Week 1: Introduction to
Philosophy and Current
Issues
WHY YOU SHOULD STUDY
PHILOSPHY?
� 1- PREPARE FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR CAREERS.
� Philosophical study develops \:
� writing, reading, reasoning, re-thinking, adapting, learning, organizing and
dialogue skills.
� In a fast-changing business and technological environment, these are abilities
of great practical value.
� 2-BE A VALUABLE DISCUSSION PARTNER.
� Philosophy assists us in understanding what our own ideas are based on, and
how they stand in relation to those of others when exploring complex issues.
� 3- UNDERSTAND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND THEIR
APPLICATIONS.
� Philosophy provides concepts that apply to family, social and work situations
— helping us recognize and respond to ethical issues in the real world.
� 4- BE A MORE INFORMED CITIZEN.
� To be an engaged citizen today requires an unprecedented degree of media
and information savvy.
� Philosophy provides the tools to counter the distorting effects of advertising and
propaganda on political and social discourses.
� 5- DISCOVER YOUR OWN DEFINITION OF SUCCESS.
� Philosophy classes present students with the challenge of confronting themselves,
their values and their world — what it means to succeed, and why?
� 6- DON’T BE A “YES PERSON.”
� Philosophical study encourages critical thinking — an essential aspect of
creativity and innovation in the workplace. This takes practice and courage.
What is Philosophy?
Philosophy is a way of thinking about certain subjects such as ethics, thought,
existence, time, meaning and value. That 'way of thinking' involves 4
Rs: responsiveness, reflection, reason and re-evaluation. The aim is to deepen
understanding. The hope is that by doing philosophy we learn to think better, to
act more wisely, and thereby help to improve the quality of all our lives.
Introduction to Philosophy
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N98Am5AprY
What is
Philosophy?
The four main branches of
philosophy are metaphysics,
epistemology, axiology, and
logic.
Metaphysics
(The study of reality)
• Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that considers the
physical universe and the nature of ultimate reality.
• It asks questions like, What is real? What is the origin of the world?
What is beyond the stars?
• Your consideration of reality as an external creation or an internal
construct can influence your metaphysical beliefs and
perspectives and your teaching.
•
Regardless of your definition of reality, the exploration and
categorization of the physical universe form the foundation of
several school subjects.
Metaphysics
Some significant questions in metaphysics include the
following:
1. What kinds of things exist? Do only particular things exist or
do general things also exist? How is existence possible?
Questions as to identity and change of objects—are you the
same person you were as a baby? as of yesterday? as of a
moment ago?
2. How do ideas exist if they have no size, shape, or color? (My
idea of the Empire State Building is quite as "small" or as
"large" as my idea of a book. I.e., an idea is not extended in
space.) What is space? What is time?
3. E.g., Consider the truths of mathematics: in what manner do
geometric figures exist? Are points, lines, or planes real or
not? Of what are they made?
4. What is spirit? or soul? or matter? space? Are they made up
of the same sort of "stuff"?
Epistemology
(The study of knowledge)
Epistemology is the branch of
philosophy that considers how
people come to learn what they
know.
These influence how teaching, learning,
and understanding come about in the
classroom.
Derived from the Greek word episteme,
meaning knowledge or understanding,
epistemology refers to the nature and
origin of knowledge and truth.
Epistemology proposes that there
are four main bases of knowledge:
divine revelation, experience, logic
and reason, and intuition.
Epistemology
Some significant questions in epistemology include the following:
• It is a study that asks big questions like what is knowledge?
• What can we know for certain?
• How do we know what we know?
• How can we acquire knowledge?
• What is a justified belief, and what makes it justified?
Axiology
(The study of Principles and
Values)
• Axiology is the branch of philosophy that considers the study of
principles and values.
• These values are divided into two main kinds: ethics and
aesthetics.
• Ethics is the questioning of morals and personal values.
• Aesthetics is the examination of what is beautiful, enjoyable, or
tasteful.
• In axiology, education is more than just about knowledge but also
quality of life.
Axiology
Some significant questions in axiology include the
following:
1. Nature of value: is value a fulfillment of desire, a
pleasure, a preference, a behavioral disposition,
or simply a human interest of some kind?
2. Criteria of value: de gustibus non (est)
disputandum (i.e., (“there's no accounting for
tastes”) or do objective standards apply?
3. Status of value: how are values related to
(scientific) facts? What ultimate worth, if any, do
human values have?
Logic
(The study of current reasoning)
• Logic is the branch of philosophy that seeks to organize reasoning.
Students of logic learn how to think in a structurally sound manner.
• Logic has two types: deductive and inductive reasoning.
• Deductive reasoning involves examining a general case, deducing a
general set of rules or principles, and then applying these rules to specific
cases.
• Inductive reasoning involves taking specific examples and considering the
general principles, rules, or cases that caused them.
Activity (Individual/Pair work)
Brainstorm on how can the 4 branches of
philosophy be applied into a subject or into
education.
List out as many points as possible.
NATIONAL EDUCATION
PHILOSOPHY - OBJECTIVES
To serve as an enlightenment to provide guidance to all
efforts used to develop and improve the national education
To provides the policy and basic consideration to
determine the objectives of National Education.
As a reference to help educators to understand the
national education system and provide necessary guidance
for educators to carry out their educational duties
NATIONAL EDUCATION
PHILOSOPHY - OBJECTIVES
To provide the policy and the basic consideration to plan the
school curriculum, design learning materials and determine
strategies for teaching-learning activities.
To instruct students who will be able to fulfill their duties as
responsible citizens
To produce progressive, skillful and efficient citizens to carry
out the duties productively and satisfactorily so as to
contribute towards the advancement and development of the
country.
NATIONAL EDUCATION
PHILOSOPHY - CONCEPTS
It is a process or activity
of clarifying terms,
thoughts and principles
that guide education and
problem that inhibit
education
Consisting of body of
concepts, principles and
values that underlining
educational practices and
then rationalizes current
practices
Basically based on the
Five National Principles
(Rukunegara)
To develop a world-class
quality education system
which will realize the full
potential of the individual
and fulfill the aspiration
of the Malaysian nation.
NATIONAL EDUCATION
PHILOSOPHY - ELEMENTS
Education is an
on-going effort
Intellectual
Developmental
of individual
potential
Spiritual
Holistic and
integrated
development of
the individual
Balances and
harmonic being
Emotional
Physical Belief
in God and
obedience to God
Metaphysics
NATIONAL
EDUCATION
PHILOSOPHY BRANCHES
Epistemology
Axiology
Logic
NATIONAL EDUCATION
PHILOSOPHY - BRANCHES
Metaphysics
• Important as the individual potentials and abilities will developed in a
holistic and integrated manner
Epistemology
• Important to be able to adapt to the new developments
• Changes to knowledge and personal skills development Life-long learning
emphasis
NATIONAL EDUCATION
PHILOSOPHY - BRANCHES
Axiology
• Role of vertical and horizontal relationship ( individual with God, others and
environment)
• Acceptance of God as the Creator and Almighty
• The importance of religious and moral teaching
• Focus on human development
• Emphasis on personality development
NATIONAL EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY BRANCHES
Logic
• Need for good and systematic work procedures
• As fostering of self-competence
Group Activity : Comparison of
Education Philosophies
1
2
3
Search for the
education philosophy
of another country.
Compare the
education philosophy
of another country
with our national
education policy in
Malaysia.
List out your
comparison in a table
form.
National Principles / Rukun Negara
The National Principles was declared on 31
August 1970 to commemorate the 13th
anniversary of the Independence of Malaysia.
National
Principles
(Rukun
Negara)
It was introduced following the May 13
incident in 1969 which weaken unity among
the races in Malaysia.
It was formed with the main purpose of
forming a strong unity.
The principles contained clearly the key to
harmony and unity for the sake of the success
and stability of the country.
th
What happened on 13 May 1969?
On the 13 May 1969, three days
after the 3rd general election,
whereby the opposition parties
made gains at the expense of
the ruling coalition, a racial riot
occurred in the nation, mainly
in Kuala Lumpur.
According to the government's
report, 196 people were killed
during the riot, while Western
diplomatic sources suggested a
toll close to 600.
The riot had led to the
government declaring a state
of national emergency in the
country and imposing a
nationwide curfew.
• Following
the
declaration
of
the
National
Operations
Council
or
Majlis
Gerakan
emergency,
(NOC)
Malaysia
(MAGERAN) in Malay was formed and acted
as the administrative body of the country for
the following 18 months.
• With the aim of restoring law and order in the
country, the NOC implemented various security
measures
nationwide,
this
includes
the
suspension of newspaper publications, arresting
of several individuals and the suspension of
certain parts of the constitution.
National Operations
Council (NOC)
Formation of National Consultative
Council
The National Consultative Council (Majlis Perundingan Negara)
• formed in January 1970
• consisted of
• the ministers of the NOC
• representatives from state governments
• representatives from political parties
• representatives from press
• representatives from trade unions
• representatives from religious, social and professional groups in
Malaysia
National Consultative Council
The tasks of NCC:
to discuss and propose
solutions on issues
regarding national
unity
formulating positive
and practical guidelines
that encourages
national integration and
racial unity
to build a
shared national
identity amongst
Malaysians
A concept
known as
"Pillars of
the Nation"
was
proposed and
was later
incorporated
into the
Rukun
Negara, the
Pillars were:
Ketuhanan (Belief in God or Supreme Being)
Kesetiaan (Loyalty)
Keadilan (Justice)
Kewarganegaraan (Citizenship)
Keutuhan (Integrity of the Nation)
Kebahagiaan (Well-being)
Kesopanan (Canons of Decency)
National Principles (Rukun Negara)
Due to Malaysia being a multiracial and
multicultural country, this is a principles that is
mainly practice by Malaysia’s community.
Belief in
God
It balances the faith to religion and avoid controversy
because it is a common belief in different cultural and
ethnics to have faith in God, especially in a
multicultural community.
This principles is believes to unite different views
without having a dispute on cultural and religion
perspective.
Malaysia practices a Parliamentary Democratic System and a
Constitutional Monarchy with His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan
Agong as Head of State.
In accordance with the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as
King according to the Constitution, the monarchical system is
also practiced in each state.
Loyalty to the
King and
Country
The Yang Di-Pertuan Negeri for states that do not have a
monarch.
His Majesty, the King and the Head of State are symbols of the
unity of the people.
Loyalty to the King and the State means that every citizen must
devote full loyalty, honesty and sincerity to His Majesty the Yang
di-Pertuan Agong.
At the state level, the people are required to show loyalty to the
king who rules the state where they reside without reducing their
loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Every country has its own constitution.
Supremacy
of the
Constitution
It functions to solve any probable dispute and
issues within the society, from the highest
level of society to the common people.
It is important to ensure the stability of a
country.
Without the existence of a constitution, a
country is not able to function based a proper
legal system.
Rule of Law
No one in Malaysia is above the law.
Any dispute within the country is served to be
solved by referring to the country’s law.
This principle serves to take care of the
nation’s safety, peace, harmony and wellbeing.
Good behaviour and morality
THIS PRINCIPLE FOCUSES
ON AN INDIVIDUAL’S
PERSONAL GROWTH AND
THE COMMUNITY WELLBEING.
IT IS VIEWED AS A STEP TO
MAINTAIN THE
HARMONIOUS LIFE IN THE
COMMUNITY.
INDIVIDUALS ARE
EXPECTED TO REFLECT
GOOD BEHAVIOUR SUCH
AS TOLERATE, RESPECT,
POLITENESS AND WELLMANNERED.
National Principles
(Rukun Negara)
Malaysia nurtures the ambitions of:
• Achieving and fostering better unity amongst
the society;
• Preserving a democratic way of life;
• Creating a just society where the prosperity of
the country can be enjoyed together in a fair
and equitable manner;
• Ensuring a liberal approach towards the rich
and varied cultural traditions;
• Building a progressive society that will make
use of science and modern technology.
What about other countries?
• Malaysia is not alone in having such national principles.
• Neighbouring Singapore has its National Pledge.
• Indonesia embodies its founding principles in Pancasila, the
official state political philosophy.
Discussion
1. How do you practice the national principles in your daily
life?
2. Is there any similarities and differences between our
National Education Philosophy and National Principles?
3. What is the relationship between our National Education
Philosophy and National Principles?