INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF ➤Organized body of knowledge just

THE HUMAN PERSON like any other science.

1. Introduc,on: Doing Philosophy NATURAL LIGHT OF REASON

• Negative connotations in ➤Philosophy investigates things, not
everyday usage, such as: by using any other laboratory
➤ “namimilosopo ka na naman”; or instrument or investigative tools,
neither based on supernatural
➤ “huwag mo akong gamitan ng revelation, otherwise it becomes
pamimilosopo.” theology.

• “Three Concepts of ➤The philosopher uses his natural

Philosophy” - Armando capacity to think or simply, human
Bonifacio reason alone or the so-called unaided
reason.
➤Ordinary people have their own
philosophy. STUDY OF ALL THINGS
➤Deviating from the usual way an Example:
average person shows their personal
beliefs and values in daily life. Deeper ➤Anthropologist – study human
analysis. beings in relation with society
➤Use philosophy to reconstruct and ➤Sociologist – study society, its
put things in the proper perspective. form, structures, and functions
1.1 The Meaning of Philosophy ➤Botanist – a scientist who
specializes in the study of plants.
• Philosophy – Greek word
➤Linguist - someone who studies
➤philo – “to love”
language and its structure.
➤sophia -“wisdom”
➤Theologians- are scholars who
• Philosophy – love of wisdom study theology, the systematic study
of the nature of the divine, religious
➤The science that by natural light of beliefs, and religious practices
reason studies the first causes or
highest principles of all things. ➤Philosopher – studies human
beings, society, religion, language,
➤Under this definition; four things God, plants, among other concerns.
are to be considered:
STUDY OF ALL THINGS
➤Science
➤Philosophy is not one-dimensional
➤Natural light of Reason
or partial.
➤Study of All Things ➤A philosopher does not limit himself
➤First Cause or highest Principle to a particular object of inquiry.
➤ He questions almost anything if not
• SCIENCE everything.
➤It follows certain steps or employs ➤It is multidimensional or holistic.
certain procedures.
➤First Cause or Highest Principle –A
principle is the foundation from which
something originates or proceeds in Emptying can be physical.
any context. The virtue of emptying includes
Principle of Identity not only knowledge but other
dimensions, such as the
➤ “It is what it is” psychological, social, emotional,
“Whatever is not is not” and moral aspects.
Principle of Non-Contradiction 1.2 Recognize Human
Activities that Emanated
It is impossible for a thing to be and
from Deliberate Reflection
not to be at the same time, and at the
same respect. v 1.2.1 The Branches of
Principle of Excluded Middle Philosophy

A thing is either is or is not; v Metaphysics

Everything must be either be or not v Ethics
be; between being and not-being,
there is no middle ground. v Epistemology
Principle of Sufficient Reason v Logic
Nothing exists without sufficient v Aesthetics
reason for its being or existence.
In attaining wisdom,there is a need Metaphysics
for emptying.
➤A branch of philosophy that
Emptying -one’s judgment and explores the nature of reality,
conclusion about a matter and existence, and the fundamental
mentally exploring the pros and cons, nature of being.
the characteristics, and the purpose ➤It delves into questions that go
of the situation. beyond the physical sciences, aiming
Emptying can be intellectual. to understand the underlying
principles and structures of
For instance: everything that exists
A Taoist considers an empty cup more ➤Reality in metaphysics is referred to
useful than a full one. as “True Reality”
Emptying can also be spiritual. For instance:
For instance: Thales, a Greek thinker, claims that
everything is water.
For Christians, it is poor in spirit
while for Buddhist, it is refrain from • Mind and matter are entities
misuse of the senses, thereby that idealist and the
emphasizing a unified whole. materials based their theories
upon.
 Examples: We can see things made What constitutes for a human
up of matter such as books or a person?
chair,but we cannot see the
underlying matter itself. • FOR SOCRATES, to be happy, a
person has to live a virtuous
Plato – Socrates’s most famous life.
student, is a good example of a
• He believed that true
metaphysician who draws the
knowledge is wisdom which
sharpest possible contrast between
in turn, means virtue.
reality and appearance.

Plato believed that nothing we William Edward

experience in our physical world Burghardt Du Bois (1868-
with our five senses is real. (Idealist) 1963) – raised the “ problem of
He believed that reality is an invisible the Negro”
but concrete true representation of
• He was an African –
all physical reality that the eye can
American who wanted
see.
equal rights for blacks.
• He calls these ideas of • He put his ideas into
forms. Also referred as political action and
Universal or Absolutes. helped organized various
initiatives for the
• Plato’s Allegory of the cave advancement of the
-a reflection that distinguishes colored people.
between appearance and reality
Hegel's dialectic
He believed there are two worlds: consists of a triad structure:
Ø The world of Ø Thesis: This is an
appearances initial idea or
condition.
Ø The real world
Ø Antithesis: This is a
• He argues that there must be reaction or
an ideal world above and contradiction to the
beyond this world of thesis.
appearances.
Ø Synthesis: This resolves the
B. Ethics conflict between the thesis
• A branch of philosophy that and an?thesis, leading to a
explores the nature of moral new thesis.
virtue and evaluates human
actions.
• Generally, it is the study of
the nature of moral
judgments.
 3.Rationalist – its
advocates.
C. Epistemology
■Real knowledge is based on logic,
Ø Deals with nature, sources, the laws, and the methods that
limitations, and validity of reason develops.
knowledge
Epistemology explains: ■The best example of real
knowledge is mathematics, a realm
1. How we know whatever we of knowledge that is obtained
claim to know entirely by reason that we use to
2. How we find out what we understand the universe.
wish to know
3. How we can differentiate
➤Pragmatism – third approach to
truth from falsehood
these problems.
Ø Epistemology addresses varied
problems: the reliability, extent, ➤Pragmatists- William James and
and kinds of knowledge; truth; John Dewey believed that value in
language; and science and use is the real test of truth and
scientific knowledge. meaning.
How do we acquire reliable
knowledge?
“Women’s Equal Rights”
1. Perceived by the senses – seen,
heard, touched, etc. Rationalism – 17th century

➤They believed that general ideas are Empiricism – 18th century

formed from the examination of Both relied on human discoveries
particular facts. (this method is
such as of the world, of thought,
Induction)
and of humanity in all shorts of
➤Empiricists – philosophers who conditions.
feel that knowledge is acquired in this
way. • Knowledge was male dominated
➤Real knowledge is based on what
senses can perceive not what people
• Mary Wollstonecraft envisioned
make up in their minds. an education for women

➤Empiricism - the view that ➤ A vindication of the Rights of

knowledge can be attained only Woman (1792)
through sense experience.
2. Other philosophers think it is more ➤ She dictated that women were
important to find a general law to be more than just wives and
according to which particular facts caretakers; they were to educate
can be understood or judged. (this children, and to act not as slaves
method is called deduction) to their husbands, but as
companions.
D. Logic ■Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy
that deals with the nature of
• The study of the principles and beauty, art, and taste.
criteria of valid inference and ■The science of the beautiful in its
reasoning, focusing on the structure various manifestations including the
and validity of arguments. sublime, comic, tragic, pathetic, and
ugly.
• Reasoning is the concern of
logician The importance of aesthetics
because of the following:
• "logic" Greek word logike and was
coined by Zeno, the Stoic.
■ It vitalizes our knowledge
• It means a treatise on matters
about the human thought. ■ It helps us live more deeply and
richly
•Aristotle was the first philosopher
to devise a logical method. His ■ It brings us in touch with our
philosophy is also based on claims culture.
about propositional structure and
the body of argumentative
techniques. Hans-Goerg Gadamer, a German
Philosopher, argues that our tastes
•Since the time of Aristotle, the study and judgments regarding beauty,
of lies or fallacies has been considered work in connection with one’s own
an integral part of logic. personal experience and culture.
• He believes that our
• Zeno of Citium -one of the culture consists of the
successors of Aristotle values and beliefs of
our time and our
➤He is the founder of a society.
movement known as Stoicism. • “dialog” or conversation
is important in
•Stoicism Greek work (Stoa Poikile interpreting works of art.
Painted Porch)
1.3 Why become a
•Painted Porch referred to the Philosopher?
portico in Athens where the early
adherents held their regular (On Attaining a
Comprehensive Outlook in
meetings. Life)

D. Aesthetic One of the key elements in

many educational forms:

➤The study of beauty. • Diversity

• Differences
• Choice or other
proposals
 Various viewpoints of
Aristotle
philosophy:
➤A student of Plato and tutor to
■The Western and Non-Western Alexander the Great.
traditions
➤Founded the Lyceum
■Filipino thinking from Local to
Global
■Philosophy: Transcending and
Aiming for a Life of Abundance.
A. Expanding Our Philosophical
Frames: The Western and
Non-Western Traditions
§ Three great original centers of
philosophy in the world
“Three attitudinal imperatives” that
Ø Greek (western) we must bear in mind when
appreciating Oriental or Eastern
Ø Indian
thought vis-à-vis the Occidental or
Ø Chinese Western mindset: - Quito
1. Nothing actually begins in a
■Thales of Miletus (c. 624– cyclic manner in which the end
546 BCE conjoins the beginning in a cyclic
style.
Ø ancient Greek philosopher, Samsara (rebirth) – Cycle of
Ø first philosopher in Western rebirths within the various spheres
history. of life, the vegetative, animal,
human
Ø He is one of the "Seven Sages of
Greece" 2. East does not make a rigorous
distinction between religion and
• Greek triumvirate: philosophy.
Chinese and Indian – are not
Socrates (c. 470–399 BCE):
sufficiently philosophical to be
➤"Father of Western Philosophy considered philosophy but are more
properly called “religion” or
➤ “Socratic method” “mythology”
3. Acceptance of the validity of
Plato intuition and mysticism.
B. Filipino Thinking: From Local to
➤Student of Socrates Global
➤Founder of the Academy in
Athens.
➤ “The Republic"
 ■1.Loob: Holistic and Interior ➤A human being is like a bird who
Dimensions flies up and goes down – he
■Kagandahang loob believes in the “gulong ng palad “
(Wheel of fortune)
■Kabutihang loob,
■kalooban
B. Filipino Thinking: From Local
➤Loob puts one in touch with his to Global
fellow beings.
2. Filipino Philosophy of Time
■Great Philippine values are
“If one has reached the lowest
essentially interpersonal.
ebb, there is no way to go but
B. Filipino Thinking: From up”
Local to Global ➤Time is considered cyclic.
1. Loob: Holistic and Interior ➤Karma-Indians
Dimensions
➤Yang & yin – Chinese
➤Filipino believes in the innate
goodness of the human being. ➤Pakikisama – close to the
➤Filipino ethics has an internal code Chinese and Japanese philosophy
and sanctions that flow from within of “living in harmony with nature”
itself.
B. Filipino Thinking: From Local to
➤Filipino stresses duties over over Global
rights.
2. Filipino Philosophy of Time
➤Filipinos look at themselves as a
whole – as a “person,” conscious of Filipino Time – delayed
their freedom, proud of their human committed time of arrival.
dignity, and sensitive to violating
“Siesta time” -“power naps”
these two.
B. Filipino Thinking: From Local
B. Filipino Thinking: From Local
to Global
to Global
3. Bahala Na
2. Filipino Philosophy of Time
Ø Batula or Bathala – Supreme being
➤Ti tao kasla kulintaba, no agtayab,
ngumato, bumaba – Ilokano Ø Bathala – not an impersonal entity
but rather a personal being that
➤Bie keti ang yatu, mengari yang
keeps the balance in the universe.
ruweda, mibabo, milalim, ing Dios
nung buri na- Kapampangan Ø Indian and Chinese – deity
Ø Christian - “Bathala” = God
Ø The Filipino subconscious accepts
the bahala na attitude as part of
life
 Bahala na – leave everything to 3.Utilization of education as the
God who is Bathala in vernacular means of realizing the image of the
future as super industrial society
Ø Is seen as fatalistic - believing
that people cannot change the way 4.Choosing not just for one’s self
events will happen and that but for all humanity, for the nation
events, especially bad ones, cannot as a whole.
be avoided. C. Philosophy: Trancending and
Ø Fatalism is universal- aiming for a Life of Abundance

Ø The will of God/Allah, Abundance is not what we gather but what

we scatter.
Ø tao to the Chinese
Abundance is not what we keep but what
Ø rta, to the Indians we give away.
Ø fate, Buddhism Abundance is not what we hold but what
we share.
B. Filipino Thinking: From Local
to Global Abundance is a choice.
Positive Filipino Values: Abundance is to evolve into a higher
being.
➤Bayanihan – helping others in
times of need. Lesson 2:
➤Indigenous philosophy may be
said to be an elan or a spirit that Methods of
permeates the Filipino as Filipino, Philosophizing
and without which, he feels certain
dissatisfaction A.Phenomenology: On Consciousness

➤Utang na loob – reciprocating Edmund Husserl – founded

phenomenology which is
debts of gratitude
essentially a philosophical
Gripaldo (2000) believes four method
important items to be Phenomenology is the scientific
considered: study of the essential
1.Replacing colonial consciousness structures of consciousness.
with a nationalist consciousness In Husserl's Logical
thereby doing away with colonial and Investigations, he argued
crab mentality. against psychologism; the
2.Creation of a super industrial thesis that truth is dependent
society on the peculiarities of the
human mind, and that
philosophy is reducible to
psychology.
explores the nature of ■It explores the idea that humans
consciousness and subjective can create meaning and values in a
experience
seemingly indifferent or absurd
■The word "phenomenon" comes universe.
directly from the Greek
(paiνóµενoν, phainómenon), C. Postmodernism:
meaning "appearance.
On Cultures
■"Immanuel Kant, German
philosopher, had used the same
➤ Postmodernisin is a broad
word to refer to the world of our
movement that questions
experience. traditional narratives and
structures, emphasizing the relativity
B.Existentialism: On of truth and the diversity of
perspectives.
Freedom ➤ In the context of cultures, it
critiques grand narratives and
Søren Kierkegaard - First highlights the importance of local,
existentialist, insisted that the marginalized, and multiple viewpoints.
authentic self was the personally
chosen self, as opposed to public or
“herd” identity D. Analytic Tradition
➤ The Analytic Tradition in
➤FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE - philosophy focuses on clarity and
Nietzsche took this view of the logical analysis.
opposition of the genuine individual ➤It often involves breaking down
versus the public “herd” identity. complex concepts into simpler
components and using formal logic
➤Jean-Paul Sartre to solve philosophical problems.
➤French philosopher who ➤ Key figures include Bertrand
emphasizes the importance of free Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein.
individual choice, regardless of the
power of other people to influence and E. Logic and Critical Thinking:
coerce our desires, beliefs, and Tools in Reasoning
decisions.
➤To be human and conscious is to be ➤ Logic and critical thinking are
free to imagine, choose, and essential tools for analyzing
responsible for one’s life. arguments and making sound
decisions.
■Existentialism, associated with ➤ Logic involves the formal
philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre principles of valid reasoning, while
and Friedrich Nietzsche critical thinking emphasizes
■Emphasizes individual freedom, evaluating arguments, identifying
choice, responsibility, and biases, and applying reason to
existence. everyday problems.
F. FALLACIES D). COMPOSITION

➤ Fallacies are errors in ➤ This infers that something is

reasoning that undermine the true of the whole from the fact that
logic of an argument. is true of some part of the whole.
The reverse of this fallacy is
➤ Identifying fallacies helps in
division.
evaluating the strength and
validity of arguments. E). DIVISION

➤ COMMON TYPES INCLUDE: ➤ One reason logically that

something true of a thing must be
ad hominem attacks -occurs
true of all or some of its parts.
when someone attacks the person
making an argument rather than F). AGAINST THE PERSON
the argument itself. (ARGUMENTATION AD HOMINEM)
false dilemmas -someone presents ➤ This fallacy attempts to link the
a situation as having only two validity of a premise to a
possible options, when in fact characteristic or belief of the +
there are other alternatives. person advocating the premise.
A) APPEAL TO PITY (ARGUMENTUM G). APPEAL TO THE FORCE
AND MISERICORDIAM) (ARGUMENTUM AD BACULUM)
➤ A specific kind of appeal to ➤ An argument where force,
emotion in which someone tries to coercion, or threat of force, is given
win support for an argument or as a justification for a conclusion.
idea by exploiting his or her
opponents feelings of pity or guilt.

B) APPEAL TO IGNORANCE H). APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE

(ARGUMENTUM AD IGNORANTIAM) (ARGUMENTUM AD POPULUM)

➤ Whatever has not been proved ➤ An argument that appeals or

false must be true, and vice versa. exploits people's vanities, desire for
esteem, and anchoring on
C) EQUIVOCATION popularity.
➤This is a logical chain of I).FALSE CAUSE (POST HOC)
reasoning of a term or word several
times,but giving the particular ➤This fallacy is also referred to as
word. coincidental correlation, or
correlation not causation.
 Wittgenstein's
Philosophy of
j). Hasty generalization Language:
§ Wittgenstein describes spoken
➤ One commits errors if one and written language
reaches an inductive generalization (propositions) as pictures that
convey meaning by their
based on insufficient evidence.
capacity to be true or false.
➤The fallacy is commonly based on a § The limits of language are
broad conclusion upon the statistics defined by logical rules;
of a survey of a small group that fails therefore, the limits of language
to suffiectly represent the whole mean the limits of the world.
population § Language logic shows how
elements fit states of affairs
k. Begging the question and how these can be linked in
broader contexts
(petitio principle)
➤ This is a type of fallacy in which
Emotive vs. Cognitive
the proposition to be proven is
assumed implicitly or explicitly in Meaning in Language:
the premise. Ø Sentences that inform must have
words with cognitive meaning
2.2 Analyze Situations that (referring to things, events, or
Show the Difference between properties).
Opinion and Truth
Ø Words also carry emotive meaning,
Tractatus– which may have positive or
negative overtones (e.g.,
Ø a philosophical work by Ludwig
"terrorists," "axis of evil,"
Wittgenstein
"democracy," "peace").
Ø the relationship between
language and reality and to Ø Emotive meanings are often used
define the limits of science. in political language to influence
emotions and sympathies.
Ø It is recognized as a significant
philosophical work of the Manipulation of Language
twentieth century.
in News and Politics:
Ø It is in the possibility of agreeing
or disagreeing with reality, thus Ø Con artists and politicians
being true or false, that the exploit emotive language to
meaning of the picture lies. manipulate emotions,
overshadowing reason.
Ø Euphemisms or neutral terms
are used to make unpleasant
realities more acceptable.
 Ø Emotional words in speeches ➤understanding of philosophy
are used to secure sympathies, and refraining from merely
often leading to fallacies. giving
Critique of News Reporting:
§ There is concern about the claims but through careful
general competence of thought, one reasons through
newsmagazine writers, argumentations.
especially when they discuss
technical matters superficially. For Maboloc and Pascua (2008),
critical thinking is a lifelong
§ News reports often echo the process of self-assessment that
same details, partly because further consists of:
they rely on handouts from
government agencies. Ø defining, analyzing, and
devising solutions;
§ Some correspondents are
culturally incompetent, lacking Ø arriving at reasonable and
awareness of the language or informed conclusions;
customs of the countries they
Ø applying understanding and
cover.
knowledge to new and different
2.3 Realize the Methods of problems;
Philosophy that Lead to Wisdom
Ø willingness to change one point
and Truth
of view;
For Double (1999), although
Ø continually examining and re-
philosophy is an organized body of
examining ideas; and
knowledge the subject matter of
philosophy is questions, which have Ø willingness to say "I don't
three major know."
§ characteristics: The attributes of a critical
thinker include:
§ 1. Philosophical questions have
answers, but the answers Ø Looks for evidence to
remain in dispute. support assumptions
and beliefs
§ 2. Philosophical questions
cannot be settled by science, Ø Adjusts opinions
common sense or faith.
Ø Looks for proof
§ 3. Philosophical questions are
of perennial intellectual interest Ø Examines problem
to human beings. Ø Rejects irrelevant and
Critical thinking incorrect information

Ø careful, reflective, rational and

systematic approach to
questions of very general
interest.