Introduction to

SHS the Philosophy

of the Human
Person
Grade Twelve
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Introduction to the
Philosophy of the
Human Person
Grade 12

Regional Office Management and Development Team: Job S. Zape, Jr.,

Eugene Rey Santos, Fe M. Ong-Ongowan, Lhovie A. Cauilan

Schools Division Office Management Team: Luhinia M. Ofren,

Marigen N. Leosala, Severa C. Salamat, Gilbert G. Manaois,
Renel A. Bernardino, Floro Llamas Peria Jr.

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

PIVOT IV-A Learner’s Material
Quarter 1, Version 1.0
First Edition, 2020

Published by: Department of Education Region IV-A CALABARZON

Regional Director: Wilfredo E. Cabral
Assistant Regional Director: Ruth L. Fuentes

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 Guide in Using PIVOT Learner’s Material

For the Parents/Guardian

This module aims to assist you, dear parents, guardians, or

siblings of the learners, to understand how materials and activities
are used in the new normal. It is designed to provide the information,
activities, and new learning that learners need to work on.

Activities presented in this module are based on the Most

Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) in Introduction to the
Philosophy of the Human Person as prescribed by the Department of
Education.

Further, this learning resource hopes to engage the learners in

guided and independent learning activities at their own pace and
time. Furthermore, this also aims to help learners acquire the needed
21st century skills while taking into consideration their needs and
circumstances.

You are expected to assist the child in the tasks and ensure the
learner’s mastery of the subject matter. Be reminded that learners
have to answer all the activities in their own notebook.

For the Learners

The module is designed to suit your needs and interests using

the IDEA instructional process. This will help you attain the
prescribed grade-level knowledge, skills, attitude, and values at your
own pace outside the normal classroom setting.

The module is composed of different types of activities that are

arranged according to graduated levels of difficulty—from simple to
complex. You are expected to answer all activities on separate
sheets of paper and submit the outputs to your respective teachers
on the time and date agreed upon.

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 PARTS OF PIVOT LEARNER’S MATERIAL

Parts of the LM Description

What I need to
know The teacher utilizes appropriate strategies in presenting
Introduction

the MELC and desired learning outcomes for the day

or week, purpose of the lesson, core content and
relevant samples. This allows teachers to maximize
learners awareness of their own knowledge as regards
content and skills required for the lesson
What is new

The teacher presents activities, tasks , contents of

What I know
Development

value and interest to the learners. This shall expose the

learners on what he/she knew, what he /she does not
know and what she/he wanted to know and learn.
What is in Most of the activities and tasks must simply and
directly revolve around the concepts to develop and
master the skills or the MELC.
What is it

The teacher allows the learners to be engaged in

What is more
various tasks and opportunities in building their KSA’s
to meaningfully connect their learnings after doing the
Engagement

tasks in the D. This part exposes the learner to real life

situations /tasks that shall ignite his/ her interests to
What I can do meet the expectation, make their performance
satisfactory or produce a product or performance
which lead him/ her to understand fully the skills and
What else I can concepts .
do

The teacher brings the learners to a process where

What I have they shall demonstrate ideas, interpretation, mindset or
Assimilation

learned values and create pieces of information that will form

part of their knowledge in reflecting, relating or using it
effectively in any situation or context. This part
encourages learners in creating conceptual structures
What I can
giving them the avenue to integrate new and old
achieve
learnings.

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WEEKS

1-2 Philosophy: Partial to Holistic Perspectives

I Lesson

This lesson introduces you to the realm of wonderment in searching for the
meaning of realities. This guides you to utilize your critical and reflective thinking
abilities to know the truth in its specific and holistic meaning.

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to: demonstrate knowledge about
philosophy, its meaning, branches and importance; distinguish and reconcile
realities from a particular to a universal standpoint; perform deliberate reflection
as basis for human actions; understand the process of philosophizing to
comprehend the broader views of life; and utilize philosophical reflection to com-
prehend the holistic essence of realities.

Learning Task 1: Compare the statements below and state your observations. In
your notebook, answer the questions that follow.

Statement 1
Do you like to eat apples?
Statement 2
How do you like to eat apples?

1) Do the statements above have the same or related contents? Explain.

2) Why do you think they are constructed differently?
3) Which question requires an explanation? Explain.
4) What skills are developed in answering questions that require explanations?
5) Are questions important in seeking for truth? Explain.

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Learning Task 2: Create four (4) questions related to each picture presented
below. Two (2) questions will start with how and the other two (2) will begin with
why statements. Then, answer the questions below. Do this in your notebook.

1. What are your experiences in making questions that start with how or why
statements?
2. Why do we need to ask questions that require explanation?
3. When do we ask question that requires explanation? Why?
4. How is knowledge possible through inquiry?
5. Do we need to ask questions with yes-no answers? Why?

Learning Task 3: Study the statements below. Describe them by answering the
questions that follow. Write your answers in your notebook.

What 3 characteristics that you want to change?

What 3 characteristics that you want to acquire?
What 3 characteristics that you admire from others?

1. What difficulty did you experience in giving the required answers for all the
statements above?
2. How does the process of questioning help you identify the needed answers?
3. Which question you find difficult to answer? Explain.

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PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy comes from the Greek words, philo which means love and sophia
which means wisdom. Thus, philosophy is literally defined as love of wisdom. As
such, man, a rational and sentient being is the only being capable of searching
for wisdom. He, then, is the only creature who possesses the ability to ask
questions as his ultimate tool in search for what is a true knowledge or wisdom.
To facilitate better understanding in this context, Co (2009) states that only
humans can and need to philosophize because of their uncertainties, which
manifest themselves as doubts. Therefore, we may say that philosophy begins
and ends with humans.

Caraan (2016) reiterates that the ability to inquire or ask questions is

inherent to all human beings. The act of asking questions is the person’s way of
making sense of all the things around him or her that he or she does not
understand.

The term inherent signifies that at birth, man is endowed with the skill to
know the truth and this capability brings man on top of God’s creatures. Thus,
the beginning of knowledge is attributed to man’s ability to wonder about the
things around them and the things which eyes cannot perceive physically as in
the case of metaphysics or the so called ontological questions.

The internet and other references point out that in doing philosophical
endeavor, the process of wondering and questioning are always considered as the
sources of knowledge. This is true. However, a deeper knowledge is not obtained
by simply asking a question because the subject of philosophy is different from
that of non-philosophical subject. For instance, What is your name? requires a
fact which is already known to the person asked. This is not considered as a
philosophical question. For Caraan (2016), what is considered as philosophical
subjects are matters a reflective person believes in, counts as real, and considers
as good which shapes his or her life. The example above needs a simple recall
only which does not entail true reflective process.

In the strictest sense, philosophy is defined as the knowledge of all things in

their first principles or causes as seen by natural right of reason. In other words,
philosophy is knowledge being both human and divine (Javines, 2009).

The process of doing philosophy as a mean to search for true knowledge and
wisdom makes man arrogant over other creatures. In ancient period, the term
wise signifies an important title to a person who is able to rationalize and find
the ultimate causes of reality. The term simply manifests perfection which
humans cannot attain no matter how they strive to achieve it using their mind
and intellect. Thus, Pythagoras attributed the term wise only to God whose
nature is perfect as His existence. But for man, Pythagoras used the term
philosopher who is an imperfect being striving for perfection through his/her own
human nature. Even Socrates believed that “only God is truly wise”.

In today’s era where man has succumbed to the flight of modernity, the room
to appreciate reflective method seems diminishing. Philosophy, therefore, should
be relived by inculcating to the minds of the millennials its importance. Javines
(2009) noted that:

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 Philosophy leads us to a broader understanding of man and experience.
 Philosophy gives man pleasure or satisfaction
 Philosophy serves man a better understanding of themselves and their
fellow human beings.
 Philosophy acquaints a person to the various philosophical thinkers of the
past and of their time.
 Philosophy will guide them in making day-to-day decision of life and
experiences.
 Philosophy gives other sciences a sense of meaning.

Since philosophy is a discipline that studies different facet of human

existence in search for truth, it is classified into two groups, namely: theoretical
and practical branches. There are some philosophical disciplines that maintain
their status as merely theories and give emphasis on the exercise of the mind in
reasoning and explaining basic truth without concrete and empirical bases.
Others are visibly applied in day to day living; hence, the term practical is
applied to this branch of philosophy.

Theoretical Branches of Philosophy

1. Epistemology. The sources and origin of knowledge and truth is important

so this discipline that discusses about truth and knowledge obtained
through senses---those formed in the mind and those related to feelings.
2. Metaphysics. This pertains to the endeavor to know the existence of
something beyond the physical aspect or attribute of that something. This
may render explanation about death, purpose of man’s life, etc. Meta
means beyond physical.
3. Theodicy. Questions about God and spirits are some of the concerns that
this branch of philosophy is trying to explain. This pertains to questions
and study about the existence of God and His nature.
4. Ontology. This is a branch of philosophy that deals with the study of the
essence of reality, and is an exploration for what reality is in the final
analysis and principles of being and reality of things in general.

Practical Branches of Philosophy

1. Ethics. The questions of right and wrong, morality and immorality belong
to this discipline. According to Caraan (2016), this branch of philosophy is
concerned about human conduct.
2. Aesthetics. This philosophy discusses about one’s perception and
experience of beauty. This may answer the questions on the standard or
criteria or judgment of the aesthetic aspect of a particular reality.
3. Axiology. This branch of philosophy deals with values and reasons
including the science of morality which is Ethics.
4. Logic. This is a branch of philosophy which talks about the principles
underlying correct thinking. For Timbreza (n.d.), it is the study of the
methods and principles used to distinguish correct from incorrect
reasoning.

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Learning Task 4: Examine each quotation below. In your notebook, write PB if
the message falls under one of the branches of Practical Philosophy and TB for
Theoretical Philosophy.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

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Learning Task 5: Complete the statements below based on your understanding of
the various concepts in philosophy as applied in real-life situations. State the
branch of philosophy that is applied. Do this in your notebook.

1. I believe in God because………..(branch of philosophy)

2. I know there is heaven because………..(branch of philosophy)

3. Killing someone is immoral because………..(branch of philosophy)

4. We should act rightfully because………..(branch of philosophy)

5. The values I learned from home are………..(branch of philosophy)

6. I know that beauty………..(branch of philosophy)

7. We must always use “po” at “opo” because………..(branch of philosophy)

8. I know the field is wet because………..(branch of philosophy)

9. We should preserve the beauty of environment because………..(branch of

philosophy)

10. True knowledge comes from experience because………..(branch of philosophy)

A
 Philosophy comes from the Greek words philo which means love and sophia

which means wisdom. Thus, philosophy is literally defined as love of wisdom.

 Only humans can and need to philosophize because of their uncertainties,

which manifest themselves as doubts. Therefore, we may say that philosophy

begins and ends with humans.

 Since philosophy is a discipline that studies different facets of human

existence in search for truth, it is classified into two groups, namely:

theoretical and practical branches. There are some philosophical disciplines

that maintain their status as merely theories and give emphasis on the

exercise of the mind in reasoning and explaining basic truth without concrete

and empirical bases. Others are visibly applied in day to day living; hence, the

term practical is applied to this branch of philosophy.

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Learning Task 7: In your notebook, write a 5-paragraph personal insights about
the given topic below.

“What Am I?”

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WEEKS

3-4 Methods of Philosophy

I Lesson

This lesson includes the discussions on deliberate reflection as a means to

view reality through an in-depth process of examining ourselves to arrive to
objective and sound judgments. The thought of Socrates is a helpful guide to
achieve this meaningful process as he believes that Unexamined Life is Not Worth
Living.
The scope of this lesson is focused on how man should look at the process
of deliberate reflection as a way to find truth and show that this process differs
from mere thinking or recalling summation of events.
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to: utilize the process of
deliberate reflection based on one’s own experiences; demonstrate ability to form
sound judgment based on reflective decision-making; identify the importance of
deliberate reflection in finding objective truth; perform philosophical reflection to
facilitate making better life choices; and develop the reflective and critical thinking
skills.

Learning Task 1: Write three (3) decisions on the terms/concepts below where
you have regrets. Also, answer the questions that follow. Write your answers in
your notebook.

A. Studies
B. Faith
C. Relationship with Friends or Family

1) Why do you regret the decisions you have made?

2) If given the chance, would you choose to change your decisions?
3) What lessons did you learn from the process?
4) How did you correct or modify your wrong decisions? How did you cope
with them?
5) Do you usually ask someone to assist you in making a decision? Explain.

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Learning Task 2: Play any soft inspirational music while thinking of your happy
childhood memories. Then, answer the questions below in your notebook.
1) What important happy memory have you thought of?
2) Who are the persons, things or places involved?
3) If given a chance, would you go back and experience it again?
4) Is it important that once in a while, we reminisce our past experiences?
5) What can you get from reminiscing your past experiences?

Learning Task 3: Think and create a shadow using your hands or other parts of
your body. Then, answer the questions below. Do it in your notebook.
1) How do you find the activity?
2.) What is the story behind the shadow?
3) How do you relate your experiences with the shadow you created?
4) Is the process of reflection important to life? Explain.
5) How is the process of reflection improves your life?

What makes humans distinct from other creatures is their ability to think,
to reason and to distinguish right from wrong actions. But this reality should not
cease here. Humans are beings, different from brutes not just because of their
rationality but more so, their ability to reflect and look back to see the past as
reference for his future.

Socrates’ Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living

The article Philosophical Reflection Essay states that one of the major things
that distinguish man from other animals is their ability to ruminate or reflect. To
be fully conscious which means be fully aware and thoughtful. In a world where
different belief systems are flying around, man needs to test all things and hold on
to that which is certain.

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 Reflection is an important activity that man should consider to be able to
see the deeper meaning of life, actions and decisions. The word consciousness
does not only pertain to what is happening now but to an in-depth awareness of
the past that helps shapes a more meaningful now. Reflection is a deliberate and
structured thinking about choices. It is an integral step to improving our practice
(Sanders, 2018).

Thinking is different from reflecting, where the latter is not simply creating
a summation of past events like remembering, reflection is abstracting something
good and valuable from the past to establish a basis for the future actions. This
can be achieved in solitude where one is free to connect ideas and be able to
produce new ones. The process of reflection facilitates knowledge and innovations
when done deliberately.

Philosophy as a Reflective Activity

Seeing the ultimate reasons of philosophizing such as searching for
ultimate causes of realties, the process of reflection heeds the similar way in order
to find meanings of man’s every action. Goldberg (2018) knows that philosophy is
a reflective activity that invites one to explicitly make their fundamental
assumptions and beliefs. Self-reflection should take the further backward step of
inspecting these assumptions and beliefs for internal coherence and consistency.
By positing questions on how and why they hold on various beliefs, the true
meaning of which will be attained by one’s own life and to the society where one
belongs.

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Learning Task 4: Get some old pictures of each member of your family. Paste
them in your notebook. Provide descriptions including your personal experiences
and feelings for each member of your family.

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Learning Task 5: In your notebook, arrange the items according to the following:

A. From general to specific description

1. Human being, Rational, Allen

2. Mt. Mayon, Volcano, Perfect Cone Volcano

3. Camote, Vegetable, Root crop

4. Sampaguita, National Flower, Flower

5. Ms. Arguel, Teacher, Math Teacher

B. From specific to general description

1. Fruit, Mangosteen, Herbal Fruit

2. Means of transportation, four-wheeled, truck

3. Virus, Disease, Corona Virus

4. Pres. Duterte, Government Official, President

5. Ocean, Body of Water, Pacific Ocean

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Learning Task 6: In your notebook, write a 5-paragraph personal insight about
the topic below.

“My body parts are not equal to what I am.”

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WEEKS

5-6 Transcendence: Limitations and Possibilities

I Lesson

This lesson focuses on the importance of doing philosophy as a process to

appreciate reality in its objective point of view. It discusses how one understands

a partial truth which leads him to the discovery of the whole truth. Just as life is

not at all full of glory but this reality is part of man’s existence to be called human

life.

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to: demonstrate understanding

of the need for pleasure; acknowledge that sacrifices is necessary to life;

differentiate the concepts of stoicism and hedonism; perform philosophical

reflection based on personal experiences to see the objective point of view of

reality; and determine how freedom is used in making rightful decisions

Learning Task 1: Complete the sentences using the prompts below. Then,
answer the questions that follow. Write your answers in your notebook.

Example: Thought to guess: “Love”

Incomplete sentences Answers

a. This feeling…… This feeling makes me feel wonderful.
b. Sometimes I….. Sometimes I am hurt because of it.
c. I am….. I am blessed to feel this way.

1. Complete the sentences

I can…
But I am not…
So, I…

2. Complete the sentences

I don’t forget…
It is very…
It makes me…

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 3. Complete the sentences
I learn to….
This is my dream….
Now I am good...….

Questions:
1. How do you know if someone is not telling the whole truth?
2. Were you able to know the whole truth at one glance?
3. What are your ways to find out the whole truth?
4. How do you see the broad perspective of life?
5. How do you find happiness?

D
Learning Task 2: Think of a particular belief and reasons for believing on it.
Then, answer the questions that follow. Write your answers in your notebook.

Questions:
1) Do you find this belief helpful to you? How?
2) Is there an instance that you set aside your belief because you have found
the truth? Explain.
3) Did your experience change your perspective on your belief? How?
4) How do you correct misconception after realizing your belief to be
unreasonable?
5) Are you willing to accept others’ beliefs? Why?

Learning Task 3: Tell whether the statement is MERON (True) or WALEY (False)
based on your background about the given concepts. Explain your answer if you
choose WALEY. Write your answers in your notebook.

1. A person can be infected by COVID-19 through mosquito bites.

2. Handwashing technique is a good defense against COVID-19 only.
3. COVID means Coronavirus disease.
4. One of the symptoms of COVID-19 is fever.
5. It is advised that you take off your mask when talking in a crowded place.

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Questions:
1) Does your background of the topic help you in making a choice?
2) How did you get your knowledge of COVID-19?
3) How do you improve this knowledge for safety reasons?
4) Does your background of particular reality assist you to know the truth?
5) Do you believe that what you know is only part of the whole truth?

What is the purpose of philosophizing? Perhaps, this question remains the

top concern of people who love to know the many facets of human existence.
Maybe, others just wish to understand the essences of things and their relativity
to other realties. On how one understands a particular truth which leads him to
the discovery of the whole truth. Just as life is not at all full of glory but this
reality is part of man’s existence to be able to be called human life. Each
happening and every struggle of man is what makes his life more meaningful since
these are the ingredients that make dish more delicious and complete.

Hedonisms
Some people see life in a perspective that gives significance to pleasure more
than misery. They believe that, “Life is too short, just enjoy!” These are those
people who believe that a body is composed of mater even the soul. Thus, man has
nothing to worry about when they die because like their body, their soul may
likewise disintegrate, too. Fear of final judgment is an uncommon concept in this
philosophy.
Epicurus was born in Samos. In Athens, he founded a school of philosophy.
His philosophical theory is called “atomistic materialism”, deduced from
Democritus. According to this theory, the universe is composed of matter (in the
form of atoms) in motion in empty space. All physical bodies, including human
beings, are the results of combinations of these atoms (Nerry, 2010).
Epicureanism advocates hedonism, from the Greek word pleasure.
Pleasure is the only good in life (Nerry, 2010).

Stoicism
This philosophy is known to be the opposite of hedonism. Another perspective
on how man views life which is not only a place where pleasure should reign all
the time but beyond this, sacrifices play an important aspect to make it more
valuable. Epictetus was the most influential of all of the stoic philosophers who
was born in Heiropolis (Asia Minor) about the middle of the 1st century A.D.
(Nerry, 2010).

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Manual of Epictetus Ethical Teachings (Nerry, 2010)
1. Epictetus Stoic View of Man
Man can be enslaved on the outside, “externally” (have one’s body
in chains) and free “internally” (be at peace with oneself in aloofness
from all pleasure and pain.
2. Dualism of Mind (Soul and Body)
The inner realm is a realm of freedom. The outer realm is a realm of
determinism (things outside of the mind, including out own bodies,
are determined by factors beyond control). We have control over our
thoughts and our will, but we do not have control over external for
tune.

Stoicism as a philosophy serves man the opportunity to live in harmony with

his fellow human beings. This thought is responsible in telling man that life does
not only gear towards one’s pleasure regardless of how this feeling is achieved.
Stoics maintains the principle of knowing oneself, Understanding one’s limitation,
weakness and failures to be able to have full control of the so called, inner realm.
Kinkade (2001) argues that most people recognize that Stoicism excels in two
areas of life more than any other school of philosophy. First is during emotional
or physical suffering. This happens especially when you have a reversal of fortune
in life or are the victim of wickedness. Second is knowing yourself (recognizing the
path that will make you happy in life).
Stoicism believes that external factors have great influence on how man
decides and acts. The exercise of freedom to choose the rightful acts from the
wrongful one is also the concern of this discipline. Stoicism was more of a guide to
right conduct (Nerry, 2010).

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Learning Task 4: In your notebook, write two (2) sentences using the pair of
words below.

1. pain and glory

2. success and failure
3. joy and sadness
4. right and wrong
5. inner self and external self

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Learning Task 5: Choose the correct question for the given answer. In your
notebook, write the letter that corresponds to your answer.

1. A belief that external factors have great influence on how man decides
and acts.
A. What is philosophy?
B. What is stoicism?
C. How do you explain the concept of hedonism?
D. What is philosophizing?

2. Man has nothing to worry about when they die because like their body,
their soul may likewise disintegrate, too.
A. Which explains stoicism?
B. Which concept speaks about hedonism?
C. How do you explain the idea of philosophizing?
D. How man considers life?

3. Epicurus
A. Who believes that man can be enslaved on the outside
externally (have one’s body in chains) and free internally (be at
peace with oneself in aloofness from all pleasure and pain?
B. Who argues that most people recognize that Stoicism excels in two areas
of life more than any other school of philosophy?
C. Who theorizes that the universe is composed of matter (in the form of
atoms) in motion in empty space?
D. Who believes to the theory called “atomistic materialism”?

4. Sacrifices play an important aspect to make life more valuable.

A. Which statement deals with stoicism?
B. Which philosophy pertains to man’s search for pleasure?
C. Which notion speaks of hedonism?
D. Which explains the idea of “atomistic materialism”?

5. We have control over our thoughts and our will, but we do not have
control over external for tune.
A. Which statement speaks of Epictetus Stoic view of man?
B. What is dualism of mind (soul and body)?
A. Which statement talks of epicureanism?
C. Which notion speaks of hedonism?
D. How does the notion of hedonism work?

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 A
Learning Task 7: In your notebook, write a five-paragraph personal insight about
the topic below.

“What is pleasurable to the my body is either good or harmful to my soul.”

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WEEKS

7-8 Virtues and Values

I Lesson

This lesson offers man the opportunity to look at the mirror not to see their
reflection but use their reflection to know themselves deeper. This lesson
discusses the process of philosophical reflection on concrete events from holistic
perspective or the process of induction.

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to: distinguish holistic view of
reality from partial view; grasp the meaning of reality from specific context to
universal understanding; utilize reflective skill to arrive to deeper understanding
of self in relation to others; perform philosophical reflection to view the whole
scenario from the partial perspective; and understand the relativity process to see
the relationship of particular experiences and the holistic meaning of phenomena

Learning Task 1: Think of one thing that you consider a successful particular
experience. Then, answer the questions below. Write your answers in your
notebook.

1. Whom did you share this success with? Why?

2. What makes it different from the other successes that you are having?
3. Do you usually look back to see a particular incident that can make you
proud today? Why?
4. Do feel regretful on the things that cause you to fail?
5. What did you do if you fail?

Learning Task 2: Draw a figure (e.g. square, triangle, rectangle). Divide it into
three (3) parts. Identify a person whom you consider inspirational or admirable.
Write three (3) good characteristics of a person you admire most, one for each part
of the figure. Then, answer the questions that follow. Do this in your notebook.

Example: My Father

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Questions:
1. How does characteristics contribute to your holistic knowledge of a
person?
2. Why do we need to tell more about a person in order that others may know
him/her better?
3. Does our holistic knowledge of individual help us to know him/her the
more?
4. Does a portion of the figure (square, triangle, etc.) tell us the actual
appearance of the same figure as a whole?
5. Is it necessary that all the characteristics do not contradict with one
another?

D
One of the important lessons that philosophy offers to mankind is the
opportunity for man to look at the mirror not only to see their reflection but use
their reflection to know themselves better. This is the process of philosophical
reflection which helps human beings to look beyond the exact image on the mirror
to be able to see new knowledge of himself. The picture will help us understand
the meaning of philosophical reflection.

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 The question of relativity is significant in the discussion of reflective process
where man is able to see the relationship of a particular experience with holistic
understanding of a phenomenon. How philosophical reflection helps man see the
value of own experience of a particular reality in connection to the experiences of
other humans on the same reality.
In one of the major themes of Schleiermacher’s System of Hermeneutics, it
was emphasized that understanding is grasping the meaning of the parts through
dividing the whole, and understanding the whole through grasping the parts
(Nery, 2006).
When one understands the function of each part of the car, then he/she
can manage to understand how these parts influence one another in order for the
car to work in an orderly manner. The picture in the previous page shows the
ability of man which does not confine on mere explanation of the picture based on
what one sees only (reflection of the milk) but goes beyond the actual reflection of
the object, “What does this milk taste like?”
Hence, in philosophical reflection of a particular reality, one is capable to
possess knowledge beyond the physical characteristics of the things that are
presented to him/her. In fact, through this process called reflection, one is able to
conclude and understand the whole scenario even though other scenarios are not
presented before one’s eyes. Likewise, when one looks at the holistic point of view
of a reality; then, one can understand the significance of specific parts of this
reality. For instance, looking at a car, one may know that it has a gear, tire, etc.
that function systematically so that someone may have the chance to drive it.

E
Learning Task 3: Arrange the concepts below. Do this in your notebook.

From specific to general concept From general to specific concept

1. Coffee, black coffee, Nescafe 4. Manila, Philippines, Quiapo
2. Solar system, planets, Earth 5. Filipino, man, Joseph
3. Private school, St. Benilde, School 6. Typhon, Natural Calamity, Osang

From specific to general concept From general to specific concept

1. _____, _____, ______ 4. _____, _____, ______
2. _____, _____, ______ 5. _____, _____, ______
3. _____, _____, ______ 6. _____, _____, ______

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Learning Task 4: Read the statements carefully. Based on your background of
the topic, write the name of the figure that contains the letter of the correct
answer with reference to the each statement. Then, answer the questions that
follow. Do this in your notebook.

1. It is grasping the meaning of reality.

A. Understanding
B. Knowledge
A. C. D. C. Opinion
B.
D. Philosophizing

2. It helps man see the value of his own experience of a particular reality in
connection to the experiences of other humans on the same reality.

A. Understanding
A. C. D.
B. Philosophical
B.
Reflection
C. Induction
D. Philosophizing

3. The meaning is the same as an overview of particular reality.

A. Specific
A. C. D.
B. Partial
B.
C. Holistic
D. Philosophical

Questions:
1. Does your background of the topic help you in making a choice?
2. Why do we need to have a significant background of the topic?
3. Where do we usually get our prior knowledge of something?
4. Does your background of particular reality assist you to know the truth?
Explain.
5. Do you believe that what you know is only part of the whole truth? Explain.

25
Learning Task 5: Read each statement below. Put a check ( / ) if it the statement
is true and MM if it says otherwise. Write your answers in your notebook.

1. The process of philosophical reflection helps human beings to look beyond the
exact image on the mirror to be able to see new knowledge of themselves.
2. The question of reality is significant in the discussion of reflective process
where man is able to see the relationship of a particular experience with their
holistic understanding of a phenomenon.
3. It was emphasized that thinking is grasping the meaning of the parts through
dividing the whole, and understanding the whole through grasping the parts.
4. Philosophical reasoning helps man see the value of their own experience of a
particular reality in connection to the experiences of other humans on the
same reality.
5. In the process called reflection, man is able to conclude and understand the
whole scenario even though other scenarios are not presented before their
eyes.

A
Learning Task 7: In your notebook, write a five-paragraph personal insight about
the topic below.

“I can understand and describe humankind through my own essence.”

26
 References

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House, Espana, Manila.2009
Javines, Romeo, R. “Philosophy of Human Person.” Educational Publishing
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Magee, Bryan and Milligan, Martin. “On Blindness”. Oxford University Press.
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Nery, Maria Imelda Pastrana. ” Fundamentals of Logic”. Cacho Hermanos, Inc.
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Timbreza, Florentino T. “Logic Made Simple for Filipinos.” Phoenix Publishing
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www.gotquestions.org/amp/biblical-stewardship.html
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December 26, 2018 from https://thephilosophyforum.com/
discussion/832/whole-is-greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts
Padwe, J., (2016). “Anthropocentrism”. http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/
view/document/obo-9870199830060/obo-978019980060-0073.xml
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studymoose.com/philosophical-reflection-essay
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meaning-of-philosophy-flash-cards)
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National University, Ireland. http//eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/5204.
2005
Roly Russel, Anne D. Guerry, Patricia Balvanera, Rachelle K. Gould, Xavier
Basurto, Kai M. A. Chan, Sarah Klain, Jordan Levine, and Jordan Tam,
“Humans and Nature:How Knowing and Experiencing Nature Affect
Well-Being” The Annual Review of Environment and Resources. http://
annurev-environreviews.org. 2013
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26, 2018 from http://www.org/teaching/pip-importance-reflection
“The Art of Living the First Step of Prudence.” https://
www.catholiceducation.org/en/education/virtue-education/the-art-of-living
-the-first -step-of-prudence.html
Tiyasha, M. “Relationship between Man and Environment”. http://
www.environmentalpollution.in/man-and-eenvironment/relationship-
between-man-and-environment/3004 (assessed on 2018)

28
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Department of Education Division of Santa Rosa City

Office Address: 2nd Floor Brgy. Market Area, Santa Rosa City, Laguna
Landline: 049-534-99-22

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