Introduction To The Philosophy Of The Human Person PDF

INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON COURSE MATERIAL NO. 2 Image Source: Made from canva.com 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 1| P a g e  WHAT WILL...

INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON COURSE MATERIAL NO. 2 Image Source: Made from canva.com 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 1| P a g e  WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? This module has been designed to help you: Examine the concept and complexity of truthand how it can be derived Emphasize the capacity of reasoning and consciousness to bean instrument of making sense of one’s everyday life. Situates the holistic perspective of philosophical reasoning in the context of the region, the nation, and the world Image Source: https://www.vpr.org/sites/vpr/files/styles/x_large/public/201804/thinker-illustration-istock-Jakarin2521.jpg METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 2| P a g e  WHAT’S INSIDE THIS MODULE? Methods of Philosophizing ▪ Focus Questions 3 ▪ Methods of Philosophizing 3 “What is truth?” – Pontius Pilate to Jesus Christ ▪ An Exercise of Truth-Making 4 Previously, we discussed that Philosophy is the “love of ▪ Learning Activity 1 6 wisdom”. We were introduced of philosophical reflection, ▪ Doxa and Episteme 7 truth, knowledge. We also had a glimpse of how philosophy was perceived through time. In this course ▪ Learning Activity 2 10 material, we will tackle about the topic of truth, reality ▪ Questions of Truth and and how was it perceived by the most prominent school of thoughts in philosophy. Opinion 11 ▪ Learning Output 15 For the longest time we humans, has always been in the ▪ Summary and Key terms 16 quest for truth. Using our everyday queries, we try to make sense of our surroundings and reality. This is partof ▪ References 17 our philosophical activity as human. Since we are considered rational, we make use of our faculty to have deeper understanding phenomenon. Nonetheless we are not completely safe from deception and confusion. FOCUS QUESTIONS As we age, we broaden our knowledge of the things that we see around us. We constantly engage with truth-making as What is the use of philosophy in we encounter different ideas and opinion. And so, we take everyday life? responsibility in verifying each claim of reality and knowledge. We engage in developing meaning. It takes How is knowledge different from philosophical reflection to enable us to see through the opinions? things that we do and see the person that we become because of what we do. How can we verify an opinion to be true? 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 3| P a g e \ I. An Exercise of Truth Making Philosophical reflections A. Reality as Phenomenon always examine What is reality? Are the things we see, touch, hear or smell our reality…phenomenon. reality? How about the things that can’t be perceived by the fivesenses? Are those reality too? These are some of the philosophical reflections of a reflective mind. Say for example when we try to define “love”. Looking at the dictionary, we can find its definition as “intense feeling of deep affection”. However, would you agree that this How do I best define definition encompasses the entirety of the phenomenon of love/hate/embarrassment/longing? love? You probably had your own definition of love yourself. You probably believe that love can be something more than the offered definition. Then how about if we define hate, god or death. Looking at the scientific definition of these phenomenon, it seems to be somehow inadequate. Now, here where philosophical reflection can make add upto a Phenomenon is investigated by greater insight. One distinct difference of philosophy and science is their method of deriving truth. Unlike science, which narrows its analysis in order to develop conclusion and understanding, philosophy broadens its analysis to uncover wisdom and EMPIRICISM AND RATIONALISM Going back to the example, the way we personally come up philosophical reflection which the with the understanding of love is rooted upon our personal world is constituted as lived, experience of the said phenomenon. It will also beinfluenced experienced, thought of, and by what we see in our environment: may it be media or the understood. It is studied by values imparted to us by our family or friends. This is truth- examining it in relation of another making. phenomenon. Immanuel Kant discussed that our truth is based on how we In truth-making we use empiricismto perceived something through our five basic senses. These are see things-as-they-appear-to-us. On the other hand, how we process the data in things ‘as-they-appear-to-us’: in a ‘empirical’ manner. our mind is the process ofrationalism. Furthermore, how we process it in our mind, is our process of ‘rationalism’ to understand the phenomenon. 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 4| P a g e  Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804) B. Seeing the World in a Wider Perspective Immanuel Let’s try talking about the phenomenon of the internet. Living in Kant the time of the digital era, it seems like knowledge is literally one- isa German philosopher click away. We can boldly say that there is no excuse to be known for ignorant. The search portals and social media has become a flood his way of data and information. However, this vastness of information contributions doesn’t necessarily equate that we, humans will automatically be in more knowledgeable or wise. Furthermore, it doesn’t necessarily epistemology, better us as mankind. Why? Image Source: ethics, metaphysics http://www.philosophicallibrary. com/wp- and logic which content/uploads/2015/08/img- kantportrait_145957933241.jpg The internet called for the democratization of information. And the staysrelevant up to today. sense of liberty the sense of liberty of knowledge that it brought to His contributions and his stand in human has been very beneficial. In contrast misinformation has also regards of the empiricist and arise in this ‘democratization’. As truth and facts become readily rationalist debate- ‘the synthetic available, so is the widespread of lies and misinformation. And priori knowledge’. sometimes it led to the misuse of data. As modes of learning has also Unlike his predecessor Plato, he shifted, plagiarism and instant gratification are being much more thought that noumena (things as apparent. Being instant and quick can be an asset, yet our physical they really are) is not accessible tous. world often requires more time, involvement and simulation. We can only know phenomenon as they appear to us. Another good example is the “selfie”. Selfie is part of the social media culture wherein millions of statuses and photos is shared all around the world every second of every day. This culture eventually re-defined the meaning of keeping in touch or connecting without fellow humans. ‘Quality’ was defeated quantity being posted. Internet has its own share of pros and cons. Moreover, there will always be gaps, awaiting to be filled by the human mind. Humanity requires a sense of “all-togetherness”. We have the field of science, arts, religion, sociology or philosophy. This something that is not readily handed to us by the internet. Yet these components of our humanity will be the filler to the gap mentioned 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 5| P a g e  It takes philosophical reflection to enable us to see beyond what we initially perceive and better ourselves. From this conscious realization we can decide to continue or divert from the path that we are taking. Fads and popularity will not entirely sway us in our choices of what is good for us. We can have a sound and conscious In the late, 1960s, decision that will hopefully bring us happiness. We can know the first workable prototype of the ourselves better when we philosophize. Internet was used with the creation of “ARPANET”, or the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. It was primarily funded by the U.S. Department ofDefense, ARPANET LEARNING ACTIVITY used packet switching to allow multiple computers to communicate on a single network. (Source: History.com) Directions: Prepare a list of things that you do, be it a hobby or a committed activity, and start reflecting seriously on what makes that thing that you do worth doing. Activity Reflection Example: eating Nourishment is important to a good life; health is breakfast wealth, as some people say. Image Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/db2ahycZq HBVWsrP7 GREAT WORK! 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 6| P a g e  II. Journey to Truth: Doxa and Episteme Something that appears to Try to recall an instance where you have been deceived. How did be true is not always true. yourealize that its deception? How did you find out the truth? What hasthat experience thought you? One facet of determining of truth and deception is that there is a clear line of distinction between knowledge and opinion. Every time we interact with different people, we encounter different claims of truth. This sometimes causes confusion. On this part we will attempt to figure out how we journey towards truth. There is different truth presented to us every day. Whether it be Image source: from the media, the classroom, the churches the streets, etc. These https://businessmirror.com.ph/wp- content/uploads/2017/10/oped01-100217.jpg claims needed to be filtered from the truth to the false, the illusion from the real. Philosophers like Plato has devoted most of their time setting apart the mere appearance to reality. Episteme or knowledge and doxa or opinion doesn’t equate to one Episteme - knowledge in another. This is an important thought in philosophy that Greek epistemology, a branch of philosophy dwells entirely. Doxa – opinion in Greek Diversity entails that there is variation of beliefs or opinion arising Epistemology – a branchof from different cultures, society etc. If this is the case then,what’s philosophy dedicated into the point of claiming one universal truth? Verifying and justifying the study of knowledgeand becomes unnecessary because everyone has their own claim. When the problems that revolves claiming a belief to be true, rational justification andverification is around it. required. Gut-feel, hearsays and opinions will never be enough to confirm something as reality or true. We humans are rational beings. This means that we are capable and responsible for our thought process and its corresponding actions. We don’t just merely accept what is being presented but we rationalize. A. Ancient Roots Human beings discover, unveil and seeks truth. Since the beginning of philosophy, we recognize truth to not be readily accessible to human beings. Our ancient ancestors see truth to be something that is only readily accessible to the gods. 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 7| P a g e  Gods are seen to be the source of supreme intelligence and possessor of all truths. And so, man relies on their rationalcapacity as a tool in its endeavor of truth. SYLLOGISM - a deductive argumentof a Philosophers from the ancient time like Plato has been recognized certain form where a conclusion is as one of the earliest minds who tries to differentiate opinion and inferred from two premises. knowledge. He identifies that knowledge is certain andopinion are those which are uncertain. Relying on opinion and basing PREMISE - serve as an explanation as to why the conclusion is valid or everything on appearances and not reality leads us to ignorance. acceptable. The quest of seeing things as they really are and not be fooled by illusion has been a prevalent challenge to us humans. According to Plato our intellect will enable us surpass appearances and see truth. Rene Descartes Influenced by his predecessor, Socrates, Plato started with his ( 1596–1650) opinion undergoing constant questioning and dialectics until Rene Descartes is a implications are drawn. French philosopher, scientist and Aristotle on the other hand, developed syllogism. Wherein, starting mathematician who is Image Source: https://plato.stanfor known to be the with premises, valid arguments will be inferred. According to him, d.edu/entries/descar tes/ “Father of Modern valid syllogism is proof or demonstration of truth. For example: Philosophy” “Socrates is mortal” (claim); All me are mortal and Socrates is a man (premise). His writings in the Meditations on First Philosophy (1641), where his famous, ”cogito ergo sum” (I think therefore I B. Modern Legacy exist) is to be found, is one of his famous legacy. “Some years ago, I was struck by the large number of falsehoods that I had accepted as true in my childhood, and by the highly doubtful nature of the whole edifice that I had subsequently based on them. I realized that it was necessary, once in the courseof my life, to demolish everything completely and start again right from the foundations if I wanted to establish anything at all” (Source: https://www.iup.edu/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=177744) Image source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/89/9c/63/899c63ef36b595322054b54c This is a translated excerpt from Rene Descartes’ First Meditation. 84c01b12.jpg In here, he reflected how statements that are false, doubtful or uncertain, cannot be used as the basis for knowledge.In this mediation Descartes gives emphasis to doubt. When he said. “Demolish everything completely”, he literally scrutinized every belief in which he could imagine the least doubt as though he knew that it was absolutely false. This left him with ideas that are clear and certain, that no one can rationally doubt or reject it. For example, he thought that “he exists” because he is thinking and doubting. And that will only be possible if he exists. 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 8| P a g e  This clear and distinct ideas are the only things that can become the foundation of all knowledge. Using “doubt” he had a medium of distinguishing opinion from knowledge. Opinions arethose that can be doubted. They lack clarity and dubious. Knowledge on the other hand, is indubitable and thus certain. “statements that are false, doubtful or uncertain, cannot be used as the basis C. Contemporary Period for knowledge” In the contemporary period postmodernism prevailed. Postmodernism deny any of the prominent viewpoints held bytheir predecessors (view points from 16th – mid-20th century) regarding reality, truth, knowledge, human nature, and language. For postmodernist objective reality is nothing but a conceptual construct. This view argues that: Jacques Derrida (1930-2004) There are many truths… there is no absolute truth. Derrida is French Reason, logic and science has come to oppress truth writer and Philosophy. His most famous work Truth is dictated by power Human nature is socially determined https://www.philos is, “Of Grammatology” These claims are included to the deconstructionism view point,which ophybasics.com/ph (1967). otos/derrida.jpg Jacques Derrida developed during the late 1960s. This Deconstructionism is attributed to challenged the traditional notions in philosophy. Say for example, him. This school of thought is a Plato established that to find essence is to find knowledge. In contrast reaction to the thought of Derrida argued that non-essential elements or appearance is the basis structuralism. of everything that can be spoken or written. Compared with modern legacy, Derrida’s approach is somehow similar to Descartes in a way Postmodernism – views reality as nothing but a conceptual construct. that it aimson destruction of his beliefs to construct a new knowledge. He just utilized it more on textual criticism. Deconstructionism – challenges traditional views in philosophy by One underlying matter regards to postmodernism is a more looking at structures of language to democratic society where knowledge is not held by those in power open up to limitless interpretation and authority. Wherein the access to knowledge is notonly by the privileged few. It is noteworthy that relativism (opposite of absolute truth), without much thought can be dangerous. The idea that, “what is true for you, may not be true for me”, loses the opportunity for discussion since everyone can interpret everything differently. 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 9| P a g e  LEARNING ACTIVITY A. Directions: Draw if the statement is correct and if the statement is false. 1. These are things ‘as-they-appear-to-us’ in a ‘empirical’ manner. (Image Source: http://www.taazatadka.com) 2. Renes Descartes’s famous legacy was “cognito ergo sum” What is the number on the floor? 3. Syllogism is a deductive argument of a certain form where a conclusion is inferred from two premises. _________ 4. Demise serves as an explanation as to why the conclusion is valid or acceptable. 5. Deconstructionism is attributed to Jaques Derida. B. Direction: Explain this statement: “Statements that are false, doubtful or uncertain, cannot be used as the basis for knowledge”. Image Source: Made from canva.com GOAL CHECK You are doing well. Keep it up! Have you observed the flow of how truth and reality was observed by different philosophersfrom each succeeding era? Whichamong them do you agree the most? Image Source: Made from canva.com 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 10| P a g e III. Question of Truth and Opinion In this part we will now focus on different methods and techniques used by philosophers to test truth claims. All claims must be verified. A. Correspondence Theory Traced back to Plato and Aristotle, correspondence theory believed that true propositions are those that correspond with reality. Say for example, it is true that someone is your friend if that someone is really a friend to you. So, if he/she betrays you, then your claim will be false. This theory appears very basic and simple to many, but this philosophy will serve as good starting point. Image Source: https://appadvice.com/app/the-solar- B. Linguistic Turn system-solar-view/1456528733 A lot of philosophers turned to language in resolving problems in epistemological queries. Thus, their introduction of the context principle which imposed that the meaning of a word heavily relies upon the context. They also highlighted essence in the use of sense and reference in language and understanding meaning. Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) Sense – understood as meaning. Russel is philosopher, Connotation or intention of logic. Derived in historian, mathematician, Image source: and logician who is known the context itself provides. https://pbs.twimg.com/pr ofile_images/6112845054 08708610/6YEtFTgu.jpg pg as the founder of analytical Reference – what is referred to or the philosophy denotation. The things we point to by name. Language gives us leverage to take about the same Context Principle – It is only in the context of a sentence that a word has ameaning (Dummett, things yet disagree because we might have different 1993) meaning upon it. Say for example, we can refer to the solar system but mean something different each time 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 11| P a g e we use it as a subject in a sentence. One can say that, “the solar system 4 billion years old” or “The solar is in existence for billions of years”. Both have very similar meaning yet the senses seem to differ. It just goes to show that we talk about things in different way and so Language-Games – aside from the the challenge is to analyze the statements in order to usual meaning we attached to understand what is claimed. This also proves the words, there are also various ways importance of context in understanding themeaning of we use them and so to understandmeaning people must something. be playing the same “game”. Some philosophers made use of mathematical logic to Phenomenology – a philosophical derived a more expansive understanding towards theory which believes that the language. Thus, the meaning of any given sentence essence of every object can be thought of, investigated, and must be taken from the meaning of its part since the understood more than the usual entire sentence provides the context. way of understanding it. This analysis in language expands the direction of a philosophical discussion. Philosophers who consider themselves as logical positivist use verification principle. They argue that meaningful claims are only those that can be verified as true or false. And so according to this “Meaningful claims are only philosophers, queries of metaphysics (branch of philosophy concerning about the nature of reality) those that can be verified astrue seem to be meaningless because they can’t be verified. or false.” Another philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein provides another insight as he introduced language-games. This is from the premise that the meaning of language is something to be found in the way it was use. He Edmund Husserl (1885 - 1938) observed that aside from the usual meaning we A German attached to words, there are also various ways we use philosopherwho is them in language: figuratively or metaphorically. For attributed to be the Wittgenstein to understand meaning, people must be founder of the playing the same “game”. phenomenological Image source: movement https://citatis.com/a744/ In 1913 his published work, “A General Introduction to Pure Phenomenology”, set motion to a new school of thought that has influenced many until today. 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 12| P a g e C. Phenomenology and Existentialism “Consciousness is consciousness of something”. The approach of phenomenology lies on this premise. We can translate this as, if you are thinking of something you are involved in it. When I say a flower, you will have a thought about a flower. “Consciousness is So, can we infer that there is no objectivity in this consciousness of something” manner since we can’t detach ourselves from what we are observing? Phenomenology emphasizes that we should not be too entrapped with the parts only but also the whole. And so, this approach pursues on trying to make us see very phenomenon or object in a true and purified meanings Going back to Descartes thoughts earlier, the most “An objective claim is a statement about a important things about existence is to give importanceto factual matter-one that can be proved true or the things that your mind perceives because it proves false... A subjective claim, on the other hand,is our existence. Edmund Husserl follows this line of an expression of belief, opinion, orpersonal thinking, saying that there “intellectual sediment” that preference.” remain on one’s mind unchanged which form a kind of (Source: butte.edu, 2019) constitution that makes you understand the objects that you want to perceive. “Back to the things themselves”, is a motto employed to phenomenology. As we become to be accustomed Jean-Paul Sartre of the things around us, we do not investigate any (1905-1980) more its essence. However, as a philosopher, we A French novelist, playwright and should learn to reflect upon ourselves and ask, “what foremost existentialist am I witnessing?” Probably the first answers that we philosopher. For his work focused on have are the things that we are accustomed to believe Image source: https://cdn.citatis.com/i freedom and in, but as we reflect deeper, we can discover m g/a/3/8483.v3.jpg responsibility, he was awarded the Nobel something more from the phenomenon. Prize for Literature 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 13| P a g e Phenomenology invites us to think. Let’s take a look at the two cognitive attitudes that we usually employ: 1. Natural Attitude – when we are comfortable with the things that we already know. 2. Transcendental Attitude – when we direct our consciousness to investigate the essence of a phenomenon Image source: https://images.app.goo.gl/efPYnbxztRnmUgjt9 Both of these are used in understanding that there is something more to what we see and know. This effort of uncovering will lead us to arrive to the truth of every phenomenon, or simply put, in every experience of objects (physical or mental) because we are subjects (conscious human beings) ourselves. Husserl idea in phenomenology also gives rise to the taught that everyone can know the truth themselves. If they want to, anyone can be a phenomenologist. So how would we integrate existentialism to phenomenology? Existentialism was pioneered by the revered philosopher, Jean Paul Sartre. Existential Phenomenology, is designed to make us see what every existing thing means to Image source: someone who experience it by thorough reflection. In https://images.app.goo.gl/tDg3y4BuckaVrKrS7 this manner, Sartre argued that “existence precedes essence”. He mentioned that while being to engrossed with finding the truth often time, we forget to engaged with the truth itself. Say for example, ’Can a fish understand how it can be a fish if it left the water”. In existentialism the main emphasis is that only the person could actually create meaning which he/she is GOAL CHECK responsible of. The existential phenomenology approach entails, “subjectivity” because in existentialism, we create To know more about phenomenology, meaning for our own self, which may vary with others. here’s a good read ◆ v : This approach in philosophy makes us appreciate the https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/phenomenology/ myriad of meanings that most people attribute to their experience daily. 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 14| P a g e  LEARNING OUTPUT Philosophical Dialogues List down 5 statements and identify whether the statement is doxa (opinion/belief) or episteme (true knowledge). Provide explanations that support your answer. I STATEMENT DOXA EPISTEME Philippines is one of the According to Oxford’s Research, happiest countries in the Philippines is 53rd happiest country word. in the world. 10 7 5 Content All of the following were Most of the following were Only few of the following were included and expounded included in the essay: (Titleof included in the essay: well in the essay (Title of the the essay, Discussion of the (Title of the essay, Discussionof essay, Discussion of the chosen aspect of life, the chosen aspect of life, chosen aspect of life, Personal belief in regards of Personal belief in regards of the Personal belief in regards of the chosen topic, Use of chosen topic, Use of examples the chosen topic, Use of examples from his/her from his/her personal examples from his/her personal experience) experience) personal experience) Use of The student was able to The student integrated a The student mentioned a Approach/ integrate a concept or concept or approach that concept or approach that was Concept approach that was was previously discusseson previously discusses on his/her Discussed previously discusses on his/her own essay. own essay. his/her own essay appropriately and effectively. Clarity All of the following are Most of the following are Only few of the following are observed: observed: observed: The flow of The flow of The flow of discussion discussion was discussion was was organized in a way organized in a way organized in a way that can be understood that can be that can be easily. understood easily. understood easily. The use of appropriate The use of The use of language is evident in appropriate appropriate the content. language is evidentin the content. language is evidentin the content. All sentences are complete and All sentences are All sentences are grammatical. complete and complete and grammatical. grammatical. Paper has been spell- checked. Practice makes for proficiency! Paper has been Paper has been spell-checked. spell-checked. 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 15| P a g e  SUMMARY Humanity is constantly changing. And our decisions and thoughts are always part of our becoming. Through engaging in philosophical reflections, we engage in truth making. In this way we can arrive at truth that will be useful in our everyday life As we go along with life, we will encounter various claims of truths and opinion. Looking at the different eras in our history, we saw that even from the ancient times people are dissecting the nature of truth and reality until it progresses to the contemporary period, where our great thinkers go beyond the constructs of society in regards to knowledge. KEY TERMS Lastly, we delved into the different approaches developed by Context Principle different philosopher in history. We saw how truth can be Deconstructionism verified by correspondence, by language and logic and by Doubt holistic interpretations of phenomenon. Doxa Empiricism Episteme Existentialism Language-Games Opinion and Knowledge Phenomenology Premise Rationalism Sense and Reference Syllogism Truth Making Verification Principle 1st Term, A.Y 2024-2025 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person 16| P a g e  References: Butte College. (2019). Objective and Subjective Claims. Retrieved 3 April 2021, from http://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/thinking/claims.html Camiloza, L.G. et.al (2016). Philosophy of the Human Person. An Introductory Text for Senior High School. The Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. Indiana University of Pennsylvania. (2021). Rene Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy. Retrieved 3 April 2021, from https://www.iup.edu/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=177744 CONTRIBUTORS Erna D. Rosario Gerard Duna Jasmin T. Calimlim Marcosa Maricris P. Hernandez Mary Rose D. Sermon Precious Ann G. Ferrero Renelyn O. Manacho Rex T. Manalo Sarah Joy Avila Marvin G. Quintanilla