lesson-1.-Doing-Philosophy.pptx

Lesson 1. Doing Philosophy Objectives: Distinguish a holistic perspective from a partial point of view Realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a broad perspective on life Do a philosophical reflection on a concrete situation from a holistic perspective Wh...

Lesson 1. Doing Philosophy Objectives: Distinguish a holistic perspective from a partial point of view Realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a broad perspective on life Do a philosophical reflection on a concrete situation from a holistic perspective What is Philosophy? Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. The word philosophy comes from 2 Greek words: philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom).  The ancient Greek used this term to refer to “love of wisdom”. Lovers of wisdom, people who engage in philosophy called “Philosophers”.  A big part of living is spent pondering many questions, and our lives become more meaningful because we search for answers to these innumerable questions. This is the essence of philosophy --- the search for answers to life’s questions.  Is the study of big, fundamental questions about life, reality, knowledge, and values. It involves thinking deeply about things that may not have easy answers, like: What is the meaning of life? How do we know what’s true? What is right and wrong? What is the nature of reality? Philosophy encourages us to question the world around us and think critically about our beliefs and ideas. What is Not Philosophy? - Non-philosophy refers to everyday, practical questions or topics that don't involve deep, critical thinking or questioning fundamental ideas. These are more straightforward questions that usually have clear answers, like: What’s the time? How do you bake a cake? Where is the nearest grocery store? These types of questions don't require you to explore deep concepts or challenge your beliefs; they’re more about getting specific, practical information. Simple Comparison: Philosophy: Asking “What is the purpose of life?” (Deep, reflective, exploring meaning). Not Philosophy: Asking “What should I have for dinner?” (Practical, everyday concern). Philosophy deals with questions that make you think about the bigger picture, while non-philosophy deals with questions that are more about day-to-day tasks and information.  Philosophy began in Ancient Greece in about the 6th Century B.C. Thales of Miletus is usually considered the first proper philosopher, although he was just as concerned with natural philosophy. Thales limited himself in inquiry into the nature of existence, being and the world. For instance, Thales thought the whole universe was composed of different forms of water. Thales is important because he was one of the first people to ask questions about the world and try to answer them using reason and observation, rather than just saying "the gods did it.“ His ideas inspired other philosophers to look for natural explanations for how the world works, which is the foundation of both philosophy and science. In summary, Thales was the first person in Western history to use reason to explore big questions about the world, making him a pioneer of philosophy.  Notable Ancient Greek Philosopher 1. Socrates (c. 469-399 BCE) Who He Was: Socrates is often called the father of Western philosophy. What He Did: He asked people tough questions to help them think more deeply and understand their beliefs better. This method is known as the Socratic method. Key Idea: He believed that we must constantly examine our lives and thoughts. Famous quote: "The unexamined life is not worth living." 2. Plato (c. 427-347 BCE) Who He Was: Plato was a student of Socrates and founded the first university, called the Academy. What He Did: He wrote about many different topics, including what makes a good society. He also introduced the idea that the physical world is just a shadow of a more perfect, invisible world of "Forms." Key Idea: The Allegory of the Cave, where he explains how most people see only shadows of the real truth. 3. Aristotle (384-322 BCE) Who He Was: Aristotle was a student of Plato and a teacher of Alexander the Great. What He Did: He wrote about nearly every subject, including science, politics, and ethics. He believed that everything in the world has a purpose, and he emphasized finding balance in life. Key Idea: The "Golden Mean," which means living a balanced life, avoiding extremes. 4. Pythagoras (c. 570-495 BCE) Who He Was: Pythagoras was a philosopher and mathematician. What He Did: He believed that numbers are the true nature of all things. He is best known for the Pythagorean theorem in mathematics. Key Idea: The idea that numbers and mathematical relationships are fundamental to understanding the world. 5. Heraclitus (c. 535-475 BCE) Who He Was: Heraclitus was known for his thoughts on change. What He Did: He believed that everything is constantly changing and that "you cannot step into the same river twice" because the water is always flowing. Key Idea: The idea that change is the only constant in the universe. 6. Parmenides (c. 515-450 BCE) Who He Was: Parmenides focused on the nature of existence. What He Did: He argued that change is an illusion and that everything that exists is unchanging and eternal. Key Idea: The belief that reality is one unchanging thing, and that change is just an illusion. 7. Zeno of Elea (c. 490-430 BCE) Who He Was: Zeno was a student of Parmenides. What He Did: He is famous for his paradoxes, which challenge our understanding of movement and time. Key Idea: Zeno's Paradoxes, like the idea that you can never really reach a destination because you must always get halfway there first. 8. Epicurus (341-270 BCE) Who He Was: Epicurus was a philosopher who focused on how to live a happy life. What He Did: He taught that the key to happiness is simple pleasures, friendship, and avoiding pain. Key Idea: Happiness comes from simple pleasures and peace of mind, not from luxury or excess.  9. Zeno of Citium (c. 334-262 BCE) Who He Was: Zeno was the founder of Stoicism. What He Did: He believed that to live a good life, we should accept things we cannot control and focus on our own virtue. Key Idea: The idea of "living according to nature," meaning we should focus on what we can control and stay calm in the face of difficulties.  10. Diogenes of Sinope (c. 412-323 BCE) Who He Was: Diogenes was a philosopher who lived a very simple and unconventional life. What He Did: He rejected material wealth and social status, choosing to live in a very basic way, often challenging social norms. Key Idea: The belief that living simply and naturally is the best way to live.  Major Branches of Philosophy  Metaphysics – deals with questions regarding reality and existence. Delve into the fundamental aspects of reality, often leading to deep and abstract discussions about the nature of existence and the universe.  Ethics – deals with moral questions and dilemmas. These questions challenge us to think critically about our values and the principles that guide our actions, often requiring us to balance conflicting interests and consider the consequences of our decisions.  Epistemology – discusses the nature of knowledge and knowing. Eepistemological questions explore the nature and scope of human understanding, challenging us to think about how we acquire knowledge, how we validate our beliefs, and what it means to know something.  Logic – deals with correct reasoning. Logic helps us think clearly, avoid errors in reasoning, and build sound arguments.  Aesthetics – deals with beauty and what makes things “beautiful”. Aesthetics explore our understanding of beauty, art, and taste, challenging us to think about what we find appealing and why, and how art and beauty influence our lives.  The Difference Between Holistic Perspective from a Partial Point of View  Holistic thinking refers to a perspective that considers large-scale patterns in systems. A holistic perspective requires an individual to have an open mindset and ability to get the general sense or impression regarding a situation. A holistic perspective considers the entire system or situation as a whole. It looks at how all the parts interact and affect each other, and it emphasizes the interconnectedness of all components. This approach aims to understand the big picture and the relationships between different elements. Philosophy utilizes holistic thinking in making sense of problems and issues related to the human experience. Example: When examining a person's health, a holistic perspective considers physical, mental, emotional, and social factors together rather than just focusing on a specific symptom. Partial thinking focuses on specific aspects of a situation. The partial view is an important component of analytical thinking, as an individual focuses on certain areas or aspects of a problem in order to understand it. It examines individual components separately without necessarily considering how they interact with other parts. Example: When examining a person's health, a partial point of view might focus solely on treating a specific symptom or disease, like a headache, without considering other aspects of the person's well-being.  The Value of Doing Philosophy in Obtaining a Broad Perspective on Life Why do we philosophize? We all have the potential to philosophize since we have the tendency to wonder and doubt. A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and adequately present his or her ideas. Doing philosophy can be applied in day-to-day activities and life perspectives. Because it involves an evaluative process, doing philosophy allows a person to make better decisions and act accordingly to situations with the help of various philosophical skills. On life perspectives, philosophy enables reflective thinking which greatly influences a person’s view of life, challenges, and relationships. In doing philosophy, a holistic perspective on the subject is always required. Failure to do so or only using a partial point of view may lead to illogical or incorrect conclusions. Doing a Philosophical Reflection on a Situation from Holistic Perspective  Reflection - requires a person to be willing to examine one’s thoughts, feelings and actions and to learn more about one’s life and experiences. - allows an opportunity to think more deeply about your action, your motivations for doing such action, and even it’s possible consequences. - vital in ensuring that our actions and decisions are well thought out and are done with due regard for their implications and consequences on ourselves, others, and our surroundings. - when we reflect we can judge whether our actions or decisions are reasonable or not.  END OF LESSON 1