PHILOSOPHY-1sem-midterm-lesson1.docx

**PHILOSOPHY** comes from two *greek words :* 1. **PHILOS-** which means ***"love"*** and; 2. **SOPHIA** which means ***"wisdom."*** The ancient Greek used this term to refer to *[\'love of Wisdom\'.]* **PHILOSOPHERS**- people who are engage in philosophy or \"lovers of wisdom\'. **ANCIENT...

**PHILOSOPHY** comes from two *greek words :* 1. **PHILOS-** which means ***"love"*** and; 2. **SOPHIA** which means ***"wisdom."*** The ancient Greek used this term to refer to *[\'love of Wisdom\'.]* **PHILOSOPHERS**- people who are engage in philosophy or \"lovers of wisdom\'. **ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHERS** 1. **Pythagoras**- (570 BE TO 495 BCE)- mathematician and scientist, he was credited with formulating the **Pythagorean theorem**. His work earned him many followers, and he established a community of learners who were devoted to the study of religion and philosophy. 2. **Heraclitus-** (535 BCE to 475 BCE)- He proposed that everything that exist is based on a higher order or plan which he called **LOGOS**. Change is a permanent aspect of the human condition as he was credited with the saying \"*no man steps in the same river twice.\"* 3. **Democritus** (460 BCE to 370 BCE)- He devoted himself to the study of the causes of natural phenomena. He was among the first to propose that matter is composed of tiny particles called **ATOMS.** 4. **Diogenes of Sinope** (412 BCE to 323 BCE) 1. He was known advocate of living a simple and virtuous life. 2. One should not talk of virtue but should show it in words and actions 3. Emphasis on austerity and simplicity often went to the extreme and he was said to have live like a beggar. 4. Vocal critic of well-known philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle 5. His teachings and views such as **Cynicism** (life should be lived naturally;no order/law) and **Stoicism** (living virtuously according to the law) were developed by his followers and influenced the development of several schools. 6. **Epicurus** (341 BCE to 270 BCE)- he believed that philosophy could enable a man to live a **life of happiness.** - *[Epicureanism]*- a school of philosophy \'which believes that wisdom and simple living will result in a life free of fear and pain. 7. **Socrates** (470 BCE to 399 BCE) foremost philosopher of ancient times. He believed that philosophy could enable a man to live a life of virtue. - *[Socratic Method]*-means of examining a topic by devising a series of questions that let the learner examine and analyze his knowledge and views regarding the topic. - **Theory of Forms** proposes that everything that exists is based on an idea or template that can only be perceived in the mind; these nonphysical; ideas are eternal and unchanging. - Focused his studies on the ideal society and proposed an ideal model of government and society which is ruled by wisdom and reason. - **Dialectic**- method of inquiry where two opposing ideas are discussed to arrive at new knowledge. - **Academy**- an institution of higher learning which was the first of its kind in the Western World - *[Lyceum]*- an institution for popular education providing discussions, lectures, concerts, etc. a building for such activities. (initial capital letter) the gymnasium where Aristotle taught, in ancient Athens **WHY IS THERE A NEED TO PHILOSOPHIZE?** 1\. **SENSE OF WONDER**- Whenever we are confronted with an experience, we always wonder how it came about. Man\'s over bounding curiosity drives him to ask questions, some of which have no definite answers. *(PLATO)* 2\. **DOUBT**- rejecting or questioning established ideas. examining ideas and perspectives became the basis of critical thinking and analysis in the sciences. (*FRENCH PHILOSOPHER RENE DESCARTES)* 3\. **EXPERIENCE**-man is often confronted by experiences which challenge his ideas and frameworks. Jaspers called these experiences **limit situations**, and these are often accompanied by feelings of helplessness, anxiety, or dread. *(Swiss-German philosopher Karl Jaspers)* 4\. **LOVE FOR WISDOM**- He seeks to continue to question, to probe, and to discuss to get to the bottom of things. *(SOCRATES)* **APPROACHES IN PHILOSOPHY** ***1. A way of analyzing frameworks.*** - **Framework**- defined as way of thinking about the world and is composed of the views and beliefs of a person. - **Internal Questions**- questions that can be addressed using our own personal framework. - **External Questions**- that seek to question the very framework upon which people base their own beliefs and views. ***2. Examination of a particular area of knowledge***- The central principle in philosophy is examination and questioning, and this is often applied in the analysis of the frameworks of other areas or sciences. ***3. Is a distinct area of knowledge with its own goals, concerns, and ways of doing things*** - **Aesthetics-** The philosophy which deals with beauty and what makes things \"beautiful\" - **Logic**- is the branch of philosophy which deals with correct reasoning, - **Epistemology**- discusses the nature of knowledge and knowing - **Ethics-** is the branch which deals with moral questions and dilemmas, - **Political Philosophy** studies governments and deals with questions of justice, power and the rights and obligations of citizens - **Metaphysics** is a branch of philosophy which deals with questions regarding reality and existence - **Philosophy of the Human Person** 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.