Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person PDF

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person COURSE MATERIAL NO. 2 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 1 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  WHAT WILL...

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person COURSE MATERIAL NO. 2 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 1 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  WHAT WILL TO THE NATIONALIANS, YOU LEARN? Welcome to Introduction of Philosophy to Human Person! This module has been designed to help you: The previous lesson introduced philosophy and its Examine the concept and relevance to the student and lifelong learning skills. This complexity of truth and how it can lesson demonstrates the various ways of doing be derived. philosophy. Emphasize the capacity of In searching for wisdom, the lesson must evaluate reasoning and consciousness to arguments and learn ways of expressing their beliefs, be an instrument of making emotions, and opinions. Further, this section shall sense of one’s everyday life. introduce methods or ways of looking at truth and what will Situates the holistic perspective be considered mere “opinions.” of philosophical reasoning in the context of the region, the nation, Among other things, this course will help you do the and the world. following: Explore the complex nature of being human and find meaning in life. Analyze ethical dilemmas, societies, and the impact of actions. Develop your ability to understand and navigate the world around you. Appreciate diverse perspectives and philosophies. Overall, this course will allow you to think critically beyond what you have already thought of. 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 2 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  WHAT’S INSIDE PHILOSOPHICAL REASONING THIS MODULE? Module 2: METHODS OF PRE-ACTIVITY: TEXT ANALYSIS PHILOSOPHIZING Lesson 1: Philosophizing Allegory of the Cave Look at the box containing the text below. Choose a word Truth & Opinion from the box. Read the guide questions below and write your answer in your notebook. Lesson 2: Fallacy and Bias Fallacy Bias Lesson Summary References Contributors GUIDE QUESTIONS: 1. What can you say about it? 2. Write down other related words or ideas that you can think of concerning the word you chose. 3. How does it affect our daily life? 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 3 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  FOCUS QUESTIONS METHODS OF What is the use of philosophy in everyday life? PHILOSOPHIZING How is knowledge different from opinions? “What is truth?” – Pontius Pilate to Jesus Christ How can we verify an opinion to be Previously, we discussed the different meanings of true? Philosophy. We were introduced to philosophical reflection, truth, and knowledge. We also had a glimpse of how philosophy was perceived through time. In this course material, we will tackle the topic of truth, reality, and how it was perceived by philosophy's most prominent school of thought. For a long time, we humans have been in the quest for truth. We try to make sense of our surroundings and reality using our everyday queries. This is part of our philosophical activity as humans. Since we are considered rational, we use our faculty to understand phenomena better. Nonetheless, we are not entirely safe from deception and confusion. As we age, we broaden our knowledge of the things that we see around us. We constantly engage with truth- making as we encounter different ideas and opinions. And so, we take responsibility for verifying each claim of reality and knowledge. We engage in developing meaning. It Image source: Methods of Philosophizing – takes philosophical reflection to enable us to see through Write to Express (wordpress.com) what we do and see the person we become because of what we do. 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 4 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  ALLEGORY OF THE PHILOSOPHIZING CAVE To further discuss, let`s We defined philosophy as a “love of wisdom,” which analyze the story of the Allegory of the involves thinking, evaluating, and engaging in arguments Cave of Plato for his written dialogue, The Republic. using questions. Doing it is called philosophizing (Lee, Z.E., 2022). It is thinking deeply about big questions regarding life, existence, knowledge, and values using reason and critical thinking to understand and interpret these fundamental aspects of human experience. A. KNOWLEDGE AND OPINION Epistemology comes from the Greek word “episteme,” which means knowledge, and “logos,” which means the study of. Therefore, epistemology is a science devoted to discovering the proper method of acquiring and validating knowledge (Rand, A., 1990). How can we acquire knowledge? It is the clear awareness and understanding of something provided by facts, based on reality, observable, and Guide Questions: evident in the real world. We can acquire knowledge based on our senses – or empiricism and by thinking How do the prisoners' experiences using our minds (what philosophers call the rational relate to our understanding of reality faculty) – rationalism; knowledge comes from intellectual and knowledge? reasoning. Can you imagine any modern-day "caves" where people are limited in The following is the basis for acquiring knowledge, leading understanding or perception? to the truth: You may read the full content here: Plato: The Republic 1. Reality - to know is to know something. This https://iep.utm.edu/republic/#SH1g “something” is what philosophers called ‘existence and being.’ It includes everything we perceive (animals, plants, human beings, inanimate objects) and everything inside our heads (e.g., our 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 5 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  thoughts and emotions) represents our inner world. PERSPECTIVE OF TRUTH 2. Perception – our first and only contact with reality 1. A belief is true if it can be justified or proven through the is through our senses. Knowledge begins with use on one`s senses. perceptual learning. 2. A belief or statement is true if it 3. Concept – an abstract or generic idea generalized is based on facts. from instances. 3. Getting a consensus or having people agree on a common 4. Propositions - statements about the world or belief is another way of reality are called propositions. Propositions may or determining if it is true. may not carry the truth. 4. Determining the truth (in the case) requires a person to Facts - propositions or statements prove a statement through an observed to be real and truthful. action. Claim - a proposition that requires further examination; can be contested. We used premises to support the conclusion. 5. Arguments – a series of statements that provide reasons to convince the reader/ listener that a claim/ opinion is truthful. Group of statements that serve to support a conclusion. For example: “There is no hope in the Philippine government because many officials are corrupt, and Filipino voters continue to elect them.” TRUTH VS. OPINION Truth is knowledge validated based on the facts of reality independent of your thoughts, feelings, or preferences. For example, the statement “Jose Rizal died in 1896” is true. Many sources could validate the truth of that statement if one cared to look. As philosophers, we do not assume that every statement is true. Doubt is essential in philosophy, as it drives our desire to discover truth. Every statement, claim, evidence, and experience is scrutinized and analyzed. Only accurate is true if there is sufficient reason and evidence to prove it is true. 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 6 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  Domains of Truth: According to Richard Rorty, the truth shall also pass the procedures of "justification.” It is the process of proving the truth or validity of a statement. This process comprises ways of critically testing a claim against specific criteria. Each domain of truth has a corresponding justification or has a different criterion for truth: 1. Scientific Domain – truth related to scientific truths; pertains to the natural world that maintains relative independence from the perspective and attitude of human beings that perceive them. E.g., in typhoon season, water’s boiling point (100 degrees Celsius) Truths are tested against empirical evidence. 2. Social Domain – the truth is related to a general agreement or consensus on what is right instead of wrong. Based on norms (standard of acceptable behavior in society) For example, I maintained silence inside the chapel, cheered loudly during a basketball game, and was silent in the library. Truths are tested against their acceptability to a particular group at a particular time in history. 3. Personal Domain – truth is related to “sincerity” and consistent with inner thoughts and intentions. The needs to establish “trust”. Truths are tested against the consistency and authenticity of the person who claims it. Now, how do we know if something is true? A belief is true if it can be justified or proven using one’s senses. A belief or statement is true if it is based on facts. Getting a consensus or having people agree on a common belief. Truth requires to prove an action. Subject to test to determine the truth. 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 7 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  Additionally, the truth has the following characteristics, remember the CIB: 1. Can be confirmed with other resources 2. Independent of one’s interpretation, preferences and biases. 3. Based on facts of reality. On the other hand, an opinion is a statement that represents not facts but an interpretation of facts, which may reveal biases. These are bases for arguments and convincing people that a certain claim is a fact and needs further justification. For example, when one says, "Jose Rizal is the greatest man who ever lived,” you are stating your preference, not facts. Or your thoughts about the case of extra judicial killings, the war on drugs, issues on defending the West Philippine Sea from China, etc., An opinion has the following characteristics: remember the COBI: 1. Cannot be confirmed 2. Open to interpretation 3. Based on emotions 4. Inherently biased Some terminologies help you identify the difference between truth and opinion. Conclusion - judgment based on certain facts; could still be contested or questioned. Beliefs- statements that express convictions that are not quickly and clearly explained by facts. Explanations - statements that assume the claim to be true and provide reasons why the statement is true. 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 8 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  FALLACY AND BIAS The fallacy is faulty reasoning. Erroneous reasoning that has the appearance of soundness. It may be intentional, as the person making the claim is desperate to convince people to accept their arguments. Here are the different kinds of fallacies: 1. AD HOMINEM – attacking the person presenting the arguments instead of the argument itself. This can be observed whenever a person turns away What can you say about the from trying to settle a particular issue by rational quotation below? Do you agree with this? Express your argument and turns instead toward an attack on answers in the space the character of the person who holds a different provided. view on the issue at stake. E.g., “Of course, he believes that the government is flawed, he is a rebel, a communist, and a terrorist!” 2. APPEAL TO FORCE – using heat of force or an undesirable event to advance an argument. When a speaker or writer formulates an opinion, it usually intends to convince some audience to accept its conclusion, usually through coercion. E.g., “If the government will not sign the peace agreement, then we will have no recourse but to go to war.” 3. APPEAL TO EMOTION – using emotions such as pity or sympathy. Usually, this happens when people argue for special treatment based on their needs. E.g., “All these charges are baseless; this is just plain harassment – can’t you see how this is affecting my family?” 4. APPEAL TO POPULARITY - the idea is presented as acceptable because many people accept it. The truth of a claim is established only based on its popularity and familiarity. Eg., "Every boy your age already has a girlfriend, you should go find one!" 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 9 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  5. APPEAL TO TRADITION - the idea is acceptable because it has been confirmed for a long time. E.g., "Marriage should be between a man and a woman. It has been so long in this country; it should remain so today and in the future." 6. BEGGING THE QUESTION – assuming the thing or idea to be proven is true; also known as "circular argument" or “assuming the conclusion.” E.g., "I have a right to free speech; therefore, you cannot stop me from talking." 7. CAUSE AND EFFECT – assuming a "cause-and- effect" relationship between unrelated events. You are committed whenever some event is held to be the cause of another when, in fact, the events are not causally related at all. E.g., "Everything has been going wrong since you bought that sweater. You should get rid of it." 8. HASTY GENERALIZATION – An argument that arrives at its conclusion with too little evidence to Image Source: Debate Infographic - 10 support it. Usually, it is false due to insufficient Logical Fallacies by Caleb Hensley | TPT sample size. E.g., “Anytime I’ve gone to a (teacherspayteachers.com) Japanese restaurant, the food was terrible. Japanese food is not good.” 9. FALLACY OF COMPOSITION – assuming that what is true of a part is true for the whole. Committed when one concludes that the parts have certain attributes, the whole also has them. E.g., "These cases of robbery in this district have convinced me that the city has become a den of thieves and criminals." 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 10 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  10. FALLACY OF DIVISION – assuming that what is true for the whole is true for its part. It occurs when the inference is made that because the whole or collection has a certain property, its parts or members must also have it. E.g., "You come from a family of doctors and intellectuals! Surely you can do it better in this course! On the other hand, biases are tendencies or influences which affect people's views. An action of supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way because of allowing personal opinions to influence your judgment. Image source: Cognitive Bias - Mind Help - Medium Here are the different kinds of bias: 1. CORRESPONDENCE/ 4. HINDSIGHT - the tendency to see past events as ATTRIBUTION EFFECT - Tendency predictable or ascribe a historical event pattern. to judge a person's personality by E.g., “Magellan’s assault on Mactan Island was a their actions, without regard for foolhardy venture, made by an overconfident, external factors or influence. E.g., careless man, who underestimated the valor of the “These soldiers who fought in the native Filipinos.” war are bloodthirsty murderers!” 5. CONFLICT OF INTEREST – a person or group is 2. CONFIRMATION BIAS – tendency connected to or has a vested interest in the to look for and readily accept discussed issue. E.g., “As the daughter of the information that fits one's own accused, I believe I have the right to express my beliefs or views and to reject ideas opinion on the issue of his alleged corrupt or views that go against it. E.g., practices.” “How can I accept his view that there 6. CULTURAL BIAS - analyzing an event or issue is no God? I am a Christian!” based on one’s cultural standards. “I do not agree 3. FRAMING - focusing on a certain with this Western practice of placing aged parents aspect of a problem while ignoring in retirement homes. We Filipinos take care of our other factors. E.g., "Preliminary family members.” evidence has still not pointed out the actual cause of the plane crash, but investigators are currently focusing on the possibility of pilot error." 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 11 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  LEARNING ACTIVITY 1 PROBLEM-BASED ACTIVITY. Illegitimate generalizations result in stereotypes. Stereotypes are distorted because they create a false impression of the group that is being represented. There are stereotypes in television, movies, and the like. a. Watch a film where you can identify generalizations (e.g., White Chicks ). How did the film give false impressions? Discuss in class. b. Did you experience a stereotyped generalization? Describe the experience and explain why you believe you were subjected to this generalization. c. Find fake news on social media and explain why it is fake. Reveal the truth and the motive behind the fake news. CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS SCORE Depth of Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the concept 15 Philosophical of generalization in philosophy, including key theories, Analysis arguments, and counterarguments. Critical Ability to critically assess the implications and limitations 10 Thinking and of generalization in various philosophical contexts. Reflection Clarity and Logical organization of ideas, clarity in argumentation, 10 Coherence and coherence in presenting philosophical concepts. Application and Effective use of relevant examples or case studies to 5 Examples illustrate the concept of generalization in philosophy. Presentation Clear and engaging communication of ideas, including 5 and using philosophical terminology and concepts effectively. Communication Timeliness Complete and submit the project by the deadline. 5 TOTAL 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 12 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  LEARNING ACTIVITY 2 DIRECTION: Read and analyze the following statement. Determine if the statement is a fallacy and bias. Write your answer on one whole sheet of paper. ___________1. Ang mga naaasahang tao ay dapat pagkatiwalaan. Maaasahan si Joey. Samakatuwid, mapagkakatiwalaan siya ng sinumang tao. Ikaw ay tao. Kaya, dapat mong pagkatiwalaan si Joey. ___________2. Bilhin mo na ito dahil ito ng “Pambansang Cellphone ng mga Pilipino!” ___________3. Hindi na ako boboto dahil pare-pareho lang silang walang isang salita. ___________4. Hindi na kami magugulat na ‘yan ang desisyon mo dahil alam naming wala “kang respeto. ___________5. Kahit ang lola ko ay naniniwala sa kulam kaya para sa akin totoo ito. ___________6. Kailangan mong tapusin ang pag-aaral mo dahil kung hindi, itatakwil ka naming bilang anak. ___________7. Nag-aasawa na lahat ng batchmates ko, dapat na rin akong mag-asawa. ___________8. Nalaglag kasi ‘yong kutsara kaya dumating si Tita. ___________9. Naligo ka kasi, ‘yan tuloy umulan. ___________10. Niloko ako ni Carlito. Sinaktan ako ni Chris. Pinaasa ako ni Carmelito. Ibig sabihin, lahat ng lalaking may pangalan na nagsisimula sa letrang “C” ay hindi maaasahan pagdating sa pag-ibig. ___________11. Paano ka naming paniniwalaan kung ikaw mismo ay hindi nakapagtapos? ___________12. Pagmamay-ari ko ang bola at paborito kong laro ang volleyball. Kung hindi iyon ang lalaruin niyo, hindi ko ipahihiram ang bola. ___________13. Payagan niyo na po akong pumasa dahil kung hindi, mawawala po ang scholarship ko sa basketball. ___________14. Sabi ng nanay ko, malas daw ang magwalis sa gabi kaya’t hindi na ako magwawalis tuwing gabi. ___________15. Tanggapin mo ang paghingi ko ng kapatawaran dahil baka hindi ko kayanin ang pagkawala mo. 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 13 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  LESSON SUMMARY Philosophizing involves various methods that help in exploring and understanding fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, and reality. The distinction between truth and opinion is crucial. Truth refers to statements or beliefs that are objectively verifiable and universally accepted, whereas opinions are subjective views that can vary from person to person. Philosophers strive to reach the truth through rigorous analysis and reasoned argumentation. However, the process of philosophizing is susceptible to fallacies and biases. Fallacies are errors in reasoning that undermine the validity of an argument, such as ad hominem attacks, false dilemmas, or slippery slope arguments. Biases, on the other hand, are personal prejudices or inclinations that can distort one’s perception and reasoning, leading to subjective conclusions rather Image Source: Method of Philosophical Thinking - than objective truths. Sangeetha Menon - Medium Understanding and avoiding these fallacies and biases is essential for sound philosophical inquiry, ensuring that arguments are logical, well-founded, and free from distortion. 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 14 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON  REFERENCES TEXTBOOKS Camiloza, L.G. et.al (2016). Philosophy of the Human Person. An Introductory Text for Senior High School. The Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. Ferriols, R. J. Sapagkat ang Pilosopiya ay Ginagawa. http://spsintro2philo.blogspot.com/2018/05/sapagkat-ang-pilosopiyaay- ginagawa.html Mabaquiao, N. B. (2016). Making Life Worth Living: An Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. The Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. Contributors Agustin, John P. Jr., Dayrit, Anna Dominique C. 1st Term, AY 2024-2025 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY Page 15 of 15 OF THE HUMAN PERSON