Aesthetics

        Aesthetics is the study of art. It includes what art consists of, as well as
the purpose behind it. Does art consist of music, literature, and painting? Or
does it include a good engineering solution, or a beautiful sunset? These are
the questions that aimed at in esthetics. It also studies methods of evaluating
art, and allows judgments of the art. Is art in the eye of the beholder? Does
anything that appeals to you fit under the umbrella of art? Or does it have a
specific nature? Does it accomplish a goal?

        Art has existed through all of recorded human history. It is unique to
humans because of our unique form of thinking. Its importance is based on
this nature, specifically, man's ability to abstract. Art is a little understood tool
of man to bring meaning to abstract concept. Aesthetics is important because
it delves into the reason why art has always existed, the burning need of
mankind through the ages to see the world in a different, clear way. It further
evaluates art by the standard of human life, and whether it accomplishes the
job of satisfying man's intellectual needs, or whether it tends to hurt or make
worse those needs.

PART II: PHILOSOPHICAL INQUIRY

        It is in the nature of philosophy that man searches for the meaning of
himself and his world. It can truly be said that philosophy was born the very
first time man started wondering at what he saw around him. [Corazon Cruz,
1987]

        Philosophy is a dedicated search for meaning. Once it is started it

“consumes” the whole person—his attention, concentration, interest, and
effort. A philosopher can hardly afford distractions as he goes on his “search”.
He observes, reads, reflects, and writes. He does so without let-up until the
answer is found, or if the answer is not yet found, the conviction is reached
that for the moment at least he has found the best possible although still
imperfect solution. [Corazon Cruz, 1987]

The Philosophical Method of Inquiry

        The Philosophical Method of Inquiry is not pure reasoning. It includes

contemplation combined with and confirmed by experience, observation, and
introspection. In other words, the approach is similar to the scientific / rational
method but it is coupled with philosophical reflection—
        1. Identifying the problem;
        2. Organizing and evaluating the data;
        3. Proposing the hypothesis;
        4. Testing the hypothesis;
        5. Discovering the truths [Conclusion]
        6. Applying principles to specific cases [Philosophical Reflection]

        The Philosophical Method of Inquiry is applicable to solving the mysteries

of the human person because what is involved are non-empiriological
component which cannot be revealed or disclosed by purely empirical and
experimental analyses, however penetrating and efficient these may be. [Felix
Montemayor, 1995]

        The goal of Philosophical Inquiry is the making of sound judgments about
all that man does.

        Philosophy as a body of organized and unified knowledge can be

attained through scientific investigation. As a science, it rejects myth, hearsay
and wishful thinking and makes conclusions using empirical evidence.

        Philosophy has been described as a science because it deals with the
study of the process governing thought and conduct.