Philosophy

 comes from two Greek words: philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom).
 ancient Greeks used this term to refer to “love of wisdom”

Philosophers or “lover of wisdom”

 people who engage in philosophy

Notable Ancient Greek Philosophers

Pythagoras (570 BCE to 495 BCE)

 mathematician and scientist
 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 and philosophy

Heraclitus (535 BCE – 475 BCE)

 proposed that everything that exist 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)

 devoted himself to the study of the causes of natural phenomena
 he was among the first to propose that matter is composed with tiny particles called atoms

Diogenes of Sinope (412 BCE to 323 BCE)

 known to advocate of living a simple and virtuous life.
 for him, one should not only talk of virtue but should saw it in words and actions
 also known to be a vocal critic of well-known philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle
 his teachings and views were later developed by his followers and influenced the development
of several schools of philosophy such as Cynicism and Stoicism

Epicurus (341 BCE to 270 BCE)

 believed that philosophy could enable man to live a life of happiness.
 his view gave rise to Epicureanism – a school of philosophy which believes that wisdom and
simple living will result in a life of fear and pain

Socrates (470 BCE to 399 BCE)

 considered as the foremost philosopher of ancient times
 made great contributions to the field of ethics
 known critic of intellectuals during his time
 considered himself as a “midwife” that helped inquiring minds achieve wisdom
 believes that philosophy could enable a man to live life of virtue
 credited with formulating the Socratic Method – a 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)
 student of Socrates
 wrote down his mentor’s teachings and incorporated some of his own ideas to them
 his teachings and writings were considered the foundation if Western philosophy
 Plato’s most significant ideas included his Theory of Forms, which proposes that everything that
is based on an idea or template that can only be perceived in the mind: these nonphysical ideas
are eternal and unchanging
 He focused his studies on the ideal society and proposed an ideal model of government and
society which is riled by wisdom and reason
 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 which was the first of its kind in the Western World

Aristotle (384 BCE to 322 BCE)

 attended the Academy
 a prominent student of Plato
 he disagreed with Plato’s theory of forms and took a different stance in interpreting reality. For
him, all ideas are based on perception and our reality is based on what we can sense and
perceive. This view greatly influence the study of physical sciences
 involved in a great variety of disciplines such as zoology, psychology, ethics and politics
 proposed a system for the classification of plants and animals
 his studies led to the formulation of a formal process of analyzing reasoning which gave rise to
deductive reasoning –the process by which specific statements are analyzed to reach conclusion
or generalization

Why is there a need to philosophize?

 the Greek philosopher Plato traced man’s need to philosophize to his sense of wonder.
 15th-century French philosopher Rene Descartes traced the need to philosophize to doubt. He
was famous for rejecting or questioning established ideas and he even went as far as doubting
his own ideas.
 the 20th-century Swiss-German philosopher Karl Jaspers saw the need to philosophize because
of experience. Jasper believes that man is often confronted by experiences which challenge his
ideas and frameworks. Jasper called these experiences limit situations, and these are often
accompanied by feelings of helplessness, anxiety, or dread.
 finally the need to philosophize is driven by the love for wisdom. To love wisdom is to have an
insatiable desire for truth

How do we characterize the study of philosophy?

 one way of looking at philosophy is to consider it as a way if analyzing frameworks. A
Framework is defined as a way of thinking about the world and is composed of the beliefs of a
person.
 question dealing with our own correctness and values are considered internal questions which
can be addressed using our own personal frameworks.
 external questions seek to question the very framework upon which people base their own
beliefs and views
  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 or other areas or sciences.
 Philosophy itself is a distinct area of knowledge with its own goals, concerns and ways of doing
things.

Branches of Philosophy
 Aesthetics – deals with beauty and what makes things “beautiful”
 Logic – deals with correct reasoning
 Epistemology – discusses the nature of knowledge and knowing
 Ethics – deals with moral questions and dilemmas
 Political Philosophy – studies governments and deals with question of justice, power and the
rights and obligation of citizens.
 Metaphysics – deals with questions regarding reality and existence

 Philosophy of the Human Person – 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.
 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.

What is the difference between holistic 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.
 partial thinking focuses on specific aspects of a situation. It is an important component of
analytical thinking, as an individual focuses on certain areas or aspects of a problem in order to
understand it. It refers to a way of thinking about the world and is made up of a person’s views
and beliefs.

How does one engage in reflection?

 reflection requires a person to be willing to examine one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions and to
learn more about one’s life and experiences.
 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.

What are the practical uses of philosophy in our lives?

 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.
 philosophy also improves problem-solving and decision making. The ability to analyze a
problem of 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. Philosophy can also help us be more open to new and different ideas.
 wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing, and this refers to a person’s ability to apply
knowledge to daily life particularly in making sound choices and judgement.
 finally, knowledge of philosophy can contribute to self-development. Philosophy encourages a
person to know oneself, his or her strengths and weaknesses, establish an identity, and
determine his or her purpose in life.

Summary
 Philosophy is the study that uses human reasons to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons,
and principles which govern all things.
 The need to philosophize is traces to a person’s sense of wonder and doubt, the need to make
sense of challenging experiences, and the love for wisdom.
 The study of philosophy can be considered as a way of analyzing ideas and frameworks. It is also
considered as a way of examining a particular area of knowledge. Philosophy itself is a discipline
with its owns goals, concerns, and ways of doing things. Philosophy also make use of
information gathered from other fields of knowledge and not just its own conclusions. Finally,
philosophy can be considered as a reflective and meditative activity.
 Reflection is an important aspect of philosophy. One can engage in reflection by examining
one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions and learning from experience. Reflecting on situations,
activities, actions, and decisions enables a person to gain insights that will help in effective
decision-making.
 Holistic thinking is a perspective that considers larger patterns or the bigger picture when
looking at problems or situations. Adopting a holistic view enables a person to view a problem
more objectively and come up with better decisions or solutions. A holistic view also means that
one does not confine one’s understanding of the world to one’s own perspective, but also
includes the perspective of others. This view also enables a person to better appreciate his or
her experiences as vital components that give meaning to life.