P.

Doing Philosophy
Topic: “Recognize human activities that
emanated from deliberate reflection”
This topic will make you understand and realize
the value of Doing philosophy which enable us
to see the interconnectedness and
interdependence of people, actions and events,
as well as our direct relation to them.

P. 2
 P. 3

Doing Philosophy
means to ask questions,
to reflect and to formulate,
and evaluate arguments.
 P. 4

According to Aristotle:
“Philosophy begins in
wonder”, or means, one
begins to think in sense
one begins to
philosophize”.
 P. 5

In Doing Philosophy one

needs to master an
important skill and that is
Philosophical Reflection.
 P. 6

According to Gabriel Marcel;

“Philosophical Reflection is
the act of giving time to think
about the meaning and
purpose of life”. 
 P. 7

Two types of Philosophical

Reflection (according to
Marcel):
1.Primary reflection
2.Secondary reflection
 Primary reflection Secondary reflection P. 8
It is the kind of thinking that It is characterized by the act of
calculates, analyze, or recounts recapturing the unity of the
past events. original experience by gathering
back together what is been
separated by the primary
reflection
It is fragmented and It allows us to think holistically
compartmentalized thinking
It cannot be a genuine thinking Enables us to integrates the
because it failed to make sense fragmented and
to the whole of the mystery of compartmentalized experience
life into a coherent whole
 Primary reflection Secondary reflection P. 9
It is a selfish thinking because it It is a genuine or unselfish
is an instrumental thinking; thinking
“means-end” kind of thinking.  
If applied to human relation; it It does not think of what it can
thinks only of what is it can practically get in a relationship
practically get in a relationship.  
  This is what Marcel refers when it
Example: comes to Philosophical Reflection
 
Establishing relationship to
somebody who is rich so that
you will be able to borrow
money in times of need.
 P. 10

Thus, Philosophical Reflection is a

tool in doing philosophy, which enable
us to see the interconnectedness and
interdependence of people, actions and
events, as well as our direct relation to
them.
 P. 11

Primary reflection
 The ability to think
logically
 The ability of the
mind to construct
and evaluate
arguments
 Can be consider as
important tool in
doing philosophy
 P. 12

NOTE: in doing
philosophy we must
learn how to construct
and evaluate arguments
properly for it is with a
use of arguments that
we are able to express
our thoughts in a clear
and logical manner.
 P. 13
Example Argument:
 
Premise 1: all human beings are mortal
Premise 2: but the president of the Philippines is a
human being
 
Conclusion: therefore, the president of the
Philippines is mortal

In this example if the premises are same to be true then the conclusion
must also be true.
 P. 14

Therefore, the necessary skills needed in doing philosophy are:

1. Philosophical reflection
 Which enable us to look deeper into our experiences and see
the bigger picture of reality

2. Construction and evaluation of arguments

 Allows us to express or ideas in a systematic and logical way;
allows us to examine the ideas of other people
 P. 15

Activity 1
Complete the table. Copy the table and
write your answer in 1 whole yellow pad.

ACTIONS
1. Buying new clothes  
2. Choosing friends  
3. Eating food  
4. Deciding where to study for  
Senior High School
5. Attending classes in the  
afternoon
6. Going to school  
7. Visiting a friend  
8. Joining an organization in  
school
9. Playing computer games  
10. Buying a new gadget  
11. Asking permission if you  
would like to go out with friends
12. Helping a stranger  
13. Traveling without your family  
P.16
WHAT MUST BE DONE
BEFORE THE ACTION?
14. Going to mass or any  
religious activities
15. Watching movies that are not  
allowed for your age
16. Posting your opinion or  
feelings in the social media
17. Communicating to your  
siblings about a conflict
18. Giving opinions  
19. Going out with the opposite  
sex
20. Confronting a person who  
verbally hurt you