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Recitation 2 Philosophy

Asian philosophical traditions emphasize philosophy as a way of life, with Chinese teachings rooted in early civilization and practical concerns largely attributed to Confucius and speculative thought introduced by Lao-tzu. Indian philosophy, as reflected in the Vedas and Upanishads, explores concepts such as Brahman, Atman, and the immortality of the soul. In contrast, Western philosophy, beginning with early Greek thinkers like Thales and Socrates, focuses on anthropological and ethical inquiries, with Plato introducing the distinction between the world of senses and the world of ideas.

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49 views3 pages

Recitation 2 Philosophy

Asian philosophical traditions emphasize philosophy as a way of life, with Chinese teachings rooted in early civilization and practical concerns largely attributed to Confucius and speculative thought introduced by Lao-tzu. Indian philosophy, as reflected in the Vedas and Upanishads, explores concepts such as Brahman, Atman, and the immortality of the soul. In contrast, Western philosophy, beginning with early Greek thinkers like Thales and Socrates, focuses on anthropological and ethical inquiries, with Plato introducing the distinction between the world of senses and the world of ideas.

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Asian Philosophical Traditions view philosophy as a way of life.

Chinese civilization is considered among early civilizations that developed a set of philosophical views or
teachings embedded in their religious doctrines.

According to William Turner, it was around 2000 BCE that China “already possessed social, political, and
religious institutions and a material and intellectual civilization of high order.”

However, it was only in the 6th century BCE when these teachings were put into writing and became the
source of Chinese teachings and education.

The Five Classics The Four Books

 Book of Changes (divination) (Yijing)  (Lun-yu) Conversations of the Master


 Book of History (Shujing)  (Chun-yung) Doctrine of the Mean
 Book of Poetry (Shijing)  (Ta-heo) Great Learning
 Record of Rites (Liji)  (Meng-tse) Teachings of Mencius
 Spring and Autumn, a Book of Annals
(Chunqiu)

The primary concerns of Chinese philosophical traditions are both practical and speculative.

The reasonable concern is mainly attributed to Confucius, whose philosophical thoughts centered on
human conduct and moral duties in an individual’s private and public life. In contrast, Lao-tzu (604 BCE) is
known to introduce speculative thought through Tao’s philosophy.

Indian Philosophy

Vedas – considered the sacred texts of the Hindus, they also contain teachings on various aspects of life,
including philosophy.

Aranyakas and the Upanishads (Atharva Veda Collections) – Philosophical instructions, treatises, and
reflections are found here.

- Brahman – all things are existed because of brahman


- Maya – magic powers
- Atman – Holy Soul
- Immortality of the soul
- Mysticism and deliverance from bondage – union (bondage state of being slave from their sins)

Turner identified some essential philosophical teachings found in the upanishads:

 “the identity of all being in Brahman”


 “the existence of mâyâ”
 “the worthlessness of all knowledge of things in their isolated existence, and the incomparable
excellence of the knowledge of all things in Brahman or Âtman”
 “the immortality of the soul”
 “mysticism and deliverance from bondage.”

Conclusion

Asian philosophy is not as distinct, objective, and separate from other aspects of human life, such as
religion. In other words, for them, there is no such thing as subjective-objective distinction because this
distinction is a concoction of Western philosophical tradition
Early Greek and Later Greek Philosophy

The beginning of Western philosophy is traditionally attributed to early Greek thinkers in 600 BCE

like the Ionian thinkers such as:

 Thales – the earth exists because of water (father of philosophy)


Student – earth is a flat disk
 Anaximander – the first principal of things is a “peiron” (Infinite/Limitless”
 Anaximenes – “air”
 Heracutus – change is the only permanent thing in this world “fire”

PRE- SOCRATIC PHILOSOPHY

Fr. Frederick Copleston puts it: “The splendid achievement of Greek thought was cradled in Ionia; and if
Ionia was the cradle of Greek philosophy, Miletus was the cradle of Ionian philosophy.”

Miletus is where Thales, among other early Greek thinkers, began to speculate about the basic stuff of the
world. They wondered about the fundamental element that characterized or governed the universe.

CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHY

The primary focus of philosophical reflection was dominantly:

 Anthropological (which means the inquiry is directed toward understanding the human person)
 Ethical (knowing what is good and how to live a good life)

SOCRATES

He is known for the statements, he started to direct our minds to things that have to do with life’s meaning
and conduct. For Socrates,

- He wrote Nothing
- Founding Figure of Western Socratic Method
- “An unexamined life should not be lived” and “Know thyself.”
- a good life is a life dedicated to knowing and living a virtuous life.
- Devoted himself as “Stone Cutter” and “Soldier”
- “Through knowledge exists and knowing that you know nothing”
- Athen
- Demogoguery – political activity
- “Voting is a skill not a random intuition”
- “Hamlock Poisoning”

Aristotle believed that knowledge is formed by human experience. Beliefs or doxa are formed based on
one’s experience of things around him or her although this does not guarantee knowledge, yet it can turn
into knowledge when such belief is justified using sound reasoning or demonstration.
PLATO

Plato is traditionally understood to be the one who introduced the two-world divide: the world of the senses
and the world of ideas, among others. For him, the reality is distinct from appearance. Reality is
changeless and immutable, while appearance is changing and passing.

- Help people reach eudaimonia


- First utopian thinker
- He dedicated himself as “helping people”
- 36 books
- Metaphysics and Epistemology
- Alfred North White Head (The entire western philosophical thoughts is a series of footroots to plato)
- The Symposium (world of ideas/senses)
- World of sense (temporar and unwreckable)
- World of ideas (what we see/hear, is just a reflection) changing

Famous Books: The Guardians:

- The Republic - How to live and die well


- The Symposium - Wise and good people
- The Apology - The school is the academy

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