INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF

THE HUMAN PERSON

Jellys Fatima Y. Sarabillo
VALUE OF DOING
PHILOSOPHY
Lesson 2
OBJECTIVES
• Describe the value of doing
philosophy; and
• Discuss the value of doing philosophy
in obtaining a holistic (broad)
perspective on life.
 Let’s review!
What’s the difference
between partial and
holistic thinking?
 Activity 1. Match Me!
Directions: Match a
philosophical question in
Column A that belongs to a
Branch of Philosophy in
Column B.
 Column A Column B
Philosophical Question Branches of Philosophy

1. What a. Metaphysics
distinguishes a b. Epistemology
good argument c. Logic
from a bad one? d. Aesthetics
e. Ethics
 Column A Column B
Philosophical Question Branches of Philosophy

2. How is human a. Metaphysics

person ought to b. Epistemology
act? c. Logic
d. Aesthetics
e. Ethics
 Column A Column B
Philosophical Question Branches of Philosophy

3. How to acquire a. Metaphysics

knowledge ? b. Epistemology
c. Logic
d. Aesthetics
e. Ethics
 Column A Column B
Philosophical Question Branches of Philosophy

4. What is a. Metaphysics
beautiful? b. Epistemology
c. Logic
d. Aesthetics
e. Ethics
 Column A Column B
Philosophical Question Branches of Philosophy

5. What is being? a. Metaphysics

b. Epistemology
c. Logic
d. Aesthetics
e. Ethics
The table shows philosophical questions and
can be associated with the different branches
of philosophy.

To understand more, philosophy is not simply

looking at the question and its concept, rather
to realize the importance of philosophizing.
 Activity 2. Fit Me !
Directions: Set the common
activity in Column A with
Philosophical activity in
Column B.
 Column A Column B
COMMON ACTIVITY PHILOSOPHICAL ACTIVITY
1. wonder use of sense data
2. doubt to form specific
3. sense and statements and
perception make a
4. experience conclusion or
5. love for Wisdom generalization
 Column A Column B
COMMON ACTIVITY PHILOSOPHICAL ACTIVITY
1. wonder considers two
2. doubt opposing ideas
3. sense and and attempt to
perception bring on new
4. experience knowledge
5. love for Wisdom
 Column A Column B
COMMON ACTIVITY PHILOSOPHICAL ACTIVITY
1. wonder examines various
2. doubt ideas and
3. sense and different
perception perspectives in
4. experience doing critical
5. love for Wisdom thinking and
analysis
 Column A Column B
COMMON ACTIVITY PHILOSOPHICAL ACTIVITY
1. wonder eagerness to ask
2. doubt more questions
3. sense and to probe a topic
perception
4. experience
5. love for Wisdom
 Column A Column B
COMMON ACTIVITY PHILOSOPHICAL ACTIVITY
1. wonder event directly
2. doubt affects person’s
3. sense and ideas, reasons
perception and judgment
4. experience
5. love for Wisdom
 This activity shows the different common
activities and can be the reasons for the need
to philosophize.

Robert Abella, author of Introduction to

Philosophy of the Human Person, says that
“We all have the potential to philosophize
since we have the tendency to wonder and
doubt.”
 When you search for
meaning of life, you will
encounter chain of related
questions.
 FOUR MAJOR
PHILOSOPHICAL
QUESTIONS REGARDING
HUMAN EXISTENCE
1. What is real? Are we
able to perceive and
understand reality and
everything in it?
2. How do we know what
we know? Are the things
that we know true?
3. What is the ultimate
cause of all things? What is
our purpose in this world?
4. To what extent are our
choices and actions
considered free?
WHY IS THERE A
NEED TO
PHILOSOPHIZE?
We all have the potential to philosophize
since we have the tendency to wonder and
doubt.

We possess the capacity to reflect on our

experiences, and we have a never-ending
need to learn and discover.
PLATO traced man’s
need to philosophize to his SENSE
OF WONDER .
RENE DESCARTES
traced the need to philosophize to
doubt.
His method of examining ideas and
perspectives became the basis of critical
thinking and analysis in the sciences.

Ex. A scientific hypothesis must be first be

tested and verified before it is accepted truth.
In life, we will be faced with several ideas
and arguments which present
themselves as “truth”.

A critical and questioning perspective is

necessary to determine if indeed these
ideas or views are correct or true.
KARL JASPERS, A SWISS-GERMAN
PHILOSOPHER saw the need to philosophize
because of experience.
> He believed that man is often confronted by
experiences (limit situations) which challenge his
ideas and frameworks. These are often
accompanied by feelings of helplessness,
anxiety, or dread.
SOCRATES, exemplified that the need to
philosophize is driven by love for wisdom.
> To love wisdom is to have an insatiable desire for
truth.
> A philosopher does not seek knowledge to claim
ownership of it;
> and one who engages in philosophy is not satisfied
with figuring out the answer to a question.
SOCRATES is also
recognized for his motto: “The
unexamined life is not worth
living”
By expanding our knowledge through
philosophy, we begin to realize that
learning is unceasing- there is a lot
more to learn and experience in life.
Create wisdom you can
get from
everyday objects.
Philosophy differs in
different
eras in world history.
 NOTABLE
GREEK
PHILOSOPHERS
1. PYTHAGORAS- A mathematician
and scientist, he was credited with formulating
the Pythagorean theorem. His
work earned him many followers, and he
established a community of learners who were
devoted to the study of religion and
philosophy.
• 2. HERACLITUS- he proposed
that everything that exists is based
on a higher order or plan which
called logos. For him, change is
permanent aspect of human
condition as he was credited with
the saying : NO MAN EVER STEPS IN
THE SAME RIVER TWICE.
• 3. DEMOCRITUS- he
devoted himself to the study of
the causes of natural
phenomena. He was among the
first to propose that matter is
composed of tiny particles called
atoms.
• 4. DIOGENES OF
SINOPE- he was known of
living a simple virtuous life. For
him, one should not talk of virtue
but should show it in words and
actions.
• 5. EPICURUS - he believed
that 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.
• 6. SOCRATES- considered the foremost
philosopher of ancient times.
• made great contributions to the field of
ethics.
• known critic of intellectuals during his time,
but he himself did not claim to be “wise” and
merely considered himself a “midwife” that
helped inquiring minds achieve wisdom.
• SOCRATIC METHOD
• 7. PLATO- a student of Socrates,
• His teachings and writings were considered
the foundation of western philosophy.
• THEORY OF FORMS, which proposes that
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.
• 7. PLATO
• DIALECT METHOD-inquiry where two
opposing ideas are discussed in an
attempt to arrive at a new knowledge.
• founding of the ACADEMY, an institution
of higher learning which was the first of
its kind in the Western World
• 8. ARISTOTLE- he attended
ACADEMY and was a prominent student
of PLATO.
• disagreed with Plato’s theory of forms
and took a different stance in
interpreting the reality.
• all ideas and views are based on
perception and our reality is based on
what we can sense and perceive.
• 8. ARISTOTLE- he studies in
logic led to the formulation of a
formal process of analyzing
reasoning which gave rise to
DEDUCTIVE REASONING- the
process by which specific
statements are analyzed to reach a
conclusion or generalization.
PHILOSOPHY is an
examination of a
particular area of
knowledge
PHILOSOPHY is a distinct
area of knowledge with
its own goals, concers,
and ways of doing things.
BRANCHES OF
PHILOSOPHY
AESTHETICS… philosophy
which deals with beauty
and what makes things “
beautiful”
LOGIC… is the branch
of philosophy that
deals with correct
reasoning
 EPISTEMOLOGY…
discusses the nature of
knowledge and
knowing.
ETHICS… deals with
moral questions and
dilemmas.
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY…
studies governments and
deals with questions of
justice, power, and the
rights and obligations of
citizens.
 METAPHYSICS…
is a branch of philosophy
which deals with
questions regarding reality
and existence.
PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN
PERSON
is an area in philosophy that
understands the human
person from a philosophical
perspective
Let us buckle up these important concepts:
1. Philosophy enables reflective thinking which greatly influences a
person view of life, challenges, and relationships.
2. In the process of valuing philosophy, it is critical to have holistic
point of view – the perception of looking at all aspects of a
situation before making a conclusion. There are skills involved in
doing philosophy such as critical, logical, and analytical thinking,
observation, and communication.
3. The value of doing philosophy is applicable in day to day
activities and life perspectives.
Let’s Reflect…
1. Define philosophy in your own words. What is
its relevance to the life of the people in the
past and the present day?
2. Do you agree with the statement that
philosophy raises the quality of man’s life? Why
or why not?
Activity: Deadline (Sep 11, Monday)
In a 1 short bond paper, make a creative
collage that visualized the theme “How Do I Build
Up My Future 10 years From Now?” Come up
with a creative visualization of your collage that
will show your life’s plan in totality that will give
meaning to your life. (50 points)
Prepare for a Summative
Test # 1 on our next
meeting.
Study Lessons 1 & 2.