Chapter
1
Lesson 1
The Meaning and Value of Philosophy and the Art of Philosophizing
Before we embark on the study of philosophy of the human person, we will start
by focusing on the meaning and value of philosophy. Philosophy is not only rich in
meaning, it is also very valuable in our life.
But its value is found not only in its being rich in meaning and concept, but also
in its being an art. As an Art, it is something that must be practiced.
The Meaning of Philosophy
The Meaning of Philosophy
The Meaning of Philosophy
The Meaning of Philosophy
Poem by:
John Godfrey Saxe
A classic Indian Legend of
THE SIX BLIND MEN
AND THE ELEPHANT
A Holistic Perspective:
The Philosopher’s Way
Activity (group)
Form groups of 5 and discuss your answers to the following questions

1. Did anyone among the blind men give the correct answer? Why or why not?

2. In the context of the elephant story, what do you think is holistic
perspective? What is a partial point of view?

3. What is the importance of a holistic perspective as pointed out by the poet
John Godfrey Saxe?
Application

The story of the elephant and the blind men can be an analogy of everyday
experiences. Recall an experience where you had disagreements with friends
or family over something. Was the disagreement “resolved?’. If yes how? If
not, how can a more holistic perspective help in the resolution? Share your
story to your groupmates then choose the best story that you will share to
others in class.

Based on what you have learned on the holistic approach of philosophy, why is
panel of discussants or presenters usually invited to share their views on a
burning issues? Is it not enough to listen to just one discussant or presenter?
What is the wisdom behind panel discussions?
Analysis: Philosophy and its Holistic approach
A philosopher’s way of thinking can be described as “abstractive”. This means
that it rises from the level of everyday life to a HIGHER level that gives a bird’s
eye view of the whole.
Try to recall an experience in which you were able to climb a tower, reach the
peak of a high mountain, or view things from the window of an airplane. The
view is certainly different from up there than from the ground.
When you are on the ground, you see roads, buildings, and all that make up the
busy everyday life, one at a time.
When you are up there, you not only see the same roads and buildings from a
different perspective, but you see them all at the same time. Moreover, you also
see how they are connected to each other.
A Holistic Perspective:
The Philosopher’s Way

The first philosophers noted in history hail from the ancient Greek
civilization.

The ancient Greek philosophers asked the question, “What makes us all
connected to each other? What makes us one? What underlies everything that
exists?
The First noted philosopher in western history is Thales ( c.624-545 B.C)
He was a thinker who loved to gaze at the stars. By sensing the harmony of things
in the universe. He said that everything is related to each other because
everything that exists contain water.
Thales (c. 624-545 B.C)
Doing Philosophy
The Etymology of Philosophy
The Etymology of Philosophy
Pythagoras (570 – 495 B.C.)
The Etymology of Philosophy
Aristotle
Summing it up
Summing it up