PHILOSOPHY

LESSON 1: DEFINITION CHARACTERISTICS AND BRANCHES THE HUMAN PERSON PHILOSOPHY

PHILOSOPHICAL TOOLS AND PROCESSES
▪1. Philosophical Questions.
Philosophy was born because of ignorance. If one is ignorant, he asks questions and if he keeps on
questioning the more knowledge he acquires. Once a person stops questioning, he ceases to become a
philosopher.
▪2. Logical Reasoning.
In philosophy reasoning is the process of thinking about something in a logical way in order to form a
conclusion or judgement. It has been the method institutionalized by the triumvirate Greek philosophers
specially Aristotle. Philosophy is about answering questions. Reasoning is the method we use in doing
philosophy. However, although it is necessary for any competent engagement with philosophy, it is not the
end all and be all of philosophy. All branches of philosophy employ reasoning in explaining their arguments.
▪2. Logical Reasoning.
Example: Premise 1: All human beings are mortal
Premise 2: But the President of the Philippines is a human being
Conclusion: Therefore, the President of the Philippines is mortal.
PRIMARY REFLECTION▪is the ability to think logically. The
ability of the mind to construct and evaluate arguments. It
examines its object by abstraction, by analytically breaking it
down into its constituent parts. It is concerned with definitions,
essences and technical solutions to problems

SECONDARY REFLECTION ▪ According to Marcel this type of

reflection enables us to look deeper into our experiences and see
the bigger picture of reality. It integrates the fragmented and
compartmentalized experience into a whole. It is the idea that
various systems (e.g., physical, biological, social) should be viewed as wholes, not merely as a collection of parts.
ADDITIONAL:
Philosophy starts with ignorance, done with knowledge
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE
HUMAN PERSON

Discerning Truth and Opinion

Knowledge -clear
awareness and understanding of something that is based on
reality. It simply means that what we know is what is observable or
evident in the real world.
Facts- propositions or statements which are observed to be real,
truthful, actual, and certain. It is something that has occurred or
has been proven correct
Claim- statement that is not evidently or immediately known to be true.
This implies that any claim can be proven by verification and
experimentation. It can either be factual or judgment. We make claims
when stating our opinions or sharing facts with others.

HOW DO WE KNOW IF SOMETHING IS TRUE?

 A statement is true if it can be justified or proven
through the use of senses, according to Aristotle.
 A statement is true if it is based on facts.
 A statement is true if it is based on a consensus or
having people agree on a common belief.
 A statement is true if it is based on proof through action.
Distinguishing Truth from Opinion
Truth is Opinion Is
Actuality of Events Personal View or Thoughts
Statement that can be verified with evidence can be proven, Statement that cannot be proven
seen or observed
Often contains numbers, dates or ages It tells what someone believes

EVALUATING OPINION
Biased Assumption Reliability Purpose Source
 Biased - Prejudice in favor of or against one person, thing or group compared with another, usually in
a way considered to be unfair.
Example: I love Philosophy subject, however, I got a high grade in Oral Communication so I began to
love Oral Communication than Philosophy.
 Assumption - Ideas that one accepts as facts but makes no effort to prove it. A thing that is accepted as
true or as certain to happen without proof.
Example: I am anticipating that the pandemic that we are experiencing now will be over anytime in
November 2020.
 Reliability - Credibility is also required when checking the accuracy of the person giving the opinion.
Consider the reputation and the expertise of the person about the topic.
Example: Department of Education Secretary Duterte motivated the students to continue their studies
even through alternative delivery modes such as modular learning.
 Purpose - Identify the main reason why the opinion is given. Evaluate if it is intended to inform or
persuade. Consider reason and evidence in doing this step.
Example: I will do my best in answering the activities in this module for the reason that it is one way of
becoming an active learner even during this time of pandemic.
 Source – The first thing to consider when evaluating and assessing an opinion is knowing the origin
of the material. Some sources are more credible than others. Knowing where the information came
from will help us determine the accuracy, correctness, and soundness of information.
-Example: I am very happy today because I received the diploma from my alma mater citing that I have
finished my senior high school.
METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING
 Logical Fallacies
AD HOMINEM “Attacking the Person”
 Attacking the person presenting the argument instead of the issue itself.
Example: I will not vote for her no matter how good she is because she is the murderer’s daughter.
AD MISERICORDIAM “Appeal to Pity and Emotion”
 Pleading for mercy and sympathy while disregarding the issue or point of the question.
Example: Please do not take this job from me. I need this job. I know how this pandemic has affected our
company. Can’t you see I have a lot of mouths to feed?

METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING

Logical Philosophizing
AD HOMINEM “Attacking the Person”
 Attacking the person presenting the argument instead of the issue itself.
Example: I will not vote for her no matter how good she is because she is the murderer’s daughter.
AD MISERICORDIAM “Appeal to Pity and Emotion”
 Pleading for mercy and sympathy while disregarding the issue or point of the question.
Example: Please do not take this job from me. I need this job. I know how this pandemic has affected our
company. Can’t you see I have a lot of mouths to feed?
Ad Populom “Appeal to People”
 Presumes that a proposition must be true because most/many believe it to be true.
Example: The majority of the students are using Samsung phones. I need to buy one unit now
Ad Baculum “Appeal to Force”
 Threatening a listener on a physical or psychological force as a justification for accepting the conclusion.
Example: Since you do not want to lose your job during this pandemic time, you need to work every Sunday with
the same rate and no overtime work pay.
Ad Verecundiam “Appeal to Misplaced authority ”
 Making an appeal using alleged expert advice that is not in proper authority.
 Argument from inappropriate authority
Example: A combination of fried rice, bacon, flavored bread, and fresh milk is the best way to start a day because
my neighbor says that it is what he eats every day for breakfast.
Ad Ignorantiam “Appeal to Ignorance”
 Asserting a claim that must be accepted because no one else can prove otherwise.
Example: No one can prove that the Corona Virus will be eliminated. Thus, it cannot be eliminated.
Fallacy of Accident ”Destroying the Exception”
 Sweeping generalizations cause an error in reasoning.
Example: We have to be generous to others. Therefore, during examinations, we have to share our answers with
our seatmates to show that we are generous.
Fallacy of Composition
 Assuming that what is true of a part is also true for the whole.
Example: This computer table is made of steel, so the whole computer table must be made of steel.
Fallacy of Division
 Assuming that what is true for the whole is also true for its parts.
 Example: You come from a clan of politicians and great leaders! I am sure that you can also become a great
politician soon.
Fallacy of Equivocation
 Using a word that has the same spelling or sound, but it has a different meaning.
Example: Michael Jordan in a star. A star is a ball of gases. Therefore, Michael Jordan is a ball of gases.
Fallacy of Word Construction
 A statement that infers two interpretations either because of the grammatical structure or a word/phrase can
have two possible meanings, causing the entire statement to be understood in two different ways.
Example: People of Columbia are called Columbians. People of India are called Indians. Therefore, the people of
the Philippines must be Philippians
Post Hoc “False Cause ”
 Assuming a claim on a cause and effect relationship between unrelated events.
Example: He met an accident because it is Friday the 13th.
Post Hoc “Petitio Principii”
 An argument fails to prove anything because it somehow takes for granted what it is supposed to prove.
Example: Why are you standing? Because I am not sitting.