Philosophy: Change and Mind's Curiosity

Study Notes

Constant Realities in Our World

Change and the mind's curiosity are fundamental aspects of human existence.

Philosophy Defined

Philosophy investigates ultimate causes, reasons, and principles governing all things through human reason.

Mind's Potency: Doubt

Rene Descartes, a French philosopher, emphasized questioning established ideas and even doubted his own existence.
Famous for "Cogito, ergo sum" which translates to "I think, therefore I am," showcasing the necessity of verification before acceptance of truth.

Sense of Wonder

Plato, a Greek philosopher, noted that human experiences generate curiosity and questions, some without definitive answers.
Wonder arises when encountering experiences for the first time.

Limit Situations

Karl Jaspers, a Swiss-German philosopher, stated that challenging experiences provoke helplessness, anxiety, or dread.
Reason can help understand adverse conditions and facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge.

Love of Wisdom

The pursuit of knowledge is intrinsic to the human mind, as expressed by Socrates.
Socrates famously remarked, "The unexamined life is not worth living," and highlighted the importance of recognizing one’s own ignorance.

Perspectives: Holistic vs. Partial

A holistic perspective considers the larger patterns or "big picture" in analyzing situations.
A partial perspective focuses on specific aspects to gain deeper understanding.

Deliberate Reflection

Reflection involves examining thoughts, feelings, and actions for learning and growth.
Critical analysis through reflection enhances problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Characteristics of Deliberate Action

Deliberate actions are willed and intended, requiring knowledge, freedom, and voluntariness.
Human acts are actions that are intended, while acts of man may be unintentional but can become human acts with consent.

Distinguishing Opinion from Truth

Opinions are subjective statements needing verification and reasoning to be validated.
Truth aligns with mental understanding and must be proven through verification and experimentation.

Types of Truth

Personal Truth is justified through sensory experience by the individual.
Objective Truth is grounded in facts and withstands testing.
Social Truth is achieved through consensus and broader acceptance by a community.

Human Person: Embodied Existence

Human existence is defined by physical attributes such as age, sex, and race, causing inherent limitations that are not necessarily chosen.
These limitations can lead to frustrations but also define human experience.

Paradox of Being Embodied

The relationship between limitations and possibilities suggests that true potential arises through embracing limitations.
Examples of individuals overcoming limitations include Manny Pacquiao and Hidilyn Diaz.

Transcendence

The concept of transcendence, originating from Latin, means to go beyond ordinary limitations and physical needs, often associated with spiritual or religious states.

Opposable Thumb

An anatomical feature allowing for advanced manipulation and tool use, contributing significantly to human evolution.
Innovations in art and sports are partly credited to the unique functionality of the opposable thumb.

Relationship Between Environment and Humanity

Anthropocentrism prioritizes human needs and capabilities in manipulating nature.
Biocentrism emphasizes the inherent value of all organisms, illustrated by legislation like R.A. 8485 (The Animal Welfare Act of 1998).
Ecocentrism recognizes the interconnectedness of all life forms within the ecological system.

Description

Explore the two constant realities in our world—Change and the Mind's Curiosity. This quiz delves into the philosophical insights of thinkers like Rene Descartes and Plato, focusing on their contributions to understanding human existence and the nature of doubt. Challenge your understanding of these fundamental concepts in philosophy.