DOING PHILOSOPHY

HOLISTIC AND PARTIAL and study of wisdom.

THINKING - Philosopher is the person who studies
In our haste to make hasty and immediate Philosophy.
solutions, we fail to consider longterm - Philosophize is the act of applying
plans and goals (Henri Nouwen, Clowning philosophy.
in Rome).
 a perspective that considers largescale FAMOUS PHILOSOPHERS
patterns in systems. 1. Pythagoras (57 BCE - 495 BCE)
 the “big picture” when describing and - Mathematician and Philosopher
analyzing a situation or problem. - Pythagorean Theorem
 An individual must have an open mindset - Established a community of learners who
and an ability to get the general sense studied philosophy and religion
regarding a situation. 2. Heraclitus (535 BCE – 475 BCE)
 stepping back and consider the general - Everything that exists is based on a higher
aspects of a certain problem. order or plan (logos).
 a more appreciative perspective about life, - Change is constant
look life in its totality - “No man steps on the same river twice”
 looks at all aspects of the given situation or 3. Democritus (460 BCE - 370 BCE)
problem when making conclusions - Studied the causes of natural phenomena
 Philosophy uses holistic thinking in making - One of the first thinkers who proposed that
sense of problems and issues related to matter is composed of tiny particles called
human experience. “atom”.
PARTIAL THINKING 4. Diogenes (412 BCE – 320 BCE)
 looks at only a limited number of aspects of - Advocated the living of austerity and a simple
the given problem or situation. and virtuous life.
 an individual focuses on certain areas or - One should not only talk about virtue but also
aspects of a problem in order to understand. show virtue in words and deeds.
Conclusions are made considering some but - Vocal critic of Plato and Aristotle.
not all sides of the problem or situation. - His followers used his philosophy to develop
schools of thought.
REFLECTION
- Cynicism: people are reasoning Animals
 to examine one’s thoughts, feelings, and - the purpose of life and the way to gain
actions to learn more about one’s life and happiness is to achieve virtue, in agreement with
experiences nature, following one's natural sense of reason
 helps us understand ourselves and our by living ascetically and shamelessly free from
actions better social constraints
 we can judge whether our actions or - Stoicism: philosophy of life that maximizes
decisions are reasonable or not positive emotions, reduces negative emotions
and helps individuals to hone their virtues of
PHILOSOPHY character.
 Greek words, “Philo” (love) and “Sophia” (wisdom): 5. Epicurus (341 BCE – 270 BCE)
Philosophy is the love and the study of wisdom.
- Philosophy can help man live a life of
 Ancient Greek philosophers applied the
happiness.
love of wisdom to the study or discipline
- Epicureanism: wisdom and simple living can
that uses human reason to investigate
help man live a life free from fear and pain.
ultimate causes, reasons, and principles
which governs all things. 6. Socrates (470 BCE – 399 BCE)
- Foremost philosopher of Ancient Times.
TERMS:
- Contributed in the field of ethics.
- Philosophy is the discipline, the search - Criticized philosophers of his time but did not
consider himself as wise, only a midwife that habits;
helped inquiring minds achieve wisdom. 2. samudaya (origin, arising, combination;
- Philosophy can help man live a life of virtue. "cause"): dukkha (unease) arises simultaneously
- Socratic method: question and answer method with taṇhā ("craving, desire or attachment, lit.
7. Plato (427 BCE – 327 BCE) 'thirst').
- Proposed in his work, “The Republic” an ideal 3. irodha (cessation, ending, confinement):
government and society ruled by wisdom and dukkha can be ended or contained by the
reason. confinement or letting go of this taṇhā;
- Dialectic method: two opposing ideas are 4. marga (path, Noble Eightfold Path) is the
discussed to gain knowledge path leading to the confinement of tanha and
- Established the Academy: institution of higher dukkha
learning 11. Confucius
- Socrates’ student, his writings are the - 6th and 5th century B.C. thinker promoted
foundation of Western Philosophy. ancestor worship, strong filial bonds, and
- Theory of Forms: everything exists is based considerate living
on an idea or template that can only be - Confucius’ writings espouse humanistic
perceived in the mind; these non-physical ideas ideologies, placing the well-being of all over the
are eternal and unchanging. needs of the few.
8. Aristotle (384 BCE – 322 BCE) - the Five Classics (Spring and Autumn Annals,
- Plato’s student, attended the Academy Classic of Poetry, Classic of Changes, Classic of
- Disagreed with Plato’s Theory of Forms. All Rites, and Classic of History)
ideas or views are based on perception, reality is - Li, an ethical framework encouraging the
based on what we can sense and perceive. populace to behave appropriately’
- He influenced the study of physical sciences.  HINDUISM - a religious tradition developed
- Deductive Reasoning: specific statements are during the first millennium and intertwined
studied to reach a generalization with the history and social system of India
9. Lao Tzu - no founder, has no prophets, no set creed,
- Founder of Daoism/Taoism and no particular institutional structure
- Work: Tao Te Ching - emphasizes the right way of living (dharma)
- Concept of the Tao, an invisible structure rather than a set of doctrines
which drives all things, and believes
enlightenment comes from attaining oneness
with the surrounding universe EASTERN PHILOSOPHY
- “To the mind that is still the whole universe
• Philosophical traditions that emerged
surrenders.”
within the Eastern Asian regions of India
- “Nature does not hurry, but everything is
and China.
accomplished.”
- “When I let go of who I am, I become what I • Eastern philosophies were intimately tied
might be.” to their respective religious traditions of
10. Siddharta Gautama (Buddha) Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and
- Buddha “The Enlightened” Daoism.
- A prince from Nepal who lived during • its philosophy deals less with worship
the 6th or 5th century BC rituals and depictions of the gods, and
- His followers have become members of more with larger questions of our relation
Buddhism to the cosmos.
- Enlightenment “Nirvana” • Allegory of the pebble in the pool: as the
BUDDHA’S 4 NOBLE TRUTHS pebble goes deeper, the ripples it creates
1. dukkha ('not being at ease', "suffering," from becomes wider
dush-stha, "standing unstable," is an innate
• Focus: To give meaning,
characteristic of the perpetual cycle (samsara,
“pagpapakahulugan”
lit. 'wandering') of grasping at things, ideas and
 PHILOSOPHY OF:
• more focused on behavior and the eternal
 Aesthetics - beauty
nature of reality.  Logic-correct reasoning
WESTERN PHILOSOPHY  Epistemology - nature of knowledge and
 Western philosophy is characterized by a knowing
canonical set of thinkers including Plato,  Ethics - moral questions and dilemmas
Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, etc.  Politics - governments, justice, power, rights
 It is also characterized by the influence of and obligations
monotheistic religions, especially  Metaphysics - reality and existence
Christianity.  Philosophy of the Human Person - the
human person is understood in a philosophical
 Finally, Western philosophy has often
perspective, in order to understand the truth
reflected theories that emphasize
about the human person
formalism and universal concepts.
 To give definitions Philosophy is a reflective and meditative activity.
Philosophy a method of mental exercise.
 Definitions: to define, to give limits or
bounds PRACTICAL USES OF PHILOSOPHY IN
OUR DAILY LIVES
 tends to focus more on ideas and
principles  Engage in critical analysis and
interpretation of concepts, definitions,
WHY IS THERE A NEED TO arguments, and problems
PHILOSOPHIZE?  Improve problem-solving and decision-
making
Plato: Because of man’s sense of wonder-ask
questions and gain answers, his curiosity:  Become good communicators who can
Question, examine, and learn more. clearly and adequately present ideas
Rene Descartes: Because of man’s doubt. He  Wisdom (What is the difference between
questioned everything. “Cogito ergo sum” (I knowledge and wisdom?)
think therefore, I am.)  Self-development
Karl Jaspers: Because of experience.
Experience challenges man’s ideas and
METHODS OF
frameworks. Experiences are “limit situations.”
 Because we love wisdom. PHILOSOPHIZING
HOW DO WE CHARACTERIZE THE
STUDY OF PHILOSOPHY? TRUTH
Philosophy is a way of understanding frameworks CORRESPONDENCE
(View about the world as influenced by the beliefs
of a person). THEORY OF TRUTH
 Internal Questions: deal with our own  what we believe or say is true if
values, addressed using our own it corresponds to the way things
frameworks.
actually are – to the facts
 External Questions: they question the
frameworks by which people have their  the correspondence theory of
own values and beliefs. truth is at its core an
Philosophy is an examination of a particular area of ontological thesis: a belief is
knowledge. true if there exists an
Philosophy is a distinct area of knowledge with its appropriate entity – a fact –
own goals, concerns, and way of doing things:
to which it corresponds. If there
Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Religion,
Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of is no such entity, the belief is
Education, Politics, Art, etc. false.
Philosophy is a distinct area of knowledge with its  TRUTH IS REALITY
own goals, concerns, and doing things.
 COHERENCE THEORY  Opinions are basis for making
arguments for convincing
OF TRUTH
people that claims are facts.
 “Truth in its essential nature is
that systematic coherence
CONCLUSIONS
which is the character of a
 A judgement made based on
significant whole” (Joachim,
certain facts.
1906).
 These facts that form the
 A belief is true if and only if it
conclusion may not be
is part of a coherent system of
contested.
beliefs.
 But the actual conclusion may
 “It is true because it agrees”
be contested or questioned.
 TRUTH MUST BE CONSISTENT
(COHERENT) BELIEFS
 Statements that express
PRAGMATIC THEORY
convictions that are not easily
OF TRUTH and clearly explained by facts.
 Truth is the end of inquiry.  “Credo in Deum.” (Apostles’
 Truth is satisfactory to believe. Creed)
 Truth is useful.  It is difficult to prove this by
 “As long as it allows you to facts-we have to consider the
live, it must be true.’ believer’s experiences and
(Nietzsche) views.

IMPLICATIONS OF TRUTH EXPLANATIONS,

 Determining truth requires a ARGUMENTS, AND LOGIC
person to prove a statement
 Explanations are statements
through action.
that assume the claim to be
 Claims and beliefs should be true and provide the reasons
subjected to tests to determine why the statement is true.
truth.
 Arguments are a series of
 Truth is never determined by a statements that provide
majority vote (Pope Benedict reasons to convince others that
XVI). a claim/opinion is truthful.
 The truth will set you free  Logic is the branch of
(Jesus Christ). Philosophy that deals with the
analysis of arguments by using
OPINION critical thinking.
OPINIONS
 Opinions may or may not be ARGUMENTS AND
factual. FALLACIES
 Opinions provide perspectives  Arguments are statements that
or conclusions. are either claims of facts and
 Opinions advance a belief about are phrased in such a way that
a certain person/thing. they seem reasonable.
  When arguments are based on cause and
effect
faulty reasoning, they are asali me ing alajas
relationship a yan,
EFFECT
FALLACIES. between mengamalasan na
ca. Ugse me ‘yan!”
unrelated
FALLACIES events
Assumes
CHARACTERISTI that what is “Ma-chicks la balat
FALLACY EXAMPLE FALLACY OF
CS true for a la reng atlung anac
COMPOSITIO
Using force “Kapag hindi
N part is true na. Piju a tacsil la
pinirmahan ang ring palipi na”
APPEAL TO to threat to for the
kasunduang ito,
FORCE advance an whole
magpopro-testa
argument kami sa daan Assumes
“Lahat ng mga “Manyaman lang
Using what is true maglutu reng
akusasyon ay
APPEAL TO emotions: pawing FALLACY OF for the Capampangan inya
kasinungalingan. DIVISION whole is dapat, manyaman
EMOTION pity or
Hindi k aba naawa ca muring
sympathy true for the maglutu.”
sa pamilya ko?”
parts
“You’re just a high
AD Insulting the Bongbong
school graduate. I Invokes a
HOMINEM transferred 120
person don’t get lectures
1. ABUSIVE APPEAL TO person in million pesos
from you!” AUTHORITY authority to without approval
A: Let us not kill (AD
from congress. He
Uses animals for food VERUCUNDUM) insist their
can do it because
AD B: You’re saying argument
circumstanc he is in power
HOMINEM that because
2. CIRCUMSTANTIAL
es to you’re vegan and No one has
disprove you work in a APPEAL TO proven it so There is
vegan company! IGNORANCE extraterrestrial life
we might as indeed. No one has
Attacking (AD
well accept
IGNORANTIAM) yet disproved this.
the it
proposition Why would I go to “Did you write your
AD by reflection paper?”
a priest to confess
HOMINEM when they sin RED Changes the “I was writing it
3. TU QUOQUE mentioning
more than I do? HERRING topic but the show
the started. Have you
opponent’s watched it?
weakness Takes A – Let’s go to the
A person’s another’s beach
B – I am very busy
association STRAW MAN argument, studying
with Let’s cancel out changes it C – Fine. Let’s
AD
HOMINEM someone or Shopee since they to distort it cancel all our trips
4. GUILT BY something is made that filthy
ASSOCIATION Toni their endorser
used to
attack
BIASES
him/her  Personal views of persons
It is “Sa edad mong
presenting their opinions.
acceptable ‘yan, karamihan ay
APPEAL TO
THE because a
may dyowa na  Not necessarily errors in
kaya dapat
POPULAR lot of people magdyowa ka na reasoning, but are tendencies
accept it rin”
or influences which affect the
It is
acceptable “Sa tinagal-tagal views of people.
APPEAL TO because it ko na dito
institusyon na ako
 Cannot be avoided, but we
TRADITION has been dito kaya ako ang must be aware of our own
true for a masusunod!”
long time biases.
Assuming
This parking lot is CHARACTERISTIC EXAMPL
the idea to for teachers BIAS
BEGGING S E
be proven is because it is only
THE CORRESPOND “Deng
true for teachers. Tendency to
QUESTION megisan
(circular
I said so because I ENCE / judge a king pancit
said so
ATTRIBUTION mangataco
argument) person’s
CAUSE AND “Manibat nyang EFFECT la ngan at
Assumes a
 personality  Opinions are based on bias. Be aware of
without biases, be objective and examine points
alang
regard for panatindi”
of view critically.
external  Philosophy can help us examine various
factors views on relevant issues, make wise
Tendency to choices, take right action.
look for and
readily
accept
“Honest
information cu. ‘Tatac
CONFIRMATIO
that fits ACSci’ mi
N BIAS ya ing
one’s own honesty”
beliefs and
reject those
that go
against it
Focusing on
an aspect of
“Magulu ya
a problem bie casi
FRAMING while micawani
la reng
ignoring pengari na”
other
aspects
Tendency to
“Canita pa
see past
masasamb
events as ut na la
reng
predictable,
HINDSIGHT Pilipinu
ascribes a inya
masambut
pattern to
na la murin
historical ngeni”
events
“Anac na
Person/s cung
Marcos
connection
inya
CONFLICT OF or interested maniwala
INTEREST cung ela
party/ies on
tutu reng
the issue penyabi da
laban
discussed
caya”
“E istu ing
ilage la
reng
Analyzing an macatua
issue based king home
CULTURAL for the
on one’s aged.
BIAS
cultural Icami,
sesesen mi
standards la reng
macatua
mi.”

IMPLICATIONS
 Some arguments contain fallacies –
products of faulty reasoning. Be aware of
fallacies to know if these are valid.