INTRODUCTION
TO
PHILOSOPHY
QUARTER 1
(Compilation of Lectures, Discussions and
Supplemental Learning Materials)
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COMPILATION 1 QUARTER 1
| INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF A HUMAN PERSON
INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF A HUMAN PERSON
Rationale:
Philosophy is Love for Wisdom, and Humans are known for their love
towards wisdom. This Module is intended to impart the basic concepts
about philosophy, and how would we apply it into our daily lives. As we
go along out discussions, the reader is much encouraged to give their
utmost focus to further understand the concepts given.
LESSON 1: DOING PHILOSOPHY
Designation: WEEK 1 – WEEK 2
Learning Outcomes
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Distinguish a holistic perspective from partial point of view;
Recognize human activities that emanated from deliberate reflection;
Realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a broad perspective on life;
Do a philosophical reflection on a concrete situation from an holistic perspective.
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSPHY
Etymologically, the word Philosophy came from two Greek words “Philo” meaning
“Love” and “Sophia” which mean “Wisdom”. Philosophy, hence, is about human’s “Love for
Wisdom”. It indicates our quest as human towards greater wisdom along our journey in this life.
And to further explain the concept of philosophy, below is the Characteristics of Philosophy:
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SCIENCE
Philosophy is a science because the way we think and process our thoughts is systematic.
As we apply philosophy in our way of thinking, we will be able to develop a more
organized way of thinking.
NATURAL LIGHT OF REASON
Philosophy investigates things without the use of any laboratory equipment, instrument,
and tools. Instead, a philosopher uses his natural capacity to think to produce his own
reason alone.
STUDY OF ALL THINGS
This characteristic is an evident fact that Philosophy is different from other sciences.
Compared to the other Field of Sciences, Philosophy is concerned not only to one or
particular object of investigation, but rather is concerned of most things within the
environment such as society, religion, language, and among others.
FIRST CAUSE OR HIGHEST PRINCIPLE
Philosophy believes that whatever comes first into your mind, must be considered along
the way. Philosophy values the fact that our initial idea will always be better as long as
we take care of it, or develop it. Philosophy also believes the nothing existed without
sufficient Reason.
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COMPILATION 1 QUARTER 1
| INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF A HUMAN PERSON
BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy has five distinct branches, namely; (1) Metaphysics, (2) Ethics, (3)
Epistemology, (4) Aesthetics, (5) Logic.
Branch
Metaphysics
Ethics
Epistemology
Aesthetics
Logic
Description
It is a comprehensive process on the quest of the human beings
between what is unreal and what is real.
It is a branch of Philosophy that explores the nature of moral
virtue and evaluates human action. Simply, it is the study of
what is good and what is not good.
It deals with the nature and expanse, the source, the limitations,
and validity, acceptability, and reliability of an acquired
knowledge.
It is the study of what is beautiful based on perspective of a
human person. This branch sets criteria on what is beautiful but
definitely, human beings differs from it.
It is the Art of Reasoning. This branch is concerned not with the
subject, but with the validity of our argument in terms of an
object. We can always make reasons, but in logic, not all of it is
correct.
PHILOSOPHY AS A HOLISTIC APPROACH
Brenda Corpuz, et al, stated that “A philosopher’s way of thinking can be described as
abstractive. It means that it rises from the level of everyday life to a higher level that gives a
bird’s eye view as a whole”. This implies that our knowledge starts from a very basic idea, until
it expands into something bigger. Example, when we were kids, we know that the purpose of
pencil is only for writing, until we learned that it could be used into making drawings, lettering,
and even sketches. Another example is that, when we were kids, the only thing that we know is
to add and subtract numbers, until such time that we learn how to multiply and divide them.
In our life, we will always learn first the basic, until we reach its complex concepts; and
Philosophy is all about seeing things in different perspective. We cannot always stay on the basic
as time will come that we have to deal with what is complex into our minds. If we really love
and aim for wisdom, we have to bear in mind that we cannot be always on the basic, we have to
see things on different perspectives; on different views.
In order for us to become an effective thinker; if we really aim towards wisdom, then we
have to “think” like a philosopher, and “do” what a philosopher does.
1. GENUINE DESIRE TO KNOW
Learning is inevitable. In every experience that we experience, we can learn from it. In
everything we see, we can learn something from it. And if we really want “think” life a
philosopher, we have to admit that our knowledge is insufficient; we have to admit that
we do not know everything. With this, we can direct our minds towards consciousness
which will help us to become more aware of the wisdom and learnings surrounding us.
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COMPILATION 1 QUARTER 1
| INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF A HUMAN PERSON
2. THINK OUT OF THE BOX
It is commonly observed that a human would always stay on its comfort zone. We usually
do that in order to protect our ego, in order to protect ourselves from being hurt, and
among various personal reason within us. We are afraid to see what is beyond our
limitation and what is beyond what we can see. But philosophy is telling us, that if we
really want to learn, we have to THINK OUT OF THE BOX.
What is this “Thinking Out of the Box”? the following illustration will show you the
explanation of this concept:
The circle represents
“YOU” inside your
comfort zone.
The entire shaded area
(or box) represents the
knowledge, ideas, and
concepts surrounding
you and your life.
The box represents
your “COMFORT
ZONE”, or your LIFE
Thinking about the illustration? Then this what it means. Thinking out of the Box means
we have to go out of our comfort zones. Remember that we cannot always live within it
through. If you are going to understand the illustration, you can see there that the more
you stay on you comfort zone, the more you lose the opportunity towards the learnings
that surrounds you.
This concept is encouraging us that if we really want to learn, we have to open out minds
in all the possibilities that surrounds us. We have to be aware that learning comes after
we receive it. We lose it after we reject it.
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COMPILATION 1 QUARTER 1
| INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF A HUMAN PERSON
LESSON 2: METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING
Designation: WEEK 3 – WEEK 4
Learning Outcomes
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Distinguish opinion from truth;
Analyze the situation that shows the difference between opinion and truth;
Realize that the methods of philosophy will lead to wisdom and truth;
Evaluate Opinions.
THE DOMAINS OF TRUTH
What is truth? What do we mean that something or let’s say, an argument is true? Many
would assume that TRUTH is just a simple term with a singular meaning. But like in reality,
Truth is a complex thing that does not just discusses whether a thing is false or true. As per its
complexity, let us understand the following Domains of Truth based on Jurgen Habermas:
Domains of Truth
Objective (Scientific) Truth
Social Truth
Personal Truth
Description
This kind of truth pertains to the natural world that
maintains a relevant independence from the
perspectives of human beings. This are truth that
already existed even without the humans like the
boiling point of water is 100°C, typhoons come and
go, and the human life will always have end.
This truth also known as Scientific Truth because it is
proven through the scientific methods.
This truth is analogous with genera agreement or
consensus on a specific matter based on the context
of a society where we belong. For example,
Christians would not marry another woman because
they believe that doing so is a sin, but for the
Muslims, it is allowed as long as you take things
responsibly and you were able to take care of the
welfare of your wives and your kids. On the other
hand, these truths can be subjected to change through
critical examination and deliberation among the
members of the society.
This is a kind of truth that requires sincerity and
authenticity. It is a truth which is confined within our
minds unless it was told to another. This truth cannot
simply be measured because no one can go within
our minds.
For instance, you know to yourself that you can do it,
but often, shyness hinders you to do so. Unless you
show it off, then it becomes true to other.
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COMPILATION 1 QUARTER 1
| INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF A HUMAN PERSON
On the other hand, Richarch Rorty offered a simple way of defining truth. For him;
“Truth can be understood as what has passed the procedures of justification.”, and
justification pertains to the process of proving the truth or the validity of the statement.
With this kind of criteria, we can say that in order to test a Scientific Truth, we have to
test it through empirical evidences. If we are to test a Social Truth, we have to check its
acceptability to a particular group in a particular time. Whereas, if are to check a Personal Truth,
we have to test someone’s consistency and authenticity.
EXAMINING OPINIONS
Opinions are statements of judgment that needs further justification. A mind must always
be ready and prepared in examining the arguments, and basically, not all arguments were made
good. How can we say that an argument is acceptable or not? We will go back to Logic which
studies and elaborated good way of argumentation.
In Logic, we call fake arguments as “Fallacies”. These are a statement that appear to be
true but fails to support the conclusion. It is a tricky statement which is usually within a wellarticulated argument. The following are some of the most notable fallacies:
Type of Fallacy
Description
Argumentum ad
Hominem (Argument
Against a Person)
A Fallacy used to convince people by
using some of the personal background
of a person such as – his / her history,
nationality, race, social status, and
among others
Argumentum ad
Baculum (Argument
with Force)
A kind of fallacy where a person uses
force, initiate conflicts, and issues
threats to win an argument.
Argumentum ad
Misericordiam
(Appeal to Pity)
This is a kind of statement where
emotion is used to win and / or
manipulate others’ emotion.
Example Statement
“How would you trust
someone who was known
as an Acquitted person?”
“Would you give second
chance to someone who
once broke your heart”
“Give that to me, or your
friends would know the
true you”
The famous line of
Fernando Poe, Jr. “Hindi
ka na sisikatan ng Araw”
“Are you not aware that
this man is having
anxiety? Do you want
him to be more tortured
by this kind of mental
sickness?”
“Why are you so rude?
Look what have you
done, she’s no crying.
Would you still pursue
that complaint?”
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COMPILATION 1 QUARTER 1
| INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF A HUMAN PERSON
Argumentum ad
Populum (Bandwagon
Fallacy)
Is a kind of statement is a popular
strategy in the field of advertising. This
is where it goes with the personal
sentiments of the people; or going
through with the personal choice of the
people
Example:
More people would have
the chance to consider a
product especially if it is
endorsed by the celebrity
which they idolize.
REFERENCE
Dr. Brenda Corpuz, et.al., Introduction to the Philosophy of a Human Person for Senior High
School (Core Subject)
Dr. Carmela R. Ramos, Introduction to the Philosophy of a Human Person, First Edition
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