MODULE I
Introduction
DEFINITION OF
PHILOSOPHY
Nominal definition: It is derived from a Greek word Philos and
Sophia.
Philos – love or friend
Sophia – knowledge or wisdom
Real definition: It is the science of the ultimate reason of being as
acquired by the aid of the human intellect alone.
NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY
Science – based on facts
Ultimate reason – based on the deepest causes
Of being – anything that exists
By the aid of the human intellect alone – by the use of the human
reason alone
COMPONENTS/BRANCHES
1.
OF PHILOSOPHY
Epistemology – science of the validity of human knowledge
2. Ontology or Metaphysics– science of existence
3. Cosmology – anything that surrounds us
4. Theodicy – study of the essence and existence of God
5. Ethics – study the morality of human act
6. Logic- science of correct thinking and valid reasoning.
7. Psychology – deals with the study of human behavior
8. Aesthetics – an inquiry on the deeper understanding of beauty in things.
9. Political or Social Philosophy – this is the study of the ultimate foundation of the state.
10. Philosophy of Man (Phenomenology of Man) – this is the study of what man is and how
to be human.
LOGIC AS INTRODUCTION
TO PHILOSOPHY
Meaning of Logic:
Nominal Definition: It is derived from the Greek word logos, which
means thought, idea, term, body of knowledge
Real definition of Logic: It is the science of those principles, laws and
methods which the mind of man must follow for the accurate and
secure attainment of truth.
KINDS OF LOGIC
1. Natural logic – common sense
2. Scientific logic – are those principles, laws and methods
Material object is the subject matter of the study like concepts,
propositions and syllogisms.
Formal object is the inferential relation existing among terms and
propositions.
DIVISION OF LOGIC
Mental Act Mental External Sign Logical Issue
Expression
Apprehension Idea Term Predicability
Judgment Enunciation Proposition Predication
Reasoning Argument Syllogism Reasoning
The first act of the mind is apprehension whose mental expression is an idea.
Apprehension in Logic, is that act or condition of the mind in which it receives a
notion of any object; and which is analogous to the perception of the senses.
Enunciation is to make a definite or systematic statement .
Predicability is capable of being stated or predicated: a predicable conclusion.
Ex. Something, such as a general quality or attribute, that can be predicated.
Predication – it is the attributing of characteristics to a subject to
produce a meaningful statement combining verbal and nominal
elements. ... The predication is formal if the subject necessarily entails
(or excludes) the predicate; it is material if the entailment is contingent.
Inference – 1. is the derivation of conclusions from given
information or premises by any acceptable form of reasoning. 2.
the act or process of reaching a conclusion about something from
known facts. 3. a conclusion or opinion reached based on known facts
EXTRA-LOGICAL MEANS OF
ATTAINING KNOWLEDG E
There are things which logic cannot prove, and therefore should be accepted, as valid
source of knowledge and they are the following:
1. Knowledge of Principles – principles are considered self-evident truths, which do
not require anymore the use of logic in proving their veracity.
2. Experience (factual) – what is already experienced is a fact that does not need
further logical demonstration in order to prove that such fact exists as true.
3. Knowledge from Authority – Authority is constituted in a person who knows
where off he speaks and has the prudent amount of honesty. The information from an
authority is presumed to be valid and true even without the need for further scrutiny with
the use of logic.