INTRODUCTIONTO

PHILOSOPHY
Mr. Glen O. Guanco, LPT
 Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
• Explain the value, cause and process of philosophizing.
• Discuss the real meaning of Philosophy
• Reflect on a concrete experience in a philosophical way.
• Exemplify the value of philosophy in living a meaningful
and obtaining a broader perspective in life.
 The Beginning of Philosophy

“Human by
nature is
inquisitive”
-Socrates
The Beginning of Philosophy

Intellect TRUTH

Freewill GOOD
 The Beginning of Philosophy

In Philosophy
what matters
is the
QUESTION
and NOT the
ANSWER.
Why?
 The Beginning of Philosophy

“Wonder is the
feeling of a
philosopher, and
philosophy starts
with WONDER.”
– Socrates
Philosophy begins...
WONDER
QUESTION

REASONING PROCESS (philosophizing always involves

questioning, analyzing, criticizing, synthesizing, evaluating,
and judging.

CRITICAL THINKING
Definitio
n
PHILOSOPHY
was first used by
PYTHAGORA
S,
a Greek
philosopher and
mathematician.
Think Pythagorean Theorem!
Etymological
Definition
PHILOSOPHY
from the Greek words

“philia/philo” = love
and
“sophia” = wisdom
Etymological
Definition
Philosophy
means

“Love of Wisdom.”
What
is
Etymological
Definition
By LOVE
it seeks
unity with the
object, it
desires to
possess
its object.
 Etymological
Definition
To philosophize ,
therefore, is to be in a
quest , or to have the desire
towards
living the truth .
WISDO
means
M the
good
exercise or
application
of
knowledge.
DIFFERENT FORMS OF
KNOWLEDGE
(based in degree and content)
1. Doxa or Opinion
2. Episteme or Scientific
knowledge
3. Techne or Technical knowledge
4. Sophia or Wisdom
 DOXA/
OPINION
 refers to a common understanding
or common sense.
 Lowest kind because it lacks any
proper justification or attained
without any valid explanation.
 DOXA/
OPINION

 Examples: rumors and

 EPISTEME/SCIENTIFIC
KNOWLEDGE
 is a kind of knowing that has grounded or
justified assertions.
 they are factual statements that are proven by
scientific method.
 Examples: (a) Water boils at 100
degrees Celsius.
(b) Dogs are animals.
 TECHNE/TECHNICAL
KNOWLEDGE
 Knowledge of the means-end of
objects, that is, “how
things are made and
done.”
TECHNE/TECHNICAL
KNOWLEDGE

 Examples are the carpenter’s, cook’s

barber’s or cobbler’s knowledge
 Highest of all knowledge because it is the
“most finished of the forms of knowledge”
and it is knowledge of first principles.
Definitio
n
Philosophy
is not merely academic,
speculative and abstract, but
also practical and
concrete.
 Definitio
n
Philosophy is a way of life:
“the goal
of [philosophy]
is to transform
the
whole of the
individual’s life.”
 Definitio
n

Philosophy
is an
act of doing.
 Real
Definition
Philosophy is the science of
all things or beings in their
ultimate causes or
principles acquired by the
natural light of reason
alone.
Elements of the Definition
 Science
 all things/beings
 in their ultimate causes
 acquired by the natural
light of reason.
Elements of the Definition

 SCIENCE
• Latin “scire” – “to know”
• Not just knowledge of facts but
the reasons behind the facts
or the knowledge of its
causes.
Elements of the Definition
SCIENCE
• It aims for certitude; it strives to know the
whys of things.
• Involves critical thinking that includes
questioning, analyzing, synthesizing,
evaluating and judging.
Elements of the Definition
 Science
 all things/beings
 in their ultimate causes
 acquired by the natural
light of reason.
Elements of the Definition
ALL
THINGS/BEINGS
 Two Types of Beings
(Accdg. to St. Thomas Aquinas):

1. Necessary
2. Contingent
 Two Types of
Beings
1. Necessary
 Non-existence is
an impossibility.
 Exists eternally; No
beginning or end
 Ex. God
 Two Types of
Beings
2. Contingent
 Existence is caused
 May or may not exist
 Ex. human beings,
material and spiritual
worlds
Elements of the Definition
 Science
 all things/beings
 in their ultimate causes
 acquired by the natural
light of reason.
Elements of the Definition

in their ULTIMATE

CAUSES
 it looks into the reason, the
ultimate why’s and the
wheretofore’s of all things,
examining in detail all
Aristotle’s Four
Causes
1. Material
Cause
2. Efficient cause
3. Formal cause
4. Final cause
Elements of the Definition
 Science
 all things/beings
 in their ultimate causes
 acquired by the natural
light of reason.
Elements of the Definition

by the NATURAL

LIGHT OF REASON
 it means the
“human reason”
 NATURAL REASON SUPERNATURAL
REASON
Refers to human reason Has an element of Faith

Has limitations No limitations

Realm of Philosophy Realm of Theology

 When
philosophy
ends, theology
begins.
 Real
Definition
Philosophy is the science of
all things or beings in their
ultimate causes or
principles acquired by the
natural light of reason
alone.