INTRODUCTION TO

THE PHILOSOPHY OF
THE HUMAN PERSON

Methods of
Philosophizing
 OBJECTIVES:
 Distinguish opinion from truth
Analyze situations that show the difference
between opinion and truth
Realize that the methods of philosophy lead to
wisdom and truth
Evaluate truth from opinions in different situations
using the methods of philosophizing
Choose 1 word
from the box and
Explain the
connection to
another word .
 PROPOSITIONS are statements about the world or reality and
may or may not carry truth.
KNOWLEDGE is the clear awareness and understanding of
something. A data from the outside that pass to our senses.
 the product of questioning that seeks for clear answers
provided by facts.
CLAIMS are statements that are not evidently or immediately
known to be true.
BELIEF are conscious acceptance of claims on the basis of
subjective ground w/o any objective ground.
 Claims, evidence and
experience is scrutinized and
analyzed “Truth lies
at the heart
of any

DOUBT
inquiry.”

Doubt Nothing is taken as TRUE

helps unless there is sufficient
determine reason and evidence to
the truth prove it.
 Can be
justified
or
proven

How do we
know if
Getting something
a is true? Based
consens on
us of facts
many
 How can philosophy
guide us in distinguishing
truth from opinion?
How Can You Identify A Factual Statement – Questions to Identify
Facts:

You need to ask the following three questions to identify if it is a

factual statement.

Can the statement be proved or demonstrated to be true?

Can the statement be observed in practice or operation?
Can you see it happen?
Can the statement be verified by witnesses, manuscripts, or
documents?
Look at the following
statements and determine
which one states fact or
opinion.
Let’s verify if the list of examples are FACT sentences:

Your heart pumps blood through your body.

1 liter of water weighs 1 kilogram.
There are 50 states in the United States.
Water always comes from the sky.
The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv.
The United States was established in
1776.
The pH levels in acids are lower than pH
levels in alkalines.
Beethoven had a reputation as a
virtuoso pianist.
- An actual thing that exist - A personal belief or
and is provable, judgment that is not
observable and founded on proof or
measurable certainty.
- It is objective - It is personal & subjective
- These are certainties. - These are disputable.
CONCLUSION
- A judgement based on certain facts but can
still be contested or questioned.

BELIEFS
- Statements that express convictions that are
not easily and clearly explained by facts.
EXPLANATI
ON
- Statements that assume the claim to be true and
provide reasons why.

ARGUME
NT
- Series of statements that provide reasons to
convince the reader/listener that a claim or
opinion is truthful.
LOGI
CA branch of Philosophy that focuses on the analysis
HOW CAN UNDERSTANDING of the
DIFFERENCE between TRUTH and
OPINION LEAD US TO WISDOM?
• Improve understanding and appreciation of
varied views and ideas.

• Help to form one’s own personal point of view.

• Help determine ideas that are truthful and

acceptable.
Philosophizing - It is to think or
express oneself in a
philosophic manner.

- It consider or
discusses (a matter)
from a philosophical
standpoint.
 Methods of
Philosophizing

Phenomenology Logic & Critical

thinking
Inductive
Existentialism Postmodernism reasoning

Deductive
Analytic reasoning
Philosophy
 A.
 This focuses on careful inspection and
Phenomenolo description of phenomena and
gy appearances, defined as an object of
conscious experience, that is, that which
we are conscious of.

From the Greek word “phainomenon”

w/c means appearance.
It also refers to
“Our
experiences”
- Immanuel Kant
Edmund Husserl
(Father of Phenomenology)
B.
 The truth might be based on one’s
Existentialis attitude or outlook.
m Common themes:
 the human condition/relation to the
world;
 the human response to that condition;
 being, especially the difference between
the being of person (which is “existence”)
and the being of other kinds of things;
 human freedom;
 the significance (and unavoidability) of
Sören Kierkegaard choice and decision in the absence of
“the authentic self was the certainty and;
 the concreteness and subjectivity of life
personally chosen self, as
as lived, against abstractions and false
opposed to public or “herd” objectifications.
identity.”
 We are our choices.
Freedom is what you
do with what’s been
done to you.

Consciousness is such that

it is always free to choose
and free to negate the
Jean-Paul Sartre given features of the world.
 Adamant about the
essential goodness of the
natural self in contrast to
the corruption imposed by
the society

Concerned with the

spiritual nature of the
“true” self as opposed to
the inauthentic demands
of desire of the body.
Jean Jacques St. Augustine
Rousseau
C.
Postmodernis  It has come into vogue as
m the name for a rather diffuse
family of ideas and trends
that in significant respect
rejects, challenges, or aims to
supersede modernity”.
Cultural diversity
Post modernist consider that
to arrive at truth, humanity
“It is at best a holding pattern,
perhaps cry of despair.” should realize the limits of
(Shields, 2012) reason and objectivism.
Analytic Tradition/Philosophy

 It is the conviction that

to some significant
degree, puzzles and
philosophical problems.
It is about having clear
language.
It focus on the use of
process of logic and
rational discourse in
search for a truth.
 D. Logic & Critical
thinking
 Logic centers in the analysis
2 Basic Types of and construction of
Reasoning
arguments.
It serves as path to freedom
from half-truths and
deception.
Inductive Deductive Critical thinking distinguishes
Reasoning
(Observation)
Reasoning
(Investigation)
facts and opinions or personal
feelings; also takes
consideration against bias and
prejudice.
 Every time I’ve walked by that dog, it hasn’t tried
P1 Alaska is bigger than New York state. to bite me. So, the next time I walk by that dog it
P2 New York state is bigger than Rhode Island. won’t try to bite me.
C Alaska is bigger than Rhode Island.

After careful observation we have not seen any

P1 If people find something offensive, then it's hummingbirds all day in this forest.
immoral. Therefore, probably there are no any hummingbirds
P2 People find homosexuality offensive. in this forest.
C Homosexuality is immoral.
After careful observation by trained hummingbird
P1 Barry Larkin plays for the Reds. specialists over many weeks, no hummingbirds or
P2 Mark McGuire plays for the Cardinals. signs of hummingbird habitation were found in this
C The Reds and the Cardinals are baseball teams. forest.
Therefore, probably there are no hummingbirds in
this forest.
Quiz # 2
• Direction: Define the following Branches of Philosophy

1. Axiology
2. Logic
3. Psychology
4. Aesthetics
5. Cosmology
TRUE OR FALSE
•6. Epistemology is the branch of
philosophy that deals with the nature
of reality.
•7 Ethics is a branch of metaphysics that
focuses on moral values.
•8. Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy
that deals with REALITY AND KNOWLEDGE.
They cannot be separated in dealing with
their nature.
•9. The concept of "beauty" is inherently
subjective and cannot be objectively defined
in theological aesthetics.
•10. Logic is a branch of epistemology that
deals with reasoning and argumentation.**
•11. Epistemology is a branch of philosophy
that is solely concerned with the natural
sciences.
•12. Epistemology is the branch of
philosophy that deals with the nature,
sources, limits and acquisition of
knowledge and not with its application.
• 13. The existence of God is a scientific fact that
can be proven through empirical evidence.
• 14. The cosmological argument, which claims
that the universe requires a first cause or
uncaused cause, is a strong proof for the
existence of God.
• 15. The concept of death is universal and has
been a part of every human culture throughout
history.
SPECULATIVE OR PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY

SITUATION # 1
• A colleague, Michael, is considering investing in a new
business opportunity. His friend, Alex, is very enthusiastic
about the idea and is urging him to take the plunge.
However, Michael is skeptical and wants to do some
research before making a decision.
In this situation, Michael is exercising critical thinking by
considering multiple perspectives and evaluating the
evidence before making a decision. By doing so, he can avoid
potential pitfalls and make an informed decision that aligns
with his goals and values.
• Situation 2: The Tree of Knowledge

• Imagine you're standing in a forest, surrounded by towering trees. You look up

at the trees and wonder: "What is the nature of reality? Is it just these physical
trees, or is there something more?" You start to ponder the relationship
between the trees, the forest, and the universe as a whole. You wonder about
the nature of existence, time, space, and causality. As you ponder, you begin
to see that the trees are not just physical objects, but also symbols of growth,
decay, and renewal.

In this situation, You're not seeking to gather empirical evidence or test

hypotheses, but rather to explore the fundamental nature of reality. You're
asking questions about the essence of existence, the meaning of life, and the
relationship between the individual and the universe.
• Situation 3: The Mystery of Dreams

• Imagine you're lying in bed, half-asleep, and you start to think about your
dreams. You wonder: "What do they mean? Are they just random brain
activity or is there something deeper going on?" You start to reflect on
the symbolism in your dreams, the emotions they evoke, and the
connections they might have to your waking life. You begin to see that
your dreams may be a window into your subconscious mind, revealing
hidden fears, desires, and motivations.
In this situation, You're not seeking to analyze or experiment on your
dreams, but rather to understand their significance and meaning. You're
exploring the nature of consciousness, the relationship between the
conscious and subconscious mind, and the mysteries of human experience