PHILOP: PHILOSOPHY

MODULE 1: THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY

1st SEMESTER | S.Y. 2022-2023

TOPIC PHILOSOPHY AS A SECONDARY-ORDER INQUIRY

SUBTOPIC
SCIENTIST (FIRST-ORDER INQUIRY)
SUB-SUB TOPIC He will follow the of his science strictly while
doing his experiment in his laboratory.
THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY
He will not dare questions his scientific
method or the practice and protocol of his
discipline.
PHILOSOPHY AS THE MOTHER DISCIPLINE/QUEEN OF SCIENCES
He will come up with a legitimate raisable
Philosophy seems to be a profound subject matter. Philosophers are everywhere especially at the descriptive and explanatory questions and
beginning of a science. In fact , philosophy is the mother discipline out of which the other science answer them precisely and exactly as he can.
emerge.
PHILOSOPHER (SECOND-ORDER INQUIRY)
Question and criticize the assumption of
scientist in doing his science and
experiment. “What is your justification for
assuming that there are causes and
effects in nature?”
A philosopher would ask general
questions regarding the underlying
assumptions of scientist in doing his
science and experiment.
The least that we can expect from a
philosopher is to find him inside
laboratory doing experiments.

During ancient times in Greek Ionia, before the emergence of philosophy as a discipline, any
investigation regarding the nature of things would be labeled as phusis or ‘nature’.
HOLISTIC AND PARTICULAR POINTS OF VIEW
In this context , Philosophy emerged as something revolutionary since their mythological explanation
about the nature of the universe would be set aside in favor of a more coherent and rational one. HOLISTIC POINT OF VIEW PARTICULAR POINT OF VIEW
Considers all circumstances related to a Considers only a limited number of
The story of philosophy started with triumvirate of the three Milesians: Thales, Anaximander and particular condition. circumstances related to the present
Anaximenes. condition.
Develops an overview of the present Develops a limited view of the present
THALES OF MILETUS condition. condition
Acts based on the overall understanding of the Acts based on limited understanding of
condition. the condition.
 Considered by some as the first philosopher and the Father of Philosophy in the western
Example: Example:
tradition.
Someone listens carefully to both the stories Someone reproaches a friend in favor of
 A man from a fishing village in Miletus, started to diverged from mythological tradition.
and situations of his/her feuding friends the other without listening to the stories
 A mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. before making any attempt to help settle the and situations of the former.
issue.
For Thales, the underlying substance that reality is made of must be water, because water is
everywhere.

ANAXIMANDER HOLISM

 Student of Thales
 From the Greek word “holos” which means whole or total
 A very good prose writer, claimed that fundamental substance of reality is the infinite or
 The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
the apeiron
 It deals with the whole reality with due consideration of the relationship and interaction
 He believed that the earth is cylindrical and is suspended in space.
between and among its parts.
 He was the first philosopher to attempt to draw a map.

ANAXIMENES REDUCTIONISM

 He concluded that the fundamental substance must be air.

 An approach to understanding the nature of complex things by reducing them to the
 Air holds our soul together, it encompasses the whole world. interactions of their parts, or to simpler or more fundamental things.
 He claimed that the earth and other heavenly bodies, for that matter, are like saucers
floating in air. Thus, the earth is flat and round.

HERACLITUS WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?

 From the Greek words: philos (love) and sophia (wisdom)

 He believes that the only thing that is permanent in this world is change (also known as
 An activity people undertake when they seek to understand fundamental truths about
flux or becoming)
themselves, the world in which they live, and their relationships to the world and to
 He is known to have said “ You cannot step into the same rivers, for fresh water as ever each other.
flowing in upon you.”
 Those who study philosophy are perpetually engaged in asking, answering, and arguing
for their answers to life’s most basic questions.
 It provides the human person a holistic perspective that serves as key instrument in
CHARACTERISTICS OF PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS looking and understanding things and situations in the world.
 Considered as invaluable in obtaining on overview on life as it provides a holistic
perspective that could set direction or meaning in life.
1. Questions are often very broad or general.
WHAT PHILOSOPHY IS WHAT PHILOSOPHY IS NOT
What is the purpose of my existence?
2. There is no single methodology for answering these questions. Philosophy is a science Philosophy does not make real progress
Is there really such thing as an objectively given reality? like the sciences
3. Too trivial and impractical. Philosophy is a science of beings Philosophy is not just stating your
personal opinion
Philosophy searches for the ultimate reasons, Philosophy is one’s view in life or other
causes and principles of beings. matters
Philosophy uses the power or natural light of Philosophy is not light reading, something
reason. you relax with in the evening, after all the
serious work of the day is done.
 PHILOP: PHILOSOPHY
MODULE 2: ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENTS OF DOING PHILOSOPHY
1st SEMESTER | S.Y. 2022-2023
LECTURER: MRS. HANFOURI
HISTORICAL PERIOD SCHOOL OF MAIN FEATURES NOTABLE
TOPIC THOUGHT PHILOSOPHERS
Contemporary (19th to Pragmatism Emphasis on the John Dewey
SUBTOPIC present) practical use of Charles Peirce
SUB-SUB TOPIC knowledge William James

Existentialism Human Jean Paul Sartre

experience is Soren
defined by the Kierkegaard
views, emotions, Friedrich
and actions of Nietzsche
the individual Martine
\ ORIGINS AND EVELOPMENTS OF DOING PHILOSOPHY
Heidegger
Simone de
Beauvoir
WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
Phenomenology Experience is Edmund Husserl
studied based on
 Refers to various schools of thought which were conceived and practiced in Europe and subjective
North America. viewpoint of the
 It attempts to grasp universal explanation of things with the use of natural human individual
reason alone. Postmodernism Analysis on how Jacques Derrida
knowledge , Michel Foucault
ideas and power
HISTORICAL PERIODS IN WESTERN PHILOSOPHY relations are
defined.

ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY
EASTERN PHILOSOPHY
 Consists of schools of thought which are often closely tied with religious beliefs.
 (Ca 500 BCE – ca 400 CE)  Often described as “wisdom literature”, where stories, sayings and texts encourage
people to adopt an ethical and harmonious way of life.
 Greek philosophy is an intellectual activity that goes beyond sense perceptions,  There is a great emphasis on social relations, and the family and community are
traditions and belief systems and proceeds to knowing the primordial substance of considered a central aspect of life.
nature and universe.

DEVELOPMENT OF EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

Notable Philosopher Main Features, Belief, Contributions
THALES Father of Philosophy, basic substance of HISTORICAL PERIOD SCHOOL OF THOUGHT MAIN FEATURES
universe is WATER ca 2000 BCE JUDAISM Belief in one God
ANAXIMANDER Fundamental substance of reality is INIFINITE (monotheism), who has
or APEIRON role in the ultimate
ANAXIMENES Fundamental substance of reality is AIR destiny of mankind. The
PYTHAGORAS Coined the term Philosophy, NUMBERS to Human person has to
explain everything study and adbide by the
HERACLITUS The only thing permanent in this world is law enshrined in the
CHANGE. sacred texts of the Torah
ANAXAGORAS Substance of the nature is ATOM and TaNaK.
ca 1500 BCE HINDUISM Belief in a pantheon of
gods, with three main
 SOCRATES developed the SOCRATIC METHOD as an intellectual process to scrutinize gods – Brahma, Shiva
information to arrive at the truth. and Vishnu Belief in
cycle of birth and rebirth
o It involves the process of forwarding a thesis which is positioned against (samsara), which is
an anti-thesis. broken when a person
o The contradiction of ideas results in a new realization or idea called achieves utlitimate
synthesis. union with the Divine
(moksha). Emphasis on
 PLATO a student of Socrates, a prolific writer, introduced the early notion of DUALISM dharma, the fulfillment
where reality comprises of two elements such as matter and form of duties and behavior in
 ARISTOTLE a student of Plato, borrowed the notion of form and matter and put them accordance with the
into a more realistic hue. He is credited to have developed the systematic way of correct established order in the
thinking or LOGIC, and the correct way of acting or ETHICS. world; individual actions
contribute to either a
good or bad effect
(karma) in a person’s life

HISTORICAL PERIOD SCHOOL OF MAIN FEATURES NOTABLE

Medieval Period (5th to
15th centuries)
Enlightenment Period
(17th to 18th centuries)
THOUGHT
Scholasticism Application of
Philosophy to define
and explain religious
doctrine
Rationalism Reason and logic
considered the basis of
knowledge and belief,
man has innate
knowledge that can be
accessed through
intuition or deduction
Empiricism Knowledge is gained
through the sense and
experiences ; reliance
on the inductive
reasoning to arrive at
generalizations
PHILOSOPHERS
St. Thomas Aquinas HISTORICAL PERIOD SCHOOL OF THOUGHT MAIN FEATURES
ca 600BCE Shintoism Animistic religion influenced by
Japanese myth and traditions
Harmony and balance are essential in
Rene Descartes maintaining purity.
Immanuel Kant ca 500 BCE Jainism Rejects the idea of a Creator and
Gottfried Leibniz considers the universe as eternal and
unceasing. Meditation, discipline and
respect for all life are emphasized.
ca 400 BCE Buddhism Founded by Siddhartha Gautama or
the Buddha, meaning enlightened
David Hume one. The Four Noble Truths: 1. There
George Berkeley is suffering 2. Suffering is caused by
John Locke misplaced desire such s as greed,
Immanuel Kant ignorance and hatred 3. Cessation of
Karl Marx suffering to achieve liberation from
suffering 4. To follow the Eight-Fold
Path as a means to enlightenment
 PHILOP: PHILOSOPHY
MODULE 2: ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENTS OF DOING PHILOSOPHY
1st SEMESTER | S.Y. 2022-2023
LECTURER: MRS. HANFOURI

TOPIC

SUBTOPIC

SUB-SUB TOPIC

DEVELOPMENT OF EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

HISTORICAL PERIOD SCHOOL OF THOUGHT MAIN FEATURES

ca 400 BCE Confucianism The contemplation of the
order of things can lead
to selftransformation.
Self-transformation can
lead to the betterment
of the family and society.
Human relationships are
based on mutual
obligations; individuals
should performs their
intended roles and
contribute to social
order.

ca 200 BCE Taoism Emphasis on the unity

and harmony among
opposing elements (yin
and yang); individuals
must seek to understand
and act in accordance
with the natural order

HISTORICAL PERIOD SCHOOL OF THOUGHT MAIN FEATURES

ca 610 BCE Islam Belief in one God, Allah
as the supreme being
and Quran as its sacred
book. Commitment to
faith is shown through
the practice of The Five
Pillars: 1. Testament of
Faith (Shahada) 2. Daily
prayers (Salat) 3. Alms
giving (Zakat) 4. Fasting
during the month of
Ramadan (Sawm) 5.
Pilgrimage to the Holy
City of Mecca (Hajj
ca 1440 CE Sikhism God is believed to have
created the universe and
is present everywhere
and in everything. Man
communicates with God
through meditation and
his ultimate destiny is
union with the Divine

DOING PHILOSOPHY: EAST AND WEST

Origins and Developments of Doing Philosophy Western Philosophy tends to make heavy use of logic,
reason and categorization. An ideas is presented, reasons are given for believing the idea and then
conclusions are made based on the idea. Western philosophy breaks down the ideas and tends to focus
on the parts which marked the beginning of the process for searching for knowledge.

Eastern Philosophy could be summarized as philosophy being a way of life. Being one with the world
and the universe, this consciousness is experienced when religion is practiced and at the same time
doing philosophy
 PHILOP: PHILOSOPHY
MODULE 2: ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENTS OF DOING PHILOSOPHY
1st SEMESTER | S.Y. 2022-2023
LECTURER: MRS. HANFOURI

SPECULATIVE DIVISION OF PHILOSOPHY STUDYING THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON COULD:

METAPHYSICS- PROVIDE A BROADER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SELF, OTHERS, AND THE ULTIMATE BEING
-STUDIES THE NATURE IF REALITY AND EXISTENCE DEVELOP A THOROUGH APPRECIATION OF THE HUMAN PERSON AS A SUBSTANCIAL UNITY OF THE
-HELPS THE HUMAN PERSON EXISTENTIAL BODY AND SOUL
APPREHEND THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE HUMAN PERSON IN RELATION TO THE OTHER ANIMATE AND
MAIN QUESTIONS: INANIMATE COMPONENTS OF CREATION AND
WHAT IS REAL? OFFERA BETTER UNDERSTAANDINGOF HUMAN NATURE, MEANING OF HUMAN EXISTENCE, AND THE
WHY DOES A THING EXISTS? ORIGIN AND END OF THE HUMAN PERSON.
WHAT IS TIME AND SPACE?

EPISTEMOLOGY-
-NATURE OF KNOWLEDGE
-HELPS THE HUMAN PERSON DETERMINE KNOWLEDGE AND TRUTH

MAIN QUESTIONS
WHAT REALLY IS KNOWLEDGE?
HOW IS KNOWLEDGE POSSIBLE?
HOW IS IT DIFFERENTIATED FROM OPINION AND BELIEF?

THEODICY
-STUDIES THE NATURE OF GOD IN THE LIGHT OF HUMAN REASON ALONE
-THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE GOOD GOD

MAIN QUESTIONS
IF GOD IS GOOD AND HE CREATED EVERYTHING
WHAT IS THERE EVIL IN THIS WORLD?
WHY IS THERE SUFFERING?
WHY DO GOOD PEOPLE DIE EARLY?

COSMOLOGY
-STUDIES THE NATURE OF MATERIAL UNIVERSE
-HELPS PROVIDE THE HUMAN BEING FOCUS TO DETERMINE THE MEANING OF EXISTENCE

MAIN QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE?
IS THERE A MIND BEHIND THE UNIVERSE?
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF COSMOS?

PRACTICAL
SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF TRUTH AS APPLIED TO AREAS OF HUMAN CONCERN
ITS FOCUS IS THE DELIBERATION AND APPLICATION OF THEORY TO THE ACTUAL HUMAN STATE OF
AFFAIRS.

LOGIC
DEALS WITH THE ART AND SCIENCE OF CORRECT THINKING
CONCERN IS. ON THE CLARITY AND VALIDITY OF REASONING
IT GUIDES THE HUMAN BEING IN THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH

MAIN QUESTIONS
WHAT IS CORRECT REASONING
HOW DOES ONE REASON OUT CORRECTLY
WHAT IS A VALID ARGUMENT

ETHICS
DEALS WITH VALUES AND CORRECT ACTION
IT PROVIDES

AESTHETICS
DEALS WITH ART AND BEAUTY
IT PROVIDES GUIDE TO APPRECIATION OF BEAUTY AND NOBLE EMOTION

MAIN QUESTIONS
WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL
WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE STANDARD OF BEAUTY

PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

A FIELD OF PHILOSOPHY THAT WONDERS ON THE NATURE OR ESSENCE OF THE HUMAN PERSON
(SPECULATIVE) AND THE MANNER THROUGH WHICH THE PERSON COMES TO REALIZE THE TRUTH
(PRACTICAL)

INTERPRETIVE
ASSOCIATED WITH SPECULATIVE DIVISION OF PHILOSOPHY
TELLS AFFIRMS WHAT IS

PRESCRIPTIVE
ASSOCIATED WITH PRACTICAL DIVISION OF PHILOSOPHY
TELLS AFFIRMS WHAT OUGHT TO BE