Lesson-One-WHAT-IS-PHILOSOPHY.pptx

LESSON 1: WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY? TOPIC 1: PHILOSOPY AND PHILOSOPHICA L QUESTIONS 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! 1. Do yo...

LESSON 1: WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY? TOPIC 1: PHILOSOPY AND PHILOSOPHICA L QUESTIONS 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! 1. Do you think that his answer was appropriate for his teacher’s question? 2. What do you think was Juan’s interpretation of his teacher’s question? 3. On his responses, what kind of student do you imagine Juan to be? 4. If you were his teacher, how would you respond to him? 5. Is philosophy related to the situation?   Is philosophy and its importance as a discipline and a means for understanding light;  distinguish a holistic perspective from a At the end partial point of view;  recognize human activities that emanated of the from deliberate reflection; lesson, the  recognize reflection as an important students aspect of philosophy; will be able  Realize the value of doing philosophy in to: obtaining a broad perspective on life;  Do a philosophical reflection on a concrete situation from a holistic perspective; and  Discuss their thoughts regarding the importance of philosophy in their lives.   Flashfloods in remote village kill Simpl a hundred people e,  Abused child kept chained in basement for five years finally Seriou rescued  Man sentenced to ten years for s, stealing milk to feed his baby Deep  Lottery winner donates half of his winnings to local orphanage  What questions about your life are you struggling to find answers to?   The word philosophy comes from two Greek words: philos (love) and sophia (wisdom). WHAT  The ancient Greeks used this term IS to refer to "love of wisdom" and they soon applied it to the study or PHILOSOPH discipline that uses human reason Y? to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which govern all things . People who engage in philosophy are called philosophers or "lovers of wisdom."  Among the ancient Greeks, the philosophers became pioneers in various fields of knowledge such as history, biology, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and even physics. It was quite common to hear of ancient philosophers who were "experts" in various fields of learning. PHILOS OPHY What does it mean to be a lover of wisdom? What characteristics should a philosopher possesses? Since ancient ACTIVITY 1 times, philosopher  What is real? Are we able to s have been perceive and understand reality pondering and everything in it? some of the  How do we know what we know? most Are the things that we know true? enduring  What is the ultimate cause of all questions things? What is our purpose in this world? regarding human  To what extent are our choices and actions considered “free”? existence. What other philosophical questions have you asked yourself? What led you to ponder those questions? Do you think that you will be able to figure out the answers to these philosophical questions? Explain. TOPIC 2: NOTABLE ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHERS  A mathematician and Pythago scientist, he was credited ras with formulating the (570BCE Pythagorean theorem. to 495 His work earned him many BCE) followers, and he established a community of learners who pai-tha-guh- were devoted to the study of ruhs religion and philosophy.  He proposed that everything Heraclit that exists is based on a higher order or plan which he us called logos. (535BCE For him, change is a to permanent aspect of the 475BCE) human condition as he was credited with the saying, “No hr-a-kluh-tuhs man ever steps in the same river twice.”  He devoted himself to Democri tus the study of the causes (460BCE of natural phenomena. to He was among the first 370BCE) to propose that matter is composed of tiny deh-mow-krai-tuhs particles called atoms. Diogen He was a known advocate of es of living a simple and virtuous life. Sinope For Diogenes, one should not (412BC only talk of virtue but should show it in words and actions. E to 323 His emphasis on austerity and BCE) simplicity often went to the dai-aa-juh-neez uhv si-nuhp extreme, and he was said to have lived like a beggar. Diogene  He was also known to be a vocal s of critic of well-known philosophers Sinope such as Plato and Aristotle. (412BCE  His teachings and views were later developed by his followers to 323 and influenced the development BCE) of several schools of philosophy dai-aa-juh-neez uhv si-nuhp such as Cynicism and Stoicism.  He believed that philosophy could enable man to live a Iife Epicurus of happiness. (341 BCE His views gave rise to to 270 Epicureanism - a school of BCE) philosophy which believes that wisdom and simple living will eh-puh-kyur-uhs result in a life free of fear and pain. Socrates  He was considered the foremost philosopher of ancient times. He made (470 BCE great contributions to the field of ethics. to 399  Socrates was a known critic of intellectuals during his time, but he himself did not claim BCE) to be "wise" and merely considered himself a "midwife" that helped inquiring minds achieve wisdom. saa-kruh-teez  He also believed that philosophy could enable a man to live a life of virtue.   He was credited with formulating Socrates the Socratic Method - a means of (470 BCE examining a topic by devising a to 399 series of questions that let the learner examine and analyze his BCE) knowledge and views regarding the topic. saa-kruh-teez   A student of Socrates, he wrote Plato down his mentor's teachings and (427 BCE to incorporated some of his own 347 BCE) ideas into them.  His teachings and writings were play-tow considered the foundation of Western philosophy.   Plato's most significant ideas included his Theory of Forms, which proposes that everything that exists is based on Plato an idea or template that can only be perceived in the mind; these (427 BCE to nonphysical ideas are eternal and 347 BCE) unchanging. play-tow  He also focused his studies on the ideal society and proposed an ideal model of government and society which is ruled by wisdom and reason.   Plato is also known for his dialectic - a method of inquiry where two opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt to Plato arrive at new knowledge. (427 BCE to  Plato's lasting contribution to learning 347 BCE) was his founding of the Academy, an institution of higher learning which was play-tow the first of its kind in the Western World.   He attended the Academy, and was a prominent student of Plato.  Aristotle, however, disagreed with Plato's theory of forms and took a different stance in Aristotle interpreting reality. (384 BCE to  For him, all ideas and views are based on 322 BCE) perception and our reality is based on what we can sense and perceive.  This view greatly influenced the study of the physical sciences.  Aristotle was involved in a great variety of disciplines such as zoology, psychology, ethics, and politics.   He also proposed a system for the classification of plants and animals.  His studies in logic led to the Aristotle (384 BCE to formulation of a formal process of 322 BCE) analyzing reasoning which gave rise to deductive reasoning - the process by which specific statements are analyzed to reach a conclusion or generalization. TOPIC 3: HOLISTIC VS. PARTIAL THINKING What is the difference between holistic thinking and partial thinking?  It refers to a perspective that considers large-scale patterns in systems. This is often HOLISTI described as looking at the “big picture” when describing C and analyzing a situation or THINKIN problem. A holistic perspective requires G am individual to have an open mindset and an ability to get the general sense or impression regarding a situation. Ex. The doctor requires to look at the ”big picture” and view the patient’s illness as an aspect of his or her lifestyle and circumstances. When using this perspective, a doctor may be able to identify other underlying causes of the illness.  It focuses on specific aspects of a situation. The partial view is an important component of analytical thinking, as an PARTIAL individual focuses on certain THINKI areas or aspects of a problem NG in order to understand it. Ex. A doctor prescribes the appropriate medicine and other treatments to address illness.  Though partial thinking WHAT is useful, philosophy THINKING utilizes holistic thinking IS MORE USED IN in making sense of PHILOSOPH problems and issues Y? related to the human experience. A holistic perspective can enable a person to step back and consider the general aspects of a certain problem.  In the case of an argument among friends, would it be beneficial to take one side or act as a mediator and try to reconcile all sides?  Should we simply condemn a person who misbehaved in a video that has gone viral? Or should we reserve judgment until we get all the facts regarding what made that person act in that manner?  Adopting a holistic approach in thinking encourages us not only to be more critical but also to be more considerate in dealing with others. A holistic view also gives rise to a more appreciative about life, as we are able to look at life in its totality.  This means that we try to understand a situation from different vantage points so we can see it fully. Just as we savor food in its entirely and not just its specific “flavors.” All the positive and negative experiences in our life come together to give meaning to our existence, and we learn to appreciate our individual experiences as vital aspects of a larger and more meaningful life.  Cite a situation where you adopted a holistic view in looking at a problem or DISCU situation. How did adopting a holistic view help you make SS sense of the situation? How can having a holistic view help us become better individuals?  PROBLEM OR ISSUE IMPORTANT TO MY FAMILY My Mother’s My Father’s View View ACTIVI TY My Brother’s/Siste My Own View 2 r’s View Other important views or things to consider SOLUTION (Use Holistic View/ Thinking TOPIC 4: PHILOSOPHIZE , CHARACTERIZE THE STUDY OF PHILOSOPHY Why is there a need to philosophize? Philosophers have often wondered and argues about the role of philosophy in man’s life. One view is that each one of us is a philosopher, whether or not we have studied philosophy. We all have the potential to philosophize since we have the tendency to wonder and doubt. We possess the capacity to reflect on our experience, and we have a never- ending need to learn and discover.  The Greek philosopher Plato traced man’s need to philosophize to his sense of PLAT wonder. Whenever we are confronted O with an experience, we always wonder how it came about. sense of wonder Man’s over bounding curiosity drives him to ask questions, some of which have no definite answers. Where did we come from? Why do we exist? For what purpose were we created? Consider a small child’s curiosity about all the things around him, most of which he encounters for the first time. This perspective drives the need of a philosopher to question, examine, and learn more.   The 15th-centry French philosopher Rene Descartes traced the need to philosophize to doubt.  Descartes was famous for RENE rejecting or questioning DESCART established ideas, and he ES even went as far as doubting to doubt his own ideas.  His method of examining ideas and perspectives became the basis of critical thinking and analysis in the  For example, a scientific hypothesis must first be tested and verified before it is accepted as truth.  In life, we will be faced with several ideas and arguments which present themselves as “truths.”  A critical and questioning perspective is necessary to determine if indeed these ideas or views are correct or true.   The 20th-century Swiss-German philosopher Karl Jaspers saw the KARL need to philosophize because of JASPER experience.  Jaspers believed that man is S often confronted by experiences which challenge his ideas and need to frameworks. philosophize because of  Jaspers called these experiences experience limit situations, and these are often accompanied by feelings of helplessness, anxiety, or dread. For Jaspers, philosophy provides us a means to understand adverse or challenging conditions, and to rise above them and gain new knowledge and perspectives.  Finally, the need to Why is philosophize is driven there a by the love for need to wisdom. philosophiz e? To love wisdom is to have an insatiable desire for truth.   A philosopher does not seek knowledge to claim ownership of it; and one who engages in philosophy is not satisfied with SOCRAT figuring out the answer to a question. ES  He seeks to continue to question, to probe, and to discuss in order to get to the bottom of things.  The philosopher who exemplified this perspective was Socrates.  He gained fame for this “I curiosity and his constant debates with many of the know intellectual elite in Greece. that I Socrates is famous for having do not said “I know that I do not know…” and it is in accepting know… this state of ignorance that ” one can begin to learn and understand.  “I By expanding our know knowledge through philosophy, we begin that I to realize that learning do not is unceasing – there is know… a lot more to learn ” and experience in life. Socrates is also recognized for his motto: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” And nowhere is it more appropriate to embark on philosophy than in an examination of our own life.  What are the reasons that compel a person to engage in DISCU philosophical thinking? SS How can you as a person benefit from philosophizing How do we characterize the study of philosophy? Just as there are many ways of looking at a problem, philosophers have employed varied means of looking into the fundamental questions regarding the human condition. This has given rise to various viewpoints, thoughts, and approaches in philosophy.  A framework is defined as a way of thinking about the A way world and is composed of the of views and beliefs of a person. Whenever a person analyzin encounters a problem or g frame question in life, he or she often goes back to his or her works own framework in order to make sense of the problem.  Questions dealing with our own correctness and values are A way considered internal questions of which can be addressed using our own personal frameworks. analyzin Also, there are external questions that seek to question g frame the very frameworks upon which works people base their own beliefs and views.   For instance, a child who is going through a bitter experience of his or her parents’ separation will be in a state of confusion as his A way or her experience does not conform to his or her personal framework of what a family of should be.  In this case, the child begins to question the analyzin very framework or concept of family that he or she has built based on previous experiences. g frame  By questioning his or her ideas and concepts, the child has already touched on an important aspect of philosophy. works  The child seeks to clarify, examine, and evaluate the basis of frameworks which he or she uses to deal with the world and give meaning to his or her experiences.  The central principle in An philosophy is examination and questioning, and this is often examinati applied in the analysis of the on of a frameworks of other areas or particular sciences. area of Philosophy goes hand in hand with other disciplines in knowledg examining their fundamental e purposes and evaluating the changes they experience.   There is a philosophy of science, An which seeks to understand the fundamental principles that guide examinati scientific thought. on of a  There is also a philosophy of religion, which examines the basic tenets of particular any faith. area of  There is philosophy of education, knowledg political philosophy, philosophy of history – every aspect of knowledge e can benefit from the inquiring nature of philosophy.  Philosophy itself is a distinct A distinct area of knowledge with its area of own goals, concerns, and knowledge ways of doing things. with its own It is often divided into goals, several branches of which concerns, deals with a particular and ways of aspect of life or phenomena. doing things Aesthetics The philosophy which deals with beauty and what make things “beautiful” Logic It is a branch of philosophy which deals with correct reasoning. Epistemology Discusses the nature of knowledge and knowing Ethics A branch which deals with moral questions and dilemmas Political Philosophy It studies governments and deals with questions of justice, power, and the rights and obligations of citizens. Metaphysics It is a branch of philosophy which deals with questions regarding reality and existence. Philosophy of the Human Person It is an area in philosophy that understands the human person from a philosophical perspective – integrating and synthesizing the different branches of philosophy and other fields of study to know the truth about the human person. However, complex and varied the perceptions, they suggest two important facts about philosophizing: Philosophy is a reflective and meditative activity, and it has no designated subject matter of its own. It is also a method of mental exercise on any type of experience.  When confronting human experience, philosophers often employ tools that engage the mind in analyzing problems and situations.  For instance, in discussing complex philosophical issues, philosophers often use thought experiments.  Individuals also engage in this form of philosophizing when they ponder possible consequences regarding their actions. When one imagines certain alternatives and possible out comes. One already engages in philosophy. Additionally, philosophy does not limit itself to its own field. Philosophy makes sense of information gathered from various field of knowledge (e.g., science, psychology, economics, politics, etc.) By integrating and synthesizing them to have a deeper and more complete understanding of reality.  Analyze the characteristics of Philosophy by expanding the graphic organizer. As an analysis of frameworks PHILOSOP As an examination of HY knowledge As a discipline  Based on the characteristics of Philosophy, would it be DISCU possible for any person SS to engage in philosophical discussion? Why or why not? TOPIC 5: REFLECTION How does one engage in reflection?  Reflection requires a person to be willing to examine one’s REFLECTIO N thoughts, feelings, and actions and to learn more about one’s life experiences.  One can reflect on almost any subject. For instance, the moment you wake up you can already reflect REFLECTIO upon the things that you N plan to do for the day. This will enable you to set your daily goals and set you on the path of thinking of ways to achieve them.   Seemingly simple or mundane actions take a whole new meaning when one engages in reflection. When buying clothes, for example, think of the questions that you ask Simple yourself as you consider buying the t-shirt or blouse you are holding. Examp  You may start with the simple le questions:  “Will this fit me?”  “Do I look good in this color?”  These are usual questions any buyer would ask himself or herself.  You may find yourself asking the following questions:  “Do I even have to buy a new t-shirt today?” Deep  “Am I better off spending my Exampl money on other things?”  “Do I see myself wearing this e t-shirt often, or am I just going to wear it once?”  “What sort of person wears this kind of shirt?”  Reflection is vital in ensuring that our actions and decisions are well Importan thought out and are done ce of with due regard for their Reflectio implications and n consequences on ourselves, others, and our surroundings.   Reflection helps us understand ourselves and our actions better. Importan  When we reflect, we can judge ce of whether our actions or Reflectio decisions are reasonable or not. n  Taking time to analyze your decisions and actions is one vital skill that will greatly help you as you encounter more challenges in life.  You go into a restaurant and the waiter hands you a menu. You are deciding which dish to ACTIVIT order. Y: You and your friends are Simple deciding on a ”fun” thing to do while at the mall. Serious You open your wallet and saw Deep that you still have a hundred pesos left from your weekly allowance.  Have you ever had an experience where reflecting on your DISCU actions benefited you? SS Has reflection ever helped you avoid making a bad decision? TOPIC 6: PRACTICAL USES OF PHILOSOPHY IN OUR LIVES Philosophy has an important place in our daily lives. Engaging in philosophical reflection leads to the development of beneficial skills that individuals can apply in everyday Philosophy  It also trains us to be critical of our enables a own ideas as well as of others – person to meaning, we don’t simply accept or engage in reject whatever is presented to us. critical  One can apply this critical and analysis and interpretatio analytical mindset in processing n of information gained from media and concepts, addressing certain issues definitions, encountered in life. arguments,  Critical thinking skills can help us and avoid being tricked by false claims problems. or manipulative schemes.  The ability to analyze a Philosophy problem or dilemma, improves identify its significant problem- aspects, and come up solving and with alternative decision solutions is an making. important skill learned through philosophy.   Discussion and debate require skills A in presenting and communicating ideas. philosopher  Philosophy can also help us be more is a good open to new and different ideas. communicat or who can  Communication skills are also clearly and enhanced by the study of philosophy because it trains us to adequately be very clear and precise about our present his thoughts and sentiments in order to or her ideas. express exactly what we want to say.  It is one intended product of philosophizing, and Wisdo this refers to a person’s ability to apply m knowledge to daily life particularly in making sound choices judgment.   One can be a better student, scientist, artist, professional, and citizen if he or she has the capacity for inquiry, critical Knowledge thinking, and reflection. of  In addition, philosophy encourages a Philosophy person to know oneself, his or her strengths and weaknesses, establish an identity, and can determine his or her purpose in life. contribute  Self-knowledge also grows along with one’s to self- understanding of the world and this is developmen essential to the realization of the self. t.  There are tools to develop one’s own ideas and views and engage fully in useful activities in the community, nation, and the world at large.  How can philosophy help you succeed as a student? DISCUS How can philosophy S help you become a productive individual and citizen?  1st SUMMATIVE TEST