INTRODUCTION TO THE

PHILOSOPHY OF THE
HUMAN PERSON

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 Philosophy

 phílosophía, meaning ‘the love of wisdom’) is the study of knowledge, or "thinking

about thinking“
 investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values,
based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods (American Heritage
Dictionary)
 the study of the ultimate nature of existence, reality, knowledge and goodness, as
discoverable by human reasoning (Penguin English Dictionary)
 the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics 
(Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia)

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 Philosophy

 the search for knowledge and truth, especially about the nature of man and
his behaviour and beliefs (Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary)
 the study of the most general and abstract features of the world and
categories with which we think: mind, matter, reason, proof, truth, etc
(Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy)
 careful thought about the fundamental nature of the world, the grounds for
human knowledge, and the evaluation of human conduct (The Philosophy
Pages)

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 KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM

 Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and information. Wisdom is the

synthesis of knowledge and experiences into insights that deepen
one's understanding of relationships and the meaning of life. In other
words, knowledge is a tool, and wisdom is the craft in which the tool is used.
 Once you begin to gain wisdom, two remarkable things can occur: 1) you begin
to understand your purpose and how to achieve it, and 2) you begin to connect
your wisdom to that of other people across space and time.

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 NOTABLE GREEK PHILOSOPHERS

1. MILETIANS
THALES (630 B.C.)
 - reality is water: the earth is flat
ANAXIMANDER (610-540 B.C.)
 -reality is infinite, it is ageless and eternal that it encompasses all
the worlds.
 -earth is cylindrical and first philosopher to draw a map

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 NOTABLE GREEK PHILOSOPHERS

ANAXIMENES (588-524 B.C.)

 - air is the fundamental substance and air hold our soul together
 -earth is flat: earth and other heavenly bodies are like saucers floating in the air.
2. PYTHAGORAS (531 B.C.)
 - primary constituents of reality are numbers
 - philosophy and mathematics are good for the purification of the soul.
 - give importance to contemplative life

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 NOTABLE GREEK PHILOSOPHERS

3. HERACLITUS (500 B.C.)

 -the only thing permanent in this world is change,
 “You cannot step twice into the same rivers, for fresh waters are ever flowing in
upon you. We step and do not step into same rivers, we are and are not.”
 world as always changing like the ever-living fire.
4. DEMOCRITUS (460 B.C.)
 Study the causes of natural phenomena. He was among of the first to propose that
matter is composed of tiny particles called ATOMS.

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 NOTABLE GREEK PHILOSOPHERS

5. SOCRATES (470 B.C.)

 “midwife”-helped inquiring minds achieve wisdom
 Formulated SOCRATIC METHOD- a means of examining a topic by
devising a series of questions that let the learner examine and analyze his
knowledge and views regarding the topic.
 “ The unexamined life is not worth living”
 knowledge through concepts is the only true knowledge

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 NOTABLE GREEK PHILOSOPHERS

6. PLATO (427 B.C.)

 Theory of Forms- everything that exist is based on an idea or temple that can
only be perceived in the mind.
 proposed an ideal society and ideal form of government
 DIALECTIC- a method of inquiry where two opposing ideas are discussed in
an attempt to arrive at new knowledge.
 ACADEMY- an institution in higher learning which was the first of its kind in
the Western World.
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 NOTABLE GREEK PHILOSOPHERS

7. ARISTOTLE (384 B.C.)

 Ideas and views are based on perception and our reality is based on what we
can sense and perceive.
 Involved in the disciplines such as zoology, psychology, ethics, and politics.
 Proposed a system in the study of plants and animals
 DEDUCTIVE REASONING- the process by which specific statements are
analyzed to reach a conclusion or generalization.

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 Holistic Perspective

 Holism- Greek word “holos which literally means all, entire, totality”
 -a school of thought that maintains the interdependence of factors to another
agencies of causalities. In other words, properties of a given phenomenon or
system (e.g. philosophical, biological, psychological, emotional, spiritual, social,
political, linguistic) cannot be determined by a certain structure or component
alone. -Aims to determine and explain the whole or totality of a given system by
examining the behaviors and activities of certain component parts

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 Partial point of view

 In philosophy, a point of view is defined as a way or a method how

one sees or perceives the reality or a phenomenon. that --sees
reality or certain phenomenon is based on a single factor or causal
agency or looks at reality based on a single or partial component of
a system
 Focuses on specific aspects of a situation.

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 What can you say about the quotation below? Do you agree with
this?

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 BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY

1. Epistemology
 Greek word episteme “knowledge”, inquiry into the nature of
knowledge itself
 concerns on origin of knowledge “empirical or rational”?
 “what is” for instance what is life?
 How we know. What we claim to know.
 How we can find out what we wish to know.
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 BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY

2. Metaphysics 
 literally means “after physics” what is space, the shape of
the earth etc. Metaphysics study of reality, visible and
invisible.
 What does it mean to BE...
 What is REAL?
 Is there a God?
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 BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY

3. Logic and Reason 

 Deals with correct reasoning
 Looks whether there are rules or principles that govern
principles.
 Analysis of methods of induction and deduction

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 BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY

4. Ethics & Morality 

 from greek word “ethos” means moral philosohpy.
 study about what is right and wrong, what is good and bad
and so on.
 inquiry into human actions
 ex: A teacher beats a student who did not get good marks, tell
me the teacher is good or bad?
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 BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY

5. Aesthetics 
-greek word “aisthetikos” means “sensitive or
perceptive”
-helps in understanding the value of arts, evaluating
feelings, judging the beauty and measuring the
human emotions. 
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