Romy O. delos Santos Jr.

, LPT, MIE
Introduction: Doing Philosophy
The key elements in many educational
reforms are diversity, difference, and
choice or other proposals that establish
separate curricular routes for different
groups or individuals.
Diversity in values, beliefs, background, and
experiences make each person unique (i.e.,
biology, ethnicity and Culture, family life,
beliefs, geography, experiences, and
religion).
Sometimes, we have difficulty in accepting
others because they are different from us.
Definition of Philosophy

Etymological
– comes from two Greek words, philo and
sophia, which means love of wisdom
– A Philosopher is a lover of wisdom

Real Definition
• Search for meaning
• The word search means to look, to find, to seek.
• But it connotes something more serious, more
intense, more of a quest.
The difference lies in the three elements found in
philosophical search

1. The object of the search is of real value to

the subject
2. It consumes the whole person—his
attention, concentration, interest, effort.
3. It is continued without let-up until
– The answer is found
– The answer is not yet found, but the conviction is
reached that for the moment at least this is the best
possible although still imperfect answer.
• One observes that man can never be satisfied,
completely and for always.
• For man is a HOMO VIATOR, a traveler, and life
presents a lot of questions.
• Philosophy can answer most, but not all, of these
questions. However, this should not be a cause for
despair.
• Accepting man as he is-a finite, imperfect being—is
accepting also the inadequate answers to certain
questions.
• It is enough that man tries his best up to life’s end to
confront the numerous problems his being a homo
viator poses.
Under this definition, four things are to be
considered:
1. Scientific Approach. It uses scientific
approach because the investigation is
systematic. In other words, it is an organized
body of knowledge just like any other sciences.
2. Natural Light of Reason. Philosophy
investigates things, neither by using any
laboratory instruments or investigative tools,
nor on the basis of supernatural revelation;
otherwise it becomes theology. Instead, the
philosopher uses his natural capacity to think
or observe the world and people.
Under this definition, four things are to be
considered:
3. Study of All Things. This sets the distinction
between philosophy and other sciences. For example,
anthropologists study human beings in relation to the
society; botanists focus their attention to plants;
linguists limit themselves to language; theologians
investigate God; whereas, a philosopher studies human
beings, society, religion, language, God, and plants,
among other concerns. The reason is that philosophy is
not one-dimensional or partial,. Rather, philosophy is
multidimensional or holistic. In short, a philosopher
does not limit himself to a particular object of inquiry.
He questions almost anything, if not, everything.
Under this definition, four things are to be
considered:
4. First Cause or the Highest Principle.
•a principle because everything in the world and every situation
has a starting point or a beginning.
The first principles are:
Principle of identity -whatever is is; and whatever is not is not,
everything is what it is. Everything is its own being, and not
being is not being. It means a thing, idea, or person always has a
name, a concept, and a characteristic for that thing to exist.
Principle of Noncontradiction - it is impossible for a thing to be and
not to be at the same time, and at the same respect.
Principle of Excluded Middle - a thing is either is or is not,
everything must be either be or not be; between being and not
being, there is no middle ground possible.
Principle of Sufficient Reason - nothing exists without a sufficient
reason for its being and existence.
In attaining wisdom, there is a need for
Emptying-suspending one's judgment and
conclusion about a matter and mentally exploring
the pros and cons. This means pushing ourselves
not to be affected by our personal biases and
stereotypes so we can make an objective and fair
assessment of things.
Emptying can be intellectual. Taoists consider an
empty cup more useful than a full one. This
means simplicity and humility.
Emptying can be also spiritual. For Christian
philosophy, poor in spirit means compassion.
Emptying is also physical. The Buddhists refrain
from misuse of the senses, thereby emphasizing a
unified whole (Elgin, 2009).
The Branches of Philosophy
A. Metaphysics
•The name 'Metaphysics' is derived from the
Greek words 'Meta', which means beyond or
after, and 'Physika', which means physics.
•It is that branch of philosophy which goes
beyond the realms of science.
•It questions the existence of spiritual beings,
nature of universe, life after death, etc.
•Aristotle, one of the most well-known
philosophers, acknowledged Thales as the first
known metaphysician.
B. Ethics - the study of standards of conduct and moral
judgment; moral philosophy.
• The system or code of morals of a particular person,
religion, group, profession, etc.
Ethics has five main frameworks:
1. Divine command-What does God ordain us to do? In this
framework, a strong sense of individualism does not exist,
but rather, the collective is emphasized.

1. Consequentialism or utilitarianism - What has the most

desirable consequences? What is good for the greatest
number of people is the best choice and the moral choice.
For example, if killing a cow is the only way to save seven
children from starvation, killing the cow is moral.
3. Deontological ethics - Whatever is my moral duty
to do. This means that a person has a moral duty to
do what is right regardless of what the person
thinks or feels about that situation. For example,
when a person sees Hitler drowning, he must save
him because letting a person die without helping is
wrong. The act of saving Hitler is a moral.

4. Virtue ethics - What kind of person ought to be.

This ethical theory ignores the consequences,
duties, and social contracts. Instead, it focuses on
character development of individuals and their
acquisition of good virtue ethics.
5. Relativism - What does my culture or society think
I ought to do? "When in Rome, do as the Romans
do" is a view of ethical relativism that actions are
morally right within a particular society when
they are approved by law, custom, or other
conventions of the society. Closely related to this
is ethical relationalism which is about making
judgments based on a context (i.e., culture); while
ethical pluralism is a view that there is more than
just one justifiable moral perspective (Martin&
Schinzinger, 2005).
C. Epistemology
• It deals with the definition of knowledge and its
scope and limitations.
• It translates from Greek to mean 'theory of
knowledge’.
• It questions the meaning of knowledge, how we
obtain knowledge, how much do we know, and
how do we have this knowledge?
D. Logic-the science of correct thinking/reasoning
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) founded the discipline of
logic as a system of principles on which all
their knowledge rests. Indeed, logic pertains to all
subjects, since people can reason about anything
they can think about.
• Logic is not the study of how people do reason, but
how they should reason.
An example of such logical reasoning (deductive
logic)is:
All cows are purple. Wilma is a cow. Therefore,
Wilma is purple
E. Aesthetics - When humanity has learned to make
something that is useful to them, they begin to plan
and dream how to make it beautiful. What therefore
is beauty?
The establishment of criteria of beauty is the function
of aesthetics.
Aesthetics is the science of the beautiful in its various
manifestations including the sublime, comic, tragic,
pathetic, and ugly.
To experience aesthetics, therefore, means whatever
experience has relevance to art, whether the
experience be that of the creative artist or of
appreciation.
Attaining a Comprehensive Outlook in Life

A. Expanding Our Philosophical Frames:

Western and Non-Western Traditions
• Many philosophers hold that there are three great
original centers of philosophy in the world--Greek (or
Western), Indian, and Chinese.
• Historically speaking, Asian classics of the Indians
and the Chinese exist before the oldest of Western
classics. Indian and Chinese philosophers of note also
lived earlier than their Greek counterparts.
• During the first centuries, there was more
philosophical activity in the East than in the West.
• The Western thinkers started to indulge in
intense philosophical speculation, whereas the
Asian thinkers began diminishing
philosophical activity.
• In our present century, almost all the major
philosophical ideas come from Western.
thinkers (Quito, 1991).
• Certainly, the culture of the “EAST” is very
different from that of the “WEST”, but that does
not mean each culture is incapable of
understanding certain features of the other.
For Quito, there are three attitudinal imperatives that we must
bear in mind if we are to appreciate either the Oriental or Eastern
thought vis-à-vis the Occidental or Western mindset and to
situate them in their proper perspective.
1. First, in contrast to the tendency of the West to think in a
linear manner, that is, in terms of beginning and ending in a
straight line, Oriental thought runs in a circular manner in
which the end conjoins the beginning in a cyclic style.
• In a manner of speaking, nothing actually begins absolutely or ends
absolutely. A man may have been born at a precise time and may have died
at a precise time, but it cannot be said that his existence can be congealed at
a specific time, and when he dies, his life continues in another form. This is
indispensable to the understanding of samsara or rebirth. There is a cycle
of rebirths within the various spheres of life, the vegetative, animal, and
human. The world, in fact, did not have an absolute beginning but was
merely a continuation of an earlier world in an earlier time. There is,
therefore, a succession of worlds and a succession of lives.
2. The attitudinal imperative is the assumption
that the East does not make a difficult distinction
between religion and philosophy.
Basic philosophical concepts are shrouded in religious beliefs
and myths. However, it is a false conclusion that Eastern
philosophies, such as Chinese and Indian, are not sufficiently
philosophical to be considered philosophy but are more properly
called "religion" or "mythology.“
In the East, philosophy is religion and religion is philosophy. The
Oriental does not separate philosophical thought from religion
that is life in action.
Second, life for Oriental thinkers is a translation of thought; it is
philosophy in action. Orientals believe that life must be the
extension of thought, its fruit, and its application.
3. The third attitudinal imperative is the acceptance of
the validity of intuition and mysticism, the readiness to
revert to extra logical, if not illogical modes of thinking.
Orientals are perceived transcending the limitations of
the human intellect and walking on a no-man's land
where verification of one's premise is not possible.
Oriental thought does not follow a structured method.
The West has but to theorize and speculate; no
application to life is necessary.
B. Filipino Thinking: From Local to Global

It may sound arrogant to speak of "Filipino thought" for

the reason that the Philippines could not very well
speak of a tradition such as that of China, India, or
Greco-Roman. Yet, for the Filipino, there has to be
"Filipino thought" or none at all.
Filipinos do have their own philosophy.
The three dimensions of Filipino thought are loob,
Filipino concept of time, and bahala na.
These attitudes and values constitute the hidden
springs of the Filipino mind.
Loob: Holistic and Interior Dimensions

• Kagandahang-loob, kabutihang-loob, and kalooban are terms

that show sharing of one's self to others.
• For Mercado (1994), interiority manifests itself in freedom.
• Loob puts one in touch with his fellow beings.
• Great Philippine values, in fact, are essentially interpersonal.
The use of intermediaries or go-betweens, the values of loyalty,
hospitality, pakikisama (camaraderie, conformism), and respect
to authority are such values that relate to persons.
• In short, the Filipino generally believes in the innate goodness
of the human being.
• The Filipino, who stresses duties over rights, has plenty in
common with his Oriental neighbors such as the Chinese and
the Indian.
Loob: Holistic and Interior Dimensions

• A leader or manager with magandang kalooban is not

inactive but plays an active role in economic
development.
• A good leader motivates people to achieve economic
success giving them lakas ng loob to regard
themselves in a positive light amid misfortune,
obstacles, and unpredictability of the economy.
• To make up for the inferiority complex of Filipinos, a
good Filipino leader/ manager must encourage fellow
Filipinos to believe in themselves so that they can
bounce back (Andres, 1986).
Filipino Concept of Time

• Moreover, the Filipino-whether llokano (Life is like a wheel,

sometimes you are up, and while sometimes you are down.),
or Kapampangan (A human being is like a bird who flies up
and goes down)-proves that he believes in gulong ng palad
(literally, "wheel of fortune") and hence, looks at life as a series
of ups and downs (Timbreza, 1992).
• This philosophy of life makes the Filipino an complete
optimist. When the so-called wheel of life is on the
downtrend, he looks to the future with hope because life's
wheel cannot stay down forever. When one weeps, one will
surely smile.
• Life may be sorrowful, but precisely because suffering is
ultimately salutary, there is hope beyond suffering (Timbreza,
1996). Hoping that one day, the sun would shine and nature
would heal itself.
Filipino Concept of Time

• Time is considered cyclic.

• Gulong ng palad, nonetheless, blends well with
foreign philosophical ideas in the Asian region. It
approaches karma of the Indians and yin- yang
thought of the Chinese.
• Often, Filipino time is mistakenly interpreted as
always delayed in the committed time of arrival. This
notion can be misleading since the Filipino farmers
are early risers to go to their field and waste no time
for work. The concept of "siesta time" or "power
naps" is also important for Filipino culture that must
not be necessarily considered negative.
3. Bahala Na
• The pre-Spanish Filipino people believed in a Supreme Being
Batula or Bathala.
• The Filipino puts his entire trust in this Bathala who has
evolved into the Christian God (Mercado, 2000).
• The Filipino subconsciously accepts the bahala na attitude as a
part of life. Bahala na literally means to leave everything to
God who is Bathala in the vernacular.
• The bahala na philosophy puts complete trust in the divine
providence; it contains the element of resignation. Thus, the
Filipino accepts beforehand whatever the outcome of his
problem might be.
• Bahala na (or come what may), nonetheless, is one of the most
outstanding Filipino virtues. It is in one aspect perceived as
courage to take risks.
C. Filipino Thought and Values: Positive and Negative Aspects

• It is believed, however, that the Philippine values and system,

in line with Filipino philosophy, are in dire need to be used as
positive motivation.
• Beyond his family group, the Filipino sees himself belonging
to a small, primary group in a dyadic, pyramidal fashion. In
other words, he does not identify horizontally with his class
that cuts across the whole community but vertically with its
authority figures distinguished by their wealth, power, and
age.
• He receives protection and other favors from above and
should be ready to do the same toward his ties below.
C. Filipino Thought and Values: Positive and Negative Aspects

• The Filipino gives great value to endurance and hard work as

means to economic self-sufficiency.
• In this vein, we should stress other positive Filipino values
such as bayanihan or helping others in times of need,
Bayanihan is another moving spirit of the Filipino people.
• Deep down in the Filipino psyche, there exists the belief that
whatever good one has done will redound one's benefit
because a Supreme Judge will dispense just compensation
whether in this life or in the next (Mercado, 2000).
• In short, despite the Western imposition of dualism, Filipino
philosophy should continue to strive for harmony with nature
and the absolute.
D. Philosophy: Transcending and Aiming for a Life of Abundance

• Abundance comes from the Latin term, abundare, meaning, "to

overflow nonstop“.
• Abundance is outflowing rather than incoming. It is not about
amassing material things or people but our relationship with
others, ourselves, and with nature.
• Since we are spiritual human persons, abundance is not what
we gather but what we scatter. Often, abundance is equated to
materialism, but it is when we raise our empty hands and
surrender, when we do not grab, when we are unattached to
anything or anyone, when we offer oneself-all these are
abundance. Only if we have empty hands can we receive full
blessings.
Abundance is not what we keep but what we give away.

• To live an abundant life, one must pursue

one's desires and inner self.
• One must go after what fulfills, before making
more money.
• It is truly paradoxical because to be able to
have, we must first let go.
• To be able to acquire, we must first control
ourselves.
Abundance is not what we hold but what we share.

• Undoubtedly money counts in our globalized society.

However, Aguilar (2010) reminded us that money
should not matter much, for every moment is a
blessing, even if one does not have money.
• Abundance comes to the one who has money and
heart, money and values, money and relationships,
money and deeper happiness.
• Abundance is more than our ambitions; there are
more precious things such as people that matter.
Abundance is a choice.

• In pursuing one's dreams, there are people who can

be negative regarding your efforts and successes.
• Negative thoughts, emotions, and people should be
avoided.
• As we aspire for our dreams, we should try our best
to be positive in our thoughts, motives, and efforts.
• When we look down, we only see our misfortunes,
but when we look up, we realize that we are more
fortunate than others.
• Abundance is more of an effort of the heart than
mind alone (Aguilar, 2010).
Abundance is to evolve into a higher being.

• To live in abundance means evolving to a

higher being in following one's mission; a
deliberate or conscious desire to act upon what
can make us and others happy.
• As we are bombarded by negative people and
moods, it becomes our choice to adopt an
abundant disposition.