Lesson 1

Objectives:
1.Discuss Philosophy and its

importance as a discipline and a
means of understanding life.
2.Name some of the most notable
ancient Greek philosophers.
3.Recognize the importance of
philosophizing.
Teacher: Juan, what would you like to
be when you grow up?
Juan: Ma’am I want to be happy .
Teacher: Juan you did not understand
my question.
Juan: Ma’am you do not understand
what life is all about.
• Do you think Juan’s answer was
appropriate for his teacher’s question?
• What do you think was Juan’s
interpretation of his teacher’s question?
• Based on his responses , what kind of
student do you imagine Juan to be?
• How is philosophy related to this
situation?
Have you ever found
yourself wondering
about the things you
experience or where
your life is headed?
Why do I have to study?
What should I do to achieve my

goals in life?
What can I do to be better?

WHY DO WE ASK QUESTIONS?
A big part of living is
spent in pondering many
questions and our lives
become meaningful
because we search for
answers to these
questions.
And this is the essence of philosophy-
the search for answers to life’s questions.
Read the following
news headlines
What simple , serious and
deep questions come to mind
when you read them?
1. Flash floods in remote village kill a
hundred people
2. Abused child kept chained in a
basement for five years finally
rescued.
3. Man sentenced to ten years for
stealing milk to feed his baby.
4. Lottery winner donate half of winning
to local orphanage
What questions about your life
are you struggling to find
answers to?
What words come to your
mind when you hear the
word philosophy?
(copy the graphic

organizer)
Philosophy
Comes from the 2 Greek

words
Philos (love) and sophia
(wisdom)
“love of wisdom”
The study or discipline that uses
human reason to investigate the
ultimate causes, reasons,
and principles which govern all
things.
Philosophers-”lovers of wisdom”
What does it mean to
be a lover of
wisdom?
•What is real? Are we able to
perceive and understand reality
and everything in it?
•How do we know what we
know? Are the things that we
know true?
•What is the ultimate cause of
all things? What is our purpose
in this world?
•To what extent are our choices
and actions considered free?
Ancient Greek
Philosophers
A mathematician and scientist,
he was credited with formulating
the Pythagorean theorem. His
work earns him many followers
and he established a community
of learners who were devoted to
the study of religion and
philosophy.
Pythagoras
He proposed that everything that
exist is based on a higher order or
plan which he called logos. For
him change is a permanent aspect
of the human condition as he was
credited with the saying” No man
ever steps in the same river twice”
Heraclitus
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.
Democritus
He was a known advocate of
living a simple and virtuous life.
For him, one should not only talk
of virtue but should show it in
words and actions. His emphasis
on austerity and simplicity often
went to the extreme, and he was
said to have lived like a beggar.
Diogenes
of Sinope
He believed that philosophy
could enable man to live a life
of happiness. 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 .
Epicurus
He was considered the foremost
philosopher of ancient time. He
made great contributions to the
field of ethics. He was a known critic
of intellectuals during his time, but
he himself did not claim to be
“wise” and merely considered
himself “midwife” that help
inquiring minds achieve wisdom.
Socrates
A student of Socrates, he wrote
down his mentor’s teaching and
incorporated some of his own
ideas into them. His teachings and
writings were considered the
foundation of western philosophy.
Plato’s most significant ideas
included his Theory of Forms
which proposes that everything
that exist is based on an idea of
Plato template that can only be
perceived in the mind.
He was a prominent student of
Plato. Aristotle however disagree
with Plato’s theory of forms and
took a different stance in
interpreting reality. For him all
ideas and views are based on
perception and our reality is
based on what we can sense and
perceive.
Aristotle
Why is there a need to
philosophize?
Sense of wonder(Plato)
•Man’s curiosity drives him to ask
questions, some of which have
no definite answer.
(Where did we come from?
Why do we exist?)
Doubt(Descartes)
•In life, we will be faced with
several ideas and arguments
which presents themselves as
“truths”
A critical and questioning
perspective is necessary to
determine if indeed these ideas or
views are correct or true.
Experience(Karl Jaspers)
•Man is often confronted by
experiences which challenge his
ideas and frameworks.
Often accompanied by feeling of
helplessness, anxiety or dread.
Love for wisdom
•To love wisdom is to have
insatiable desire for truth.
Socrates is famous for having
said” I know that I do not know”
and it is by accepting this state of
ignorance that one can begin to
learn and understand.
Characteristics of
Philosophy
1. A way of analysing
framework
Framework is defined as way of
thinking about the world and is
composed of the views and
beliefs of a person
2. An examination of a
particular area of
knowledge
The central principle of philosophy is
examination and questioning, and
this is often applied in the analysis
of the frameworks of other areas or
sciences
3. A distinct area of
knowledge with its own
goals, concerns and
ways of doing thing
•Aesthetic –The philosophy
which deals with beauty and
what make things beautiful.
•Logic-the branch of philosophy
which deals with correct
reasoning
•Epistemology-discusses the
nature of knowledge and
knowing
•Ethics-deals with moral
questions and dilemmas
•Political philosophy-studies
government and deals with
questions of justice, powers
and the rights and obligations
of citizens.
•Metaphysics-deals with
questions regarding reality and
existence
•Philosophy of the Human
person-an area in philosophy
that understands the human
person from a philosophical
perspective
4. Philosophy is a
reflective and
meditative activity.
A method of mental
exercise
Holistic Thinking
Is a perspective that
considers larger patterns or
the bigger picture when
looking at problems or
situations
•Enables to view a problem
more objectively and come
up with better decision or
solutions.
•It also means that one does
not confine one’s
understanding of the world
to one’s own perspective
but also include the
perspective of others.
Partial Thinking
•Focuses on specific aspect of

situation
How does one engage in
reflection?
Require a person to be
willing to examine one’s
thoughts, feelings and
actions and learn more
about one’s life and
experiences
What are the practical uses pf
philosophy in our lives?
1. Philosophy enables a person to
engage in critical analysis and
interpretation of concepts,
definition, arguments and
problems
2. Philosophy also improves
problem – solving and decision
making
3.Philosophy enhances
communication skills
4. Philosophy can contribute to self
development
How can Philosophy help you as a
student?
How can Philosophy help you
become a productive individual
and citizen?

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Lesson 1

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Objectives:

1.Discuss Philosophy and its

What should I do to achieve my

What can I do to be better?

(copy the graphic

Comes from the 2 Greek

•Focuses on specific aspect of

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