Introduction to the Philosophy

of the Human Person

An Introduction
Learning Objectives
• Define holistic outlook and partial point of view
• Identify some Greek philosophers and their
contributions
• Recognize human activities that emanated from
deliberate reflection
• Realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a
broad perspective in life
• Doing a philosophical reflection on a concrete
situation from a holistic perception
 Table of contents
01 02 03
Understanding Preparing Fundamentals
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the section here the section here the section here

04 05 06
Documenting Strategies Findings
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Processing Questions
● What is the story all about?
● How does each blind man describe the
elephant?
● What is the theme of the story?
● What moral lesson we can learn from the story?
● How is it related to our lesson today?
 Encounters in Everyday
Life, Engaging in Wisdom
Introduction: Principles of Philosophy
Since its initial stages, the emphasis and range of
philosophy have changed. Investigation of the natural
world, societies, astronomy, physics, psychology, and
sociology started during the early Greek philosophy.
The five domains of philosophy are metaphysics,
ethics, epistemology, logic, and aesthetics from its
beginnings to the present
 A.
The Meaning of Philosophy
PHILOSOPHY
 What is Philosophy?
● The word philosophy springs from the Greek words philo
(love) and sophia (wisdom).
● Philosophy is the study of fundamental questions about
life, reality, knowledge, truth, morality, and human
existence. It seeks to understand the world and our
place in it through critical thinking, reasoning, reflection,
and logical analysis.
 Definition of Philosophy
● Philosophy is the pursuit of self-knowledge and
wisdom. - Socrates
● Philosophy is the search for truth and the
understanding of reality. - Plato
● Philosophy is the science that studies the ultimate
causes and principles of things. - Aristotle
 Definition of Philosophy
● Philosophy is the knowledge of all things through
their ultimate causes using human reason. - St.
Thomas Aquinas
● Philosophy lies between science and theology,
dealing with questions that cannot be answered
by science alone. - Bertrand Russell
 Approaches to Philosophy
1. Philosophy as a Science
● Philosophy is a systematic and organized body of
knowledge.
● It uses logical methods and rational inquiry to seek
truth.
● Unlike the natural sciences, it does not rely mainly on
experiments but on reasoning and critical analysis.
 Approaches to Philosophy
2. Philosophy Through the Natural Light of Reason
● Philosophy uses human reason and intellect to

understand reality.
● It seeks answers through logical thinking rather than

faith, revelation, or authority alone.

● Philosophers rely on observation, reflection, and

rational argumentation.
 Approaches to Philosophy
3. Philosophy as the Study of All Things
● Philosophy examines reality in its broadest sense.

● It studies various aspects of existence, including

humans, nature, knowledge, morality, and society.

● It seeks a comprehensive understanding of life and

the universe.
 Approaches to Philosophy
4. Philosophy Through Their Causes or Highest Principles
● Philosophy seeks the ultimate causes and fundamental principles

behind things.
● It asks questions such as:
○ Why do things exist?
○ What is the nature of reality?
○ What is truth?
○ What is the good life?
● It goes beyond immediate causes to discover deeper

explanations.
Consider these principles:
✓ Principle of Identity – It means that a thing, idea, or person
always has a name, a concept, and a characteristics.
✓ Principle of Non-contradiction - A thing cannot both be and not
be at the same time.
✓ Principle of the Excluded Middle – Everything must either be or
not be; there is no middle ground between the two.
✓ Principle of Sufficient Reason - Everything that exists or happens
has a reason or cause.
✓ Principle of Causality - Every effect has a cause.
Importance of Philosophy
Philosophy helps people:
● Think critically and logically.

● Distinguish truth from opinion.

● Make sound decisions.

● Reflect on life's meaning and purpose.

● Develop wisdom and intellectual independence.

● Understand themselves and others.

 Philosophers
● Or lovers of wisdom, people who engage in
philosophy
● Among the Ancient Greeks, philosophers became
the pioneers in various field of knowledge such
history, biology, medicine, mathematics,
astronomy, and even physics.
 Greek Philosophers
● Socrates (470–399 BCE)
➢ Known as the "Father of Western
Philosophy.”
➢ Emphasized questioning and critical
thinking through the Socratic
Method.
➢ Questioning ("Know thyself.")
 Greek Philosophers
● Plato (427–347 BCE)
✓ Founded the Academy and
developed the Theory of Forms.
✓ Ideas/Forms (Ideal world)
 Greek Philosophers
● Aristotle (384–322 BCE)
✓ Founded the Lyceum and
contributed to logic, ethics,
politics, and science.
✓ Observation and Logic (Study of
the real world)
 Greek Philosophers
● Thales of Miletus (c. 624–546
BCE)
➢ Considered the first
philosopher; sought natural
explanations for phenomena.
 Greek Philosophers
● Pythagoras (c. 570–495 BCE)
✓ A mathematician and scientist
✓ Developed the Pythagorean
Theorem and believed numbers
are the basis of reality.
 Greek Philosophers
● Heraclitus (c. 535–475 BCE)
✓ Known for the idea that
everything is constantly
changing
 Greek Philosophers
● Epicurus (341–270 BCE)
✓ Founded Epicureanism, which
teaches that happiness comes
from simple pleasures and
freedom from fear.
Group Activity: Oral Research Presentation

Directions: Each group presentation will be 10 minutes

long. Each member must have an equal length of time to
introduce, discuss, and conclude these topics:
1. Search the internet for examples how philosophy is
applied in business, schools, and movies. Cite your
sources and explain your findings in your own word.
 B.
Human Activities Emanating from
Deliberation Reflection:
Philosophical Branches
1. Metaphysics: What is reality, why does reality
exist, and how does it exist?

● Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that

studies the nature of reality and existence. It
seeks to answer fundamental questions.
 Reality here is referred to in Metaphysics as
“True Reality,” meaning it is the fundamental
source and basis of all reality in the world and in
existence. Metaphysics assumes that the reality
we see with our eyes is just a temporary cover of
the true Reality that exists beyond what our
senses can perceive.
a.) Thales, a Greek thinker, claims that
everything is water. Clouds or blocks of ice, do
not look like water, but they can be explained
in terms of water. He believed that the
principle beyond all existence and reality could
be best explained by the analogy of water.
b.) Idealists and materialists base their theories on
two things: mind and matter. We can see physical
objects like books and chairs, but we cannot
directly see the matter that makes them up. In the
same way, we can experience our thoughts, ideas,
wishes, and dreams, but we cannot directly see
the mind itself.
Metaphysics studies hidden realities, such as the
mind and matter, that help explain the world we
experience, even though these realities cannot be
directly seen.
c.) Plato, the most famous student of Socrates,
believed that there is a big difference between
appearance and reality.
According to Plato, the things we see, hear,
touch, taste, and smell in the physical world are only
appearances and are not the true reality. True reality
consists of perfect and unchanging forms or ideas that
cannot be seen with our senses.
● These forms are: (1) Invisible but real; (2)
Unchanging and eternal; (3) Not made of
physical matter; and (4) Understood only
through reason and intellect
● Plato taught that the physical world we see is
only a copy of a higher and perfect reality that
can only be understood by the
Activity: The Meaning of Life
In your notebook, draw this timeline. This exercise aims to
examine the wackiest and worst time; in search of the
meaning behind your life.
Happiest Times Worst Times
List the activities, people, List the activities, people,
locations, and conditions in locations, and conditions in
your life you were most happy. your life you felt dissatisfied.
What did you learn about your What did you learn about your
purpose? purpose?
2. Ethics: How do we distinguish good from evil or
right from wrong?

● Ethics is the branch of philosophy that explores

the nature of moral virtue and evaluates the
morality and virtue of human actions. Ethicists
appeal to logical arguments to justify claims and
positions involving morality. They use ethical
theory in the analysis and deliberation of issues.
Questions raised by ethics include the ff:

a. Questions concerning honor. Is honor

with deceit worth attaining?
b. Questions concerning happiness and the
meaning of life. What is it to live a good
life?
Examples:

1. News about a man who set a casino on fire and

those who committed suicide after allegedly
losing millions in gambling.
2. I, Robot, a film about artificial intelligence,
explores machines’ ability to use reason to
distinguish the good from bad.
 Five Main Ethical Positions
A. Natural Law and Divine Command – What
principles guide humanity toward happiness and ultimate destiny?
A.1. Natural Law Theory teaches that moral principles are built
into human nature and can be discovered through reason. What
is morally right is what follows human nature and promotes
human flourishing.
Example
Caring for children is morally right because it supports the natural
preservation and development of human life.
A. Natural Law and Divine Command – What
principles guide humanity toward happiness and ultimate destiny?
A.2. Divine Command Theory teaches that an action is morally
right because God commands it, and morally wrong because God
forbids it.
Example
● Honoring one's parents is right because God commands it.
● Stealing is wrong because God forbids it.
● Helping the poor is good because it is encouraged by God's
teachings.
B. Teleological Theory – What are the consequences that
emphasizes pleasure?

● This ethical theory teaches that the morality of an

action is determined by its consequences or results.
An action is considered right if it leads to good
outcomes and wrong if it leads to bad outcomes.
● "The end justifies the means."
C. Deontological Ethics – What is my moral duty?

● Deontology teaches that actions are right or wrong

based on whether they follow moral rules or duties,
regardless of the consequences.
Example
When a person sees Hitler drowning, he or she must
save him because letting a person die without helping is
wrong. The act of saving Hitler is a moral duty.
D. Virtue Ethics – What does it mean to live a good life
beyond material want?

● It focuses on developing good character traits or

virtues rather than simply following rules.
Example
A teacher patiently helps struggling students because she is
compassionate and caring.
E. Relativism – What does my culture or society think is
acceptable?
● Relativism holds that there are no universal moral
standards. What is right or wrong depends on a
person's culture, society, or individual beliefs
Example
In some cultures, arranged marriages are considered morally
acceptable, while in others, they may not be. A relativist would say
neither culture is absolutely right or wrong; morality depends on
cultural beliefs.
3. Epistemology: How do we acquire reliable
knowledge

● Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that

studies knowledge—what it is, how we acquire
it, and how we can determine whether it is true
or valid.
● Epistemological questions are basic to how we
explain philosophical inquiries.
Epistemology seeks to answer questions such as:
● What is knowledge?

● How do we know what we know?

● What is the difference between knowledge and

belief?
● Can we be certain that something is true?

● What are the sources of knowledge?

Sources of Knowledge
1. Sense Experience (Empiricism)
Knowledge comes through our senses: seeing,
hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling.

Examples:
● You know that fire is hot because you feel its heat.

● You know it is raining because you see and hear the rain.
2. Reason (Rationalism)
Knowledge comes through logical thinking and
reasoning.

Examples:
● 2 + 2 = 4 is known through reason.

● If all humans are mortal and Maria is human,

then Maria is mortal.

3. Authority
Knowledge comes from trusted experts, teachers,
books, or institutions.

Examples:
● Learning historical facts from a teacher.

● Following a doctor's medical advice.

4. Intuition
Knowledge is gained through immediate
understanding without conscious reasoning.

Examples:
● Having a strong feeling that a decision is right.

● Instantly recognizing that something is wrong.

4. Logic: What is correct reasoning?

● Logic is the branch of philosophy that studies

the principles and rules of correct reasoning. It
helps us determine whether an argument is
valid, sound, and reasonable.
● Logic is the science and art of correct thinking
and reasoning.
It teaches us how to:

● Think clearly and systematically.

● Distinguish good arguments from bad ones.
● Avoid errors in reasoning.
● Arrive at reasonable conclusions based on
evidence.
5. Aesthetics: What is beauty?

● Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy that studies

beauty, art, taste, and the appreciation of things
that are pleasing to the senses or the mind.
● It examines what makes something beautiful or
ugly, how people experience art, and why different
people may have different judgments about beauty.
● The word aesthetics comes from the Greek word
aisthesis, which means perception or sensation. In
philosophy, aesthetics explores questions such as:
● What is beauty?
● What makes a work of art valuable?
● Is beauty objective or subjective?
● Why do people appreciate art, music, literature,
and nature?
● Hans-Georg Gadamer, a German philosopher,
argued that our tastes and judgments regarding
beauty work in connection, with one’s own
personal experience and culture. Gadamer
believed that our culture consists of the values
and beliefs of our time and our society.
Importance of Aesthetics
● Develops appreciation for art and culture.

● Enhances creativity and imagination.

● Helps people understand different perspectives

and emotions.
● Encourages appreciation of beauty in nature and

everyday life.
6. Political Philosophy: How should
societies be governed?

● Political philosophy is the branch of philosophy

that studies government, laws, justice, rights, and
how people should live together in society.
● It seeks to answer questions about how people
should live together and how a society should be
governed.
Political philosophy examines the principles that
should guide governments and political
institutions. It asks:
● What is the purpose of government?

● What makes a government legitimate?

● What rights and freedoms should people have?

● What is justice?

● When should citizens obey or resist authority?

Main Concerns of Political Philosophy
● Justice – what is fair and just in society
● Rights and Freedom – freedoms and rights that
individuals possess
● Authority and power – who should rule and why
● Equality – what equality means
● The Common Good – what benefits a society as
a whole