Philosophy Lesson 1 Quarter 1
Philosophy Lesson 1 Quarter 1
Philosophy Lesson 1 Quarter 1
GRADE 11
(FIRST Semester/ S. Y. 2020-2021)
Core Subject Title: PHILOSOPHY
Core Subject Description:
At the end of the course, this course will provide an understanding of the basic concepts of
mathematics as applied in business. It includes a review of the fundamental mathematics operations
using decimals, fractions, percent, ratio and proportion; mathematics concepts and skills in buying
and selling, computing gross and net earnings, overtime and business data presentation, analysis and
interpretation. The use of computer and software applications for computation and data
presentation is encouraged.
OBECTIVES:
The main objective of this unit is to introduce the course in Philosophy of Human Person, a
course in philosophy that helps us to understand the nature of human being. After defining what
Philosophy of Human Person is, the unit deals with its distinguishing characteristics concerning
other branches of Anthropology and Psychology. There are other disciplines that study human
beings. Hence an attempt is made to differentiate them from Philosophy of Human Person.
Different courses in philosophy make use of different methods and Philosophy of Human Person
has its own method. Without going into details of the different philosophical methods, the unit
examines the methods that Philosophy of Human Person employs. We have also discussed
briefly the question of objectivity of this discipline. The question assumes importance when we
consider the fact that any study of human person tends to become subjective. A section on the
importance of this course in the overall plan of philosophy makes the unit complete. All in all,
the unit enables the student to take a plunge into the world of human person from a philosophical
perspective. Thus by the end of this Unit the student should be able:
• to have a basic understanding of what Philosophy of Human Person is;
• to differentiate it from other akin disciplines;
• to understand the method used in Philosophy of Human Person;
• to gauge how objective the discipline is;
• and, to understand the importance of Philosophy of Human Person.
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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.
Source: http://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/38475/1/Unit-1.pdf
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Week 1 to 3: (8 meetings)
Most Essential Learning Competencies:
• Distinguish a holistic perspective from a partial point of view
• Realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a broad perspective on life
• Do a philosophical reflection on a concrete situation from a holistic perspective
Class Activity:
Write down the first things that leap into your mind.
• List five hobbies that sound fun to you.
• List five classes that sound fun to you.
• List five fun things that you have never done, but would like to try.
• List five skills that would be fun to have.
• List five qualities that you think a fun person would have.
Guide Questions:
• what are the five hobbies, classes fun things, skills, and qualities that you find fun to do?
• Anything that you recalled from your past? particularly your experience in doing the activity?
• how did you see yourself from the past? in the present? in the future?
• is there any difference between your past, present and future?
• what did you discover about yourself?
• how did you differ from your classmates?
This activity help you discover and understand yourself more. It is also with your dreams and
aspiration.
There are things in lfe that we want to understand specially to our selves . We keep on asking
questions regarding the things that we want. The things that we achieve and the things that we can’t.
But as we go with the activity, we discover that there are something more in us that can improve,
achieve and we are willing to do whatever it takes to have them. This shows who we are. what are
our goals in our life. We always give justification on the things that we have already and the things
that we can’t. All of these are reflection of who we are, what we want and what can we do to have
them.
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1) Look at the picture above, what do you think is the message carried?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2) Do you know the meaning of the symbols at
right?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
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Doing Philosophy:
One of the key elements in many educational reforms is diversity (variety), difference and choice or
other proposals that establish curricular routes for different groups or individuals. Diversity is the
difference that makes people unique(i.e. biology, ethnicity and culture, family life, beliefs, geography
, experiences, and religion.) There are times that we encountered difficulty in accepting others
because they are different from us. Yet, such behavior can limit a person’s opportunities or can make
the person feel excluded or hurt. Educational challenge in the 21 st century needs how to deal
appropriately with cultural and racial multiplicity and does not engage of harassment of any form
(Kurcinka 2006)
PHILOSOPHY:
The term Philosophy means love of wisdom. It is an activity people undertake when they seek to
understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world in which they live, and the relationship
to the world and to each other.
Philosophy is the foundation of critical thinking.
Philosophy brings the important questions to the table and works towards an answer. It encourages
us to think critically about the world; it is the foundation of all knowledge and when utilized properly,
can provide us with huge benefits.
Science can’t answer every question.
Philosophy has particular meaning in the business world.
Ancient philosophers continue to influence humanity.
PHILOSOPHY is also defined as the science that by natural light of reason studies the first causes or
highest principle of all things. Four things that needs to be considered:
a) Science. It is called science because the investigation is systematic. It follows certain steps or it
employs certain procedure. In other words, it is an organized body of knowledge just like any
other sciences.
b) Natural Light of Reason. Philosophy investigates things, not by using any other laboratory
instrument or investigative tools, neither on the basis of the supernatural revelations, otherwise it
becomes theology (the study of the nature of God and religious belief) : instead, the philosopher
uses his natural capacity to think or simply, human reason alone or the so called unaided
(independent) reason.
c) Study of All Things. This set the distinction between Philosophy from other sciences. All other
sciences concern themselves with a particular subject of investigation. For example,
anthropologist study human beings in relation with society ; sociologist study society, it’s form,
structures, and functions; botanist focus their attention to plants; linguist limit themselves with
language, theologians investigate Gods; where as a Philosopher studies human being, society,
religion, language, God and plants among other concerns.
That is the reason why philosophy is not partial nor dimensional. In short a philosopher questions
almost anything, if not everything. It is multidimensional or holistic.
d) First Cause of Highest Principle. A principle is that which something proceeds in any manner
whatsoever. The First Principles:
• Principle of Identity. whatever is, is; and whatever is not is not; everything is what it is .
Everything is its own being and not being is not being.
• Principle of Non contradiction. It is being impossible for a thing to be and not to be at the
same time and at the same respect.
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• Principle of Excluded Middle. A thing is either or is not; everything is either be or not be;
between being and not being, there is no middle ground possible.
• Principle of Sufficient reason. nothing exist being sufficient reason for its and existence.
Scope of philosophy has changed. It was the Greek philosophers that studied aspect of the
natural and human world that later became separate sciences- astronomy, physics,
psychology, and sociology. On the other hand, certain basic problems-the nature of the
universe, the standard of justice , the validity of knowledge, the correct application of reason
and the criteria of beauty – have been the domain of philosophy from its beginning to the
present.
Activity 1:
Originally, the Greek word "metaphysika" (literally "after physics") merely indicated that part of
Aristotle's work which came, in its sequence, after those chapters which dealt with physics. Later,
it was misinterpreted by Medieval commentators on the classical texts as that which is above or
beyond the physical, and so over time metaphysics has effectively become the study of that which
transcends physics.
In our everyday attempts to understand the world it terms of appearance and reality, we try to
make things comprehensible by simplifying or reducing mass of things we call appearance to a
relatively fewer number of things we call reality.
For instance, Thales a Greek philosopher (father of western philosophy) , everything is water. He
claims that everything we experience is water-which we call “reality”. Everything else is
“appearance”. We then set out to try to explain everything else (appearance) in terms of water
(reality), clouds for example, or blocks of ice do not look like water ,but they can be explain in
terms of water. When water evaporates, it becomes cloud and when water frees it becomes ice.
Both the idealist and the materialist metaphysical theories are similarly based on unobservable
objects: mind and matter. We can see things made of matter such as book or chair, but we cannot
see the underlying matter itself.
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Plato, Socrates’ most famous student, is a good example of a metaphysician who draws the
sharpest possible contrast between reality and appearance. Nothing we experience in the
physical world with our five senses is real, according to Plato. Reality in fact is just the opposite. It
is unchanging, eternal, immaterial and can be detected only by the intellect. Plato call these
realities as ideas of forms. These are meanings which universal, general terms refer to and they
also those things we are talking about when we discuss moral, mathematical and scientific ideas.
B. ETHICS:
At its simplest, ethics is a system of moral principles. They affect how people make decisions and lead
their lives.
Ethics is concerned with what is good for individuals and society and is also described as moral
philosophy.
The term is derived from the Greek word ethos which can mean custom, habit, character or
disposition.
Ethics covers the following dilemmas:
• how to live a good life
• our rights and responsibilities
• the language of right and wrong
• moral decisions - what is good and bad?
• Our concepts of ethics have been derived from religions, philosophies and cultures. They
infuse debates on topics like abortion, human rights and professional conduct.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/intro_1.shtml
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Reflections, Meditations, and Conversations that Rocked the World:
What Constitute a Human Person?
For Socrates, to be happy, a person has to live a virtuous (showing high moral standards) life. Virtue is
not something to be taught or acquired through education, but rather it is merely an awakening of
the seeds of good deeds that lay dormant in the mind and the heart of a human being is achieved
through self-knowledge. Thus, knowledge does mean not only the theoretical or speculative, but a
practical one. Practical knowledge means that one does not only know the rules of right living, but
ones lives with them.
Hence, for Socrates, true knowledge means wisdom, which in turn, means virtue. The Greek word
arête which translated as virtue seems originally to have been associated with valor in battle and may
be connected with the name of the Greek God of war, Ares, whom we know better under the Roman
name, Mars. Both the Greek word Arête and its English equivalent, virtue have meanings of
machismo and manliness. So Socrates define virtue as courage as its prime components and courage
means virtue.
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C. Epistemology:
Specifically, epistemology deals with nature, sources, limitations, and validity of knowledge
(Soccio 2007). Epistemological questions are basic to all philosophical inquiries. Epistemology
explains:
1) How we know what we claim to know;
2) How we can find out what we wish to know
3) How we can differentiate truth from falsehood.
Epistemology addresses varied problems: the reliability, extent and kinds of knowledge; truth;
language; and science and scientific knowledge.
How do we acquire reliable knowledge? Human knowledge may be regarded as two parts:
1) On the one hand, he sees, hears, and touches; on the other hand, he organizes in his mind
what he learns through the senses. Philosophers have given considerable attention to
questions about the sources of knowledge. Some philosophers think that the particular things
seen, heard, and touched are more important. They believe that general ideas are formed
from the examination of particular facts. This method is called induction. And philosophers
who feel that knowledge is acquired in this way are called empiricist (e.g. John Locke).
Empiricism is the view that knowledge can be attained only through sense experience.
According to empiricist, real knowledge is based on what our sight, hearing, smell and other
senses tell us is really out there, not what people make up their heads.
2) Other philosophers think it is more important to find a general law according to which
particular facts can be understood or judge. This method is called deduction; its advocates are
called rationalist (e.g Rene Descartes). Rationalist view real knowledge is based on the logic,
the laws and methods that reasons develops. The best example is Mathematics, a realm
knowledge that is obtained entirely by reason that we use to understand the universe (Soccio
2007)
Reflections, Meditations, and Conversations that Rocked the World:
Women’s Equal Rights
D. LOGIC:
Reasoning is the concern of the Logician. It could be in science and medicine, in ethics and laws, in
politics and commerce, in sports and games and in the ordinary affairs of everyday living.
The term logic comes from the Greek word logike (reasoning). Etymologically, it means
treatise on matters pertaining to the human thought. It is a tool. It does not provide knowledge
directly and does not contribute directly to the content of subjects. It is the truth or validity of our
arguments regarding such objects.
Aristotle was the first philosopher to devise a logical method. His philosophy is based on
claims about propositional structure and the body of argumentative techniques (e.g. legal reasoning
and geometrical proof). He understood truth meaning of the agreement of knowledge with reality;
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truth exists when the mind’s mental representation otherwise known as ideas, correspond with
things in the objective world.
The study of logic remains important even the time of Aristotle down to the present time. We are
human beings haunted with reason. We use it in everything that we do. In making our decisions or
we want to impart other people for justification and clarifications of things. We use it to give our
point of view and reasoning.
Artificial Intelligence
Alan Mathison Turing was an English Mathematicians, logicians, cryptanalyst
And computer scientist. He was highly influential in the development of
computer science, providing a formalization of the concepts of “algorithm”
and computation with the “Turing machine, which played a significant role in
the creation of the modern computer. Turing is widely considered as the father
of the computer science.
E. AESTHETICS:
Aesthetics, also spelled esthetics, the philosophical study of beauty and taste. It is closely
related to the philosophy of art, which is concerned with the nature of art and the concepts in
terms of which individual works of art are interpreted and evaluated.
Aesthetics is broader in scope than the philosophy of art, which comprises one of its branches.
It deals not only with the nature and value of the arts but also with those responses to natural
objects that find expression in the language of the beautiful and the ugly.
As a branch of philosophy, students should consider the importance of aesthetics because of the
following:
• It vitalizes our knowledge. It makes our knowledge of the world alive and useful. We go through
days picking up a principle as fact, here and there, and too infrequently see how they are
related. It is the part of a play, a poem, or a story to give us new insight, to help us see new
relationship between the separated items in our memories.
• It helps us live more deeply and richly. A work of art- whether a book, a piece of music, painting,
or a television show-help us to rise from purely physical existence into the realm of intellect and
the spirit. As a being of body and soul, a human being needs nourishment for his higher life as
well as his lower. Art, therefore, is not something merely like craft or applied arts, but
something of weight and significance to humankind. It is what Schopenhauer meant when he
said,” You must treat a work of art like a great man. Stand before it and wait patiently until it
deigns to speak”. (Scruton et al. 1997)
• It brings us in touch with our culture. Things about us change so rapidly today that we forget
how we owe to the past. We cannot shut ourselves off from the past any more than we can
shut ourselves off geographically from the rest of the world. It is difficult that the great
problems of human life have occurred over and over again for thousands of years. The answers
of great minds in the past to these problems are part of our culture.
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Why Become a Philosopher? On Attaining a Comprehensive Outlook in Life
One of the key elements in many educational reforms is diversity, difference, and choice or
other proposals that establish separate curricular routes for different groups or individuals (Castells
et.al 1999). Diversity is the difference that makes each person unique (i.e., biology, ethnicity and
culture, family life, beliefs, geography, experiences, and religion). Sometimes, we have difficulty in
accepting others because they are different from us. Such behavior may cause us to limit a person’s
opportunities or can make the person feel rejected or resentful.
Thus, educational challenge in the 21st century entails appropriate acceptance of cultural
and racial multiplicity. One does not engage in harassment of any form. This section introduces the
various viewpoints of philosophy: the western and non-western, with emphasis on our very own
Filipino indigenous beliefs and finally, going beyond the logical and the technological imperative
of existence.
A. Expanding Our Philosophical Frames: Western and Non-Western Traditions
Many philosophers hold that there are three great original centers of philosophy in the world Greek
(for Western), Indian, and Chinese. All three arose as critical reflections on their own cultural
traditions. Historically speaking, Asian classics of the Indians and the Chinese predate the oldest of
Western classics. Indian and Chinese philosophers of note also lived earlier than their Greek
counterparts (Quito 1991). During the first centuries, there was more philosophical activity in the East
than in the West. Before the Greek, there was hardly in the West. Greeks before Thales did not have
philosophy (Velasquez 1999)
As the world become smaller, it is increasingly important to develop an understanding of culture
centers around the globe that are very different from our own. Each society has its own ideas of
itself, a definition of what is important in life, and its own notion of what the world is like in general
terms; thus, each society of culture can be said to have its own philosophy.
For Quito:
• Oriental thoughts run in circular manner in which the end touches the beginning in the cycle. It
means nothing actually begins absolutely and ends absolutely. The world , in fact, did not have an
absolute beginning but was merely a continuation of an earlier world in an earlier time. There is,
therefore, a succession of worlds and a succession of lives.
• Life of Oriental thinkers are a translation of thought; it is philosophy in action. Orientals believe
that life must be the extension of thought, its fruit, and its application. For Quito (1991), it is not
accurate to judge the Asia is poor because of religion. Rather, it is poor because it cannot accept
the polarization or division of theory and practice, of philosophy and religion, of its way of
thinking and its way of living. Quito suggested that only if Asia could find a means of adjusting its
vision by making religion and speculation go together, by reconciling elusive theory with practice,
then Asia, too become progressive like the West.
• The acceptance of the validity of intuition and mysticism, the readiness to return to extra logical,
if not illogical modes of thinking. Orientals are perceived of exceeding the limitations of the
human intellect and treading on a no man’s land where verification of one’s premise is not
possible. Oriental thought does not follow structured mode. By its nature, it cannot but be
intuitive and mystic.
Knower
Known Knower Known
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For the Eastern version, life becomes illusory if we are attached to the world and in which we are
attentive is not what is. In terms of knowledge, our everyday experience of the world presents us
with dualistic distinctions-me/you or subject/object. However, this is artificial; our egos fool us into
seeing separation. The distinction between knower and known is essentially artificial for the Eastern
version.
If logic is no longer able to solve a life problem, Asian mind resorts to intuition. One should not
therefore be surprised at its tendency to mysticism, at its use of super consciousness, or of the
existence of a third eye or a sixth sense. When the situation demands, it reverses the logical pattern (
Mitchell 2011)
3. Bahala Na
The pre-Spanish Filipino people believed in a Supreme Being , Batula or Bathala. Bathala is not am
impersonal entity but rather a personal being that keeps the balance in the universe. Unlike the
Indian and the Chinese, a human being can forge some personal relationships with this Deity because
Bathala is endowed with personality. The Filipino put his entire in this Bathala who has evolved into
Christian God. (Mercado 2000)
Bahala na (come wht may) literally means leave everything to God who is Bathala in the
vernacular. The Bahala na philosophy puts complete trust in Divine Providence; it contains the
elemnts of resignation. Thus, The Filipino accepts beforehand whatever outcome of his problem
might be (Mercado 2000)
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4. Filipino thought and values: Positive and Negative Aspects
Some of the Filipino values are :
a) Receiving favor and protection from above and should be ready to do the same toward his
ties below.
b) Utang na loob
c) Bayanihan
Activity 3:
1) Philosophical Paper: Compare your initial understanding of “holism” to the current
discussions.
2) Philosophical Paper: If you are entertaining a tourist or balikbayan relative or friend, how will
you introduce the Philippines?
3) Group Activity: How important are “ kagandahang loob” and “ kabutihang loob” to being
Pinoy? If your class or batch will sponsor a fund-raising activity for “Covid 19 Victims” in your
particular area , how can you lend a hand? Conceptualize a fund-raising activity.
Activity 4:
Choose any topic for your assignment
1) Define Philosophy. Explain what is unique about philosophical thought.
2) Do you think philosophy is important in the age of Globalization? Why or why not?
3) As a student, how can you live a life of abundance? Give examples.
Activity 5:
1) How do you understand “holism”? Explain in five sentences
2) Write your insight regarding the meaning of goodness.
Source:https://www.bachelorstudies.com/article/four-reasons-why-philosophy-is-as-relevant-as-ever/
Introduction To The Philosophy of The Human Person by: Christine Carmela R. Ramos, Phd
Prepared by:
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