Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

Philosophy, derived from Greek words "Philos" (love) and "Sophia" (wisdom), literally means "Love of Wisdom."
It utilizes human reason to investigate ultimate causes, principles, and reasons governing all things.

Metaphysics: Examines the nature of reality and existence; explores fundamental aspects of being.
Epistemology: Investigates nature and limitations of knowledge; distinguishes justified belief from opinion.
Ethics: A system of moral principles addressing acceptable and unacceptable conduct; deals with moral dilemmas.
Aesthetics: Focuses on the nature and appreciation of art, beauty, and taste.
Logic: Concerned with the principles of correct reasoning.

Philosophers are individuals who engage in the study of philosophy, known as "lovers of wisdom."
Ancient Greece is recognized as the birthplace of Western Philosophy.

Thales of Miletus (624 – 546 BCE): First Western philosopher; proposed that all nature develops from a single source (One in the Many).
Pythagoras (570 – 495 BCE): Mathematician who introduced the Pythagorean Theorem and the term philosophy; believed numbers are fundamental to understanding reality.
Heraclitus (535 – 475 BCE): Introduced the concept of logos; emphasized that change is the only constant ("No man ever steps in the same river twice"); identified fire as the first principle.
Democritus (460 – 370 BCE): Studied natural phenomena; suggested that matter is composed of indivisible particles called atoms.
Diogenes of Sinope (460 – 370 BCE): Advocated for simple living; influenced schools like Cynicism and Stoicism.
Epicurus (341 – 270 BCE): Asserted that philosophy is a means to live a happy life.

Socrates (470 – 399 BCE): Considered the Father of Western Philosophy; developed the Socratic Method, a questioning technique aimed at stimulating critical thinking and illuminating ideas.
Plato (427 – 347 BCE): Student of Socrates; known for the Theory of Forms, asserting that reality is based on ideal templates; founded the Academy; utilized dialectic method for inquiry.
Aristotle (384 – 322 BCE): Student at Plato's Academy; focused on sensory perception as the basis of reality; recognized as the Father of Logic for formalizing reasoning systems.

René Descartes (1596 – 1650): Regarded as the Father of Modern Philosophy; famous for the quote "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), emphasizing rational thought as the foundation of knowledge.