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Philosophy 2024 - 2025 Why Philosophize? LESSON 1: WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY  Wonder: Plato believed ph...

Philosophy 2024 - 2025 Why Philosophize? LESSON 1: WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY  Wonder: Plato believed philosophy stems from man's curiosity and wonder about the What is Philosophy? world.  Doubt: Descartes emphasized questioning established ideas, fostering critical thinking.  Philosophy means "love of wisdom" and  Experience: Jaspers highlighted that involves using reason to explore challenging situations drive us to fundamental causes, principles, and truths. philosophize and seek deeper  Early philosophers (Pythagoras, Socrates, understanding. Plato, Aristotle) contributed to various  Love for Wisdom: The search for truth is fields of knowledge and laid the endless, as Socrates believed, leading to foundations for both Western and Eastern continuous learning and self-examination philosophies. ("The unexamined life is not worth living").  Western philosophy became more systematic, while Eastern philosophy Characterizing Philosophy emphasized social relations and community.  Philosophy can be seen as an analysis of Notable Ancient Greek Philosophers frameworks, which are ways of thinking shaped by personal beliefs and views.  Pythagoras: Mathematician, famous for the  There are internal questions (using Pythagorean theorem. personal frameworks to address life  Heraclitus: Introduced the concept of logos problems) and external questions and change. (questioning the very frameworks  Democritus: Proposed the atomic theory of themselves). matter.  Philosophy involves examining knowledge  Diogenes of Sinope: Advocated simplicity areas like science, religion, education, and virtue. politics, and history, analyzing their fundamental principles and evolving ideas.  Epicurus: Promoted a life of happiness through wisdom and simplicity.  Socrates: Known for the Socratic Method (a Branches of Philosophy means of examining a topic by devising a series of question that let the learner examine and analyze his knowledge and  Aesthetics: Focuses on beauty. views regarding the topic) and his focus on  Logic: Concerned with correct reasoning. ethics and virtue.  Epistemology: Studies knowledge and  Plato: Built upon Socratic ideas, focused understanding. on ideal societies, and founded the  Ethics: Deals with moral questions. Academy. Theory of forms which  Political Philosophy: Explores justice, proposes that everything that exist is power, and rights. based on an idea.  Metaphysics: Examines reality and  Aristotle: A student of Plato, emphasized existence. sensory-based reality and made  Philosophy of the Human Person: contributions to various disciplines like Integrates different branches to understand logic and biology. For him, all ideas and the human condition. views are based on perception and our reality is based on what we can sense and Philosophical Approach perceive.  Philosophy 2024 - 2025  Philosophy is a reflective and meditative example, saying "my school is the best" is activity without a designated subject subjective and needs proof. matter, involving thought experiments and mental exercises to analyze human Philosophical Perspectives: Truth is often seen as observable and empirical in science, while experiences. philosophy offers diverse views, emphasizing belief  It integrates knowledge from other fields to and the critical examination of our assumptions. form a deeper understanding of reality. How do we know if something is true? Holistic vs. Partial Thinking The Role of Doubt: Philosophers use systematic  Holistic Thinking: Looks at the "big doubt to question beliefs and seek truth. This picture," considering large-scale patterns method encourages scrutinizing all claims and only accepting those supported by strong evidence. and overall impressions.  Partial Thinking: Focuses on specific To determine personal truths, one can ask aspects of a problem, often used in questions about their existence and experiences, analytical situations (e.g., doctors leading to conclusions based on introspection and diagnosing an illness by looking at evidence. symptoms).  While partial thinking is valuable, Various approaches to determining truth: philosophy typically emphasizes holistic thinking to understand complex human issues. Sensory Perception: While our senses can provide immediate evidence, they are not foolproof. They can be misleading or limited, so it's essential to Engaging in Reflection combine this with other methods. Facts and Definitions: Using dictionaries or  Reflection involves examining thoughts, established facts helps ground beliefs in objective feelings, and actions to learn from one's information. However, this approach depends on experiences. the accuracy of the sources and may not capture  It can be applied to any aspect of life, the full complexity of a concept. transforming even simple actions (like planning daily tasks or buying clothes) into Consensus: Gathering opinions or achieving agreement among a group can suggest a belief’s meaningful experiences through validity, but consensus alone doesn't equate to contemplation. truth. LESSON 2: METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING Practical Proof: Actions can validate claims. Demonstrating a skill, like playing basketball or cooking, requires not just claiming to possess the Philosophy seeks to determine truth, which is ability but also proving it through performance. central to all inquiries. It examines the nature of The outcome (e.g., successfully shooting a knowledge and how we come to know things. basketball) becomes essential evidence. Testing Claims: Philosophers advocate for What is truth and why is it important? subjecting beliefs to testing. This means that claims should not only be stated but also demonstrated and validated through actions and Knowledge Defined: Knowledge is the awareness results. and understanding derived from questions and facts. It is based on observable reality, meaning it To arrive at a more comprehensive understanding reflects what can be seen or verified. of truth, it's necessary to integrate these various methods. Each approach has its strengths and Truth vs. Claims: Truthful statements are limitations, and together they can provide a clearer grounded in facts, whereas claims may require picture. further examination to determine their validity. For  Philosophy 2024 - 2025 · Appeal to Tradition: Claims something is true How can philosophy guide us in because it has always been accepted. distinguishing truth from opinion? · Begging the Question: Assumes the conclusion within the premise (circular reasoning). Truth can be verified through facts and · Cause-and-Effect Fallacy: Mistakes correlation experiences, while opinion goes beyond mere facts for causation between unrelated events. to include personal beliefs and conclusions. · Fallacy of Composition: Assumes what is true for the part is true for the whole. Facts: Statements that can be observed as real or · Fallacy of Division: Assumes what is true for true. the whole is true for its parts. Claims: Statements requiring further examination to establish their truth. Bias Opinions: Comprise statements that provide facts, Bias: Opinions are often shaped by personal biases; conclusions, or perspectives and may include awareness of these biases is crucial for critical beliefs and explanations. examination. Beliefs are convictions that may not be easily Common Biases: substantiated by facts, such as spiritual or existential claims.  Correspondence Bias (Attribution Effect): Judging someone's character based solely Explanations are statements that assume the claim to be true and provide reasons to why the on their actions without considering statement is true. external factors. Example: "These soldiers who fought in the Logic, as a branch of philosophy, critically war are all bloodthirsty murderers!" analyzes arguments to discern their validity. It  Confirmation Bias: Seeking and accepting emphasizes the importance of sound reasoning in information that aligns with existing beliefs discussions, as poorly constructed arguments can while rejecting opposing views. lead to misinformation. Example: "How can I accept his view that there is no God? I am a Christian!" When engaging with arguments, it's crucial to apply critical thinking. Not all arguments are  Framing: Highlighting certain aspects of an equally valid, and some may be manipulative or issue while ignoring others, which can misleading. A careful analysis helps ensure distort understanding. informed judgments. Example: "Investigators are currently focusing on the possibility of pilot error." Arguments: A series of statements that aim to  Hindsight Bias: Viewing past events as persuade others of a claim’s truth. predictable or attributing a pattern to them. Example: "Magellan's assault on Mactan Fallacies Island was a foolhardy venture."  Conflict of Interest: A person's vested interest in the topic may bias their opinion. Fallacies: Some arguments contain faulty reasoning, which can undermine their validity. Example: "As the daughter of the accused, I believe I have the right to express my · Ad Hominem: Attacks the person rather than opinion on his alleged corrupt practices." the argument.  Cultural Bias: Evaluating issues based on · Appeal to Force: Uses threats to persuade one's own cultural standards. acceptance. Example: "I do not agree with this Western · Appeal to Emotion: Manipulates feelings practice of placing aged parents in instead of presenting facts. retirement homes." · Appeal to Popularity: Assumes something is true because many people believe it. LESSON 3: THE HUMAN PERSON AS AN  Philosophy 2024 - 2025  The ability to make choices and decisions EMBODIED SPIRIT based on personal preferences.  Involves monitoring actions and being goal- Terminology: oriented.  Free will plays a crucial role, allowing  Man: General term for the human race individuals to choose their actions and (humanity, mankind, humankind). recognize themselves as the source of those  Human: Refers to Homo sapiens, actions. distinguishing humans as a species.  Human Being: Differentiates humans from Free will other animals.  Person: A complex term signifying an  Is the capacity to choose a course of individual recognized with rights, dignity, action from various alternatives. and self-awareness.  Personhood: The state of being recognized Consequences: as a person.  Every action has consequences; understanding this relationship is vital for What is the human person? moral reasoning.  A person is aware that their actions lead to Human Characteristics: Traits like thinking, outcomes, highlighting the importance of feeling, and acting are essential to humanity and personal responsibility. define human nature, independent of cultural influences. Morality: Distinction from Other Beings:  Actions are evaluated based on their  Humans share some physical attributes goodness or badness, guiding ethical with animals (like dogs), but living decision-making. attributes alone do not define personhood.  Deeper capabilities and traits, such as self- Externality awareness and moral reasoning, set humans apart.  The capability to reach out and interact with others and the word Traits that make a human a distinct Dignity: individual person  Every person possesses inherent worth, Self-Awareness: which is priceless and irreplaceable.  Human value cannot be quantified or  Defined as a clear perception of one’s compared like material objects; each thoughts, emotions, identity, and actions. individual is unique.  It involves recognizing oneself as an active  Diminishing someone's worth (e.g., participant in life, akin to being the star of assigning a price) undermines their dignity, one’s own story. emphasizing the importance of respecting  Promotes interiority, allowing for creativity, all individuals. imagination, and personal goal-setting. Rationality A human person has self-awareness, self-  A deeper awareness driven by human determination, the ability to interact with others thought “externality”, and dignity. Self-Determination:  Philosophy 2024 - 2025  Physical acts convey deeper emotional What is in our human nature that enables us messages (e.g., holding hands as an to become persons? expression of love).  Interactions often carry significant Beyond the Physical: emotional weight depending on the relationship (e.g., a smile from a crush  A person’s identity cannot be reduced to versus a stranger). their physical body; experiences and characteristics extend beyond physical Unique Human Relationships: traits. Embodiment enables unique connections with Identity and Physical Changes: the world, defining human experience and relationships.  Losing physical abilities (e.g., limbs) does not diminish a person’s identity or worth; How does my human nature enable me to personhood is not solely based on physical explore my limits? capabilities. Intangible Elements: Humans have biological deficiencies compared to other beings (e.g., inability to fly, breathe  Alongside the body, the spirit is a crucial underwater). Limited physical attributes in aspect that defines a person, encompassing strength, speed, and sensory capabilities. thought, awareness, and the ability to connect with others. Transcendence:  This spirit allows for deeper understanding,  The ability to surpass physical limitations creativity, and interpersonal relationships. through intellect and imagination.  Humans can create tools and technologies (e.g., airplanes, scuba gear) to extend How are the body and spirit related? capabilities beyond natural limits.  Imagination and Reflection: Union of Body and Spirit: Limitations of a Human spirit as an  The human person is defined as an Embodied Spirit "embodied spirit," meaning body and spirit are integrated and inseparable.  Both aspects affect each other, influencing Human existence is an embodied existence. experiences in both the physical and Embodiment refers to the biological and physical spiritual realms. presence of our body Mediator Role: Limitations  The body serves as a mediator between the Facticity material and spiritual worlds, allowing for According to french philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, intimate relationships with others and it refer to the things in our lives that are already objects. given.  Objects can hold personal significance, tied to memories and emotions (e.g., a Spatial-Temporal Being meaningful gift). We are subjected to the law or physical laws of the universe, we are restricted by our spatial nature, Communication Beyond Words: We are set to be at one place at a time. Body as intermediary  Philosophy 2024 - 2025 We experienced the world as our own and it not  Values ecosystems and biological communities, the world of others. Our experience body limits our viewing humans as part of a larger ecological experience of the world of our own. system.  Advocates for stewardship of nature, emphasizing the importance of balance and LESSON 4: THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE order in the environment. ENVIRONMENT  Philosophies like "Deep Ecology" and the "Gaia Hypothesis" highlight the interdependence of How does philosophy define the person’s living and non-living components in relationship with the environment? ecosystems. Environmentalism: Environmental Philosophy Branch of philosophy that is concerned with  Advocates for action to address natural environment and humanity’s place in it. environmental problems caused by human activities. Environmental Ethics - This is a moral 'approach  Interconnected with environmental ethics, that analyzes the relationship between humans which analyzes human-environment and the environment. It also discusses relationships. environmental problems caused by human activities and social issues that impact the Sustainability: environment.  Emphasizes wise and efficient use of Environmental Aesthetics - Enviromental natural resources. aesthetics is one philosophical view that believes  Aims to preserve the environment for future maintaining order in the environment will bring generations without causing undue harm. out the natural beauty of the surroundings and contribute to the well-being of the people and other Three Principles of Sustainability: organisms living in it.  Environmental Integrity: Protecting Major philosophical views ecosystems and human communities from significant disruption. Anthropocentrism:  Economic Efficiency: Making prudent decisions to minimize waste in resource use.  Views humans as the most significant species,  Equity: Ensuring that natural resources seeing nature primarily as a resource for are conserved for future generations. human needs and survival.  Emphasizes human dominance and the right Promotes values of prudence (regulating actions) to transform the environment for development and frugality (being thrifty). (e.g., construction, agriculture, logging, mining). Biocentrism:  Recognizes that all living organisms have inherent value and deserve protection.  Advocates for the ethical treatment of animals and promotes laws like the Animal Welfare Act to ensure their rights. Ecocentrism: