Why is there a need to philosophize?

Philosophers have often wondered and argued

about the role of philosophy in man’s life. One view is
that each one of us is a philosopher, whether or not we
have studied philosophy. We all have the potential to
philosophize since we have the tendency to wonder and
doubt. We possess the capacity to reflect on our
experiences, and we have a never-ending need to learn
and discover.
The Greek philosopher Plato traced man’s need to
philosophize to his sense of wonder. Whenever we are
confronted with an experience, we always wonder how it
came about. Man’s over bounding curiosity drives him to
ask questions, some of which have no definite answers.
Where did we come from? Why do we exist? For what
purpose were we created? Consider a small child’s
curiosity about all the things around him, most of which
he encounters for the first time. This perspective drives
the need of a philosopher to question, examine, and
learn more.
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 perspective became the
basis of critical thinking and analysis in the sciences. For
example, a scientific hypothesis must first be tested and
verified before it is accepted as truth. In life, we will be
faced with several ideas and arguments which present
themselves as “truths.” A critical and questioning
perspective is necessary to determine if indeed these
ideas or views are correct or true.
The 20th century Swiss-German philosopher Karl
Jaspers saw the need to philosophize because of
experience. Jaspers believed that man is often
confronted by experiences which challenge his ideas and
frameworks. Jaspers called these experiences limit
situations, and these are often accompanied by feelings
of helplessness, anxiety, or dread. For Jaspers,
philosophy provides us a means to understand adverse
or challenging conditions, and to rise above them and
gain new knowledge and perspectives.
Finally, the need to philosophize is driven by the love
of 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. He seeks to continue to question, to probe,
and to discuss in order to get to the bottom of things.
The philosopher who exemplified this perspective was
Socrates. He gained fame for his curiosity and his
constant debates with many of the intellectual elite in
Greece. Socrates is famous for having said “I know that I
do not know…” and it is in accepting this state of
ignorance that one can begin to realize that learning is
unceasing – there is a lot more to learn and experience in
life. Socrates is also recognized for his motto: “The
unexamined life is not worth living.” And nowhere is it
mor appropriate to embark on philosophy than in an
examination of our own life.

DISCUSS
1.What are the reasons that compel a
person to engage in philosophical
thinking?
2.How can you as a person benefit from
philosophizing?
 How do we characterize the study of
philosophy?
Just as there are many ways of looking at a problem,
philosophers have employed varied means of looking
into the fundamental questions regarding the human
condition. This has given rise to various viewpoints,
thoughts, and approaches in philosophy.
One way of looking at philosophy is to consider it as
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. Whenever a person
encounters a problem or questions in life, he or she often
goes back to his or her own framework in order to make
sense of the problem. Questions dealing with our own
correctness and values are considered internal questions
which can be addressed using our own personal
frameworks.
Also, there are external questions that seek to
question the very frameworks upon which people base
their own beliefs and views. For instance, a child who is
going through the bitter experience of his or her parent’s
separation will be in a state of confusion as his or her
experience does not conform to his or her personal
framework of what a family should be. In this case, the
child begins to question the very framework or concepts,
the child has already touched on an important aspect of
philosophy. The child seeks to clarify, examine, and
evaluate the basis of frameworks which he or she uses to
deal with the world and give meaning to his or her
experiences.
Philosophy can also be thought of as 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. Philosophy goes hand in hand with
other disciplines in examining their fundamental
purposes and evaluating the changes they experience.
There is a philosophy of science, which seeks to
understand the fundamental principles that guide
scientific thought. There is also a philosophy of religion,
political philosophy, philosophy of history – every aspect
of knowledge can benefit from the inquiring nature of
philosophy.
Philosophy itself is 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. The
philosophy which deals with beauty and what makes
things “beautiful” is called Aesthetics.
Logic is the branch of philosophy which deals with
correct reasoning, while Epistemology discusses the
nature of knowledge and knowing.
Ethics is the branch which deals with moral
questions and dilemmas, while Political Philosophy
studies governments and deals with questions of justice,
power and the rights and obligations of citizens.
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy which deals with
questions regarding reality and existence.
Although not a branch itself, Philosophy of the
Human Person is an area in philosophy that understands
the human person from a philosophical perspective –
integrating and synthesizing the different branches of
philosophy and other fields of study to know the truth
about the human person. However complex and varied
the perceptions, they suggest two important facts about
philosophizing: philosophy is a reflective and meditative
activity, and it has no designated subject matter of its
own. It is also a method of mental exercise on any type
of experience.
 When confronting human experience, philosophers
often employ tools that engage the mind in analyzing
problems and situations. For instance, discussing
complex philosophical issues, philosophers often use
thought experiments. Individuals also engage in this form
of philosophizing when they ponder possible
consequences regarding their actions. When one
imagines certain alternatives and possible outcomes, one
already engages in philosophy.
Additionally, philosophy does not limit itself to its
own field. Philosophy makes sense of information
gathered from various fields of knowledge (e.g., science,
psychology, economics, politics, etc.) by integrating and
synthesizing them to have a deeper and more complete
understanding of reality.
THINK
Analyze the characteristics of Philosophy by expanding the
graphic organizer.

PHILOSOPHY

As an examination of As a discipline
As an analysis of frameworks
knowledge

DISCUSS
Based on the characteristics of Philosophy, would it be possible for any
person to engage in philosophical discussion? Why or why not?

What is the difference between holistic

thinking and partial thinking?
Holistic thinking refers to a perspective that
considers large-scale patterns in systems. This is often
described as looking at the “big picture” when describing
and analyzing a situation or problem. A holistic
perspective requires an individual to have an open
mindset and ability to get the general sense or
impression regarding a situation. The partial view is an
important component of an analytical thinking, as an
individual focuses on certain areas or aspects of a
problem in order to understand it. Though partial
thinking is useful, philosophy utilizes holistic thinking in
making sense of problems and issues related to the
human experience.
People tend to apply an analytical perspective when
looking at problems or situations. For instance, doctors
often focus on a specific set of symptoms to determine
the cause of a patient’s illness. Once a particular cause
has been identified, the doctor then prescribes the
appropriate medicine and other treatments to address
the illness. In the case of a person who experiences a
stomach ache, a doctor may prescribe the appropriate
medicine that will address the physical causes of the
problem.
A holistic perspective, however, requires the doctor
to look at the “big picture” and view the patient’s illness
as an aspect of his or her lifestyle and personal
circumstances. When using this perspective, a doctor
may be able to identify other underlying causes of the
illness. The doctor can interview the patient and get an
idea of his or her situation. In the case of the patient with
stomach problems, the doctor’s inquiry into his or her
habits and lifestyle may lead to the discovery that fatigue
and stress may be factors that cause the illness. Knowing
this, the doctor can advise the patient to make changes
in his or her habits to reduce stress and eventually
improve his or her well-being.
A holistic perspective can enable a person to step
back and consider the general aspects of a certain
problem. In the case of an argument among friends,
would it be beneficial to take one side or act as a
mediator and try to reconcile all sides? Should we simply
condemn a person who misbehaved in a video that has
gone viral? Or should we reserve judgement until we get
all the facts regarding what made that person act in that
manner? Adopting a holistic approach in thinking
encourages us not only to be more critical but also to be
more considerate in dealing with others.
A holistic view also gives rise to a more
appreciative about life, as we are able to look at life in
its totality. This means that we try to understand a
situation from different vantage points so we can see it
more fully. Just as we savor food in its entirety and not
just its specific “flavors”. All the positive and negative
experiences in our life come together to give meaning to
our existence, and we learn to appreciate our individual
experiences as vital aspects of a larger and more
meaningful life.

DISCUSS
1. Cite a situation where you adopted a holistic view in
looking at a problem or situation. How did adopting
a holistic view help you make sense of the situation?
2. How can having a holistic view help us become
better individuals?

How does one engage in reflection?

Reflection requires a person to be willing examine
one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions and to learn more
about one’s life and experiences. One can reflect upon
the things that you plan to do for the day. This will
enable you to set your daily goals and set you on the
path of thinking of ways to achieve them.
Seemingly simple or mundane actions take a whole
new meaning when one engages in reflection. When
buying clothes, for example, think of the questions that
you ask yourself as you consider buying the t-shirt or
blouse you are holding. You may start with the simple
questions: “Will this fit me?” “Do I look good in this
color?” These are the usual questions any buyer would
ask himself or herself.
But since we are in a reflective and philosophizing
mood, let us now try and think of “deeper” questions
and reflect on the situation. You may find yourself asking
the following questions: “Do I even have to buy a new t-
shirt today?” Am I better off spending my money on
other things?” Do I see myself wearing this shirt often, or
am I just going to wear it once?” “What sort of person
wears this kind of shirt?”
Notice the difference when you engage in reflection.
The simple task of buying a shirt becomes something
much more. If you concentrate only on the simple
questions, you would just buy that shirt immediately. But
reflection allows you an opportunity to think more
deeply about your action, your motivations for doing
such an action, and even its possible consequences.
Buying a shirt becomes a more meaningful act with the
aid of reflection. Constant reflection on your possible
purchases may even help you make wiser choices and
improve your spending habits in the future.
 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 surroundings. Reflection help
us understand ourselves and our actions better. When
we reflect, we can judge whether our actions or decisions
are reasonable or not. Taking time to analyze your
decisions and actions is one vital skill that will greatly
help you as you encounter more challenge in life.

THINK
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 a
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.
DISCUSS
Have you ever had an experience where reflecting on
your actions benefited you?
Has reflection ever helped you avoid making a bad
decision?

What are the practical uses of philosophy in

our lives?
Philosophy has an important place in our daily lives.
Engaging in philosophical reflection leads to the
development of beneficial skills that individuals can apply
in every situation.
Philosophy enables a person to engage in critical
analysis and interpretation of concepts, definitions,
arguments, and problems. It also trains us to be critical
of our own ideas as well as of others – meaning, we don’t
simply accept or reject whatever is presented to us. One
can apply this critical and analytical mindset in processing
information gained from media and addressing certain
issues encountered in life. Critical thinking skills can help
us avoid being tricked by false claims or manipulative
schemes.
 Philosophy also improves problem-solving and
decision making. The ability to analyze a problem or
dilemma, identify its significant aspects, and come up
with alternative solutions is an important skill learned
through philosophy.
A philosopher is a good communicator who can
clearly and adequately present his or her ideas.
Discussion and debate require skills in presenting and
communicating ideas. Philosophy can also help us be
more open to new and different ideas. Communication
skills are also enhanced by the study of philosophy
because it trains us to be very clear and precise about
our thoughts and sentiments in order to express exactly
what we want to say.
Wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing,
and this refers to a person’s ability to apply knowledge to
daily particularly in making sound choices and
judgement.
Finally, knowledge of Philosophy can contribute to
self- development. One can be better student, scientist,
artist, professional, and citizen if he or she has the
capacity for inquiry, critical thinking, and reflection. In
addition, philosophy encourages a person to know
oneself, his or her strengths and weaknesses, establish
an identity, and determine his or her purpose in life. Self-
knowledge also grows along with one’s understanding of
the world and this is essential to the realization of the
self. These are tools to develop one’s own ideas and
views and engage fully in useful activities in the
community, nation, and the world at large.
DISCUSS
1. How can philosophy help you succeed as a student?
2. How can philosophy help you become a productive
individual and citizen?