Philosophy – Lesson 1: Doing Philosophy

Teacher: Mr. JESUS M. DEL ROSARIO

Distinguishing Opinion from Truth

 Etymologically, the word “philosophy” comes from two Greek words:

 Philo – meaning “to love”
 Sophia – meaning “wisdom”
 So “philosophy” is translated literally as “love of wisdom”

Recognize Human Activities that Emanate from Deliberate Reflection

 Branches of Philosophy and Their Basic Questions:

 Philosophy itself – the study of general and
fundamental problems concerning matters such as
existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Asks: Why?
 Metaphysics – the study of the fundamental nature of reality. Asks:
What is there, really?
 Epistemology – the study of the nature of knowledge. Asks: How do
you know?
 Ethics – the study of moral principles, the concepts of right and
wrong conduct. Asks: How should I live? What is the best way for people
to live?
 Aesthetics – the study of art, beauty, and taste. Asks: What is
beautiful?
 Ethics and aesthetics together make up axiology – the study of values.
 Logic – the study of reasoning and argument.

Realize the Value of Doing Philosophy in Obtaining a Broader Perspective in

Life

 Why does man see the need to do philosophy?

 Plato – the sense of wonder
 Rene Descartes – Doubt, “I think therefore I am.”
 Karl Jaspers – Experience, “limit situations
 The love of wisdom – an insatiable desire for truth. Socrates: “I know
that I do not know”; “The uninformed life is not worth living”

Plato Rene Descartes Karl Jaspers Socrates

(428/427 or 424/423 BC- (1596-1650) (1883-1969) (470/469 BC-399 BC)
348/347 BC)

Philosophy – Lesson 1 1
V1.0 (27 June 2017)