates half of winnings to a local orphanage
What questions about your life are you struggling to find answers to?
Philosophers’ definition arises out of wonder, out of curiosity, out
of desire to learn and to understand things.
Pythagoras Epicurus

(570 BCE to 495 BCE) (341 BCE to 270 BCE)

Heraclitus Socrates

(535 BCE to 475 BCE) (470 BCE to 399 BCE)

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 Democritus Plato

(460 BCE to 370 BCE) (427 BCE to 347 BCE)

Diogenes of Sinope Aristotle

( 412 BCE to 323 BCE) (384 BCE to 322 BCE)

The word philosophy is derived from the Greek “philla” meaning “love”, and “sophia",
meaning “wisdom” or “knowledge”. The literal definition of philosophy is therefore, “love of
wisdom” [Zulueta, 2010].

Philosophy of Human Person can be defined as the science of human beings which
interprets the data of experience in the light of metaphysical principles. It has two sources,
namely, the data of experience supplied mainly by everyday experience, which is confirmed
by experimental sciences and the metaphysical principles supplied by ontology or by
metaphysics. Thus Philosophy of Human Person is a combination of science and metaphysics.

Philosophy as a Concept

Philosophy is a system of beliefs about reality. It is one's integrated view of the world. It
includes an understanding of the nature of existence, man, and his role in the world. It is a
necessary product of man’s rational mind.

Philosophy as a Process

Philosophy is employed as a method of inquiry. It is an engagement in the search for the

meaning of life, its value and relevance. It is a process for finding significance in existence.

To live, man must gain knowledge of the world. To understand the world, man must
form conclusions about its very nature. For instance, to gain knowledge of particular objects,
man must recognize that objects have identity. He must recognize that conclusions are
possible because the world does exist, and exists in a particular way.

Philosophy provides the framework for which man can understand the world. It provides
the premises by which man can discover truth and use his mind to support his life. Every man
has an understanding of the world. Every man must have a philosophy, even if it is never
made explicit.

Philosophy as the Foundation of Knowledge

Philosophy is the standard by which ideas are integrated and understood. It has been
regarded as the sum and summit of human knowledge, as the “scientia scientiarium”- the
science of the sciences and the compendium of all learning.
All the branches of learning in fact, sprang from philosophy’s womb, so that she is rightly
called the “mater” and the “matrix” of all knowledge. [Montemayor, 1995]

Purpose of Philosophy

It is philosophy that digs into the root causes of man’s problems and discovers the true
solutions and remedies to human ills. [Montemayor, 1995]
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 Philosophy helps us to free and expand our minds. Through it, we will be able to grasp
and comprehend the complexities of life; and, we will find that there is more to existence
than the doing of mundane routine tasks. We will find that we can do something to make
things better for all of us. [Montemayor, 1995]

Philosophy is all about making sense of the human experience. Philosophy leads to
enlightenment and action.

Philosophy is used at present to unify, synthesize, universalize, interpret and explain

more deeply the enormous pile of factual but piecemeal, particular, unrelated findings, data,
and information accumulated by the modern sciences for a more comprehensive and universal
concept of man. [Montemayor, 1995]

The study of philosophy will always be an important feature of human experience and its
importance in the development of the complete social being, ready to take on his
responsibility in this rapidly changing world. [Zulueta, 2010]

Philosophy makes man think about the basic foundations of his outlook in life, his
knowledge and his beliefs. It makes an individual inquire into the reasons for what he accepts
and does and into the importance of his ideas and ideals in the hope that his final convictions
will change as a result of this examination. [Zulueta, 2010]

POINT TO REMEMBER:
Some of the typical questions that Philosophy of Human Person raises are: What do
humans have in common with the rest of the material world? What are the implications of this
common bond between humans and the rest of the material world? Which are those aspects of
human that set him/her apart from the rest of the animal world? How significant are these
differences? Is there some explanation that gets to the root of human’s uniqueness? Is this
explanation defensible in the forum of reason? What is the origin of human life? What is its
goal? The bulk of Philosophy Human Person is basically an exploration into the above
mentioned questions and into the ramification of the answers generated by them. Thus the key
issues that this course will tackle are life and evolution, knowledge, language, will, freedom,
life, inter-subjectivity, person, death and immortality and self-transcendence.

For our study of Philosophy of Human Person we need a method. A method is a way
of doing something, especially in a systematic way. In science, method is a series of steps taken
to acquire knowledge. Philosophy of Human Person, being a rational investigation into the
nature of human being, needs a method so that it can bring out its subject matter in a lucid and
logical manner.

We know that every investigation on natural objects begins with observation. The same
is also true of studies concerning human person. But a mere scientific study of human person
is insufficient as it gives only partial view of human reality (as is the case with all the empirical
disciplines dealings with human being) while philosophers attempt to understand the ultimate
causes, a total and complete picture of the human person. Hence we ought to begin the course
in Philosophy of Human Person by enlisting our observations regarding human beings, without
yet attempting to interpret or draw speculative conclusions from our data. What we first
propose to do, in short, is to present a phenomenology of human existence. In this method, all
data related to the being of human person is assembled.

Task 2: Answer the question below:

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 HOW IMPORTANT STUDYING OF
PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN PERSON?

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Philosophy of Human Person forms an important treatise in the study of Philosophy.

After all, human existence is an inescapable part of philosophic thought. Almost everyone
has been puzzled from time to time by such essentially philosophic questions as “What does
life mean?” “Did I have any existence before I was born?” and “Is there life after death?”
Most people also have some kind of philosophy in the sense of a personal outlook on life.
Even a person who claims that considering philosophic questions is a waste of time is
expressing what is important, worthwhile, or valuable. A rejection of all philosophy is in
itself philosophy.

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 By studying Philosophy of Human Person, people can clarify what they believe, and
they can be stimulated to think about ultimate questions. A person can study philosophers
of the past to discover why they thought as they did and what value their thoughts may have
in one's own life. Philosophy has had enormous influence on our everyday lives. The very
language we speak uses classifications derived from philosophy. For example, the
classifications of noun and verb involve the philosophic idea that there is a difference
between things and actions. If we ask what the difference is, we are starting a philosophic
inquiry.

It was Socrates, the great Greek philosopher, who turned philosophy from the study of
great philosophical questions to the study of human being. He preferred to postulate on ethics
rather than the meaning of the world. He used to go to the ancient Greek market (agora), talk
to people and help them realize that they already knew the “truth,” by examining their selves.
The “know thyself” motto is attributed to Socrates. He used to say that “The only thing I know
is that I don't know nothing.” He also believed that the limits of human knowledge were such
that prevented us from searching the ultimate truth for metaphysical problems. That is why he
thought that postulating on human matters is what a true philosopher should do.

Task 3: Answer the following questions:

I. Look at the pictures below. What can you say about them? Describe their
similarities and differences. Write your answer in your notebook.

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Task 4:
Answer the following questions and write your answer in your notebook.

1. Based on your answers in Activity 2, what must be done before making actions?
2. Is it helpful that you do this before making actions? Why or why not?
3. As a student, what have you realized about this activity? Reflect and explain
your answer in your notebook.

Task 5: Complete the diagram below:

Direction: Complete the table below. Write your answer in your notebook.

WHAT MUST BE DONE BEFORE

ACTIONS THE
ACTION?
1. Buying new clothes
2. Choosing friends
3. Eating food
4. Deciding where to study for Senior
High School
5. Attending classes in the afternoon
6. Going to school
7. Visiting a friend
8. Joining an organization in school
9. Playing computer games
10. Buying a new gadget
hurt you

Task 6:
What can you say about the quotation below? Do you agree with this? Express your
answers on the space provided.

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Task 7: Direction: Answer the following questions below:

A. Guided Learning:

1) How objective is the study of Philosophy of Human Person?

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2) Reflect on the importance of the study of Philosophy of Human Person.
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3) Cite examples of how philosophy can be a principle of sufficient reason or non-

contradiction.
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Task 8: Matching Type:

Direction: Match A to Column B. Write the correct answer.

A B

1. Sophia A. Dialectics the other self ‘conscious being that

shares the same experience that one experienced.
2. Philosophy B. was first used by Pythagoras to literally mean
"love of wisdom"
3. Other Self C. through the relation between question and
answer
4. Philia Sophia D. Is a specific term in Attic Greek that can be
understood in English as wisdom.

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Task 9:
Direction: Discuss with your other family members a problem or issue important to your
family. Write down their views and use them as bases to come up with a solution based
on a holistic perspective. Use the graph as a guide in conducting the discussion.

PROBLEM OR ISSUE IMPORTANT TO MY FAMILY

My Mother’s Views My Father’s Views

My Brother’s/ Sister’s Views My Own Views

Other important views or things to consider

SOLUTION

Glossary

Edmund Husserl- German Philosopher who remarked: "To be

sure, we still have philosophical congresses. The
philosophers meet but, unfortunately, not the
philosophies."

Diogenes Laertius- Greek historian; through his work "The

Lives of Philosophers", we learn the term
philosophy comes from philia sophia.

Hannah Arendt- Philosopher who says this experience of

wonder is traumatic.

Hannah Arendt- She writes: " The wonder which man

endures or which befalls him cannot be
related in words because it is too general

Karl Jaspers- Who defined philosophy as a discipline

where questions are more important than
answers and where every answer
generates more questions.

Philosophers- Lovers of wisdom; the one doing

Philosophy
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Philia- Greek word of love.

Philosophy- Is a "way of life" Is a science that inquires

into the ultimate causes, principles, and
reasons of all things in the light of reason
alone.

Pierre Hadot- French philologist, defined philosophy as

not merely academic, speculative and
abstract, but also practical and concrete.

Sophia- Is a specific term in Attic Greek that can

be understood in English as wisdom.

Answer Keys:

Task 1 – Answers may vary

Task 2 – Answers may vary
Task 3 – Answers may vary
Task 4 – Answers may vary
Task 5 – Answers may vary
Task 6 – Answers may vary
Task 7– Answers may vary
Task 8 –
1. D
2. B
3. A
4. C
Task 9 – Answers may vary

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 References

Bogliolo, Louis. Philosophical Anthropology. Shillong: Sacred Heart Theological College,

1984.

Boon, J.A. “Anthropology, Ethnology and Religion.” The Encyclopaedia of Religion. Vol.1.
New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1987, 308-317.

Donceel, J.F. Philosophical Anthropology. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1967.
Mondin, Battista. Philosophical Anthropology. Bangalore: Theological Publications of India,
1998.

Munro, R. “Anthropology.” Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics. Vol.1. Edinburgh: T & T

Clark, 1925, 561-573.

Ramos, C.C. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Rex Book Store. First
Edition.

Rescher, Nicholas (2011). Philosophical Reasoning: A Study in Methodology of

Philosophizing. (1ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

Shapiro, H.L. “Anthropology.” Encyclopaedia Judaica. Vol. 3. Jerusalem: Keter Publishing

House, 1974, 37-50.

Bogliolo, Louis. Philosophical Anthropology. Shillong: Sacred Heart Theological College,

1984.

Boon, J.A. “Anthropology, Ethnology and Religion.” The Encyclopaedia of Religion. Vol.1.
New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1987, 308-317.

Donceel, J.F. Philosophical Anthropology. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1967.

Mondin, Battista. Philosophical Anthropology. Bangalore: Theological Publications of India,

1998.

https://www.marxists.org/reference

Copi, Irvin M. and Cohen, Carl, Introduction to Logic, New York: Prentice Hall International
Inc. / Macmillian Publishing Company, 1994;

Cronkite, Walter, A Reporter’s Life, United States of America: Alfred A. Knopf / Random
House of Canada Limited, 1996;

Cruz, Corazon L., Philosophy of Man, Third Edition, Mandaluyong City, National Book
Store, 1995;

Garcia, Leovino, Some Notes towards a Narrative Ethics, Philosophical Association of the
Philippines Conference Paper, 2000;

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Kong, Francis J., One Day at A Time: A Daily Dose of Inspiration for the Man at Work,
Book 4, Philippines: Business Matters Publishing, 2002.

Limbaugh, Rush, See, I Told You So, New York: Pocket Books / Simon and Schuster, Inc.,
1993;

Maboloc, Christopher Ryan B., Philosophy of Man: The Existential Drama, Manila: Rex
Book Store, Inc., 2009;

Montemayor, Felix M., Introduction to Philosophy through the Philosophy of Man,

Mandaluyong City: National Book Store, 2007;

Zulueta, Francisco M., Introduction to Philosophy, Mandaluyong City: National Book Store,
The Socratic/Dialectical Method: Socrates

Kreeft, Peter (2010). Socratic Logic: A Logic Text using Socratic Method, Platonic
Questions, and Aristotelian (3 ed.). Saint Agustines Press. Phoenix, AZ.

Abella, Roberto. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person .C & E Publishing, Inc.

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7475364/

https://www.facebook.com/introductiontothephilosophyofthehumanperson/videos/180134370
6743895/

Prepared by:

JUNAL M. MARCON, PhD

Master Teacher I
Schools Division of Passi City
Region VI

Evaluated by:

NESCEL P. PANES, PhD MA. LENNIE F. PAMPOSA, PhD

Education Program Supervisor Education Program Supervisor
Schools Division of Passi City Schools Division of Passi City
Region VI Region VI

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