Introduction to the

Philosophy of Human
Person
Lesson 1
Pursuing Wisdom and Facing Challenges in the Twenty-
First Century
 Introduction: Doing Philosophy
One of the key elements in many educational reforms is diversity,
difference, and choice or other proposals that establish separate
curricular routes for different groups or individuals.

Diversity is the difference that makes each person unique (Biology,

Ethnicity, and Culture, Family life beliefs, Geography, Experiences, and
Religion).

We have difficulty in accepting others because they are different from us.
 I. The Meaning of Philosophy
Greek word
Philo – to love
Sophia – wisdom
Philosophy – love of wisdom

Broad sense, wisdom is still the goal of Philosophy.

 The Meaning of Philosophy
Philosophy is also defined as the science that by natural light of
reason studies the first causes or highest principles of all things
Under this definition, four things are to be consider:
a. SCIENCE – Investigation is systematic. It follows certain steps or it
employs certain procedures. It is organized body of knowledge just like
other sciences.

b. NATURAL LIGHT OF REASON – Philosophy investigates things, not

by using any other laboratory instrument or investigative tools, neither
on the basis of supernatural revelation, otherwise it becomes theology;
instead , the philosopher uses his natural capacity to think or simply ,
human reason alone or the so-called unaided reason.
 The Meaning of Philosophy
c. STUDY OF ALL THINGS – This sets the distinction between
philosophy from other sciences. All other sciences concern themselves
with a particular object of investigation.
e.g.
a. Anthropologists – study of human beings in relation with the society.
b. Sociologists – study of society with its form, structures, and functions
c. Botanists – focus their attention to plants
d. Linguists – limit themselves with language
e. Theologians – investigate God
f. Philosophers – studies human beings, society, religion, language, God
plants and among other concerns.
 The Meaning of Philosophy
d. FIRST CAUSE OR HIGHEST PRINCIPLE– a principle is that a form
which something proceeds in any manner whatsoever.
• Principle of Identity – whatever it is; and whatever is not is not,
everything is what is. Everything is its own being and not being is not
being.
• Principle of Non-Contradiction – it is impossible for a thing to be
and not to be at the same time, and at the same respect.
• Principle of Excluded Middle – a thing is either is or is not;
everthing must be either be or not be; between being and not-being
there is no middle ground possible.
 The Meaning of Philosophy
d. PRINCIPLE of Sufficient Reason – nothing exists without a
sufficient reason for its being and existence.

Since its beginnings, however, the scope of Philosophy has changed. Early
Greek philosophers studied aspects of the natural and human world that later
became separate sciences – astronomy, physics, psychology, and sociology.

On the other hand, certain basic problems – the nature of the universe, the
standard of justice, the validity of knowledge, the correct application of reason,
and the criteria of beauty – have been the domain of Philosophy from its
beginnings to the present.
 The Meaning of Philosophy
1.1 Etymology Definition
The word Philosophy is said to be invented by Phythagoras according to
him, only the God should be called wise men and should be called
“lovers” or “friends” of wisdom. Hence, the term ‘philo’ and ‘sophia’
were formulated which literally mean “love” and “wisdom”.

1.2 Formal Definition

Philosophy is defined as “certa scienta per ultima causas” means certain
knowledge through ultimate causes – acquired by the use of human
reason alone.
 The Meaning of Philosophy
1.3 Popular Definition
Philosophy can be regarded as a private wisdom giving the person
the ability to look things on a positive note. Hence, this gives man
the opportunity to be optimistic especially in times of misfortune

1.4 Technical Definition

Philosophy is the science of science. It does not only unify all
sciences but also criticizes and defends the conclusion of other
science.
 II. Recognize Human Activities that Emanated
from Deliberate Reflection
After examining the definitions of philosophy. The next section
distinguishes its branches from where recognition of various human
activities emanated from deliberate reflection and dialogs.
Many of the most vital issues of Philosophy are still disputed and have
unsetted questions today.
 The Branches of Philosophy
• Metaphysics
- Really only an extension of a fundamental and necessary drive in
every human being to know what is real. The question is how to
account for this unreal thing in terms of what you can accept is real.
• Ethics
- How we tell good from evil or right from wrong?
A branch of Philosophy that explores the nature of moral judgments.
 Socrates
• To be happy, a person has to live a virtuous life.
• Virtue is not something to be taught or acquired through education,
but rather, it is merely an awakening of the seeds of good deeds that
lay dormant in the mind and heart of a person.
• Knowledge means wisdom, which in turn, means virtue.
• Greek word arete, connected to God of war, Ares.
- Connotations of machismo and manliness.
 Epistemology
• Deals with nature, sources, limitations and validity of knowledge
(Soccio 2007)
• Epistemology questions are basic to all other philosophical inquiries.
• It explains: 1. How we know what we can differentiate truth from
falsehood. 2. How we can find out what we wish to know; an 3. How
we can differentiate truth from falsehood.
• It addresses varied problems: the reliability, extent, and kinds of
knowledge; truth; language; science and scientific knowledge.
 Epistemology
How do we acquired knowledge?
- sees, hears, and touches;
- Organizes in his mind what he learns through the senses. Philosophers
have given considerable attention to questions about sources of
knowledge.
Induction – general ideas are formed from the examination of particular
facts.
Philosophers who feel that knowledge is acquired in this way are called
empirists.
 Epistemology
• Empiricism- the view that knowledge can be attained only through
sense experience.
Other philosophers think it is more important to find a general law
according to which particular facts can be understood or judged.
Deduction – philosophers think it is more important to find a general
law according to which particular facts can be understood or judged.
 Logic
• Reasoning is the concern of logician.
• This could be reasoning in science and medicine, ethics and law,
politics and commerce, in sports and games, and in the mundane
affairs of everyday living. Varied kinds of reasoning may be used, and
all are interest to the logician.
 Aesthetics
• It is a science of the beautiful in its various manifestations –
including sublime, comic, tragic, pathetic , and ugly.
Importance of aesthetics:
1. Vitalizes our knowledge.
2. Help us to live more deeply and richly.
3. Brings us in touch with our culture.
 Why become a Philosopher?
On Attaining a Comprehensive Outlook in Life
One of the key elements in many educational reforms is diversity,
difference, and choice or other proposals that establish separate
curricular routes for different groups or individuals (Castells et al.
1999).
Diversity is the difference that makes each person unique (Biology,
Ethnicity, and Culture, Family life beliefs, Geography, Experiences,
and Religion).
Thus, education challenge in the 21st century entails appropriate
acceptance of cultural and racial multiplicity.
This section introduces the various viewpoints of Philosophy: the
western and non-western, with emphasis on our very own Filipino
indigenous beliefs and finally, going beyond the logical and the
technological imperatives of existence.
 A. Expanding Our Philosophical Frames: Western an Non-
western Traditions
Many philosophers hold that there are three great original centers of
philosophy in the world—Greek (or Western), Indian, and Chinese. All
three arose as critical reflections on their own cultural traditions.
Historically speaking, Asian classics of the Indians and the Chinese predate
the oldest of Western classics. Indian and Chinese philosophers of note
also lived earlier than their Greek counterparts (Quito 1991 ). During the
first centuries, there was more philosophical activity in the East than in
the West. Before the Greek period, there was hardly an activity in the
West. Greeks before Thales did not have philosophy (Velasquez 1999).
From the time of the Greek triumvirate (Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle),
there was a reversal. The Western thinkers started to indulge in
feverish philosophical speculation, whereas the Asian thinkers began
diminishing philosophical activity. In our present century, almost all
the major philosophical ideas emanate from Western thinkers (Quito
1991).
 B. Filipino Thinking: From Local to Global
• It may sound presumptuous to speak “Filipino thought” for the
reason that the Philippines could not very well speak of a tradition
such as that of China, India or Greco-Roman.
Nevertheless, Filipinos do have their own philosophy. This would be
draws out elements or draw sketches of the general lines of filipino
philosophy.
 Attitudes and values constitute the hidden springs of the
Filipino Mind.
1. Loob: Holistic and Interior Dimensions
2. Filipino Philosophy of Time
3. Bahala na
4. Filipino Thought and values: Positive and negative Aspects
1. Loob: Holistic and Interior Dimensions
- Kagandahang loob, kabutihang loob, and kalooban are terms that
show sharing of one’s self to others.
2. Filipino Philosophy of Time
- A human being is like a bird who flies up and goes done.
3. Bahala Na
- It is not an impersonal entity but rather a personal being that keeps
the balance in the universe.
• The Filipino subconsciously accepts the bahala na attitude as a part
of life.
• It is literally means to leave everything to God.
• This philosophy puts complete trust in the Divine Providence; it
contains the element of resignation.
 4. Filipino Thought and Values: Positive and negative
Aspects
• It is believed, however, that the Philippine values and system, in line
with Filipino Philosophy, are in dire need to be used as positive
motivation.
• Beyond his family group, the Filipino sees himself belonging to a
small, primary group in a dyadic, pyramidal fashion. In other words,
he does not identify horizontally with his class that cuts across the
whole community but vertically with its authority figures
distinguished by their wealth, power, and age.
 C. Philosophy: Transcending and Aiming for a life of
abundance
• Latin word abundare (Aguilar 2010) meaning “to overflow nonstop”.
• In aguilar’s The gift of Abundance, abundance was given a new
spiritual, even Buddhist paradigm.
• Abundance is out flowing than incoming. It is not about amassing
material things or people but our relationship with others, ourselves,
and with nature.
• Aguilar 2010 asserts that our very life belongs to God.
• Abundance is not what we gather but what we suffer.
• Abundance is not what we keep but what we give away.
• Abundance is not what we hold but what we share.
• Abundance is a choice.
• Abundance is to evolve into a higher being.