REVIEWER IN PHILOSOPHY OBJECTIVES
Philosophy: Toward an understanding and
appreciation of the human person
Identify. Define. Relate. Solution
Philosophers would ask?
- Nature of Human Person
- Where he/she came from, what are
his/her essential attributes, how
he/she is related to the world and to
his/her environment or nature.
- - aspirations of the Human Person –
his/her purpose in life and how
he/she should act or live in the world
- How he/she would relate with others,
improve his/her life and gain a
meaningful life or an authentic
human experience.
Philosopher would deal?
- What is in store for him/her after
his/her earthly life is over, where
he/she is going after his/her death?
- A whether or not there will be
Philosophy…
- It is not a work of one person or any
group of persons. Likewise, it did not
develop during one historical period.
- Philosophers from different historical
periods, coming from different
cultures and civilizations with
different mentalities, have come out
their respective ideas and theories
about Human Person.
What do you mean by Human?
What do you mean by Person?
Is really Human worth knowing?
1. Understand who you are
2. How and why you exist in this world?
3. How you should live and relate with
the world, environment, with others?
4. How you relate with God or with the
Divine Being?
5. How would you conduct yourself
with the society or community?
6. How you can gain with a meaningful
life and authentic existence?
7. You will appreciate more the value
of your being and fellow human
beings.
8. Is human and person the same as
being?
9. What do you mean by being?
Essential characteristics of a Human Person
1. Reason – man is a RATIONAL BEING
2. Inner life – man is a SPIRITUAL BEING
3. Communication – man
communicates both visible and
invisible
4. Self-determination – the power of
the WILL
5. Unique Individuality – you are the
ONE
Are you ready to discover your Being?
Are you willing to discover who you are
and other think of you?
CHAPTER 1
PHILOSOPHY AND THE SEARCH FOR THE
TRUTH
LESSON 1: THE MEANING AND VALUE OF
PHILOSOPHY
- Philosophy is not only rich in
meaning, it is also very valuable in
our life.
- But its life is found not only in its being
rich in meaning and concept, but
also in its being an art.
- As art, it is something to be
practiced.
- In general sense, philosophy could
mean a guiding principle. (ie. Your
philosophy in life)
- Philosophy could also mean reason,
rationale, or basis of something. (ie.
Philosophy of SHS)
- Philosophy could also be understood
as a study of the cause of
something. (cause and effect
relationship)
- When we say someone is too
philosophical in his/her manner of
thinking about things or too
analytical in a particular subject
matter. Hence, this would require
thorough analysis and assessment in
order to understand.
- Let us first take note that there is a
distinction between a ‘pilosopo’
taken in a negative sense compared
to the ‘pilosopo’ as presented in
Jose Rizal’s novel.
- The ‘pilosopo’ in the negative sense
is a person who considers only one
aspect of reality.
- He/she has a very myopic and
limited view of reality.
- He/she cling to his/her own beliefs
without giving an opportunity to
listen to others.
- Good or positive side of ‘pilosopo’ is
exemplified in Rizal’s novel by
Pilosopo Tasyo.
- This kind of ‘pilosopo’ are willing to
engage other in a profound
dialogue.
- But sometimes their ideas go beyond
the comprehension of their time and
thus they end up being thought as
crazy people.
- Many people are pioneers of
knowledge and at first thought to be
madmen, only after their death that
their ideas became accepted by
society.
- The lesson for us to learn that we
must go beyond the ordinary scope
of dialogue.
- In other words, learn to dialogue, not
only with ‘rational people’ but also
with the poor and alike.
- Even in schools, students think that a
philosopher is someone who
complicates and argues only from
his/her own point of view with the
intention of proving people are
wrong and himself/herself as right.
- Although it is true that philosophy
usually complicates simple things,
the true intention of philosophy is to
assert that there is still the element of
the unthought-of in everything.
- The world is full of surprises,
philosophy makes us able to be
constantly aware of these surprises.
- One attitude that philosophy wants
to instill is the never ending desire to
look at things again
- Re: again; spect: to look
- Philosophy help us to avoid taking
things for granted.
- Philosophy tells us that there are
more to learn about and that there
is more to hope for.
ETYMOLOGY OF PHILOSOPHY
Greek word: Philo or Philien – love
Sophia – wisdom
Thus, philosophy means ‘love of wisdom’
- It was the Greek philosopher
Pythagoras who coined the term
philosophia or philosophy
 - Pythagoras who was one of the - Pertaining to wisdom, there is a
wisest men in ancient Greece lived distinction between wisdom and
between 570 and 495 BC. knowledge.
- BC – before Christ - Knowledge: acquisition of ideas,
- AD – Anno Domini information, theories, the application
of certain scientific principles and
There are three kinds of Love according to
formula, or the mastery of certain
the Greeks:
methods or procedures.
- Eros: acquisitive love - Wisdom: understanding of the
o Object: everything (dog, meaning, reason, or causes of things.
things) - It is the objective of philosophy to
- Philia: friendship teach us how to reflect on our own
o Object: Humans (mutual experience so that we may gain
feelings) wisdom.
- Agape: unconditional love
THE VALUE OF PHILOSOPHY
o Object: God
- It is found in its ability to provide
*God is the only ONE that can give AGAPE
what the mind and the spirit needs.
*Philosophers would teach to seek wisdom - Philia: feminine (can bear man and
and for the truth woman)
- Philio: masculine (ancient
*Sophists would teach because of the
philosophers are men, like
payment
Pythagoras)
- According to the Greek Philosopher,
WE ASK ‘WHY’ IN PHILOSOPHY
Aristotle, all men seek wisdom.
- Therefore all men, regardless of - BASIC TRUTH: WE ARE GOOD
social status, race, age, etc. are - In philosophy, what is more
philosophers. important is the question rather than
- The search of wisdom is the task of the answer.
everyone. - Philosophy opens one’s mind to the
reality of life
KNOWLEDGE WISDOM - Frees their minds by questioning
(acquired) (understand) - Keeps alive the people’s sense of
To reflect
wonder.
1. They learn how to systematize all
important knowledge.
EXPERIENCE REASON 2. To distinguish truth from what is false
(initial data) (examines/reflects) or form mere opinion.
3. Intellectual eye that enables them to
- The object of wisdom is truth.
see visible (concept) and invisible
- The pursuit of truth is therefore the
things (meanings)
noble aspiration of every rational
4. To gain insights into human nature;
individual.
understand their capacities and
potential and better appreciation of
themselves.
PHILOSOPHIZING - Value of philosophy – it provides
food for the mind, nourishment for
- It is making speculations or theories
the spirit.
about fundamental or serious issues
- Human persons as rational beings,
in a complicated or difficult manner.
thus they are able to engage
ART AND WONDER OF PHILOSOPHIZING philosophical activity.
- Philosophical activity is composed of
- We start philosophizing when we
Reason and Experience.
begin to wonder and pose the
question WHY. PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION AND SEARCH
- Hence, philosophy satisfies man’s FOR THE TRUTH
curiosity Solutions,
- Question to answer actions,
- It endeavors to explain why things
- Action to do Decisions,
are as they are
- Decision to make Answers.
- The more man philosophizes, the
more man gains deeper Wisest and reasonable
understanding, hence, man gains decision
wisdom
A lot of thinking – right way,
- Once a person acquires wisdom,
his/her mind becomes open to Appropriate approach and
realities and enables him/her to see proper method
things in anew light and perspective.
Success or failure
- When we engage in philosophical
activity, we consider two basic Satisfaction or frustration
components:
- Rational beings – people find the
- Experience: it provides a person with
right solution, make the wise
the initial data so that he/she would
decision, get the correct answer,
be able to speak his/her subsequent
and take the most reasonable
reflection or examination.
course of action.
- Reason: it enables a person to reflect
- Philosophical reflection – is a more
on or examine the underlying
profound examination of the
meaning or causes of things or
underlying meanings or cause of the
realities.
problems regarding human
SUMMARY existence.
- The ultimate end is to find the
- Philo: Love
underlying meaning and reasons
- Sophia: Wisdom
behind one’s experience in life.
o Love of wisdom
- Philosophical Reflection demands
o Wisdom and knowledge
Critical Thinking
o Science of all things or beings
in their ultimate causes and ELEMENTS OF CRITICAL THINKING
principles known by human
1. UNDERSTANDING
reason.
- To have a mental grasp of things, of
reality, of issues at hand, or of the
subject matter.
- Ex: Bad Economy = without jobs =
suffering
- Bad people = difficult to trust =
difficult to live with them.
SKEPTICISM
2. THINKING BY AND FOR ONESELF
- Ability and power to think or reason
out.
- Ex: course in college, food to eat
3. THINKING PROACTIVELY
- One uses his/her own intelligence,
knowledge, and abilities in order to
deal with different situations, issues
and subject matters.
- Ex: performance tasks and projects,
games and activities.
4. BEING OPEN MINDED (action)
- It is open to ideas and opinions of
others. Open to new views, new
interpretations, and new concepts.
- Ex: brainstorming, sharing, DYAD
5. CONSIDERING DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVES (decision)
- One considers different perspectives
that lead to the truth.
6. QUESTIONING AND CHALLENGING
BELIEFS
- Destructive questioning: to
contradict a different view without
basis
- Constructive questioning: simply to
ask for clarification of what is true
and believed.
TRUTH AND THEORIES ON TRUTH
Truth – is the proper aim of any inquiry
PHILOSOPHICAL THEORIES
1. REALISM (reality to mind)
- The truth is the conformity of the
mind with the reality.
- Ex: Senior high school, wearing your
school uniform, the fire is hot
- Our mind should conform with the
reality
- But realism is opposed by skepticism
- Human mind is incapable of
attaining the truth
- Human mind is prone to error and
unreliable
- There is a suspension of judgement,
hence, mental attitude is DOUBT.
- Skeptic people doubts the truth
2. RELATIVISIM THEORY
- Truth as the object of knowledge
cannot be known as it itself but as it
is modified by the person.
- Ex: you are beautiful/handsome, I
am younger than you.
3. PRAGMATISM THEORY
- The truth is consequential in nature. It
is proposed by William James.
- The criterion for truth is utility,
workability, or satisfactory
consequences
- After the benefits/beneficial
- Ex: buying things
4. CORRESPONDENCE THEORY
- The nature of truth constitutes in
correspondence with the fact. The
proposition must be connected with
the facts. It is proposed by Logical
Positivist Bertrand Russel.
- Ex: the ball is red, eyes are blinking
- Mind to reality
5. COHERENCE THEORY
- Truth cannot be asserted of one
proposition. It is a reaction to
correspondence theory. Hence, truth
is a system of propositions. It is
proposed by Francis Bradley.
- Ex: The ball is red = the apple is red
- Many possibilities; one proposition is
not enough; we need to have many
propositions.
 MAN  People of Ancient India. More so,
Veda means knowledge
 UPANISHADS: contains the teachings
EASTERN WESTERN ORIENTAL and concepts of different ancient
ORIENTAL PHILOSOPHY Indian thinkers. More so, it is
PHILOSOPHY considered as the end of Vedas.
 Ancient
 Hinduism Philosophers  The concept of man is closely
 Buddhism up to related to his/her relationship with
 Confuciani Contemporary the whole of Reality.
sm Period  Reality can be interpreted through
 Taoism the notions of the Brahman and
 Islam Atman.
 Brahman: is the ultimate and
Man is the most complex among beings underlying reality
living in this world. (universal)(something spiritual)
 Human-being, human person, and  Atman: is the individual reality
individual (particular)(something sensible)
 But man, to be understood is o Atman is part of Brahman
interpreted based from people from  The human person is part of reality:
different traditions, cultures, or Reality of Atman
religions  However, though man is part of
 Man is discussed in 2 divisions Brahman, but man could not pin
 Never did their thoughts meet point where Brahman is
 Therefore, man needs Moksha
ORIENTAL AND WESTERN MOKSHA

HORIZONTAL VERTICAL  it is a liberation from earthly life or

Can be a Cannot be a
supernatural supernatural
being being
ORIENTAL CONCEPTIONS OF MAN
 Oriental philosophy is originated in
the Eastern India and China
 However, Islam is a religion that
emerged in the E. Philosophy but
they have different conception of
man
MAN IN HINDUISM
 VEDAS: are the oldest extant literary
works of the Aryan people
detachment of himself/herself from
the world
 Moksha in Hinduism is salvation
 When we do Moksha, then we will
arrive at what they call Nirvana
(ultimate end)
 NIRVANA: is the state of emptiness
or “no-thing-ness”. More so, it is a
state of bliss where there is no
individuality, separateness,
discrimination, intellectualizing
 Hinduism recognizes 3 possible
paths to Nirvana (YOGAS)
 Yogas are thought by Sages
 Sage is a wise and most ideal type
of person
KARMA YOGA
 This is a way of attaining salvation
through good deeds
Ex: fulfilling one’s duty in the family and the
society.
JHANA YOGA
 Means knowledge
 The way of attaining salvation is
through knowledge
 The basic principle of this path is that
the cause of one’s suffering and
bondage is IGNORANCE.
 Because of ignorance, man
considers the world as permanent
reality and thus clings to it
 But for Hinduism, the world is just an
Illusion or Maya and the only one
which is permanent is Brahman
BHAKTI YOGA
 Salvation through devotion
 Bhakti means devotion
 Devotion-it satisfies the individuals
longing for a more emotional and
personal approach to religion with
many gods and goddesses.
 The person attaches herself/himself to
the gods and the goddesses who are
manifestations of Brahman because
of Devotion.
 The devotion will bring them to
Nirvana
 Human action is governed by a law
which is Karma.
 Law of Karma – good action results
positive outcome; bad actions results
to bad outcome
 Samsara – is a cycle of death and
rebirth; reincarnation or born again
o It is escapable through
enlightenment
 Enlightenment – starts with the
understanding that this world is just an
illusion.
VEDAS AND UPANISHADS
MAN
ATMAN BRAHMAN
(PARTICULAR) (UNIVERSAL)
NIRVANA
(END)
 NIRVANA – end
of Hinduism
 Sources are Vedas and Upanishads,
man is part of 2 realities, Brahman and
Atman. In order to pinpoint Brahman,
we need Moksha through YOGAS to
attain Nirvana
MAN IN HINDUISM
 The history of Buddhism comes from
the life of its Founder Siddhartha
Gautama Buddha
 Siddhartha did not attain Nirvana
because he did not go through
Moksha, he was not able to see the
realities of outside world.
 Story of Gautama’s Spiritual Journey
from Bondage of Suffering to
Enlightenment.
 Buddha which means “Awakened
One” or “Enlightened One”
 The Buddhist teaching on Human
Person is centered on the right
understanding of reality in order to
attain Enlightenment
 Thus, before Enlightenment,
Meditation on Reality is needed.
 Buddha saw himself and all life as part
of an unending process of change-
REALITY. (suffering, old age, death)
 After, Meditation, a person becomes
Enlightened One or Buddha
 Gautama meditated for 49 days under
the Bodhi tree (not exact)
 After realizing this truth about life and
reality, the Buddha reaches Nirvana
 Nirvana – is the state of “emptiness” or
“no-thing-ness”.
4 NOBLE TRUTHS IN BUDDHIST
1. Suffering Exist – if it exist then it has a
cause and cessation or end of
suffering.
2. Cause of suffering – it exists as
something therefore it comes from
something else
3. Cure of something – since it has an
end therefore it must have a cure.
4. Recommendation for the cure –
release from suffering
SIDDHARTHA’S STORY
MAN
INEVITABLE (unending reality of
SUFFERING change, pain, old age,
Death)
MEDITATION (enlightenment)
ENLIGHTENED ONE OR BUDDHA
NIRVANA (end)
MAN IN TAOISM
 Lao Tzu is the founder of Taoism and
the author of Taoist text Tao Te Ching
(source when they talk about human
person_
 Man is understood on how man
relates to the Tao
 Tao is universal and underlying laws
(harmony, purpose, order, and calm
power) of the universe.
 Since man is part of the universe,
thus, man should rely and
comprehend the TAO
 Tao consequently acts by “Non-
Acting”
 Non-acting means Tao is Invariable
(unchanging)
 In short, man should rely and
comprehend Tao which is the
Invariable Laws of nature.
 If man comprehends and relies to
the Tao, man would become all-
pervading and unfailing
 Thus, the understanding and
practice of this invariable law (Tao) is
called Practicing Enlightenment
 If man comprehends, relies and
associates himself with the Tao
(Invariable Laws of nature0, then
man reaches his Ultimate end that is,
not to destroy the Tao.
WU-WEI THEORY
 Intensifies the importance of Tao
 Wu means “nothing”, thus, Wu-Wei
literally means “non-action”
 Non-action is not doing nothing but
doing not less and not much activity
 In short, the Goal of Wu-Wei theory is
to achieve a State of Perfect
Equilibrium or Alignment with the Tao
 Perfect equilibrium means not do
less or more, just follow its nature
 Taoism philosophy recognizes that
the Universe already works
harmoniously according to its own
ways (Nature); but as man exerts
his/her will against the universe,
he/she disrupts the harmony that
already exists.
 TAO TE CHING
Man
Practicing
Enlightenment Wu-Wei theory
(Rely and comprehend) (Not do less or
more)
*man should rely and comprehend the Tao
and just follow its nature but not do less or
more and destroy the Tao.
TAO
(Invariable Laws of nature)
MAN IN CONFUCIANISM
 Kung Tzu or Confucius is the founder
of Confucianism
 Confucius’ Teaching is the
cultivation of the Human Virtues and
Proper Conduct of a person in the
society
 In short, Kung Tzu concerned himself
with the people’s development in
the context of Human Relationship
 It is because he wanted his disciples
not just a Literate or Ju but as a Jun
Tzu.
 Jun Tzu or Gentlemen lives a simple
life and can live in poverty.
1. Loyal, obedient, knowledgeable
2. Disciplined, hard-working, and
have sense of humor
3. Well-rounded man, a man who is
useful and responsible to the
society
 According to Kung Tzu, to become
a sage (a perfect man) is difficult to
attain
 Thus, he encouraged his Disciples to
become Jun Tzu
 To become a Jun Tzu, man needs
these (3) fundamental virtues
 Tzu – teacher
1. Jen or Ren
2. Yi
3. Li
THREE FUNDAMENTAL VIRTUES OF JUNTZU
JEN OR REN (HUMAN HEARTEDNESS)
 It is the first and foremost of the
virtues in Ethical System
 It is the perfect and supreme virtue
as it expresses the ideal of cultivating
human relations, faculties,
personalities and human rights.
YI (OUGHTNESS OF A SITUATION
 Man has a righteous act or
responsibility to do in the society
without any selfish motive or
intention
 It is a moral disposition to do good
without any ulterior motive.
LI (PROPRIETY)
 It is the Code of Ritual which
embodies the essence of Ancient
culture.
 This rituals is for the Proper conduct of
the Gentlemen (Jun Tzu)
 Proper conduct like filial piety,
loyalty, etc.
 A Gentlemen is expected to act as a
model of good and moral conduct in
the society like the saint
 The perfect man cultivates himself
morally, shows filial piety and loyalty
like a Gentlemen and helps
transforming the society and
humanity like a scholar
 The Great Example of a Perfect man
is Kung Tzu
  The opposite of Jun Tzu is  Qur’an – not meant to be preached
Xiaoren  The Qur’an was given to Prophet
 Xiaoren literally means “small Mohammed by Allah
person”  Allah is Omniscient, Omnipotent,
 Small person means man has Omnipresent
shallowness, thinking, being  Etymologically speaking:
egotistic, and self-interested, o Omniscient
and being greedy and o Omni-all; Scient – knowing
materialistic. o Omnipotent
o Omni-all; Potent – power
KUNG TZU o Omnipresent
o Omni-all; present – present
MAN
 Islam emphasized the importance of
FUNDAMENTAL VIRTUES knowing oneself based on the
Divine source who is Allah
(Ren, Li, Yi)  In knowing oneself man should
follow the words of Allah and obey
JUN TZU his laws
 If not, the man become confused
(Attainable)
between two extremes –
SAGE SELFISHNESS and WORTHLESSNESS

(Ultimate end) SELFISHNESS

MAN IN ISLAM  A person thinks highly of and regard

himself/herself as the greatest in the
 Islam is one of the major society of which he/she is a member
monotheistic religions in the world  He became God to Himself
 Monotheist can be understood  He/she becomes arrogant and
etymologically oppressive and stops following the
o Mono – one laws of Allah
o Theos – god
 Thus, Monotheistic religions means WORTHLESSNESS
believing in one god.
 A person considers himself/herself as
 Muslims addresses god as Allah
weak and the most worthless being
 The Message of Allah can be known
in this universe
through Qur’an
 He/she lowers himself/herself down
 Qur’an is the Holy Book of Islam
and submits to physical or material
 Jesus is a prophet in Islam
objects, like the sun, the moon and
o Story of His life from birth to 33
other beings other than Allah
years old in Qur’an
o Will go through the study of life
of the person before he/she
become a prophet  Islamic understanding of Man
 Bible – meant to be preached revolves around his origin
 Accordingly, Man has two origins

1. Spiritual origin – Allah

2. Biological origin – mother
 As it expressed in Qur’an, the Origins
of man are telling them to become
Humble
 But to be humble is to be thankful to
Allah and be Stewards of Allah’s
creation
 Man is also endowed with Faculties
to differentiate Good and Evil
 As man is gifted with all these Allah’s
blessings, therefore man’s ultimate
end is to worship Allah alone.

ALLAH

 Understanding of
oneself based from
Allah
 Follow Allah’s words
and Laws
 Using all the Faculties
to attain Goodness
 Worship Allah alone

MAN