The students are expected to:

1. discuss philosophy and its importance as a

discipline and a means for understanding life;
2. appreciate the value of philosophy in daily
life;
3. become philosophical in dealing with life
situations; and
4. discuss the practical uses of philosophy in life.
“An unexamined
life is not worth
living.”
- Socrates
 Philosophy comes from two
Greek words: Philos (love) and
Sophia (wisdom) which were used
by ancient Greeks to refer to “love
of wisdom” and soon applied to the
study or discipline that uses HUMAN
REASON to investigate the ultimate
causes, reasons, and principles which
govern all things
Philosophers are people who engage in
philosophy or are “lovers of wisdom”

They ask questions with a genuine intention to

know. A genuine desire to know begins with
humble admission of one’s own ignorance.
With this desire, comes the courage to ASK
QUESTIONS.

With this constant admission, one will be more

OPEN TO LEARNING NEW things. This is the
beginning of true wisdom.
HUMAN REASON – is the cognitive capacity that allows human
to PROCESS information, makes decisions, and solve problems.
It encompasses several faculties: perception, memory, judgment,
and inference. These faculties enable, individuals to understand
the world, from beliefs and make logical connections between
ideas.
KEY ASPECT OF HUMAN REASON: Challenges and Limitations
• Logical reasoning Despite its strengths, human
• Critical thinking reason is not infallible.
• Problem-solving Cognitive biases, emotional
• Decision making influences, and misinformation
• Ethical & moral reasoning can distort reasoning processes.
 Pythagoras
v a mathematician and scientist, credited with
formulating the Pythagorean Theorem
v established a community of learners devoted
to the study of religion and philosophy
Heraclitus
v proposed that everything that exists is based
on a higher order or plan which he called
logos (a Greek word means WORDS)
v change is permanent aspect of the human
condition; “No man ever steps in the same
river twice.”
 Heraclitus
He pointed out that the world is characterized
by OPPOSITES.
§ If we were never ill, we would not know
what it was to be well.
§ If we never knew hunger, we would take no
pleasure in being full.
§ If there were never any war, we would not
appreciate peace.
Both GOOD and BAD have their inevitable place in the order of things.
Without this constant interplay of opposites, the world would cease to
exists
 Democritus
v study the causes of natural phenomena
v was among the first to propose that matter
is composed of tiny particles called atoms
Diogenes of Sinope
v a known advocate of living a simple and
virtuous life
v one should not only talk of virtue but should
show it in words and actions
v his emphasis on austerity and simplicity often
went to the extreme and was said to have
lived like a beggar
 Epicurus
v philosophy could enable man
to live a life of happiness
v his views gave rise to
Epicureanism – a school of
philosophy which believes
that wisdom and simple living
will result in a life free of fear
and pain
 Socrates
v considered the foremost philosopher of
ancient times
v he did not claim to be “wise” and merely
considered himself a “midwife” that
helped inquiring minds achieve wisdom
v believed that philosophy could enable a
man to live a life of virtue.
v formulated the Socratic Method – a
means of examining a topic by devising
a series of questions that let the learner
examine and analyze his knowledge
and views regarding the topic
 Plato
v a student of Socrates, he wrote down his
mentor’s teachings and incorporated
some of his own ideas
v his teachings and writings were
considered the foundation of Western
philosophy
v dialectic – a method of inquiry where
two opposing ideas are discussed in an
attempt to arrive at new knowledge
v founded the Academy – an institution
of higher learning which was the first of
its kind in the Western World
 Aristotle
v he attended the academy and
prominent student of Plato
v All ideas and views are based on
perception and our reality is based on
what we can sense and perceive
v studied LOGIC that 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
 We all have the potential to
philosophize since we tend to
wonder and doubt. We possess
the capacity to reflect on our
experiences, and we have a never-
ending need to learn and discover.

The need to philosophize is traced to a person’s sense of

wonder (Plato) and doubt (Rene Descartes), the need to
make sense of challenging experiences (Karl Jaspers), and
the love for wisdom.
 Plato
The Greek philosopher Plato traced man’s need to
philosophize to his sense of WONDER.
Plato was concerned with the relationship between
what is eternal and immutable on one hand, and what
flows on the other.

He believed in the existence of an immaterial world

of perfect objects and Forms (ideas). According to
him, the physical world that we perceive with our senses
is just a shadow of a higher reality composed of
unchanging, perfect forms or ideas.
 RENE
DESCARTES
His main concern was with what we can
know, or in other words, certain knowledge.

When it came to acquiring certain

knowledge, many of his contemporaries
voiced a total philosophic skepticism.
Descartes asserted that the very act of doubting one’s
Cogito, Ergo Sum own existence served – at a minimum- as proof of the
“ I THINK, reality of one’s own mind; there must be a
THEREFORE THINKING ENTITY
I AM”
1. The study of philosophy is a WAY
of analyzing ideas and
frameworks.

FRAMEWORKS – is defined as a WAY of THINKING about

the world and is composed of the views and beliefs of a
person.

2. It is also considered a way of

examining a particular area of
knowledge.
3. As a discipline (field of study)
 Philosophy itself is a
discipline with its own goals,
concerns, and ways of doing things.
It also makes use of
information gathered from other
fields of knowledge and not just its
own conclusions.
Finally, philosophy can be
considered a reflective and
meditative activity.
 LOGIC
the branch of philosophy that deals with
correct reasoning.

Logic is concerned with reasoning and

rationality. It examines the principles of
valid reasoning, logical inference, and
argumentation.

Logic helps us develop critical thinking

skills and analyze arguments for validity
and soundness.
 ETHICS
the branch which deals with moral
questions and dilemmas.

Ethics or the study of moral values deals

with moral principles and the concepts
of RIGHT and WRONG. It explores
questions related to morality, ethical
theories, and the application of moral
principles to human conduct and
decision-making.
 METAPHYSICS
Metaphysics is also called the “study of
reality”.

It explores the nature of reality, existence,

and the universe's fundamental structure.

It deals with questions about the nature of

being, the mind-body problem, free will,
and the nature of time and space.
 Epistemology
discusses the nature of knowledge and
knowing.

Epistemology investigates the nature of

knowledge and how we acquire it.

It explores questions such as: What is

knowledge? How do we justify our
beliefs? What are the limits of human
understanding?
 Aesthetics
deals with beauty and what makes
things “beautiful”
Political Philosophy
studies governments and deals with questions of
justice, power, and the rights and obligations of
citizens.

Philosophy of the Human Person

understands the human person from a philosophical
perspective – integrating and synthesizing the
different branches of philosophy and other fields
of study to know the truth about the human person
1. Philosophy enables a person to engage in critical analysis and
interpretation of concepts, definitions, arguments, and
problems.
2. Philosophy also improves problem-solving and decision-
making.
3. A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and
adequately present his or her ideas.
4. Wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing that refers to a
person’s ability to apply knowledge to daily life, particularly in
making sound choices and judgments.
5. Knowledge of Philosophy can contribute to self-development.
The students are expected to:
1. distinguish between a personal and a
philosophical question;
2. resist being dogmatic in thinking and
attitude; and
3. resolve to develop the habit of asking not
only personal but also of philosophical
questions;
Before one gets to the
philosophical questions, one begins
with a PROBLEM that can NOT
seem to be readily ANSWERED.
It begins with an UNEASE. This
feeling of inner discomfort comes
from the experience of not being
able to find immediate answers to
our questions.
 Gabriel Marcel (French
philosopher) shares that
philosophical questioning begins
with a metaphysical unease.
This form of unease is described as
metaphysical because the scope of
our questions covers something
broader and deeper than what is
immediately before us, beyond
what we physically see.
Every day we get Our modern world has been so
visited my designed to have an instant answer
moments of for everything so that we hardly
move beyond practical everyday
UNEASE because concerns. Our questions do NOT go
of questions that beyond those immediate personal
questions such as “What I shall eat
ask us to take today?” instead of questions like
some time to “What is the meaning of life?”
REFLECT.
The questions that the
philosopher asks stem from
genuine confusion,
astonishment, and wonder.
Those questions deeply touch
on or have a bearing on the
philosopher’s understanding of
the meaning of life.
Marcel likens philosophical
questioning to embarking on a
JOURNEY. Questions give birth
to more questions. One must
understand that accepting the
uncertainty that philosophical
questions bring is not an empty
nor futile exercise. Philosophical
questioning may appear to be
“useless” but there is value in
philosophizing.
Bertrand Russell argues
that the difficult and
unanswerable questions
of philosophy deliver us
from the stubborn and
stale position of
dogmatism.
As soon as we welcome these questions by allowing
them to disturb us, the hard shell of dogmatism
begins to break.

It may be painful and overwhelming in the

beginning, but the opening of the shell brings in a
breath of fresh air.

Dogmatism (n.) – an expression of an opinion or belief as if it

were a fact; positiveness in assertion of opinion especially when
unwarranted or arrogant.
PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS
are inquiries that probe the
fundamental aspects of
existence, reality, knowledge,
values, and nature of human
existence.
They often don’t have clear
These questions often and straightforward
LACK definitive answers answers. They usually
and can spark deep require deep thought and
contemplation, and sometimes don’t have
discussion. answers.
The students are expected to:

1. distinguish a holistic perspective from a

partial point of view (PPT11/12-Ia-1.1);
2. recognize the value of having a holistic
view to become better individuals; and
3. understand situations from different
vantage points to see them more fully.
 Holistic Thinking
v refers to a perspective that
considers large-scale patterns in
the system
v often described as looking at the
“big picture” when describing
and analyzing a situation or
problem
v requires an individual to have an
open mindset and an ability to get
the general sense/impression
regarding a situation
 Partial Thinking
v focuses on specific aspects of a
situation
v an important component of
analytical thinking, as an
individual focuses on certain areas
or aspects of a problem to
understand it.
v though partial thinking is useful,
philosophy utilizes holistic thinking in
making sense of problems and issues
related to the human experience.
Adopting a holistic view enables a
person to view a problem more
objectively and come up with
better decisions or solutions.
A holistic view also means that one
does not confine one’s understanding
of the world to one’s own
perspective, but also includes the
perspective of others
This view also enables a person to better
appreciate his or her experience as vital
components that give meaning to life.
The students are expected to:

1. recognize human activities that emanated from

deliberate reflection (PPT11/12-Ib-1.2);
2. realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining
a broad perspective on life (PPT11/12-Ib-1.3); and
3. do a philosophical reflection on a concrete
situation from a holistic perspective (PPT11/12-Ic-
1.4).
Reflection requires a person to
be willing to EXAMINE one’s
thoughts, feelings, and actions
and to learn more about one’s life
and experiences. The moment
you wake up you can already
reflect upon the things that you
plan to do for the day. This will
enable you to set your daily goals
and set you on the path of
thinking of ways to achieve them.
REFLECTION is like looking
in the mirror, except instead
of trying to see your face,
you are trying to see your
experience, to make sense
of it, and to identify what
to do in the future.
Seemingly simple or mundane actions
take a whole new meaning when one
engages in reflection. In a reflective and
philosophizing mood, one thinks of deeper
questions and reflects on the situation. If
you concentrate only on the simple
questions in buying a shirt, one would just
buy the shirt immediately. However,
reflection allows an opportunity to think
more deeply about an action, the
motivations for doing such action, and
even its possible consequences.
Reflection is vital in ensuring
that our actions and decisions
are well thought out and are
done with due regard for their
implications and consequences
on ourselves, others, and our
surroundings. It helps us
understand ourselves and our
actions better. We can judge
whether our actions or decisions
are reasonable or not.
v Abella, R. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Human Person Textbook. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.

v Corpuz, B., Corpuz, R., Corpuz-Paclibar, ML., and Paclibar,

S. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person for
Senior High School. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing, Inc.