Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person PDF
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This document introduces the history of philosophy, from ancient Greek thinkers like Thales and Socrates to modern philosophers like Rene Descartes. It covers core branches of philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, and logic. The document summarizes some of the most important philosophical theories and figures in the history of Western thought.
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INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON SY: 2024-2025 1ST SEMESTER LESSON 1: THE MEANING AND METHOD OF DOING PHILOSOPHY The Nature of Philosophy PHILOSOPHY Etymologically, th...
INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON SY: 2024-2025 1ST SEMESTER LESSON 1: THE MEANING AND METHOD OF DOING PHILOSOPHY The Nature of Philosophy PHILOSOPHY Etymologically, the term philosophy came from two Greek words:Philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom) Philosophy means “Love of Wisdom Study or discipline that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles that govern all things. Core Branches of Philosophy METAPHYSICS The study of the nature of reality and existence. Explores the fundamental nature of reality and being. EPISTEMOLOGY Explores the nature and limitations of knowledge The investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion. ETHICS A system of moral principles or rules that say what is and is not acceptable. Deals with moral questions and dilemmas. AESTHETICS Deals with the nature and appreciation of art, beauty, and good taste. LOGIC Deals with correct reasoning. THE BEGINNINGS OF DOING PHILOSOPHY People who are engaged in Philosophy are called philosophers or “lovers of wisdom.” Ancient Greece is the birthplace of Philosophy in the West. THALES OF MILETUS 624 BCE to 546 BCE First philosopher in the West. Founder of the philosophy that all of Nature had developed from one source (One in the Many). For Thales, the underlying substance that reality is made of must be PYTHAGORAS 570 BCE to 495 BCE Mathematician and a scientist. Credited with formulating the Pythagorean Theorem. He was the first to use the term philosophy. Believed that the primary constituent of reality would be numbers, anything could be explained through numbers. HERACLITUS 535 BCE to 475 BCE Everything that exists is based on a higher order or plan which he called logos. He believes that the only permanent in this world is change. “No man ever steps on the same river twice.” He believed that fire is the first principle. DEMOCRITUS 460 BCE TO 370 BCE 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. DIOGENES OF SINOPE 460 BCE TO 370 BCE Advocate of living a simple and virtuous life. His teachings and views were later developed by his followers and influenced the development of several schools of philosophy such as Cynicism and Stoicism EPICURUS 341 BCE TO 270 BCE Believed that philosophy could enable man to live a life of happiness. PHILOSOPHY TOOK ITS GREATEST FLIGHT DURING THE TIME OF THE THREE GREEK TRIUMVIRATE SOCRATES 470 BCE TO 399 BCE Father of Western Philosophy. One of the greatest philosophers who wrote nothing. Credited with formulating the Socratic Method. Socratic method A 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. Elenchus - the logical refutation of an argument. The goal of the facilitator is to refute an argument to elicit the truth. PLATO 427 BCE TO 347 BCE Student of Socrates Theory of Forms - everything that exists is based on an idea or template that can only be perceived in the mind He is also known for his dialectic. Dialectic - method pf inquiry where two opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt to arrive at a new knowledge. He founded the ACADEMY. ARISTOTLE 384 BCE TO 322 BCE Attended the academy. For him, our reality is based on what we can sense and perceive. Father of Logic - first to formalize a system of reasoning MODERN PHILOSOPHY RENE DESCARTES 1596 - 1650 The Father of Modern Philosophy. The famous quotation of Rene Descartes about truth. Cogito ergo sum “I think, therefore I am.” The full version of it was “Dubito ergo cogito, cogito ergo sum" which translates to “I doubt therefore I think, I think therefore I exist.” A way of searching a certainty by systematically doubting everything. The great ideas that these philosophers have contributed to the development of human knowledge. Philosophy enables every person who pursues it to think outside of the customary and challenges the reason for any law imposed by his/her society.
