INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?

The word philosophy comes from two Greek words: philos (love) and sophia (wisdom). The ancient
Greeks used this term to refer to "love of wisdom" and they soon applied it to the study or discipline
that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which govern all
things.

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence, values, reason, mind,
and knowledge, language.

Philosophy in simple words is a way of thinking about the world, the universe, and society. It works by
asking very basic questions about the nature of human thought, the nature nature of the universe, and
the connections between them. The ideas in philosophy are often general and abstract.

Philosophy is the study of human and the world by thinking and asking questions. It is a science and an
art. Philosophy tries to answer important 4 questions by coming up with answers about real things and
asking "why?"

ORIGIN OF PHILOSOPHY

Greece is the birthplace of philosophy in the West. To be more precise it is the ancient Greek city of
Miletus in the Western coast of what is now Turkey that gave birth to philosophy. It is in this city that
the first philosopher in the West, Thales, lived. Thales is the Father of Philosophy in the Western
civilization. He lived between 624 and 546 BCE a contemporary of the Lydian king Croesus and the
statesman Solon (Stumpf and Fieser, 2008).

What made Thales a philosopher is his desire to know the ultimate stuff that makes up the different
things we perceived. You see when we look at the world we encounter different things: people, trees,
clouds, mountains, rivers, etc. Now Thales believed that despite the different things we encounter there
is one underlying stuff or substance in which everything is composed. He believes that there is One in
the Many. Thales was the first individual who tried to reduce the multiplicity into a unity (Jones, 1969).

But his explanation of natural phenomena is devoid (lacking) of gods and goddesses of the old religion of
Greece. It is completely rational (logical). It represents a departure from the mythological religion of
Greece. Thales approach highlights the difference between religion and philosophy. Religion rests on
faith while philosophy rests on reason.

BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY

A. COGNITIVE BRANCHES (provide a description of being (existence) and knowing.)

1. Metaphysics - the study of the universe as a whole Ontology which studies existence as such and
Philosophical anthropology which deals with the fundamental and essential characteristics of human
nature
2. Epistemology - branch of philosophy that studies the nature and means of human knowledge

B. NORMATIVE BRANCHES (concerned with the standard of the good)

1. Ethics or morality - Ethics can be regarded as the technology of philosophy because it tells us how
human beings ought to function as a human being. According to Ayn Rand ethics or morality is a branch
of philosophy that provides a human being with a "code of values to guide man's choices and actions -
the choices and actions that determine the course of his life (Rand, 1964)." (What should I do?)

2. Politics Rand's definition politics is a branch of philosophy "which defines the principles of a proper
social system"

3. Aesthetics - studies the nature of art. It is concerned with the nature and the objective judgement of
beauty

PARTIAL THINKING

Focuses on specific aspects of a situation. The partial view is an important component of analytical
thinking, as an individual focuses on certain areas or aspects of a problem to understand it

In philosophy, point of view describes the perception of an event or phenomenon and how exactly it is
viewed. Point of view often is shaped by an individual's beliefs or experiences. Though partial thinking is
useful, philosophy utilizes holistic thinking in making sense of problems and issues related to the human
experience.

HOLISTIC THINKING (WHOLE)

-Refers to a perspective that considers large-scale patterns in systems. A holistic perspective requires an
individual to have an open mindset and ability to get the general sense or impression regarding a
situation -The term "holistic thinking" refers to a big picture mentality in which a person recognizes the
interconnectedness of various elements that form larger systems, patterns and objects. Thinking
holistically is the opposite of analyzing something, which involves breaking down a larger system into its
details.

SIX MAIN DIVISIONS OF PHILOSOPHY

1. LOGIC - a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of thinking

and reasoning using empirical support and information which are reliable, valid and objective.

-Science of correct thinking.

2 Types of Logic

• Deductive Reasoning - from a general truth to specific truth, from universal truth to particular.

Inductive Reasoning - from a specific truth to general truth, particular to universal.

2. Epistemology - a branch of philosophy which is concern of the definition of knowledge and related
concepts such as the sources and criteria of knowledge.

2 Contending Schools of Thought

a. Rational school - the main source of knowledge is deductive reasoning based on self-evident principle
or actions. (logical)

b. Empirical school - the source of knowledge is sense-perception

3. ETHICS- it comes from the Greek word "ethos" which means character. It is the science of correct
doing. It is the study of what is right and what is wrong in human behaviour in the pursuit of beauty and
goodness of life.

4. METAPHYSICS it comes from the Greek words “meta” which means beyond and “physikon” which
means nature. It is branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of ultimate reality.

5. AESTHETICS is derived from the Greek word "aesthetikos" which means one who is perceptive
(sensitive) of things through his sensations, feelings and intuitions. It is concerned with the essence of
perception of beauty and ugliness.

6. POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY - it refers to a body of knowledge that looks up on the society, politics and
the people that makes it whole.

Philosophy 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, man, and his role in the world. It is a necessary product of
man's rational mind.

Philosophy as a process

Philosophy is employed as a method of inquiry. It is an engagement in the search for the meaning of life,
its value and relevance. It is a process for finding significance in existence.

Doing philosophy as a lifetime process

Life is not only about the what and how of our daily experiences. It is more profoundly about the why of
life.

REFLECTION IS THE POINT OF UNDERSTANDING HOLISTIC VIEW OF WHAT IS

HAPPENING AROUND US.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT POSSIBLE WAYS THAT MAY HELPS US UNDERSTAND
THE DYNAMICS OF PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION

SCIENCE - PRINCIPLES, THEORIES AND FINDINGS

It uses standards in identifying whether a certain discovery is scientific or not through
experimentation and observation
It is empirical, it uses the senses in arriving into a truth reality called sense knowledge.
It is investigative, this means it must investigate to describe facts and events,
specifically it gives a knowledge of particular facts, the methods of science in providing
a data is observation coupled with experimentation. The product of science is scientific
truth.

MARCELIAN WAY (GABRIEL MARCEL)

Primary Reflection - This is the ability to think logically and evaluate arguments. It is
concerns with definitions, essences and technical solutions.

Secondary Reflection - This is enables us to look deeper into our experiences and see
the big picture of reality.

ALLEGORY OF THE CAVE-PLATO

Concerns with human perceptions
Plato claimed that the knowledge gained through the senses is no more than opinion,
and in order to have a real knowledge we must gained it through philosophical
precedent. In the allegory of the cave, Plato distinguishes between people who mistake
sensory knowledge for the truth and the people who really do see the truth
MORAL THEOLOGY
It employs the STOP as the guidepost of moral decision making
S search out the facts
T- think, reflects the facts
O - how it affects others, figure it out
P - pray

LESSON 5
- People are already relying on knowledge for their survival.
- Without knowledge on how to create a fire, how to cook one's food, how to build
a shelter, how to build dams to control flooding, how to create laws to preserve
order in society and yes even how to think properly, we would still be in a
prehistoric cave.
- Knowledge literally enabled mankind to survive and reach the present level of our
civilization.
-
WHAT IS EPISTEMOLOGY?
"Epistemology is a science devoted to the discovery of the proper method of acquiring
and validating knowledge" (Rand 1990)
The purpose of epistemology therefore is two-fold: 1. To show how we can acquire
knowledge.
2. To give us a method of demonstrating whether the knowledge we acquired is really
knowledge (i.e., true).

THE NATURE OF KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge is the clear awareness and understanding of something.
* it is provided by facts
It is based on reality
* It is observable and evident on the real world
HOW DO WE ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE?
1. We can acquire knowledge using our senses (Empiricism)
Empiricists:
1. John Locke 2. George Berkley 3. David Hume
The Empiricists (from left to right) John Locke, George Berkley, and David

2. We can acquire knowledge by thinking with the use of our minds

(what philosophers call the rational faculty) (Rationalism); knowledge comes from
intellectual reasoning.
Rationalists: Rene Descartes, Baruch Spinoza and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
The Rationalists (from left to right) Rene Descartes, Baruch Spinoza and Gottfried
Wilhelm Leibniz

PROCESS OF ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE

1. Reality
To know is to know something. This "something" is what philosophers call reality,
existence, being.
Existence is everything there is (another name for it is the Universe). It includes
everything we perceive (animals, plants, human beings, inanimate objects) and
everything inside our heads (e.g., our thoughts and emotions) which represents our
inner world.
Existence is really all there is to know. If nothing exists knowledge is impossible.
2. Perception
Our first and only contact with reality is through our senses
Knowledge begins with perceptual knowledge.
3. Concept
"an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances" (Merriam-Webster
Dictionary)"
4. Proposition
Statements about the world or reality are called propositions Propositions may or may
not carry the truth.
Facts-propositions or statements observed to be real and
truthful
Claim-proposition that requires further examination; can be contested

5. Argument - series of statements that provide reasons to convince the reader/listener

that a claim/ opinion is truthful. Group of statements that serve to support a conclusion.
"There is no hope in the Philippine government" (opinion)
"There is no hope in the Philippine government because many officials are corrupt, and
Filipino voters continue to elect them." (argument)
CLAIM- the conclusion of an argument "THERE IS NO HOPE IN THE PHILIPPINE
GOVERNMENT BECAUSE MANY OFFICIALS ARE CORRUPT, AND FILIPINO
VOTERS CONTINUE TO ELECT THEM.
PREMISES- the reasons used to support the conclusion

DOMAINS OF TRUTH
Objective domain: related to scientific truths; pertains to the natural world that
maintains a relative independence from the perspective and attitude of human beings
that perceived them.
EG: TYPHOON SEASON, WATER'S BOILING POINT (100 DEGREES CELSIUS)

Social Domain: Truth is related to a general agreement or consensus on what is right

as opposed to what is wrong. Based on norms (standard of acceptable behavior in
society)
EG: maintaining silence inside the chapel; cheering loudly in a basketball game; being
silent in the library
Remember!!! Consensus has certain limitations. It is helpful but not always reliable
Personal Domain: Truth is related to "SINCERITY"; consistent to inner thoughts
and intentions needs to establish "trust"

TRUTH AND JUSTIFICATION

TRUTH (according to Richard Rorty)- has passed the "procedures of justification"
JUSTIFICATION is the process of proving the truth or validity of a statement. This
process is made up of ways of critically testing a claim against certain criteria.

Each domain of truth has a corresponding justification or has a different criteria for truth:
SCIENTIFIC/OBJECTIVE DOMAIN – Truths are tested
against empirical evidence
SOCIAL DOMAIN - Truths are tested against their acceptability to a particular group in
a particular time in history
PERSONAL DOMAIN - Truths are tested against the consistency and authenticity of
the person who claims it

HOW DO WE KNOW IF SOMETHING IS TRUE?

A belief is true if it can be justified or proven through the use of one's senses.
2. A belief or statement is true if it is based on facts
3. Getting a consensus or having people agree on a common belief
4. Truth requires to prove an action
5. Subject to test to determine the truth

Truth is knowledge validated based on the facts of reality.

Facts of reality are independent of your thoughts, feelings or preferences

For example the statement "Jose Rizal died in 1896" is true.
There are many sources that can validate the truth of that statement if one cared to
look.
When one say that “Jose Rizal is the greatest man who ever lived" you are stating your
preference and not facts. This is an opinion.
That statement represents not facts but an interpretation of facts which may reveal
biases.

OPINION- A statement of judgment of a person about something in the world. Opinions

are bases for making arguments and convincing people that a certain claim is a fact.
Example: Case of Extra Judicial killings, war on drugs, Issue on defending West
Philippine Sea from China, Government response on COVID 19
OPINIONS are statement of judgment that are in need of further justification.
CONCLUSION- Judgment based on
certain facts; could still be contested or questioned.
BELIEFS- Statements that express convictions that are not easily and clearly explained
by facts.
EXPLANATIONS- statements that assume the claim to be true and provide reasons
why statement is true.

An opinion has the following characteristics:

1. Cannot be confirmed
2. Open to interpretation
3. Based on emotions
4. Inherently biased

While truth is:

1. Can be confirmed with other sources
2. Independent of one's interpretation, preferences and biases
3. Based on the facts of reality