Department of Education

Region VI – Western Visayas

Division of Aklan
District of Batan
BATAN ACADEMY (A National School)
Batan, Aklan

INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

LECTURE 1: THE MEANING AND METHOD OF DOING PHILOSOPHY

CONTENT CONTENT PERFORMANC LEARNING COMPETENCIES CODE

STANDARD E STANDARD
1. Doing The learner The learner 1.1 Distinguish a holistic
Philosophy understands reflects on a perspective from a partial PPT11/12-Ia-1.1
the meaning concrete point of view
and process of experience in
doing a
philosophy philosophical 1.2. Recognize human
way activities that emanated PPT11/12-Ib-1.2
from deliberate reflection

1.3 Realize the value of

doing philosophy in PPT11/12-Ib-1.3
obtaining a broad
perspective on life

1.4 Do a philosophical
reflection on a concrete PPT11/12-Ic-1.4
situation from a holistic
perspective

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LESSON 1: THE NATURE AND FUNCTIONS OF PHILOSOPHY

DEFINITION OF PHILOSOPHY

Traditionally philosophy is defined as love of wisdom because it came from two Greek
words philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom). You might find it strange to connect love to
philosophy. You might think of philosophy as a purely intellectual discipline which has nothing
to do with love. You might believe love is romance, poetry, intense passion in which you are
willing to lay down your life. But you will see that philosophy can also be pursued
passionately. In fact, some people like Socrates died for truth. It is this centrality of love to
philosophy that we call people who engages in philosophy as philosophers (lovers of wisdom).
The word philosophy comes from 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 is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence,

knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.

Philosophy in simple words is a way of thinking about the world, the universe, and
society. It works by asking very basic questions about the nature of human thought, the
nature of the universe, and the connections between them. The ideas in philosophy are often
general and abstract.

Philosophy is the study of humans and the world by thinking and asking questions. It is
a science and an art. Philosophy tries to answer important questions by coming up with
answers about real things and asking "why?

Philosophy is a science where reason and logic are used to understand reality and answer
questions of knowledge, morality and human nature. It can be described as either a body of
knowledge or an intellectual activity.

Philosophy as a body of knowledge provides methodologies and insights on how societal

questions, such as moral dilemmas of euthanasia or same - sex marriage, can be answered.

Philosophy as an intellectual activity is an analytic procedure of addressing individual

thought processes such as resolving conflict and confusion, testing positions, and analyzing
beliefs. In all instances, doing philosophy is prescribed by logic, reason, and ethics leading to
wisdom.

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 Philosophy applied to human experience or everyday life denotes the use of philosophy as
an intellectual activity. Also known as philosophy in life, this concept is important because it
serves as the guiding principle on how one ought to live life.

ORIGIN OF PHILOSOPHY

Greece is the birthplace of philosophy in the West. To be more precise it is the ancient
Greek city of Miletus in the Western coast of what is now Turkey that gave birth to philosophy.
It is in this city that the first philosopher in the West, Thales, lived. Thales is the Father of
Philosophy in the Western civilization. He lived between 624 and 546 BCE a contemporary of
the Lydian king Croesus and the statesman Solon (Stumpf and Fieser,2008).

What made Thales a philosopher is his desire to know the ultimate stuff that makes up
the different things we perceived. You see when we look at the world, we encounter different
things: people, trees, clouds, mountains, rivers, etc. Now Thales believed that despite the
different things we encounter there is one underlying stuff or substance in which everything is
composed. He believes that there is One in the Many. Thales was the first individual who tried
to reduce the multiplicity in to a unity (Jones,1969).

But his explanation of natural phenomena is devoid of gods and goddesses of the old
religion of Greece. It is completely rational. It represents a departure from the mythological
religion of Greece. Thales approach highlights the difference between religion and philosophy.
Religion rests on faith while philosophy rests on reason

PHILOSOPHICAL ACTIVITY

Thales greatest contribution to philosophy is not his identification of water as the

ultimate stuff of the universe. His greatest contribution is the problem he posed “What is the
ultimate stuff of the universe?” and his approach in solving that problem. Studying Thales
makes us realize that philosophical activity is characterized by three things:

First in terms of scope philosophy involves the widest generalizations (Rand, 1982).
While people concern themselves with shoes and clothes, the latest gossip about their
favorite celebrities, their crushes, philosophers concern themselves with big issues pertaining
to the truth, , the good, the just, the beautiful, and the existence of practically all things.
While scientists concern themselves with scientific knowledge, historians with knowledge of
the past, economists with knowledge of supply and demand, philosophers concern
themselves with the nature of knowledge as such (which embraces all types of knowledge
previously mentioned and more).

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 Second philosophy is all about fundamentals. A fundamental is the root cause that
explains almost everything in a given context. To understand this imagine that knowledge is
like a building with levels. Now the higher level depends on the lower levels (Peikoff, 1991). If
somehow the lower level crumbles then all the higher levels that rest upon it will collapse. A
fundamental is like the lower floor that supports everything above it. That kind of support is
exactly what philosophy provides. If somehow philosophical ideas like consciousness and
existence disappear then knowledge of any kind will not make any sense because there will
be nothing to know (existence) and no one to know (consciousness).

Third philosophy is driven by the desire to integrate things in to a one coherent whole.
As the celebrated philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said “The true is the Whole
(Peikoff, 1991).” If you notice Thales wants to reduce the multiplicity of things into a single
stuff. He desires to find the One in the many.

Philosopher – a lover of wisdom; he /she puts meaning to what is out there, open to changes
and discovery; he / she does not stop knowing, wondering and asking questions; hungers for
truth, meaning and sense; someone who goes beyond the surface of things, experiences
transcendence and possesses a beautiful mind.

The most notable ancient Greek philosophers are:

Pythagoras (570 BCE to 495 BCE)- A mathematician and scientist, he was credited with
formulating the Pythagorean theorem. His work earned him many followers, and he
established a community of learners who were devoted to the study of religion and
philosophy.

Heraclitus (535 BCe to 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 to 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 to 323 BCE)- He was a known advocate of living a simple and
virtuous life. For Diogenes, one should not only talk of virtue but should show it in words and

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actions. His emphasis on austerity and simplicity often went to the extreme and he was said
to have lived like a beggar.

Epicurus (341 BCE to 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 to 399 BCE)- He was considered the foremost philosophers of ancient
times. He was credited with formulating the Socratic method- 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 to 347 BCE)- A student of Socrates, he wrote down his mentor’s teaching and
incorporated some of his own ideas into them. Plato’s most significant ideas included his
Theory of Forms, which proposes that everything that exist is based on an idea or template
than can only be perceived in the mind. Plato is also known for his dialectic- a method of
inquiry where two opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt to arrive at new knowledge.
Plato’s lasting contribution to learning was his founding of the Academy, an institution of
higher learning.

Aristotle (384 BCE to 322 BCE)- He attended the Academy, and was the prominent student
of Plato. Aristotle, however, disagreed with Plato’s theory of forms and took a different stance
in interpreting reality. For him, all ideas and views are based on perception and our reality is
based on what we can sense and perceive. His studies in logic led to the formulation of a
formal process of analyzing reasoning which give rise to deductive reasoning-the process by
which specific statements are analyzed to reach a conclusion or generalization.

From their roots in ancient Greece, the thoughts and ideas of philosophers soon gained
popularity in many places throughout the world. the development that started in ancient
Greece brought about the emergence of Western Philosophy. Meanwhile, Eastern Philosophy
emerged from the communities and civilization in Asia. While both philosophies pondered the
significant questions regarding human existence, Western philosophy throughout the
centuries became more systematic and. specialized in its approach. Eastern philosophy, on
the other hand, is more fluid and places a great emphasis on social relations, the family, and
community.

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 At present, philosophy is an important field of study as it touches upon a diverse array
of topics and disciplines. Every aspect of human knowledge from the arts to science and
technology has benefitted from the inquiring nature of philosophy.

BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY

Since philosophy’s concern is vast, we have to divide it into different branches. Each branch
will focus on a specific area of philosophy. To understand the branches of philosophy let us
return to the three central philosophical questions we explored earlier.
First the question, Where am I? By the time we reached adulthood we believe we know the
answer to this question. In fact we believed that the answer is obvious that we don’t bother to
look closely at the question itself. Where am I? Well let’s say I’m in Manila. You don’t need
philosophy to answer that one. But if you ask a series of where questions (Where is Manila?
Where is the Philippines? etc.) which at first seems childish you eventually end up with the
universe. And here we have to stop asking the where question (Where is the universe is an
absurd question. The universe does not exist in a place). What kind of place is the universe? Is
it governed by laws? If so what laws? The study of the universe as a whole is the province of
metaphysics. Metaphysics is further subdivided into ontology which studies existence as
such and philosophical anthropology which deals with the fundamental and essential
characteristics of human nature (Gotthelf and Salmieri, 2015).

The second question, How do I know it? concerns the nature of human knowledge and
the way to obtain it. How do we obtain knowledge? Do we obtain knowledge by revelation,
intuition, instinct or reason? Can we achieve certainty or are we doomed to suffer perpetual
doubt? Is knowledge based on the things we perceive or from something else? This is the
concern of epistemology which can be defined as the “branch of philosophy that studies the
nature and means of human knowledge.” We need epistemology to guide us in knowing
since we make mistakes from time to time.

The first two branches of philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, are called
cognitive branches. These branches provide a description of being (existence) and knowing.
They are the foundations of understanding any philosophical system.
The next three branches of philosophy (ethics, politics and aesthetics) can be classified as
the normative branches of philosophy because they are concerned with the standard of the

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good. If the cognitive branches are concerned with what “is” the normative branches are
concerned with what “ought” to be.

The most basic normative branch of philosophy is ethics or morality (I used this two
concepts interchangeably). It is concerned with the last of the three questions central to
philosophy: What should I do? Ethics can be regarded as the technology of philosophy (I owe
this analogy to the philosopher Ayn Rand) because it tells us how human beings ought to
function as a human being. But in order to describe how human beings ought to act we must
first know what a human being is. These last is provided by metaphysics and epistemology.
(This is especially true of philosophical anthropology a sub-branch of metaphysics which
studies the metaphysical nature of man (see discussion above). Metaphysics and
epistemology are the foundations of ethics.
What then is ethics or morality? According to Ayn Rand ethics or morality is a branch of
philosophy that provides a human being with a “code of values to guide man’s choices and
actions - the choices and actions that determine the course of his life (Rand, 1964).” It is
concerned with the values man ought to pursue, the interrelationships of those values and the
means to obtain them (virtue).

The last two normative branches of philosophy, politics and aesthetics, are derived
from ethics. Ethics is concerned with the good for human being as a human being. If we apply
ethics in a social context then it becomes politics. The concern therefore of ethics is broader
than politics. It studies the “good” for human beings in any setting (whether society is present
or not). An individual who is alone in an island still has to follow ethical principles if he wishes
to survive (Peikoff, 1991).
So what then is politics? Again following Rand’s definition politics is a branch of philosophy
“which defines the principles of a proper social system.” According to Rand “proper” means
proper for human beings which presupposes that one knows what a human being is. Since
knowledge about human being is provided by the cognitive branches of philosophy, the
foundation of politics ultimately rests on metaphysics and epistemology.

The last of the normative branch, aesthetics studies the nature of art. It is concerned with
the nature and the objective judgement of beauty.

Philosophical Tools and Processes

Philosophy as a science is also a systematized body of knowledge but unlike other

sciences which employs observation and experimentation to prove their theories, philosophy
uses reason to arrive at a certain knowledge or truth. At the onset Greek philosophers gave

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us a hint on how to use our intellect to understand realities around us. The tools that they
frequently utilized are the following:

1. Philosophical Questions. Philosophy was born because of ignorance. If one is ignorant, he

asks

questions and if he keeps on questioning the more knowledge he acquires. Once a person
stops

questioning, he cease to become a philosopher. In our daily struggles, one needs to ask
questions simple, serious and deep questions that we have to grapple with. A philosopher is
like a child who has an inquisitive mind who never stops asking questions and finding
answers.

Socrates went further not just asking questions for himself but poses questions to
people which is the beginning of series of questions and responses from participants. His
method is called dialectics. The Socratic Method, also known as method of elenchus, elenctic
method, or Socratic debate, is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between
individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to
draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions. (Google.com/search) Aristotle said that it was
the pre-Socratic philosopher Zeno of Elea who invented dialectic, of which the dialogues of
Plato are the examples of the Socratic dialectical method. According to Kant, however, the
ancient Greeks used the word "dialectic" to signify the logic of false appearance or
semblance. Dialectics is a term used to describe a method of philosophical argument that
involves some sort of contradictory process between opposing sides. As a dialectical
method, it is a discourse between two or more people holding different points of view about a

subject but wishing to establish the truth through reasoned arguments. 18th century
philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel expounded dialectics which later influenced Karl
Marx, the father of communism.

2. Logical Reasoning. In philosophy reasoning is the process of thinking about something in

a logical way in order to form a conclusion or judgement. It has been the method
institutionalized by the triumvirate Greek philosophers specially Aristotle. Philosophy is
about answering questions. Reasoning is the method we use in doing philosophy. However,
although it is necessary for any competent engagement with philosophy, it is not the end all
and be all of philosophy. All branches of philosophy employ reasoning in explaining their
arguments. For example the concept of right or wrong which is the domain of Ethics based
their arguments in human reason alone in contrast with theology which is dependent from the

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Bible as the source of its moral teachings. Reasoning however is the domain of one branch of
philosophy which is Epistemology.

Example: Premise 1: All human beings are mortal

Premise 2: But the President of the Philippines is a human being

Conclusion: Therefore, the President of the Philippines is mortal.

Here we are taught to arrive at a certain truth or knowledge in a logical process. In contrast,
Inductive reasoning begins with a particular to universal argument.

Example: Premise: Student A, B, C, D, E, F….. are wearing School ID.

Conclusion: Therefore, All students are wearing ID

The above examples show the logical process wherein by reasoning one arrives at a certain
truth or knowledge. Logic starts with the origin of ideas, terms, propositions or premises,
syllogism, etc. These terms are the basic structure of argument.

Philosophical Reflection

In the midst of the crisis that we have experienced, the COVID-19 pandemic,
consistently, the government kept on reminding us the ‘essentials’ of things and concerns
that are necessary during the quarantine period whether under ECQ, GCQ, or MECQ. In our
case, we changed our competencies and emphasized the most essential ones. This is the
essence of philosophy. It tries to separate the essences of things versus accidentals and
necessary versus contingent. It is concern of what is the substance and ultimate causes of
things.

When we venture into philosophizing we see the greater perspective of all things and
see the ultimate purpose or reasons for our existence. Most of us are so engross with
individual trees and we miss the whole forest as the saying goes. We are always predispose to
attend to the details of the problem rather than look at the situation as a whole. This is true in
our understanding of the objects, events, realities and situations around us. Reflection is the
process that would aide in understanding the holistic point of view of what is going on around
us.

Reflection is an activity that requires a person to examine his or her thoughts, feelings
and actions and learn from experience. (Abella, 2016). . Philosophers always search for the
essence of things and the ultimate reasons for our existence. Philosophical Reflection is the
process by which a person undergoes a reflective state or evaluates his or her experiences
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first before making any related action. The use of philosophical reflection is important as it
enables thought to be looked into using a deeper, holistic perspective. In effect, actions are
directed towards greater sources of wisdom and thought.

Its trajectory is to see the bigger picture about everything. This process is called
philosophical reflection. According to Gabriel Marcel, philosophical reflection is the act of
giving time to think about the meaning and purpose of life. He mentioned two types, namely:
Primary Reflection- which is the ability to think logically. The ability of the mind to construct
and evaluate arguments. It examines its object by abstraction, by analytically breaking it
down into its constituent parts. It is concerned with definitions, essences and technical
solutions to problems. The second type is Secondary reflection. According to Marcel this
type of reflection enables us to look deeper into our experiences and see the bigger picture of
reality. It integrates the fragmented and compartmentalized experience into a whole. It is the
idea that various systems (e.g. physical, biological, social) should be viewed as wholes, not
merely as a collection of parts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holism In effect we see the
broader perspective of life.

Reflection is not exclusive for philosophy in fact it is employed in any endeavour,

research or disciplines. In research it is called methodological approach. Moral theology
employs the STOP sign as guidepost of moral decision making. S= Search out the facts. It is
necessary that all means should be exhausted to better understand the issue. T=Think,
reflect and analyse the facts, its negative or positive effects, advantages or disadvantages.
O= How it affects Others. We should always consider others in every decision that we make.
Every action that we take has always a social dimension. It affects ourselves, others and
community where we belong. Lastly P= stands for Pray. We are human beings with
limitations. If our best effort are not enough, then there is no way but look up for divine or
God for enlightenment and guidance. Praying is a unique tool of theology which is in the
realm of faith but philosophy’s reasoning helps in undergoing a theological reflection as St.
Anselm said, “its faith seeking understanding.” St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the great
theologian of the church quoted in latin the relationship between philosophy and theology;
‘philosophia ancilla theologiae’ or philosophy is the handmaid of theology the former is there
to serve theology. Reason is also important in theology not just faith. Whether in philosophy,
sociology or other sciences, reflection is very useful in understanding our daily experiences to
broaden our perspective of life.

Holistic thinking refers to a perspective that considers large-scale patterns in systems.

A holistic perspective requires an individual to have an open mindset and ability to get the
general sense or impression regarding a situation.
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 Partial thinking focuses on specific aspects of a situation. The partial view is an
important component of analytical thinking, as an individual focuses on certain areas or
aspects of a problem in order to understand it.

The term "holistic thinking" refers to a big picture mentality in which a person
recognizes the interconnectedness of various elements that form larger systems, patterns and
objects. Thinking holistically is the opposite of analyzing something, which involves breaking
down a larger system into its details.

Holistic medicine is a prominent example of holistic thinking. A medical professional

who believes in holistic care considers the relationship between the mind, body and spirit. For
example, holistic doctors don't just provide patients with medications. Instead, they look at
ways to improve life balance and eradicate health problems from their root source, such as
high stress or bad nutrition.

In philosophy, point of view describes the perception of an event or phenomenon and

how exactly it is viewed. Point of view often is shaped by an individual's beliefs or
experiences. 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.

A holistic view gives rise to a more appreciative perspective about life, as we are able to look
at life in its totality.

Purpose of Philosophy
It is philosophy that digs into the root causes of man’s problems and discovers the true
solutions and remedies to human ills. [Montemayor, 1995]. Philosophy helps us to free and
expand our minds. Through it, we will be able to grasp and comprehend the complexities of
life; and, we will find that there is more to existence than the doing of mundane routine tasks.
We will find
that we can do something to make things better for all of us. [Montemayor,1995]

Philosophy is all about making sense of the human experience. Philosophy leads to
enlightenment and action. Philosophy is used at present to unify, synthesize, universalize,
interpret

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and explain more deeply the enormous pile of factual but piecemeal, particular, unrelated
findings, data, and information accumulated by the modern sciences— for a more
comprehensive and universal concept of man. [Montemayor, 1995]

The study of philosophy will always be an important feature of human experience and
its importance in the development of the complete social being, ready to take on his
responsibility in this rapidly changing world. [Zulueta,2010]

Philosophy makes man think about the basic foundations of his outlook in life, his knowledge
and his beliefs. It makes an individual inquire into the reasons for what he accepts and does
and into the importance of his ideas and ideals in the hope that his final convictions will
change as a result of this examination. [Zulueta, 2010]

LESSON 2: THE VALUE OF DOING PHILOSOPHY IN OBTAINING A BROAD

PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE

Why do we philosophize? We all have the potential to philosophize since we have the
tendency to wonder and doubt.
A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and adequately present his or
her ideas.
Doing philosophy can be applied in day-to-day activities and life perspectives. Because it
involves an evaluative process, doing philosophy allows a person to make better decisions
and act accordingly to situations with the help of various philosophical skills. On life
perspectives, philosophy enables reflective thinking which greatly influences a person’s view
of life, challenges, and relationships
In doing philosophy, a holistic perspective on the subject is always required. Failure to
do so or only using a partial point of view may lead to illogical or incorrect conclusions.

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.
French philosopher Rene Descartes traced the need to philosophize to doubt. 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.

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 Swiss-German philosopher Karl Jaspers saw the need to philosophize because of
experience. These experiences limit situation, philosophy provides us a means to understand
adverse or challenging conditions, and to rise above them and gain new knowledge and
perspective.
The need to philosophize is driven by the love for wisdom. To love wisdom is to have an
insatiable desire for truth. Philosophy itself is a distinct area of knowledge with its own goals,
concerns, and ways of doing things.

The following are the branches of philosophy that deals with a particular aspect of life or
phenomena.

Aesthetics is the branch of Philosophy which deals with beauty and what makes things
“beautiful”.

Logic is branch of philosophy which deals with correct reasoning.

Epistemology discusses the nature of knowledge and knowing.

Ethics is the branch which deals with moral questions and dilemmas.

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.

Philosophy of the Human Person-is an area in philosophy that understand the human person
from a philosophical perspective.

LESSON 3. DOING A PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTION ON A SITUATION FROM HOLISTIC

PERSPECTIVE

Reflection requires a person to be willing to examine one’s thoughts, feelings, and

action and to learn more about one’s life and experiences. One can reflect on almost any
subject. For instance, the moment you wake up you can already 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 ways to achieve them.

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 Human self-reflection is the capacity of humans to exercise introspection and to
attempt to learn more about their fundamental nature and essence.

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 everyday
situations.

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. 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 challenges in life.

What are the practical uses of philosophy in our lives?

Doing 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.
Doing Philosophy also improves problem-solving and decision making. The ability to
analyze a problem or dilemma, identify the 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.

In the process of doing philosophy, it is critical to have a holistic point of view-the

perception of looking at all aspects of a situation first before making a conclusion. Wisdom as
it refers to a person’s ability to apply knowledge to daily life particularly in making sound
choices and judgment is the intended product of philosophizing.

Finally, knowledge of Philosophy can contribute to self-development. One can be a

better student, scientist, artist, professional, and a citizen if he or she has the capacity for
inquiry, critical thinking, and reflection. In addition, philosophy encourages a person to know

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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 own ideas and views and engage
fully in useful activities in the community, nation, and the world at large.

Examples of activities that emanated from a deliberate reflection

1. Learning from your previous mistakes and not repeating them again
2. Evaluating and knowing the best choice from a set of options
3. Gaining a holistic point of view first before making any conclusion

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 an ability to get the general sense or impression regarding a situation. Partial thinking,
on the other hand, focuses on specific aspects of situation. The partial view is an important
component of 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.

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 matter?
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 perspective about life, as we are
able to look at life in its totality. This means that we try to understand and a situation from
different vantage points so we can see it more fully. Just as we savor food in its entirety and
not pick out each ingredient and taste it, we experience and appreciate life 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 as vital aspects of a larger and more meaningful
life.

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