HANDOUT_1A_PHILOSOPHY_DEFINITION_METHODS_IMPORTANCE_BRANCHES_2024-2025.pdf

Grade 11 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON AND VALUES EDUCATION HANDOUT 1A: PHILOSOPHY: DEFINITION, METHODS, IMPORTANCE, AND BRANCHES OVERVIEW: Intro...

Grade 11 INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON AND VALUES EDUCATION HANDOUT 1A: PHILOSOPHY: DEFINITION, METHODS, IMPORTANCE, AND BRANCHES OVERVIEW: Introduction I. Philosophy - definition II. method of philosophy III. importance of philosophy IV. major branches of philosophy V. philosophy of the school Key concepts: wonder, philo, sophia, wisdom, first causes, natural light of reason, rational, philosophical reflection, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, aesthetics, 1 INTRODUCTION Many ancient civilizations had a conception of the world and of human beings that might be called philosophical. However, ancient speculations did not develop as a respectable science until the 6th century B.C. The pioneers of Greek science – among them Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes – were also the first philosophers. They were profoundly interested in discovering the ultimate constitution and nature of the universe, but their approach diverged from other ancient thinkers. They preferred an objective, reasonable, and natural explanation, as opposed to a subjective, poetic, and mythical account of natural phenomena. Philosophy starts with wonder and questions. The philosopher in us comes alive when we notice something extraordinary in everyday things. As we begin senior high school, let us fill our minds and hearts with wonder and awe about the world we live in. This is the foundation of philosophy, after all. I. PHILOSOPHY - DEFINITION A. In its etymological definition, philosophy is love of wisdom. The word philosophy is derived from the Greek “philia”, meaning “love”, and “sophia", meaning “wisdom”. The literal definition of philosophy is therefore, “love of wisdom.” But what is wisdom? There are different senses of wisdom, just as Father Michael Moga proposes in his book, The Enduring Questions (2005). We shall mention three senses of wisdom from his list. 1. In western philosophy, wisdom, according to Aristotle, is the knowledge of the ultimate principle, causes, or reasons of things. Or simply put, it is the knowledge of things by their ultimate ‘whys.’ 2. Wisdom is the sense of the overall goal of human life. Wisdom is understood as the basic understanding of human life. The wise person knows the basic purpose of human life. Such a person knows what human life is “all about”. For example, the wise, Gautama Buddha, said the main purpose of life is happiness and the cause of unhappiness is desiring too much. Thus, in Buddhism simplicity is a way of life because through this one can achieve happiness. 3. Wisdom is living in tune with a greater reality. This kind of wisdom is particularly articulated by the philosophies of Hinduism, Taoism, and Confucianism. To be wise is to be sensitive to the greater realities which humans are part of and to be in tune or in harmony with them. For example, in Taoism, the greater reality is nature (called the “Tao”). Nature is absolute 2  (supreme or totality) and sacred, which everything else depends on. To respect and follow the inner workings of nature is the path to wisdom. B. As a concept, philosophy is a system of beliefs about reality. It is one's integrated view of the world. It includes an understanding of the nature of existence, human beings, and his/her role in the world. Philosophy offers a perspective or view of reality, both holistic and partial. When we say holistic perspective, philosophy considers the bigger picture of reality by taking into consideration various aspects of human knowledge or schools of thought. Let us have the example of freedom. In the holistic view, we can say that humans are free or striving to be free. From that principle, we can describe characteristics of a free human person. There are many aspects of freedom that need to be examined to have a broader understanding of freedom. In the partial view, it is seeing an aspect of freedom. If we look at freedom through the lens of existentialism (a school of thought), freedom is at the very core of being. Reality is devoid of meaning and it is only our freedom that gives meaning to our existence. C. As a process, philosophy is employed as a tool for inquiry. It is an engagement in the search for the meaning of life, its value, and relevance. Philosophy is a process of seeking truth and the meaning of existence. Philosophy is more of a quest and a journey to answer life’s questions. II. METHOD OF PHILOSOPHY A. To understand the method of philosophy, let us breakdown the meaning of the statement below: Philosophy is the science of all things by their first causes, to the extent that is attainable by the natural light of reason. 1. Philosophy is a science. This means that it is a branch of knowledge. The word, science, came from the Latin verb, scire which means to know. As a science, philosophy rejects hearsays, myths, and wishful thinking because its goal is knowledge. 2. Knowledge of what? Knowledge by their first causes. This entails understanding the ultimate causes or the “whys” or reasons of things which provides a comprehensive perspective of reality. 3. What is the method to find out these first causes? It is through the natural light of reason. This means that philosophy seeks the first causes 3  (whys/explanations) of things as far as they can be rationally established by the human mind unaided by divine revelation. Even Christian philosophy, which derives inspiration from theological issues, does not prove its conclusions by premises borrowed from sacred scriptures. The method, thus, of philosophy is through the rational exploration and explanation of the nature of things unaided by divine revelation. B. Even if the method of philosophy is through the natural light of reason, the philosophical method is not pure reasoning. The method employed in philosophy also includes contemplation combined with and confirmed by experience, observation, and introspection. 1. The commonly used method is philosophical reflection. To reflect philosophically is to think about an important question that does not have a definite or ready answer. It examines personal, social, and existential concerns. Some sample questions are: Why am I here? What is reality? Is there an afterlife? Questions like these do not have any conclusive answers. By engaging in philosophical reflection, we journey into the quest for truth: truth about our world, and the truth about ourselves. 2. Socrates said that philosophical reflection is important in the life of every person. His famous sayings, “know thyself” and “the unexamined life is not worth living” are to be understood this way. A life worth living is a life that examines what one thinks. An examination of beliefs or thoughts provides us with the opportunity to know ourselves better. We need to know ourselves because we make choices daily. The choices we make, in turn, create who we are. Philosophical reflection is indispensable because we do not realize what we truly believe in until we are challenged to defend it. III. IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY Studying and practicing philosophy have significant benefits in our modern digital world. A. Philosophy enhances problem-solving skills. In studying philosophy, one examines words, concepts, definitions, arguments, and difficulties. This is crucial in problem solving. Knowing the similarities and differences between viewpoints allows a person to synthesize a coherent picture of the situation and develop possible solutions. 4 B. Philosophy allows us to appreciate other disciplines or subjects. Philosophy is a gateway to understanding the meaning of studying other disciplines like mathematics, science, engineering, arts, sports, and many others. Philosophy challenges us to make sense of the reality around us. It investigates fundamental questions such as: What is knowledge? Do we have freedom? What is matter? Did we invent math, or did we discover math? Can we live eternally? What is the beginning of everything? Other disciplines are necessary in the quests for answers. It is a concerted effort to get a glimpse of what is true and real. In this regard, studying philosophy is essential in deepening our faith. The means to address difficult issues regarding the nature of God, the purpose of existence, the morality of actions are provided by philosophy. Also, we need to understand that the other disciplines have their birthplace in philosophy. David Chalmers, philosopher and cognitive scientist, suggests that philosophical inquiry is a precursor to the birth of more specialized disciplines. Before the creation of any new specific field, philosophical curiosity and probing usually comes first. C. Philosophy promotes a reflective spirit. Philosophy allows us to reflect on issues that society appears to overgeneralize. Sometimes, our fast-paced modern lifestyle prioritizes what is practical over what is right or moral. This is where philosophy invites us to pause and think. Is the government’s ayuda or financial aid program an effective and efficient way to help those in low-income communities? Is building more dikes the solution for our flooding? Does refraining from using plastic straws have a significant impact on the environment? Philosophy, therefore, does not only seek answers but also to question answers. Philosophy invites us also to pause and think about ourselves, not just on societal issues. Who am I? What is the purpose of my dream of being an engineer? What is happiness for me? What is happening to me? Simon Blackburn, a contemporary philosopher, said that reflection enables us to step back, to see our perspective on a situation as perhaps distorted or blind, at the very least to see if there is argument for preferring our ways, or whether it is just subjective. D. Philosophy teaches us humility. Reality is far larger than us. We cannot contain all the information and knowledge that this reality provides us. There will always be something mysterious in this universe. Philosophy teaches us to know our place in the universe and to realize how miniscule beings we are with miniscule lifespans. We cannot totally comprehend everything. But we can grasp something given the time we have. To gain a deeper understanding of things, we never stop pondering and asking questions. 5 IV. MAJOR BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY As an introductory course, we will consider the five generally regarded branches of philosophy. A. Metaphysics The word, metaphysics comes from two Greek words: meta (after or beyond) and phusis (nature). The word metaphysics was actually a title of the book of Aristotle. This title, however, was not exactly used by Aristotle. An editor gave this title to a collection of writings produced after Aristotle’s work, ‘The Physics.’ Hence the title, metaphysics, which literally means, after physics. This branch of philosophy is concerned with the study of reality or existence. This is regarded as the foundation of philosophy. Metaphysics is about the fundamental understanding of the world around us. Some topics discussed here are being, God, nature, causation, time, space, self, infinity, and many others. It asks the following questions: What is the nature of all that exists? Why is there being rather than nothing? What is real? Do things exist independently of our perception? What does it mean to be a conscious being? B. Epistemology The word, epistemology comes from two Greek words: episteme (knowledge) and logos (word, reason, discourse). This is the study of knowledge, its nature and condition. It is also concerned with the method of acquiring knowledge. It asks the questions, ‘How do we know?’, “What can I know?”. Some of its topics are truth, method, doubt, certainty, bias, and perception. C. Ethics The word, ethics comes from the Greek word, ethos (custom). When we speak of custom, we are dealing with how one acts or behaves in a particular way or in a particular context. This branch, thus, is the study of what is right and wrong. It is also concerned with standards of human behavior. It asks the questions, ‘Am I right?’, ‘What does it mean to live a good life? Is it acceptable to use evil means to accomplish good goals? Should we allow artificial intelligence to control crucial functions in schools, military, and government? Some of its topics are good, evil, virtue, purpose, and happiness. “Wonder is a feeling of a philosopher. And philosophy begins in wonder.” Plato 6 D. Logic The word, logic comes the Greek word logos (word, reason, discourse). Logic is the study of statements, arguments, claims, and principles to distinguish good reasoning from bad reasoning. As mentioned before, philosophy employs reasoning to explore a given question. Reasoning relies heavily on the truths of statements or claims. Through these statements, one can establish a conclusion. This careful validation of statements is what we call logic. Logic employs good thinking skills and the avoidance of fallacies. It asks the questions, ‘Is it a sound argument?’ or ‘Is the argument riddled with errors?’ E. Aesthetics The word, aesthetics, comes from the Greek word aisthetikos. (of sense perception). This is the study of the arts, beauty, and appreciation. It is focused on what is deemed beautiful or a work of art. It asks the questions, ‘what is art?’, ‘Are there objective standards of beauty? ‘Or is beauty in the eyes of the beholder?’ V. PHILOSOPHY OF MIRIAM COLLEGE A. After learning our definition, methods, and branches of philosophy, let us familiarize ourselves with the philosophy of our institution. It reads: Philosophy of Miriam College - Miriam College is a learning institution that fosters a climate of academic excellence and collegiality. It provides an empowering environment that sees the students as the center of the educational process. Dedicated to a holistic education for lifelong learning, Miriam College exposes students to diverse learning opportunities for intellectual engagement, social transformation, and nourishment of the spirit that is rooted in Miriam Spirituality. The school also prepares students for responsible leadership, while instilling social consciousness anchored on love of country and global awareness. MCHS Student Handbook 2022 page 6 B. Questions for Reflection: a. As seen above, philosophy is defined as a system of beliefs about reality. What are the things that Miriam College believes in or holds important? b. If students lived up to the philosophy of the school, how would you imagine or describe graduates of Miriam College? 7 References: A. Books: Sy, Dennis Ian B. and Allan Basas. Philosophy of the Human Person: An Introduction. Quezon City: Abiva Publishing House, 2018. Camilloza, Loreto, et al. Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, 2016. Buckingham, Will. The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained. Singapore: DK Publishing, 2011. John-Terry, Chris. For the Love of Wisdom: An Explanation of the Meaning and Purpose of Philosophy. Makati City: Saint Pauls Publications, 1996. Miriam College. 2022. MCHS Student Handbook. Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Moga, Michael D. The Enduring Questions. Makati City: Saint Pauls Publications, 2005. Songcayawon, Ph.D, Jesse R., et al. In Search of Meanings: A Textbook on Introduction to General Philosophy. Mandaluyong City: Books ATBP Publishing, 2014. B. Internet: Maden, Jack. “What is Philosophy? Definition, How it Works, and 4 Core Branches” accessed July 26, 2024. https://philosophybreak.com/what-is-philosophy-definition-4-core-branches/ Maden, Jack. “Why Is Philosophy Important Today, and How Can It Improve Your Life?” accessed July 26, 2024. https://philosophybreak.com/why-is-philosophy-important-today/ “Aesthetic” accessed July 17, 2023. https://www.etymonline.com/word/aesthetic. “Logic” accessed July 17, 2023. https://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_logic.html. “Compiled Notes on Philosophy of the Human Person” accessed August 09, 2022. https://sites.google.com/a/corpuzquitan.com/philosophy/. “Why Philosophy? Why now?” accessed July 26, 2024. https://www.plato-philosophy.org/wp- content/uploads/2016/06/plato-white-paper-why-philosophy-why-now.pdf “Why Study Philosophy?” accessed July 26, 2024. https://www.jmu.edu/philrel/why-study-philosophy/why- study-philosophy.shtml C. Images: “A woman standing in front of a body of water” accessed July 26, 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-ai-image/woman-standing-front-body- water_146319803.htm#fromView=search&page=3&position=28&uuid=c796dc6a-776f-4147-9c42- ac348b982355 Prepared by Jaime L. Villafuerte IV for Grade 11 Senior High School Students of MCHS 8