There are 5 branches of Philosophy: Metaphysics, Ethics, Epistemology, Logic and

Aesthetics.
Metaphysical philosophy - accounts on investigating the unreal entities in terms of the
real world that we experience through our senses. The well-known Philosopher, Plato,
enlightened the field of metaphysics by contrasting reality and appearance. He stated
that our experience with the real world
is not real. Reality according to him is how we perceive the world. Therefore, what is
real is just products of our perception through the mind. For example, we see a yellow
chair because we perceive it as yellow chair. But others may perceive a different color
when light affecting the appearance of the chair is obstructed.
Ethics as another branch of Philosophy deals with the evaluation of human actions and
the nature of moral virtue. As such, ethical philosophy accounts for the nature of our
moral judgements and it also attempts to investigate our fundamental ethical ideas.
From these contentions arise the idea of
right versus wrong and evil versus good. Discourses like feminism (equal opportunities
among genders) and law-making become areas where ethical philosophy is employed.
Socrates pointed out that knowledge is not merely theoretical nor speculative but also
practical. It means that knowledge on rules of right living is not sufficient when it is not
actually being practiced. One historical example that exemplifies ethical philosophy is
that issue laid down by William Du Bois. He argued that there must be equal rights
between black and white Americans.
Epistemology as philosophical perspective concerns itself with the nature, sources,
limitations and validity of knowledge. Some of the basic questions raised by
Epistemology are: how do we know what we know, how do we know what we want to
know and do we distinguish true from what is not true. Knowledge, according to this
perspective, can be acquired through induction (empiricism) and deduction. Induction is
a process of knowledge-forming by investigating particulars (also known as empirical
evidences) in order to arrive at general idea. Conversely, deductive process employs
generally accepted ideas in order to arrive at specific ideas. Advocates of deductive
method are called rationalists. Rene Descartes is well-known rationalist.

Another method used under Epistemology is pragmatism. William James and John
Dewey are famous pragmatists. They believe that value in use is the real test of truth
and meaning.

Logic is another branch of Philosophy. Unlike any other philosophical perspectives,

logic does not concern itself in what we know regarding certain subjects. Thus, logic
does not provide us knowledge of the world directly. It only serves as tool to guide one’s
arguments or discourses so as to keep them valid and true. Aristotle was the first
philosopher who employed logical method. He
claimed that truth exists when there is agreement between knowledge and reality. This
can only take place when mental ideas correspond to the objective world. This is where
logical reasoning comes in. Reasoning is very important in our everyday lives. Decision
making can make or unmake us. Thus the quality of our logical capacity affects our well-
being. A person equipped with logic can
reason far better than those who are not.

The Meaning of Philosophy

The term Philosophy came from two Greek words philo and sophia which means “to love” and
“wisdom”, respectively. Simply put, Philosophy means the love of reasoning making wisdom as its
primary goal. Technically, Philosophy is defined as the science that by natural light of reason studies

the highest principles of things.

In order to understand further the meaning of Philosophy, the following salient features of it must be
taken into consideration:

A.) Philosophy is a science. It is called as such because it is systematic

and follows certain steps or procedures. In short, it is an organized body of knowledge same as any
other sciences.

B.) It employs Natural Light of Reason. This means that philosophical investigation

does not use any laboratory instrument, investigative tools nor supernatural approach. Philosophers use
their natural thinking capacity or use the so-called unaided reason.

C.) Philosophy has an inclination to Study All Things. Other sciences concern themselves with a
particular object of investigation such as: anthropology which deals with human beings in relation with
the society; sociology focuses on society, its forms, structures and functions; botany concentrates its
attention on plants; Philosophy may deal with human beings, society and plants among others. It is this
characterthat Philosophy is considered multidimensional or holistic.

D.) Philosophy employs First Cause or Highest Principle. Note that principle means a reason (or an
explanation) from which something

proceeds in any manner whatsoever.

The fourth characteristic (D) of Philosophy mentioned above is composed of the following:

1.) Principle of Identity. In simple terms, this principle means “everything is what it is”. What is not is
not and what is is. For example, a seed is a seed and will no longer be seed when it appears like not a
seed.

2.) Principle of Non-Contradiction. This principle states that it is an impossibility for a

particular thing to be and not to be at the same time at the same respect. For example, a seedling is
different from a seed. If we say that a seedling is a seed, then that seedling is a seed. They can never be
both.
3.) Principle of Excluded Middle. This principle explains that everything must be

“either be or not be” or “either is or is not”. There is no middle ground thus the term “excluded middle”.
For example, anger is different from happiness. There is no such thing as mixture of anger and
happiness. And lastly,

4.) the Principle of Sufficient Reason. This principle states that there is sufficient reason for the being
and existence of everything. Conversely, nothing exists without any reason at all. For example, to say
that something is unexplainable already gives a reason for it being unexplainable.

The Heuristic theory of the holistic perspective focuses on understanding both the external world and
internal experiences, unlike the analytic perspective, which targets specific symptoms. For instance, while
an analytic approach might only treat physical symptoms like a stomach ache, a holistic approach
considers a patient’s overall lifestyle and circumstances. By viewing the whole picture, including factors
like stress, doctors can uncover underlying causes and suggest lifestyle changes. Holistic perspective
stresses understanding parts in relation to the whole, whereas partial perspective isolates individual
components.

Holism, derived from the Greek word "holos" meaning "all" or "totality," is a perspective that
emphasizes understanding systems by examining the interactions of all components. Unlike a partial
viewpoint, which focuses on a single aspect, holism considers multiple factors—such as biological,
theological, or sociological— to explain phenomena comprehensively. For instance, studying Filipino
fiestas solely from a religious angle offers a partial view, while a holistic approach would include
sociological, political, and historical factors to provide a fuller understanding. Holism is commonly used
in research fields like anthropology to explore the interconnections within cultural systems.

Doing Philosophy can be applied in day-to-day activities and life perspectives,

because it involves evaluative process. Doing philosophy allows a person to make better
decisions and act accordingly to situations with the help of various philosophical skills.
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.

The process of doing philosophy should NOT be mistaken for the Filipino activity of
PAMIMILOSOPO or pedantry where a person displays useless knowledge or minute
observance of small details.

Four reasons why philosophy is as relevant as ever.

1. Philosophy is the foundation of critical thinking.
➢ It brings the important questions to the table and work towards an answer. It encourages us to think
critically about the world. It is the foundation of all knowledge and when utilized properly can provide us
with huge benefits.
2. Science cannot answer every question.
➢ Science helps us live longer, whereas philosophy helps us live better. It is striving towards figuring out
what is true and worthwhile, and what it means to live a meaningful and worthwhile life.
3. Philosophy has meaning in the business world.
➢ It explains that anyone who wants to succeed in a challenging, leading position in business, public
administration, politics, or the wider society needs a crucial set of skills.
Examples: check the consistency and soundness of policy paper, decide which problems are crucial and
identify issues that are still misunderstood.
4. Ancient philosophers continue to influence humanity.
➢ Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle laid the foundations of Western culture, and their ideas and
insights still dictate essential features of our world from what we eat to what we see on the internet.
Confucius on the other hand had influenced China’s modern government.

Have you realized of what you want in life? Have you ever found yourself
wondering about the things you experienced or where your life is headed? As we grow older, our questions are
influenced by our experiences and circumstances and we call that philosophical reflection that we define it as the
process by which a person undergoes a reflective state or evaluates his or her experiences first before making any
related action. The use of philosophical reflection is important as it enables thought to be investigated using a
deeper, holistic perspective. In effect, actions are directed towards greater sources of wisdom and truth. A big part of
living is spent pondering many questions, and our lives become more meaningful because we search for answers to
these innumerable questions. This is the essence of philosophy-the search for answers to life’s questions.

Human Activities Emanated from 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.
4. Gather more information before arriving into a final judgment.
5. Eliminate all negative choices before deciding something.

Define the three levels of inquiries.

1. Common Sense - a basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge things that are shared by
(common to) nearly all people without need for debate.
2. Scientific- Based on or characterized by the methods and principles of science.
3. Philosophical - relating or devoted to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and
existence.
4. “All men by nature desire to know.” – Aristotle
 5.
6. …. Because man is always searching for truth.
7.
8. Wonder

9. Definition: Wonder is a feeling of amazement and curiosity that arises when

encountering something new, profound, or inexplicable. It involves a deep sense of
fascination and a desire to explore and understand something beyond ordinary
experience.
10. In Philosophy: Wonder often serves as the starting point for philosophical inquiry. It
prompts individuals to question and explore fundamental aspects of reality, existence,
and knowledge.
11. Doubt

12. Definition: Doubt is a state of uncertainty or skepticism about something. It involves

questioning the truth, reliability, or validity of a belief, statement, or situation.
13. In Philosophy: Doubt is a crucial aspect of critical thinking and philosophical inquiry. It
encourages individuals to challenge assumptions, reassess beliefs, and seek more rigorous
evidence or reasoning.
14. Limiting Situations

15. Definition: Limiting situations refer to circumstances or conditions that restrict or

constrain one's freedom, opportunities, or ability to act. These situations often impose
boundaries or challenges that affect decision-making and personal growth.
16. In Philosophy: Limiting situations can be examined to understand how external factors
influence human behavior, choices, and experiences. They can also prompt discussions
about human agency, freedom, and the nature of constraints.
17. Metaphysical Uneasiness

18. Definition: Metaphysical uneasiness is a sense of discomfort or disquiet about

fundamental aspects of existence and reality. It arises from grappling with profound and
often unsettling questions about the nature of being, existence, and the universe.
19. In Philosophy: Metaphysical uneasiness drives individuals to explore deep existential questions
and uncertainties. It reflects an awareness of the limits of human understanding and the
complexities of fundamental concepts such as existence, identity, and the nature of reality.

Philosophical reflection is a process of deeply considering and analyzing fundamental questions about
existence, values, and human experience. It involves examining the principles and concepts that underlie
our beliefs, actions, and understanding of the world. The goal is to gain a deeper insight into these
concepts and how they relate to our lives and society.

Key Aspects of Philosophical Reflection

1. Critical Thinking
 2. Conceptual Analysis
3. Ethical Inquiry
4. Existential Exploration
5. Reflective Practice

Philosophical reflection holds significant value for individuals and societies in various ways.
Here are some key benefits:

1. Critical Thinking - Enhances the ability to analyze and evaluate arguments, ideas, and
evidence systematically.
2. Ethical Insight - Provides a framework for understanding and addressing moral and ethical
issues.
3. Self-Awareness - Fosters a deeper understanding of one’s own beliefs, values, motivations,
and biases.
4. Open-Mindedness - Encourages the consideration of diverse perspectives and the willingness
to revise one's views based on new evidence or arguments.
5. Understanding of Fundamental Concepts - Provides insight into abstract concepts such as
justice, freedom, truth, and existence.
6. Meaning and Purpose - Assists individuals in exploring questions about the meaning and
purpose of life.
7. Resolution of Conflicts- Facilitates the resolution of conflicts by encouraging reflection on
different perspectives and finding common ground.
8. Informed Citizenship- Equips individuals with the tools to engage thoughtfully in civic life
and societal issues.
9. Holistic Perspective - Encourages viewing issues from multiple angles and understanding
their broader implications.
10. Intellectual Curiosity - Stimulates the desire to explore and question fundamental aspects of life and
knowledge.