INTRODUCTION TO

PHILOSOPHY OF THE
HUMAN PERSON
MELISSA M. MELENDREZ
Lesson 1 : What is
Philosophy?
MELISSA M. MELENDREZ
Lesson Objectives:
Distinguish a holistic perspective from a partial
point of view(PPT11/12-Ia-1.1)
1. Discuss philosophy and its importance as a
discipline and a means for understanding life;
2. Apply philosophical questions in everyday
life.
3.Appreciate the negative and positive
experiences in life
What is philosophy?
What is a human
person?
What is your
expectation about the
subject?
PHILOSOPHY
What is Philosophy?

Comes from the two Greek words :

PHILOS ( LOVE) and SOPHIA ( WISDOM)
The ancient Greeks used this term to
refer to “ love of wisdom” and they
soon applied it to the study or
discipline that uses human reason to
investigate the ultimate causes,
reasons, and principles which govern
all things.
PHILOSOPHY
What is Philosophy?

People who engage in

philosophy are called
philosophers or “lovers
of wisdom”
Read and analyze the following conversation between a high
school teacher and her student in class:
Teacher: Juan, what would you like to be
when you grow up?
Juan: Ma’am I want to be happy!
Teacher: Juan, you did not understand my
question.
Juan: Ma’am, you do not understand what
life is all about.
GUIDE QUESTIONS
1. Do you think that Juan’s answer was
appropriate for his teacher’s question?
2. What do you think was Juan’s interpretation
of his teacher’s question?
3. Based on his responses, what kind of
student do you imagine Juan is?
4. How is philosophy related to this situation?
“What are the different
questions that you encountered
in to your life from your
childhood up to now as SHS
learners?’’
Since ancient times,
philosopher have been
pondering some of the
most enduring questions
regarding human existence.
The following are some those questions.
What is real? Are we able to perceive and
understand reality and everything in it?
How do we know what we know? Are the things we
know true?
What is the ultimate cause of all things? What is our
purpose in this world?
To what extent are our choices and actions
considered “free”?
Most Notable Ancient
Greek Philosophers
Pythagoras ( 570 BCE -
495 BCE
A mathematician and scientist, he
was credited with formulating the
Pythagorean theorem. His worked
earned him many followers, and he
established a community of learners
who were devoted to the study of
religion and philosophy.
Heraclitus ( 535 BCE -
475 BCE
He proposed that everything that
exists is based on a higher order or
plan which he called logos. For him,
change is a permanent aspect of the
human condition as he was credited
with the saying , “ No man ever steps
in the same river twice.”
Democritus ( 460 BCE -
370 BCE
He devoted himself to the study of
the causes of natural phenomena. He
was among the first to propose that
matter is composed of tiny particles
called atoms.
Diogenes of Sinope ( 412
BCE - 323 BCE
He was known advocate of living a simple and
virtuous life. For Diogenes, one should only talk
pf virtue but should show it in words snd actions.
His emphasis on austerity and simplicityoften
went to extreme, and he was said to have lived a
beggar. he was also known to be a vocal critic of
well-known philosophers such as Plato and
Aristotle. His teachings and views were later
developed by his followers and influenced the
development of several schools of philosophy
such as Cynicism and Stoicism
Epicurus ( 341 BCE - 270
BCE)
He believed that philosophy could
enable man to live a life of
happiness. His views gave rise to
EPICUREANISM- a school of
philosophy which believes that
wisdom and simple living will result
in a life free of fear and pain.
Socrates ( 470 BCE - 399
BCE)
He was considered the foremost
philosopher of ancient times. He made
great contributions to the field of
ethics. Socrates was a known critic of
intellectuals during his time, but he
himself did not claim to be “wise” and
merely considered himself a “ midwife”
that helped inquiring minds achieve
wisdom.
Socrates ( 470 BCE - 399
BCE)
He also believed that philosophy could
enable a man to live a life of virtue. He
was credited with formulating the
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.
Plato ( 427 BCE - 347 BCE)
A student of Socrates, he wrote down his
mentor’s teachings and incorporated
some of his own ideas into them. His
teachings and writings were considered
the foundation of Western Philosophy.
Plato’s most significant ideas included his
Theory of Forms, which proposes that
everything that exists is based on an idea
or template that can only be perceived in
the mind; these nonphysical ideas are
eternal and unchanging.
Plato ( 427 BCE - 347 BCE)
He also focused his studies on the ideal
society and proposed an ideal model of
government and society which is ruled by
wisdom and reason.
He is also known for his DIALECTIC- a
method of inquiry where two opposing
ideas are discussed in an attempt to arrive
at new knowledge.
Aristotle ( 384 BCE - 322
BCE)
He attended the Academy, and was a
prominent student of Plato. Aristotle,
however, disagreed with Plato’s theory of
forms and took a different stance in
interpretinf reality. For him, all ideas and
views are based on perception and our
reality is based on what we can sense and
perceive.
Aristotle ( 384 BCE - 322
BCE)
His studies in logic led to the formulation
of a formal process of analyzing reasoning
which gave rise to DEDUCTIVE
REASONING - the process by which
specific statements are analyzed to reach
a conclusion or generalization.
Why is there a need to
philosophize?
1. The Greek philosopher Plato traced man’s
need to philosophize to his SENSE OF
WONDER .
Whenever we are confronted with
experience, we always wonder how it came
about.
Man’s overbounding curiosity drives him to
ask questions, some of which have no
definite answers.
2. The 15th- Century French philosopher Rene
Descartes traced the need to philosophize to
DOUBT.
Descartes was famous for rejecting or
questioning established ideas, and he even
went as far as doubting his own ideas.
His method of examining ideas and
perspectives became the basis of critical
thinking and analysis in the sciences.
3. The 20th-century Swiss-German philosopher
Karl Jasper saw the need to philosophize because
of EXPERIENCE.
Jasper believed that man is often confronted
by experiences which challenge his ideas and
frameworks.
Jasper called these experiences LIMIT
SITUATIONS, and these are often
accompanied by feelings or helplessness.
4. Finally, the need to philosophize is driven by
the LOVE FOR WISDOM.
To love wisdom is to have an insatiable
desire for truth.
A philosopher does not seek knowledge to
claim ownership of it; and one who
engages in philosophy is not satisfied with
figuring out the answer to a question.
 ACTIVITY
Read the following news
headlines. What are
“simple”, “serious”, and
“deep” questions come to
your mind when you read
them?
 1. Flash floods in remote barangay kill a
hundred people.
2. Abused child kept chained in basement for
five years finally rescued.
3. Man sentenced to ten years for stealing milk
to feed his baby.
4. Lotto winner donates half of winnings to
local orphanage.
How do we characterize
the study of philosophy?
1. A way of analyzing frameworks.
A framework is defined as a way of
thinking about the world and is
composed of the views and beliefs of a
person.
Questions dealing with our own
correctness and values are considered
INTERNAL QUESTIONS.
 EXTERNAL QUESTIONS-
seek to question the very
frameworks upon which
people base their own beliefs
and views.
2. AN EXAMINATION OF A
PARTICULAR AREA OF KNOWLEDGE.
The central principle in philosophy is
examination and questioning, and
this is often applied in the analysis
of the frameworks of other areas or
sciences.
3. A DISTINCT AREA OF KNOWLEDGE
WITH ITS OWN GOALS, CONCERNS,
AND WAYS OF DOING THINGS.
It is often divided into several
branches each of which deals with a
particular aspect of life or
phenomena.
 What is the difference
between HOLISTIC
THINKING & PARTIAL
THINKING?
HOLISTIC THINKING
refers to a perspective that
considers large-scale patterns in
systems.
often describes as “big picture”
when describing and analyzing a
situation or problem.
PARTIAL THINKING
focuses on specific aspects of a
situation.
It is an important component of
analytical thinking, as an individual
focuses on certain areas or aspects of
a problem in order to understand it.
How does one engage in
reflection?
REFLECTION
Requires a person to be willing
to examine one’s thoughts,
feelings, and actions and learn
more about one’s life and
experiences
Reflection allows you an
opportunity to think more
deeply about your action, your
motivations for doing such an
action, and even its possible
consequences.
Reflection is vital in ensuring that
our actions and decisions are well
thought out and are done with
due regard for their implications
and consequences on ourselves,
others, and our sorroundings.
 ACTIVITY
Engage in reflection on the
following situations. List
down the simple, serious
and deep questions you
would ask yourself in these
situations.
 1. You go into a restaurant and the waiter
hands you the menu. You are deciding which
dish to order.
2. You and your friends are deciding on a
‘’fun’’ thing to do while at the mall.
3. You open your wallet and saw that you
still have a hundred pesos left from your
weekly allowance.
What are the practical uses
of philosophy in our lives?
1. Philosophy enables a
person to engage in critical
analysis and interpretation
of concepts, definitions,
arguments, and problems.
2. Philosophy also improves
problem solving and decision
making.
3. A philosopher is a good
communicator who can clearly
and adequately present his or
her ideas.
4. Wisdom

5. Knowledge of Philosophy
can contribute to self-
development.