Escuela San Gabriel de Colegio de San Gabriel

Arcangel Foundation, Inc. Arcangel of Caloocan

Phase 10, Package 6, Block 1, Lots 1-5, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City
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GRADE 11/12 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN
PERSON

Module 3: Methods of Philosophizing

Challenge your knowledge

Instruction: Read the story well to be able to comprehend it.

“Where is the glory of God? Just look around. Everything created by God
reflects his glory in surrounding. We see it everywhere, from the smallest
microscopic from of life to the vast Milky Way, from sunsets and starts to storms
and seasons. Creation reveals our Creator’s glory. In nature, we learn that God is
powerful, that He enjoys variety; loves beauty is organized and is wise and
creative.” -- Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, 2002.

Question:
1. Are the above statement factual or opinion? If yes, why? If no, why not?
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Duration: 1 Week

Introduction
 The famous Socratic Method consists of asking a series of critical questions
in order to unmask the sophistry of those who claim to hold a monopoly of the
truth. The quest for the truth begins with the art of questioning. “ The search for
truth,” it can be said, “ and “ not really the possession of it, is the true goal of
philosophy.”

Most Essential Learning Competencies

Realize that the methods of philosophy lead to wisdom and truth

Specific Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the student should have learned to:
 distinguish opinion from truth
 analyze situations that show the difference
 to realize that the methods of philosophy lead to wisdom and truth

Learning Tools
A. Printed Learning modules, handouts or worksheet will be shared to students.
B. Online learning modules or platforms will be use for online discussion.
C. Photos downloaded from google.
D. Other sources:
 Ariola, Mariano M. LL.B. ; Ed.D., 2016. Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Human Person. Unlimited Books Library Services & Publishing Inc.
 Caraan, Aleli M., Yasol-Naval, Jeanette L., 2016. Introduction to the
Philosophy of the Human Person. Diwa Learning Systems Inc.
 Ramos, Christine Carmela R. Phd, Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Human Person. First Edition 2016.
 Tubo, Dennis Villanueva. 2017. Introduction To The Philosophy of Human
person. Unlimited Books Library Services & Publishing Inc.

Motivation

Answer: __________________

Distinction Between “Opinion” and “Truth”

 Truth is an accepted statement. It agrees with the fact and reality. Truth
needs to be supported by factual evidence. If there is no evidence, or there is
insufficient evidence, then the statement is an opinion. Logic does not prove
anything. Many people can play game of rhetoric and logic and suggest as proof.
No truth must be verifiable and be able to undergo rigorous testing.
Situations That Show The Difference Between “Opinion” and “Truth”
It is a fact that the pyramids are in Egypt (geographical truth). it is a fact
that raping children is a sin and a crime (moral truth). It is a fact that two plus two
is four (mathematical truth). It is a fact that Odysseus’s wife is named Penelope
(fictional truth).
The statement that abortion is morally acceptable or that there is no God,
these are opinions. Expressing these opinions as if they were facts constitutes a
failure to “respect others opinions.”Things which are socially undecided are
opinions. Opinions are putative facts.
If everyday observers are confused about the distinction, “experts” fare little
better.
Fact: statement of actuality or occurrences. A fact is based on direct
evidence, actual experience, or observation.
Opinion: statement of belief or feeling. It shows one’s feelings about a
subject. Solid opinions, while based on facts, are someone’s views on a
subject and not facts themselves.
This way of drawing distinction makes “The earth revolves around the sun” an
opinion - or at least, not a fact - since no one directly observes it happening (not
even astronauts).
“A fact is a statement that can be proven true.’
“An opinion expresses someone’s belief, feeling, view, idea or judgement
about something or someone.”

Propose Definitions:
 A statement of opinion is one whose content is either subjective or else not
well supported by the available evidence.
 A statement of fact is one whose content is objective and well supported by
available evidence.

Phenomenology: On Consciousness
 Edmund Husserl founded phenomenology, which is essentially a
philosophical method. This focuses on careful inspection and description of
phenomena or appearances, defined as any object of conscious experience, that
is, that which we are conscious of (Johnston 2006). In Husserl’s Logical
Investigation, he argued against psychologism; the thesis that truth is dependent
on the peculiarities of the human mind and that philosophy is reducible to
psychology. In other words, it was an argument against the very thesis that he
himself had argued in his first first book on the philosophy of arithmetic. His
continuing effort was dedicated to developing a method for finding and
guaranteeing the truth---that method was phenomenology.
Phenomenology comes from the Greek word “phainomenon” which means
the appearing and ‘logos’ which means the study. It is a science or study of that
which appears. Zwaenepoel (1974) defines phenomenology as a study of that
which appears as meaningful to consciousness in living experience by means of
direct awareness.
Awareness conotes three things:
1. The object of our intention (noema)
2. The intentional act (noesis)
3. The conscious self
Example. When the boy buys an ice cream (noema), he is aware that what
he is buying is an ice cream and not otherwise. Buying is an intentional act
(noesis). This is the reason why he calls the vendor because he wants to buy an
ice cream. And lastly, who is the subject and the author of this activity, it is the
conscious self. The self is the giver of meaning and keeps on repeating this
activity because he feels satisfied eating an ice cream. He finds the meaning of
this activity.

Phenomenology refers to a person’s perception of the meaning of an event,

as opposed to the event as it exists outside of that person. This method attempts
to understand people’s perceptions, opinions and understanding of a particular
situation (or phenomenon). In other words, phenomenology tries to answer the
question, such as “What is it like to experience such and such?”

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1
Guided Learning.
Instruction: Read the story well to be able to comprehend it.
A Story about “The Virtue of Constant Awareness”

This is the story of a student who is about to graduate from his studies. His
name is Daydreaming. Daydreaming underwent series of tests before he can
graduate. And this is the last one.
One day, Daydreaming went to his teacher named “Wisdom” to take the test. His
office is just across the street where Daydreaming lived. On his way, heavy rain
dropped. So he wore his best clothes, a nice rubber boots, a jacket and an
umbrella to protect him from cold.
He knocked at the door thrice, he opened it and a usual greetings, “Good
morning sir!” he said.
“Come in Daydreaming”, a warm reply from his teacher. “Sit down.”
Silence reigned awhile adding a feeling nervousness for Daydreaming.
Suddenly, he heard a masculine voice “You left your boots and
umbrella at the doorstep, didn’t you? Asked the teacher.
“Ye…yes sir, replied Daydreaming.
“Did you place your umbrella at the right side of the doorsteps? or at the left?
Unprepared for the kind of question, Daydreaming was not able to answer
correctly. In short, he failed. Daydreaming has to remain in college until he
learned the virtue of constant awareness.

Guide Question: Use additional paper for your answer.

What does a story imply?
Answer: _________________________________________________________
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METAPHYSICAL QUESTION

A question is a problem , from the root word “pros” and “ballos”. “Pros
means thrown and ‘ballos’ means ball. Let us discuss the topic by an analogy.
When a ball is passed on to you, you have choices. You can either throw it back,
dribble it, just leave it, smash it, throw it away or do anything you like. Having a
problem is just like you are holding a ball. Metaphysical question requires an
answer that touches your being . It defines what you should do because you are
affected by the situation. The situation poses some alternatives to choose from.
A choice you think that is the best.
The Light
 For every question, there is always an answer. For every problem, there is
always a solution. No matter how easy and hard the question is, you will
definitely arrive into an answer. No matter how hard and troublesome the
situation is, a glimmering light shines in different intensity. Some light shine so
slow, some medium light and some so bright.
There are questions when answers are easily available. Some questions
need a little patience before you have them. And some take a long period of time
before you acquire them. But there are also some questions when no available
answers yet until now. And so you become irritable and impatient , and ask, Is
there available solution to this kind of problem or none at all? Until such time you
learn to get angry, get mad and worse, curse the creator and the giver of life.”I do
not believe you anymore.” - the denial faith
When a person is in the midst of
depressing metaphysical moments , one
wants to find the “ light ” to ease (in local
dialect: mapagaan) one’s mind or soothe
one’s heart. He has the tendency either to
interiorize and do some reflection or opt
to find leisure time with others, engage in
socializing, drinking alcoholic beverages,
and many more.
Reflection - this is an interiorization process where a person tends to enter
into himself, and makes some analysis about what really happened?, about
himself? and about what is going on? Questions can be.
a. Why does this thing happen to me?
b. How am I now?
c. How am I going to face the situation like this?
d. If what I did was a mistake, where have I gone wrong?
In the reflection approach, the person becomes the object of his own
inquiry. When a tree is planted beside the river and you look at the river where
the tree is planted, what you see is the reflection of the image of that tree.
Whatever answers to these reflective questions, for a person in a troubled
situation these answers bear an alleviating spirit to give him a touch of hope -----
hope to continue life despite the challenges.
What is the Meaning of Life?
When I was a kid, I asked my grandpa “what is the meaning of life?” He
replied by telling a story: “During the World War II, we lived in a remote area in
Bohol. I asked myself the same question you have, “what is the meaning of my
 life?” On my road way home. I found broken pieces of mirror. I took the largest
piece. “ I can make a toy out of it.”

When I became a man, I grew up to understand that this was not just a
child’s game, but a metaphor of what I could do with my life. I came to
understand that I can be a mirror for others -- the source of truth.

Now this is what I am about. A piece of mirror can be me for others. I can
serve as a light for those who are in the state of confusion and hope for the
hopeless. This is the meaning of life.

Sayings - (in Tagalog dialect, mga kasabihan) - are philosophically inspired-

thought. The person has the tendency to become close to nature. Because of the
present predicament that he finds unbearable, the thinking person opt to consider
sayings to alleviate his mind and heart from a troublesome situation. Their
messages can ease the minds and even soothes one’s heart. There are plenty of
sayings that we can use, for example, On the issue of Love --
a. Find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person
with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness. (Robert Brault)
b. Life has taught us the love does not consist in gazing at each other but in
looking outward together in the same direction. (Antoine de Saint)
Stories (In Tagalog, kwento) - an account of imaginary or real people and events
told for entertainment but with moral lesson in it.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2

I. Read carefully.
The situation poses some alternatives to choose from. A choice you think that
is the best. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

A. What will you do when you learn that your brother or sister is caught of
shoplifting? This is a problem. Is this metaphysical or not?
The following questions:
1. Why did you do that?
2. Who told you to do that?
3. Are you hungry? Why did you not ask mommy for money?
B. My father is caught having an affair with another woman. This is a problem.
Is it a metaphysical problem or not?
The following questions:
1. Will I say this mom or just keep it to myself?
2. Am I going to confront the girl? Or my dad?
 3. What will happen to my future?
4. Are they (dad and mom) going to separate?
5. Is there such thing as “forever” between mom and dad?
C. An old man staring at the rich man riding his brand new car.
What is his problem?
1. Why do I remain like this? I was able to finish my studies, I worked so
hard and yet until now I remain poor?
2. Is it my destiny to be poor?
D. A nice woman who happens to be a victim of rape. Definitely, this is a
metaphysical problem for the victim. But what about you?
Questions:
1. Why this thing happens to me?
2. How can I raise this child when I am only a student
3. How will I tell this to my boyfriend? Is this the end of our 2-year
relationship?
4. How will I tell this to my parents? I understand my father is suffering from
heart ailment?

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF PHENOMENOLOGICAL METHOD

1. Epoché - this is literally defined as “bracketing”, a mathematical term

borrowed by Husserl to mean that we need to put inside the bracket all our
natural attitudes of our object of inquiry (e.g. boy, girl, school, course, life, etc.).
Natural attitudes mean our advanced concepts like prejudices, and biases.
These natural attitudes can create misconceptions and therefore in a scientific
study these natural attitudes are invalid and unreliable because we do not
have enough evidence to prove their claim. For example, you meet a boy with
a tattoo and bald for the first time. Our natural attitude to this kind of person is
that he is a bad boy, naughty, irresponsible, and dirty. The first method
suggests that we need to bracket all these natural attitudes because there is
no enough and valid conclusion. In the spirit of fairness, allow him to unfold
himself who he really is.
2. Phenomenological Eidetic Reduction - the word ‘eidetic’ comes from the
Greek word “eidos” which means in English an image, shape, or form. This is
an intelligible term. You reduced an object to the level of the mind. Eidetic
reduction (the 2nd method) is about analyzing essences: what makes the thing
you are contemplating what it is. For example, a boy with a tattoo. Upon
 looking at this boy I analyze him as an individual, a man, a person, a friend, a
member of any gang. Who is this person free from prejudices? Why does he
have a tattoo?
3. Phenomenological Transcendental Reduction - under this method, one
reduces the object to the mere activity itself of one’s own consciousness.
Instead of paying attention simply to talking, listening, loving and seeing during
the time of encounter, I will now turn myself to the very experience of the “ I ”
who will decide the validity of the objects in experience. E2`SDRE4R5T4
;\\\’;

LEARNING ACTIVITY 3

I. Apply the three phenomenological methods of Edmund Husserl with the title:

My Best Friend
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List down five of your favorite sayings.

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4. ___________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________

LET’S EVALUATE

I. Direction: Find the erroneous word. After finding it, write the correct one on the
space provided.

_____________________1. Phenomenology comes from the Greek word

1
“phainomenon” which means the abstract.
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_____________________ 2. Zwaenepoel defines phenomenology as a study
1
of that which appears as obscure to consciousness.
2 3
_____________________ 3. Phenomenology refers to a man’s perception of the
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difficulty of an event.
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_____________________ 4. Phenomenology tries to answer the question “Who
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do you want to experience with?”
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____________________ 5. Metaphysical situation means you are not affected
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with the situation.
3
____________________ 6. Marcel tells us to bracket all our natural attitudes
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because they are subject for further inquiry.
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____________________ 7. The eidetic reduction of phenomenology is about
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synthesizing essences.
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____________________ 8. In the transcendental reduction, one reduces the
1
subject to the mere activity itself of one’s
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consciousness
____________________ 9. The “I” as a subject is not the giver of meaning.
1 2 3
____________________10. Epoche means to cancel out and disregard the
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negative attitudes.
3

II. Analyze. Write F if the statement is Fact and write O if the statement is
Opinion in the space provided.
 __________1. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates.
_________ 2. Football players are always more popular than the other boys in
school.
_________ 3. Plants need water and sunlight in order to survive.
_________ 4. You get green paint when you mix blue and yellow paint together.
_________ 5. Dark green leafy vegetables, almonds, and flax seeds are high in
calcium.