Reviewer in Philosophy

GRADE 11 | 1ST Quarter | STEM

and actions. His emphasis on austerity and

LESSON 1: (BOOK-BASED)
simplicity often went to the extreme, and he was
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (FROM BOOK) said to have lived like a beggar. He was also
known to be a vocal critic of well-known
❀ Etymology of Philosophy - Comes from two philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. His
Greek words: Philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom) teachings and views were later developed by his
❀ It is the science that by natural light of followers and influenced the development of
reasons studies the first causes of principles of several schools of philosophy such as Cynicism
all things. and Stoicism.
❀ Science - systematic
❀ Natural Light of reasons - common sense
❀ First Causes - Principles of Identity
❀ Of All Things - Principle of Consult - 4. EPICURUS (341 BCE to 270 BCE)
history, anthropology ❀ He believed that philosophy could enable
man to live a life of happiness. His views gave
I. PYTHAGORAS (570 BCE to 495 BCE) rise to Epicureanism - a school of philosophy
which believes that wisdom and simple living will
❀ A mathematician and a scientist, he was result in a life free of fear and pain.
credited with formulating the Pythagorean
Theorem. His work earned him many followers,
and he established a community of learners who 5. SOCRATES (470 BCE to 399 BCE)
were devoted to the study of religion and
❀ He was considered the foremost
philosophy.
philosopher of ancient times. He made great
contributions to the field of ethics. Socrates was
2. HERACLITUS (535 BCE to 475 BCE) a known critic of intellectuals during his time, but
he himself did not claim to be "wise" and merely
❀ He proposed that everything that exists is considered himself a "midwife" that helped
based on a higher order or plan which he called inquiring minds achieve wisdom. He also
logos. For him, change is a permanent aspect of believed that philosophy could enable a man
the human condition as he was credited with the to live a life of virtue.
saying, “No man ever steps in the same river ❀ He was credited with formulating the Socratic
twice.” Method a means of examining a topic by
devising a series of questions that let the
learner examine and analyze his knowledge and
3. DEMOCRITUS (460 BCE to 370 BCE)
views regarding the topic.
❀ He devoted himself to the study of the
causes of natural phenomena. He was among
the first to propose that matter is composed of 6. PLATO (427 BCE to 347 BCE)
tiny particles called atoms. ❀ A student of Socrates, he wrote down his
mentor's teachings and incorporated some of his
own ideas into them. His teachings and writings
4. DIOGENES OF SINOPE (412 BCE to
were considered the foundation of Western
323 BCE)
philosophy. Plato's most significant ideas
❀ He was a known advocate of living a simple included his Theory of Forms, which proposes
and virtuous life. For Diogenes, one should not that everything that exists is based on an idea or
only talk of virtue but should show it in words template that can only be perceived in the mind;

SRC ‧₊˚❀༉ Page 1

‧₊˚.
Reviewer in Philosophy
GRADE 11 | 1ST Quarter | STEM

these nonphysical ideas are eternal and ❀ Uses human reason to investigate the
unchanging. ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which
❀ He also focused his studies on the ideal govern all things.
society and proposed an ideal model of ➥ All things must have a reason and to
government and society which is ruled by further explain, it uses human reasons.
wisdom and reason. Plato is also known for his
dialectic - a method of inquiry where two
opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt to II. Philosophy is:
arrive at new knowledge. Plato's lasting ❀ considered as the “mother of all sciences”.
contribution to learning was his founding of the ❀ is a way of life
Academy, an institution of higher learning which ➥ Example: Motto - “Time Is Gold”, at most
was the first of its kind in the Western World. importances to time.
❀ it is a science
➥ Follows a procedure/process
7. ARISTOTLE (384 BCE to 322 BCE)
❀ is a persistent quest for knowledge and truth
❀ He attended the Academy, and was a ➥ Continue to seek knowledge
prominent student of Plato. Aristotle, however,
disagreed with Plato's theory of forms and took a
different stance in interpreting reality. For him, III. Origin of Philosophy
all ideas and views are based on perception ❀ Greece is the birthplace of Philosophy in the
and our reality is based on what we can West.
sense and perceive. This view greatly ❀ Thales is the Father of Philosophy in the
influenced the study of the physical sciences. Western civilization.
Aristotle was involved in a great variety of ❀ Thales was the first individual who tried to
disciplines such as zoology, psychology, ethics, reduce the multiplicity in to a unity; everything is
and politics. He also proposed a system for related to each other.
the classification of plants and animals. His ❀ Thales approach highlights the difference
studies in logic led to the formulation of a formal between religion and philosophy. Religion rests
process of analyzing reasoning which gave rise on faith, while Philosophy rests on reason.
to deductive reasoning - the process by which
specific statements are analyzed to reach a i. Philosophical Activity
conclusion or generalization.
❀ discussed by Thales
LESSON 1: (VIDEO-BASED)
❀ characterized by 3 things:
➥ Philosophy involves the widest
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY generalizations.
➥ Philosophy is all about fundamentals.
I. Nature and Function of Philosophy: ➥ A fundamental is the root cause that
explains almost everything in a given context.
❀ from a combination of two Greek words, (Example: A pillar)
which are ‘Philo’ (love) and ‘Sophia’ (wisdom). ➥ Philosophy is driven by the desire to
❀ it means ‘love of knowledge’, ‘pursuit of integrate things into one coherent whole.
wisdom’, and ‘systematic investigation’.
➥ it follows a scientific process/
particular procedure before coming with IV. Branches of Philosophy
a particular conclusion.

SRC ‧₊˚❀༉ Page 2

‧₊˚.
Reviewer in Philosophy
GRADE 11 | 1ST Quarter | STEM

3. Develop clean and adequate articulation of

ideas.
4. Wisdom- application of knowledge/sound
choices and judgements.
5. Self-development

LESSON 2:

❀ Cognitive Branches - Provide description of PHILOSOPHICAL TOOLS AND PROCESSES

being & knowing. ❀ Philosophy uses reason to arrive at a certain

❀ Normative Branches - Concerned with the knowledge or truth.
standard of the good. ❀ Greek philosophers gave us how to use our
intellect to understand realities around us. The
❀ To answer: “Where am I?” tools that they frequently utilized are the
1. Logic - deals with questions regarding reality following:
and existence.

❀ To answer: “How do I know it?” I. Philosophical Questions

2. Epistemology - study of the nature and
❀ Philosophy was born because of ignorance. If
means of human knowledge.
one is ignorant, he asks questions and if he
3. Logic - science and art of correct thinking and
keeps on questioning the more knowledge he
reasoning.
acquires.
❀ In our daily struggles, one needs to ask
❀ To answer: “What should I do?”
questions simple, serious, and deep questions
4. Ethics or Morality - deals with human
that we have to cope with. A philosopher is like a
actions whether good or bad, right or wrong,
child who has an inquisitive mind who never
acceptable or unacceptable, justifiable or
stops asking questions and finding answers.
unjustifiable. (Example: White Lies, Euthanasia)
5. Aesthetics - deals with the nature of
art/objective judgement of beauty. i. Three Categories of Philosphical
6. Politics - deals with the principles of a social Questions
system.
1. Simple Questions (influenced by curiosity
and sense of wonder):
V. Philosophy of the Human Person Examples: 1. What is this?
2. What does this do?
❀ area in Philosophy that understands the
3. Why are trees tall?
human person from a philosophical perspective.
4. Why is the sky so far away?
Focuses on studying human nature.
(This can be answered with observations, facts,
perceptions, and simple yes/no.)
VI. Practical Uses of Philosophy
2. Serious Questions (influenced by our
1. For critical analysis and interpretation of experiences and circumstances):
concepts, definitions, arguments, and problems. Examples:
2. Improves problem-solving and 1. Why do I have to study?
decision-making. 2. What do I need to get better grades?
3. What should I do to achieve my goals in life?

SRC ‧₊˚❀༉ Page 3

‧₊˚.
Reviewer in Philosophy
GRADE 11 | 1ST Quarter | STEM

4. What can I do to be better? ❀ All branches of philosophy employ reasoning

5. How do I deal with difficult people? in explaining their arguments.
(Needs serious analysis and deep thinking.)

2. Deep Questions (influenced to search for i. Deductive Reasoning

meaningful/insightful answers and needs ❀ One type of logical reasoning
reflection). Example:
Examples: Premise 1: All human beings are mortal
1. Where can one find true happiness? Premise 2: But the President of the Philippines
2. Why do good people suffer? is a human being
3. What can we do to make the world a better Conclusion: Therefore, the President of the
place? Philippine is mortal.
Process of Deductive - General/Universal
ii. Socrates
Argument ⇨ Specific/ Particular argument ⇨
❀ Considered the foremost philosopher of Reason
ancient times.
❀ He is known for Socratic Method, a form of
cooperative argumentative dialogue between ii. Inductive Reasoning
individuals, based on asking and answering ❀ Begins with a particular specific statement to
questions to stimulate critical thinking and to universal/general argument.
draw out ideas and underlying assumptions. Example:
Premise: Student A,B,C,D,E,F… are wearing
School ID.
iii. Karl Marx
Conclusion: Therefore, all students are wearing
❀ Known for his Dialectical Method ID.
❀ Dialectics - term used to describe a method of Process of Inductive - Particular/Specific
philosophical argument that involves some sort Argument ⇨ General/Universal Argument ⇨
of contradictory process between opposing Conclusion
sides. (Example: extension of MECQ or
LESSON 3:
imposing GCQ, life imprisonment, or death
penalty). PARTIAL POINT OF VIEW AND HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE

❀ As a dialectical methos, it is a discourse

I. Partial Point of View
between two or more people holding diff. pov
about a subject but wishing to establish the truth ❀ Looking at the situation only in one part and
through reasoned arguments. (exercise the not seeing the whole situation.
mind, flesh out ideas, support and to establish ❀ Defined as a way or a method how one sees
reason and argument.) or perceives the reality or a phenomenon.
❀ A perspective that is based on one of the
component parts of a whole.
II. Logical Reasoning ❀ Focuses on specific aspect of a situation.
❀ In philosophy, reasoning is the process of
II. Holistic Perspective
thinking about something in a logical way in
order to form a conclusion or judgement. ❀ Seeing the situation as a whole by connecting
❀ Reasoning is the method we use in doing its parts and looking through the bird’s eye view.
philosophy.

SRC ‧₊˚❀༉ Page 4

‧₊˚.
Reviewer in Philosophy
GRADE 11 | 1ST Quarter | STEM

❀ Looking at the thing or person from various ❀ Willingness to say “I don’t know”
perspectives.
❀ Learning and seeing how a thing is related to i. The attributes of a critical thinker
everything else. include:
❀ Requires to have an open mindset. ❀ Looks for evidence to support assumptions
and beliefs.
❀ It can enable a person to step back and ❀ Adjusts opinions
consider the general aspects of a certain ❀ Looks for proof
problem. Adopting a holistic approach in ❀ Examines problem
thinking encourages us not only to be more ❀ Rejects irrelevant and incorrect information
critical but also to be more considerate in
dealing with others. LESSON 5:
❀ We are able to see the connectedness of
METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING: KNOWLEDGE AND TRUTH
parts to see a meaningful whole.

I. EPISTEMOLOGY
HOLISTIC PARTIAL POINT OF
PERSPECTIVE VIEW ❀ “Epistemology is a science devoted to the
discovery of the proper method of acquiring and
❀ How a thing is ❀ Based on one part. validating knowledge” (Rand 1990)
related to everything The purpose of epistemology therefore is
else. two-fold:
1. To show how we can acquire knowledge.
❀ Seeing as a whole ❀ How one sees the
2. To give us a method of demonstrating
reality
whether the knowledge we acquired is really
❀ Various ❀ Looking only in knowledge (i.e., true)
perspectives one part
II. The Nature Of Knowledge
❀ Knowledge is the clear awareness and
III. Critical Thinking understanding of something.
❀ It It is provided by facts
❀ Is the careful, reflective, rational, and a
❀ It is based on reality
systematic approach to questions of very
❀ It is observable and evident on the real
general interest.
world
❀ It means understanding of philosophy and
refraining from merely giving claims, but through i. How Do We Acquire Knowledge?
careful thought, one reasons through
argumentations. 1. We can acquire knowledge using our senses
(Empiricism).
Critical Thinking is a lifelong process of 1. John Locke 3. David Hume
self-assessment that further consists of: 2. George Berkley
❀ Defining, analyzing, and devising solutions 2. We can acquire knowledge by thinking with
❀ Arriving at reasonable and infomed solutions. the use of our minds (what philosophers call the
❀ Applying understanding and knowledge to rational faculty) (Rationalism); knowledge comes
new and different problems. from intellectual reasoning.
❀ Willingness to change one point of view 1. Rene Descartes
❀ Continually examining and re-examining 2. Baruch Spinoza
ideas 3. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

SRC ‧₊˚❀༉ Page 5

‧₊˚.
Reviewer in Philosophy
GRADE 11 | 1ST Quarter | STEM

ii. Process of Acquiring Knowledge

1. Reality
❀ To know is to know something. This
“something” is what philosophers call reality,
existence, being.
❀ Existence is everything there is (another
name for it is the Universe). It includes
everything we perceive (animals, plants, human
beings, inanimate objects) and everything inside
our heads (e.g., our thoughts and emotions)
III. Domains of Truth
which represents our inner world.
❀ Existence is really all there is to know. If ❀ Social Domain: Truth is related to a general
nothing exists, knowledge is impossible. agreement or consensus on what is right as
oppose to what is wrong. Based on norms
2. Percwhoon (standard of acceptable behavior in society).
❀ Our first and only contact with reality is ❀ E.G: Maintaining silence inside the chapel;
through our senses. cheering loudly in a basketball game; being
❀ Knowledge begins with perceptual knowledge silent in the library.
❀ Consensus has certain limitations. It is helpful
3. Concept but not always reliable.
❀ “An abstract or generic idea generalized from
particular instances” (Merriam-Webster ❀ Personal Domain:Truth is related to
Dictionary) “SINCERITY”; consistent to inner thoughts and
intentions.
4. Proposition ❀ needs to establish “trust”
❀ Statements about the world or reality are
called propositions.
❀ It may or may not carry the truth i. Truth and Justification
❀ Facts - propositions/statements observed to ❀ Truth (according to Richard Rorty) - has
be real and truthful passed the “procedures of justification”
❀ Claim - propositions that requires further ❀ Justification is the process of proving the
examination; can be contested. truth or validity of a statement. This process is
5. Argument made up of ways of critically testng a claim
❀ Series of statements that provide reasons to against certain criteria.
convince the reader/listener that a claim/opinion
is truthful. Group of statements that serve to ❀ Each domain of truth has a corresponding
support a conclusion. justification or has a different criteria for truth:
1. SCIENTIFIC/OBJECTIVE DOMAIN - Truths
are tested against empirical evidence.
2. SOCIAL DOMAIN - Truths are tested against
their acceptability to a particular group in a
particular time in history.
3. PERSONAL DOMAIN - Truths are tested
against the consistency and authenticity of the
person who claims it.

SRC ‧₊˚❀༉ Page 6

‧₊˚.
Reviewer in Philosophy
GRADE 11 | 1ST Quarter | STEM

❀ Explanations- Statements that assume the

ii. How Do We Know If Something Is claim to be true and provide reasons why
True? statement is true.
1. A belief is true if it can be justified or proven LESSON 6:
through the use of one’s senses.
2. A belief or a statement is true if it is based on METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING: THEORIES OF TRUTH
facts.
3. Getting a consensus or having people agree 1. THE CORRESPONDENCE THEORY
on a common belief. OF TRUTH
4. Truth requires to prove an action.
5. Subject to test to determine the truth ❀ The basic idea of the correspondence theory
is that what we believe or say is true if it
corresponds to the way things actually are
III. Truth and Opinion based on the facts.
❀ It argues that an idea that correspond with
❀ Truth is knowledge validated based on the
reality does not correspond to reality is false.
facts of reality. Facts of reality are independent
of your thoughts, feelings, or preferences.
Example: “The sky is blue” then I looked outside
❀ There are many sources that can validate the
and saw that it is indeed blue. = True
truth of that statement if one cared to look.
❀ While truth is:
1. Can be confirmed with other sources i. Fact vs. Belief
2. Independent of one’s interpretation,
preferences and biases ❀ Fact is some set of circumstances in the
3. Based on the facts of reality. world while Belief is an opinion about what
those facts are.
❀ Opinion is a statement that represents not ❀ A fact cannot be either true or false because
facts but an interpretation of facts which may it simply the way the world is.
reveal biases. ❀ A belief, however, is capable of being true or
❀ A statement of judgement a person about false because it may or may not accurately
something in the world. Opinions are bases for describe the world.
making arguments and convincing people that a
certain claim is a fact. It needs further
2. THE COHERENCE THEORY OF
justification.
TRUTH
❀ An opinion has the following characteristics:
1. Cannot be confirmed ❀ Deals with the consistency of the truth of
2. Open to Interpretation statements being claimed within the system that
3. Based on emotions is being used or employed.
4. Inherently biased ❀ Coherence - the quality of being logical and
consistent.
i. TERMINOLOGIES Example: formula
❀ Conclusion - Judgement based on certain
3. THE PRAGMATIC THEORY OF TRUTH
facts; could still be contested or questioned.
❀ Beliefs- Statements that express convictions ❀ States that a belief/statement is true if it has a
that are not easily and clearly explained by facts. useful/practical application in the world. If it does
not, then it is not true.
❀ Associated with William James

SRC ‧₊˚❀༉ Page 7

‧₊˚.