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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

QUARTER 1 MODULE|1ST SEM|SY: 2021-2022

COR 13
Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person

This course introduces the students to the activity and process of philosophical reflection
as a search for a synoptic vision of life. The topics to be discussed here include the human
experiences of embodiment, being in the world with others and the environment,
freedom, intersubjectivity, sociality, being unto death. In the process, the learners will
acquire critical and analytical thinking skills.

Lesson 1: Doing Philosophy

At the end of this course, the learners are expected to (a)distinguish a holistic perspective
from a partial point of view, (b) show understanding of the value of doing philosophy in
obtaining a broad perspective on life, and (c)do a philosophical reflection applying the
method of philosophizing.

Do you still remember a time when you asked yourself a random question?
What was it about? How did you learn about it?

The act of doing philosophy necessarily involves the

act of asking questions, contemplating about the
mystery of life, and constructing arguments, and be
able to rationally evaluate them in the end.

To take a good step in the ground of Philosophy, let’s

take a quick look at its origin.

What is philosophy?

Philosophy comes from the two Greek words philo meaning “love” or “friendship” and sophia
meaning “wisdom.” Thus, philosophy means “love of wisdom.” Love is an urge or a drive of a will
towards a particular object. As a drive, love always seeks unity with its object and desires to possess
its object. On the other hand, wisdom means the application of knowledge. Thus, wisdom cannot
be dissociated from knowledge.

Early philosophers on the Greek coast of Asia Minor concentrated on the material cause: they
sought the basic ingredients of the world. Thales and his successors posed the following question:
At a fundamental level is the world made out of water, or air, or fire, or earth, or a combination of
some or all of these? Thales, along with his followers, tried to give philosophical accounts of the
world and humanity.

Most thinkers adhere to the claim that Socrates, Plato and Aristotle are the greatest Philosophers
of all time.

Philosophy, as a term, has no fixed meaning or definition. For the fact that once a word or term is
being defined, it creates limitation and boundary. Questions are more important than answers
because having the answer stops the process of doing philosophy while having the question leads
us to wonder.

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 GOLDEN AGE OF ATHENIAN PHILOSOPHY

Socrates (469/470- Plato (428/427- Aristotle (384-322 BCE)

399BCE) 348/347BCE)
Father of Western
considered the pre-eminent the founder of the systematic,
Philosophy
Greek philosopher, known scientific examination in literally
for his Dialogues and for every area of human
For Socrates, to be happy,
founding his Academy knowledge, and was known, in
a person has to live a
north of Athens, traditionally his time, as "the man who knew
virtuous life. Virtue is not
considered the first everything"
something to be taught or
acquired through university in the western
world. prominent student of Plato; the
education, but rather, it is
Plato, Socrates' most first philosopher who
merely an awakening of
famous student, is a good systematically studied,
the seeds of good deeds
example of a recorded, and criticized
that lay dormant in the
metaphysician who draws previous philosophers’ work.
mind and heart of a
person. the sharpest possible
contrast between reality Aristotle developed the earlier
and appearance. philosophical work of Socrates
Significant idea:
and Plato in a more practical
Socratic Method
and down-to-earth manner.

Significant idea:
5 MAIN BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY
• Theory of Forms
Speculative Philosophy • Dialectic Practical Philosophy
composed of philosophical fields Significant
composed of philosophical idea:study not only to
fields which
whose main concern is the acquisition On Virtues &
obtain knowledge and wisdom but to useEudemonia
that knowledge
of knowledge without any thought of and wisdom for practical purposes
applying it for any practical use

1. Metaphysics 2. Epistemology 3. Ethics 4. Logic 5. Aesthetics

(Questions (Questions related (Questions (Questions (Questions related
related to Being to Truth and related to related to to Beauty and
and Existence) Knowledge) Morality) reasoning) Taste)

explain that part deals with nature, explores the deals with deals with the
of our sources, limitations, nature of moral reasoning; does establishment of
experience, and validity of virtue and not provide us criteria of beauty
which we call knowledge evaluates knowledge of
unreal in terms of human the world
what we call actions; studies directly, for logic
real; attempts to the nature of is considered as
understand the moral a tool, and,
world in terms of judgments; therefore, does
appearance attempts to not contribute
and reality provide an directly to the
account of our content of our
fundamental thoughts.
ethical ideas

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 Approaches in Doing Philosophy

Analytical/Critical Speculative Reductionist Holistic Philosophy

Philosophy Philosophy Philosophy
(1) analyzes and finds an underlying understands complex works on the
defines of our explanation or general ideas by reducing assumption that all
fundamental principle that could them to their parts or properties in a given
concepts explain reality in its individual constituents system cannot be
entirety. broken down by its
(2) criticizes our
component parts
beliefs.
alone, but rather the
system as a whole
entity decides how
the individual parts
behave.

The Value of Doing Philosophy in Obtaining a Broad Perspective on Life

Why do you think we philosophize? We all have the potential to philosophize since we have the
tendency to wonder and doubt.

Doing philosophy can be applied in day-to-day activities and life perspectives. Because it involves
an evaluative process, doing philosophy (1) allows a person to make better decisions and act
accordingly to situations with the help of various philosophical skills. Furthermore, on life
perspectives, philosophy (2) enables reflective thinking which greatly influences a person’s view
of life, challenges, and relationships.

Doing philosophy directs how a person will perceive these factors in life and how they will be
faced. In any setting, wisdom is always gained when philosophy is applied to formulate a
conclusion about a certain concern. The need to philosophize is driven by the love for wisdom. To
love wisdom is to have an insatiable desire for truth.

Philosophical reflection allows a person to look back on previous experiences and evaluate the
meaning or significance of his or her life. Reflection is vital in ensuring that our actions and decisions
are well thought out and are done with due regard for their implications and consequences on
ourselves, others, and our surroundings. When we reflect, we can judge whether our actions or
decisions are reasonable or not. Wisdom refers to a person’s ability to apply knowledge to daily
life particularly in making sound choices and judgment. It is the intended product of
philosophizing.

Truth is the ultimate object of knowledge. Philosophy is absolutely committed to the truth, “the
whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Hence, truth is being shown and practiced by a man of
wisdom. Now, if philosophy means love of wisdom, to philosophize, therefore, is to be in quest, or
to have a desire towards loving and living the truth.

Meaning and Process of Doing Philosophy

In philosophy, point of view describes the perception of an event or phenomenon and how
exactly it is viewed. Point of view often is shaped by an individual's beliefs or experiences. In the
process of doing philosophy, it is critical to have a holistic point of view—the perception of looking
at all aspects of a situation first before making a conclusion. Some other skills involved in doing
philosophy are critical, logical, and analytical thinking, observation, and communicative skills.

Before you engage in philosophical inquiry, you must be able to distinguish between a holistic and
partial point of view. This is critical for anyone doing philosophy because it sets a limit in coming
up with conclusions about a given situation. When you learn philosophy, you are required tolearn
to look into all available perspectives and work on their relationship to come up with sound,
logical, and valid conclusions. In the process, doing philosophy helps one to develop the skill of
broadly looking at the situation first before concluding anything.

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 Points of View in Philosophy

holistic perspective partial perspective

• considers large-scale patterns in systems; • focuses on specific aspects of a situation.

requires an individual to have an open
mindset and ability to get the general sense
or impression regarding a situation.
• looks at all aspects of the given problem or
situation
holistic perspective—the perception of looking
at all aspects of a situation first before making a
conclusion
holistic thinking— big picture mentality in which
a person recognizes the interconnectedness of
various elements that form larger systems,
patterns and objects.
The partial view is an important component
of analytical thinking, as an individual
focuses on certain areas or aspects of a
problem in order to understand it.
• looks at only a limited number of aspects of
the given problem or situation
• opposite of thinking holistically, here, we
analyze something, which involves breaking
down a larger system into its details.

A. The Process of Doing Philosophy begins in wonder. Doing Philosophy or philosophical inquiry
entails confronting current events with wonder.

B. The Process of Doing Philosophy engages in reflection or thinking.

The process of doing philosophy or philosophical inquiry entails reflection or thinking. Primary
reflection examines its object through abstraction, analytically breaking it down into its constituent
parts. It is concerned with definitions, essences, and technical solutions to problems. It is a
fragmented and compartmentalized thinking, because it treats the subject as a personal object.
Secondary reflection, however, treats the primary reflection as a 'fulcrum,' or its springboard is only
the massive, indistinguishable sense of the entire existence of one.

The philosophical processes of (primary) "I have" and (secondary) "I am" are both required to
address or meet any worldly situation. In conclusion, the primary reflection "I have" attempts to
compartmentalize the fusion of human experience. However, the primary role of secondary
reflection "I am" is to bring what has been destroyed back into the whole.

C. The Process of Doing Philosophy entails the formulation and evaluation of

argument. According to Gabriel Marcel, one of the advantages of primary reflection is that it
develops the mind to think logically. The practice of philosophical inquiry or doing philosophy
places a greater emphasis on questions than on answers. Does this imply that philosophers are
unable to discover answers to their questions? Thinkers discovered the answers. However, the
solutions must be evaluated, reformed, and challenged, among other things.

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Multiple Choice. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. It refers to the act of seeing the interconnectedness of systems and procedures to

create the 'big picture’ of an issue.
a. partial thinking b. holistic perspective c. philosophizing d. holistic thinking

2. Questions related to being and existence belongs to this branch of Philosophy.

a. Aesthetics b. Ethics c. Metaphysics d. Logic

3. Because of experience, he saw the need to philosophize.

a. Socrates b. Karl Marx c. Plato d. Karl Jaspers

4. In this approach, we try to understand complex ideas by reducing them to their parts
or individual constituents.
a. Speculative b. Holistic c. Analytical d. Reductionist

5. This perspective involves breaking down a larger system into its details.
a. impartial b. partial c. holism d. holistic

6. It refers to a perspective that considers large-scale patterns in systems.

a. impartial b. partial c. holism d. holistic

7. It is the intended product of philosophizing.

a. doubt b. wisdom c. idea d. thinking

8. In any setting, it is always gained when philosophy is applied to formulate a conclusion

about a certain concern.
a. wisdom b. reasoning c. idea d. reflection

9. It requires a person to be willing to examine one’s thoughts, feelings, and action and
to learn more about one’s life and experiences.
a. reflection b. observation c. knowledge d. doubts

10. To him, questioning perspective is necessary to determine if indeed ideas or views

are correct or true.
a. Plato b. Aristotle c. Democritus d. Descartes

Fabio, Michelle. How the Socratic Method Works and Why Is It Used in Law School. 2019.
Accessed July 21, 2021. https://www.thoughtco.com/

Marcel, Gabriel. The Mystery of Being, Volume I: Reflection and Mystery. Chicago: Henry
Regnery Company. 1950

Mark, Joshua J. (2009). “Socrates.” https://www.ancient.eu/aristotle/

For further understanding, you may check: https://youtu.be/JBTnhWEWf38

Answer: 1. d 2.c 3.d 4.d 5.b 6.d 7.b 8.a 9.d 10. d

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Philosophy| Lesson 1: Doing Philosophy
Name: _____________________________________ Grade & Section: ________________
Teacher:____________________________________ Date: ___________________________
WRITTEN WORK 1 | Multiple Choice. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following is the CORRECT etymological definition of Philosophy?

A. philos and sofia C. philo and sophia
B. philum and sofia D. filo and sophia

2. Which of the following statements best describes the relationship of these three great
philosophers?
A. Plato was the best student of Socrates.
B. Plato was the teacher of Aristotle.
C. Plato and Socrates influenced the idea of Aristotle.
D. Plato and Aristotle influenced the idea of Socrates.

3. Why did Socrates want man to examine our life?

A. He wants us to understand people.
B. He wants us to deal with the many issues in life
C. He wants us to live a worthy living.
D. He wants us to discover convenient ways in dealing with life’s difficulties.

4. Why does the realm of lived experience become necessary in philosophizing?

A. It brings back our memories.
B. It allows us to communicate with our inner selves.
C. It guides us to our destination.
D. It reminds us of our very nature.

5. In philosophizing, why are questions more important than answers?

A. Because answers aid the process of doing philosophy
B. Because answers guide the person in achieving his/her goals
C. Because questions lead us to wonder
D. Because questions exists prior to answers

6. How does the act of philosophizing begin?

A. Philosophy begins with a big question.
B. Philosophy begins being given an ordinary answer.
C. Philosophy begins in ordinary wonder.
D. Philosophy begins with one’s belief.

7. How does Philosophy discover the answers to its questions?

A. Answers are found – then critiqued, reformulated, and challenged.
B. Answers are challenged – then critiqued, reformulated and found.
C. Answers are reformulated-then challenged, critique and found.
D. Answers are critique-then found, reformulate, and challenged.

8. Why is the Socratic Method still relevant today? It is because _____.

A. one can learn through the use of critical thinking, reasoning, and logic
B. one can learn things through digesting information
C. one can learn through the use of mind and heart
D. one can learn through the use of analysis and application of information

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9. What kind of reflection is used when a person examines the object he/she sees by
abstraction?
A. secondary reflection C. impersonal reflection
B. primary reflection D. both primary and secondary

10. Reuniting the fragmented and compartmentalized experience into a logical whole
is accounted to _____.
A. both primary and secondary C. reflection
B. primary reflection D. secondary reflection

WRITTEN WORK 2 | True or False. Write T if the statement is correct otherwise write F. Write
your answer on the space provided. This will be recorded as your

_____1. I want to understand the nature of moral judgments, so I study specifically

on ethics.

_____ 2. I understand complex ideas by reducing them to their parts or individual

constituents. In this case, I am using is the Speculative approach in doing
philosophy.

_____ 3. As the new moderator of the student council, Martin wants to teach the
officers about how to respond to questions with sound reasoning. Among
the branches of philosophy, this is best discussed in Metaphysics.

_____ 4. Karl Jaspers saw the need to philosophize because of doubt.

_____ 5. The ultimate object of knowledge is wisdom.

_____ 6. I ‘m concerned with correct reasoning. The branch of Philosophy I should

explore is Metaphysics.

_____ 7. Aristotelian Method involves finding holes in their own theories and then
patching them up.

_____ 8. Point of view is classified by either primary or secondary.

_____ 9. I demonstrate partial thinking when I considers large-scale patterns in

systems.

_____10. In partial thinking, I deconstruct a bigger system into its constituent parts.

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

- Socrates