Lesson 1:

Learning Competencies
1. Realize the methods of philosophy lead to wisdom and truth (PpT11/12-Id-2.3)
2. Evaluate opinions (PPT11/12-Ie-2.4)
METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING
Here, we are going to explore some of the methods of philosophizing that philosophers employ.
According to Wilber (2006) Think of wisdom as the summit of the mountain with different paths to
get there. We are going to study the different paths to wisdom the philosophers offer
1. The dialectic method
This method of philosophizing was conceived by
the Greek philosopher Socrates, (born 470 BCE)
one of the great philosophers of the ancient world.
Unfortunately, he did not leave any written words
and everything people know about him came from
the Dialogues written by his famous student, Plato.

Socrates’ aim was to achieve what he called the good SOCRATES

life which is based on the proper care of one’s soul (psyche in Greek). The
soul, according to Socrates, can be properly taken care of if we make it as
good as possible (Stumpf 2008). Since by its very nature the soul’s activity
is to know, the soul can only be good if we employ it in the activity of
having a clear awareness of the meaning of some words (Stumpf 2008).
When we have a clear awareness of what justice is, we harm our soul if we
act contrary to what we know, like harming others (which is the opposite
of being just).

However, how can we achieve a clear understanding of words? We can

achieve this by an act of “disciplined conversation” (Stumpf 2008) which
Socrates compared to an intellectual midwife. Socrates called this method
dialectic.
The method appears simple but anyone subjected by Socrates to this
method eventually felt its intense rigor.
The method starts with eliciting the definition of a
certain word from a person who appears to be
familiar (or “pretends” to be familiar) with its
meaning. Socrates then points out the
imperfections of the understanding of the person
through a series of questions. What Socrates
desires is for the person to realize his ignorance
and contradictions and thereby correct his own
GEORGE HEGEL
 mistakes and arriving at a complete knowledge
of the true meaning of the word. The method,
however, does not sit well with the ruling elites of
Athen (the city where Socrates
lived). They accused him of not worshipping the

the Greek gods and corrupting the youth. His defense (which was dramatically
recorded in Plato’s dialogue the Apology) was a model of “forceful argument”
(Stumpf 2008) but it fell on deaf ears. In the end, he was forced to drink poison.
Socrates was the first philosopher to die fighting for truth.

The Socratic Method was modernized and treated in a different way by George
Wilhelm Hegel, a German philosopher. Hegel was an idealist. He believed that the
ideas of the human minds have access to what the world is like. People are social
beings and could be completely influenced by other people’s ideas. An individual’s
mind is influenced by means of a common language, customs of one’s society,
and the cultural institutions that one belongs to. Hegel refers this to “Spirit” as the
collective consciousness of a society which is responsible for honing one’s
consciousness and ideas.

Hegel also believed that the Spirit is constantly changing and evolving. According
to Hegel, the spirit changes through dialectic. First, there is an idea about the
world (much like a thesis), which has a natural characteristic of having errors
which give rise to antithesis.
The thesis and antithesis can be eventually resolved by creating a synthesis which
is a new idea comprised of the essentials of both the thesis and the antithesis.
To Hegel, society and culture follow this design, and one could understand all
human history without the use of logic or empirical data simply by using logic
(Klein, 2013).
 Thesis – Represents the initial idea, proposition, or established viewpoint.
 Antithesis – Contradicts or negates the thesis, presenting an opposing argument
or concept.
 Synthesis - A new idea or viewpoint that arises from the conflict between the
thesis and antithesis, resolving their contradictions and forming a more
comprehensive understanding.
 The Pragmatic Method
Hundreds of years after the death of Socrates, a new philosophy emerged
as inspired by the idea of change initiated by the evolutionary thoughts of

Hegel and Darwin in 19th century America. This philosophy became known
as pragmatism. It was started by Charles S. Pierce (1839-1914),
popularized by William James (1842-1910) and institutionalized in
American culture by John Dewey (1859-1952).

We will explore this briefly to complete the methods

since a thorough presentation of this theory was
already provided in module 2.1.
According to the pragmatists, philosophy seems to
offer a set of beliefs about human beings and his
relationship to the world. Pragmatists offer no such
beliefs. Rather, they seek to make philosophy relevant
JOHN DEWEY by solving real life problems. It is purely a philosophy
of method and not of
substance.

What pragmatism aims is to test the dogma of science, religion and

philosophy by determining their practical results. The pragmatic test is: if I
practice this belief, will it bring success or failure? Will I solve problems or
create problems? Successful experience is the verification process of truth
for the pragmatists (Stumpf 2008).

2. The Phenomenological Method

The phenomenological method was conceived by
Edmund Husserl (born in 1859), one of the

greatest intellects of of the 19th century. His

ideas and method influenced the thoughts of

some of the 20th century philosophical giants:

Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Maurice
Merleau-Ponty among others.
EDMUND HUSSERL

What prompted Husserl to develop phenomenology? To answer this, we

have to look back at Husserl’s time and place: the 19th century Europe. At
that time,
Science was on the ascendancy prompted by the great discoveries of
Galileo, Newton, and Darwin among others. Husserl himself was impressed
by the achievements of science. Unfortunately, according to Husserl,
science brings a certain attitude which is counterproductive to the human
soul: the naturalistic attitude (or simply naturalism).

Naturalism in this context is the idea that everything can be explained in

terms of matter or physical. Since man is not only physical (i.e. body) but
also spiritual, this naturalistic attitude brings a distorted view of man by
banishing the spiritual from the world which includes the banishment of
ideas, values, and cultures (Husserl, 1965).

To counter the naturalistic tendency, Husserl returned to the idea of the

thinking self which was given preeminence by the 17 th century French

philosopher, Rene Descartes. More specifically, the layman’s term given to
the thinking self is “one’s immediate experience.”

Husserl’s main purpose was to build a philosophy free from any biases or
preconceived ideas. One can only do this if one returns to immediate
experience. Husserl said that he was only looking to “things and facts
themselves, as these are given in actual experience and intuition” (quoted
by Stumpf 2008). This experience is not the objective world of science
separate from us, but the world as it appears to us or (borrowing the term

of the 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant) the phenomenal

world - hence, the term phenomenology.

However, our beliefs about human beings and the world prevent us from
seeing clearly this immediate experience which he calls “pure
subjectivity”. Thus, to know the truth, we have to put aside one by one all
our limiting beliefs about the world which represents our biases. Husserl
calls this process phenomenological epoche (epoche is the Greek word for
bracketing). Bracketing is not ignoring. It is an act of stepping back at our
biases and prejudices to make sure that they do not influence the way we
think. Only facts provided by immediate experience must influence us.
3. Primary and Secondary reflections

Another influential intellectual movement which had its roots in the 19 th

century ideas of Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) and Friedrich Nietzsche
(1844-1900) was existentialism.

Kierkegaard’s ideas were in part a reaction against the overly ambitious

system building the philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-
1831).
On the other hand, Nietzsche’s ideas were a
reaction against the religious and rational value

system still prevalent in 19th century Europe

(Stumpf 2008). While Kierkegaard was religious
and Nietzsche was atheistic (atheism is the denial
of the supernatural), they both grounded their
philosophy on the personal choices of the
individual which becomes one of the important
tenets of existentialism.
GABRIEL MARCEL

In the 20th century, Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980)

and his partner, Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986) popularized atheistic
existentialism while Gabriel Marcel (1889-1973) and Karl Jaspers (1883-
1969) promoted religious existentialism. Religious existentialists saw
certain parallels between existential ideas and religious themes like the
fall of Adam and Eve which can be compared to the theme of inauthentic
existence in existentialist philosophy (Stumpf 2008).
After that brief overview on existentialism, let us focus our attention on
one existentialist method identified by Gabriel Marcel: the
primary/secondary reflection.

For Marcel, reflection is not just a disinterested look at experience. It

emerged when something valuable is at stake. Marcel gave an example of
a watch. Suppose you try to take a watch from your pocket. To your
surprise, the watch that you expect to be there is not there. A break from
your ordinary routine happened. From this break, reflection appears in the
form of a question: Where is my watch? Then, a host of questions,
connected to the first one, followed: Where was the last time I’ve seen my
watch? Was there a hole in my pocket? You try to retrace your steps from
this moment back to the time when you last saw your watch.
 From this example, you will see that reflection arises when there is a
disruption from your normal routine and when something valuable is at
stake.
Then, Marcel identified two levels of reflection: primary reflection and
secondary reflection. Marcel applied these two levels of reflection to the
most fundamental question: Who am I?

Nowadays, we try to answer this question by filling up a form given by our

school for example. The form asked us to write our name, age, gender,
address, name of parents, etc. To answer this, of course we have to think
to distinguish who we are (the self) against other things (the non-self or
objects). This is the primary reflection.

Yet, we had an uneasy feeling that all the information we put on the form
(although true) does not fully capture who we really are (Marcel 1970). We
view that our self is bigger and more expensive than what is there on the
form. Thus, we are not merely thinking but we are thinking about thinking
and about the process we perform in answering the form. This is the
secondary reflection.

The result of secondary reflection is a more expansive view of the self

until it embraces the world. Thus, the separation of the self and the world
brought about by primary reflection were united by the secondary
reflection.

4. The Analytic Method

Another reaction to the Hegelian system building
philosophy is the analytic approach initiated by
philosophers at Cambridge University (England):
George Edward Moore (1873-1958), Bertrand
Russell (1872-1970) and Ludwig Wittgenstein
(1889-1951). The task of analytic approach is not
to create another system of ideas to counter the
Hegelian system but to clarify how philosophers LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN

used words through an

analysis of language (Stumpf 2008). As quoted by Stumpf, Wittgenstein
said that ‘the object of philosophy is the logical clarification of thought’ so
that ‘the result of philosophy is not a number of philosophical propositions,
but to
 make propositions clear”. Analytic philosophers employed various
methods of linguistic analysis such as the principle of verification and
logical analysis (Rudolf Carnap). What we are going to use is the method
of Wittgenstein.

We can divide Wittgenstein’s philosophy into the earlier Wittgenstein and

the latter (or the new) Wittgenstein. Earlier Wittgenstein followed the idea
of his mentor and close friend Bertrand Russell who view language in only
one way: stating facts. Wittgenstein’s first book (the only one published
during his lifetime) Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (1919) reflected this
idea.

However, he soon realized that words had multiple functions depending on

the context to which it occurs. Wittgenstein used the analogy of “tools in a
toolbox” (Wittgenstein 1968). If we look at the tools inside a toolbox ‘there
is a hammer, pliers, a saw, a screwdriver, a ruler, a glue pot, glue nails and
screw. The functions of words are as diverse as the functions of these
objects’ (quoted by Stumpf 2008).

What Wittgenstein wants is to analyze language in the way actual people

use it in ordinary situations and not to construct an ideal language based
on logic and mathematics like what Russell seems to be doing.

To analyze language, we must realize that it follows rules. If there are

rules in every aspect of life, there are certainly rules on how we put
together and communicate words. Wittgenstein believed that these rules
are like the rules of games (Wittgenstein 1968)-language games. For
example, the usage of words like “demand”, “supply”, “money”, “price” in
the context of economics differ from its usage in everyday life. These are
technical words, and they follow certain rules (i.e. the language game)
within that discipline that affects the way these words are used.

ACTIVITY 1: LET’S APPLY (critical thinking, character)

Directions: Fill in the table below with the main proponents of methods of philosophizing.
For each method, answer the questions: “How can you find truth using this method?”
and “On what real-life situation can you apply this method?”(40pts)
 On what real-life
Methods of Main How can you
situation can you
Philosophizing Proponent(s) find truth using
apply this
this method?
method?
The method starts In a situation when your
Socrates with the idea from loved ones have little hope
1. Dialectic a person. which has of recovering from his/her
a natural health condition. The
characteristic of doctor has given you the
having errors which choice you could end the
give rise to suffering by euthanasia,
antithesis. but euthanasia is said to
The thesis and be wrong. The family can
antithesis can be talk altogether to come up
eventually resolved with a decision.
by creating a Thesis: Euthanasia is
synthesis which is a wrong
new idea comprised Antithesis: Human Life has
of the essentials of the highest value
both the thesis and Antithesis: Terminally ill,
the antithesis. suffering from extreme
pain.
Synthesis: Taking a human
life is wrong except in self-
defense.

2. Pragmatic

3. Phenomenological

4. Primary and
Secondary
Reflections
5. Analytic

Different Fallacies

You have just learned that it is not enough to acquire knowledge, but you
should analyze if that knowledge you have acquired is truthful or not.
Philosophizing involves the gift of speech and the gift of intelligence that enable
us to reason out and detect the falsity or truthfulness of a statement. When one
reason is out, he/she expresses his opinion and when others disagree, then
argument begins. In philosophical parlance argument is not an emotional
reptilian word war or a territorial show of force between persons but a
philosophical method in knowing the truth of a certain phenomenon or reality. It
is a set of statements which includes the premises and conclusion (the latter is
the one that claims the truth of the premises) (Cornejo & Ebia, 2017).

However, there are arguments that are erroneous or based on faulty

reasoning called Fallacies (Abella, 2016). Unconsciously, we are culprits of this in
our daily interaction with people including our families and friends. Even TV
commercials intentionally employ some faulty reasoning to convince their target
market to purchase their products. Lawyers outweigh each other by employing
some fallacies to defend their clients. I am sure you are familiar with the famous
“Flip Top Battles” group in today’s digital world. Shall we say a modern
dialectical approach which appeals not only to the mind but also to our aesthetic
sense? They entertain audience and it is awesome how they display their wit to
outsmart each other in a poetic manner. It becomes an art and aesthetically
superb, but if you go beyond entertainment and analyze their statements there
are a lot of faulty reasoning going on. Below are some of the Fallacies which we
believe you need to be aware of. Abella, Roberto D. in his book “Introduction to
the Philosophy of the Human Person” laid down some of these fallacies:
FALLACY Short Description Examples
1.Argumentum ad Hominem came from Latin word “How can we believe
Hominem “homo” which means man. This him when he talks
“Attacking fallacy literally means hitting about social
the person below the belt distancing, he is a
the Person” instead of lawyer who is a liar.”
focusing on the issue at hand.
2. Argumentum ad Baculum is a Latin word which “TV Patrol is the best
Baculum means scepter or stick. A news program on TV. If
(Appeal to Force) scepter is a symbol of authority. you don’t believe me, I
Normally it is the Pope who won’t let you watch the
carries it in his hands. This is TV.
committed when a person uses
threat or force to
advance an argument.
3. Argumentum ad Misercordiam came from Latin “Forgive me officer,
Misercordiam word Misericordia which means there are lot of
(Appeal to Pity) pity or compassion. A person boarders in this
uses emotion such as pity to apartment including
convince someone myself. Only the owner
was issued a
quarantine pass. We
don’t have food, we
can’t give our ATM to
the owner. That’s why I
went out. So I did not
violate the Bayanihan
Act Heal as
One.”
4. Argumentum ad Populum is the Latin word for “I’m sure you want to
Populum people. Most of TV commercials have an i phone.
“Appeal to people”/ are guilty of this argument Almost 80% of your
Bandwagon fallacy which exploit people’s vanity, schoolmates are using
desires, it.”
etc.
5. Argumentum ad Traditio means tradition. All of us in the family,
Tradition Advancing an idea since it has from our ancestors up
“Appeal to Tradition” been practice for a long time. to now, are devout
Catholics, so it is only
right that you will be
baptized as a Catholic.
6. Argumentum and Ignorantiam a Latin word for According to Zecharia
Ignorantiam ignorance. Whatever has been Sitchin, the author of
“Appeal to proven false must be true and the book “Cosmic
Ignorance” vice versa Code, “Adam was the
first test tube baby.
Since nobody proves
 otherwise,
therefore it is true.”
7. Petitio Principii According to Merriam Webster’s “God exists because the
(Begging dictionary it is fallacy in which a Bible says so. The Bible
conclusion is taken for granted is inspired. Therefore
the in the premises. Also called we know that God
Question) circular argument. exists.
8. Hasty This fallacy is committed when Our neighbor who is a
Generalizatio one reaches a generalization police officer was
n based on insufficient evidence convicted of being a
drug dealer, therefore,
all police officers are
drug
dealers.
9. Cause and Effect Assuming that the effect is “My teacher didn’t
related to a cause because both collect the
events occur one after the homework two
other. weeks in a row when
my friend was
absent. Therefore,
my friend being
absent is the reason
why my teacher
doesn’t collect
the homework.”
10. Fallacy Infers that something is true of a “You are a doctor,
of part, is true of a whole therefore you came
Composition from
a family of doctors.”
11. Fallacy of Division Infers that something is true of “Your family is smart,
the whole, must also be true on therefore you are
its smart.”
parts
12. Fallacy Using the same term in a “Humans walk by their
of different situation with different legs. The table has
Equivocation meaning. legs. Therefore the
table
walks by its legs.”
ACTIVITY 2 : EVERYDAY FALLACIES (Critical Thinking, Communication, Character)

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. In your relationship with your family, what common fallacies or fallacies
do you commit as an alibi for any wrongdoing? Narrate at least two
occasions.
2. Do you think Fallacy can help us in finding the truth? Why or why not?
3. What methods of philosophizing do you think are most useful in finding
the truth? Explain?

ACTIVITY 3: COMIC CON

(Critical Thinking, Character, Communication, Creativity)

Directions: Draw or create (using technological tools) a comic strip that portrays ONE type
of fallacy. Explain your work.

Explanation:
Lesson 2: The Human as an Embodied Spirit
Learning Competencies:
1. Recognize own limitations and possibilities.
( PPT11/12-If-3.1)
2. Evaluate own limitations and the possibilities for their transcendence. .
(PPT11/12-Ig-3.2)

Activity 1: “Are We Human?”

Directions: List down at least five pieces of evidences to support your claim that we
are human persons. Write your answer and your explanation in your
activity notebook.

Evidenc Why?
e
1. 1.
What makes us
2. 2.
human persons?
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.

Philosophers were initially concerned with defining the essential characteristic that
makes a person human. This essential characteristic is what distinguishes as from
plants, animals, and other living things. Many agree that this essential
characteristic is nothing else but our being rational beings. Our rationality makes us
superior to all others because it is the highest form of activity, and no other being
has it. To fully understand the concept of human person we need to understand
some terms about the discussion of the human person.

 Man - commonly used to refer to the entire human race

 Human - refers to man as species – Homo Sapiens sapiens

 Human being – used to distinguish man from another animal

 Person – refers to a human being granted recognition of rights, protection,

responsibilities, and dignity

 Personhood – refers to the state of being a person

 Human nature – refers to the characteristics that distinguish human from all other
creature
What is a Human Person?

Philosophers look for in their search to describe the human person by

defining it using the following character traits:

1. Self-awareness
- refers to the person’s clear perception of oneself, which includes her
thoughts, emotions, identity, and actions. It is also driven by rationality
or human thought. It is an awareness not just of his or her surroundings
but also of his or her existence, which leads to the notion of “self” – a
person who perceives and experiences interiority, which is the quality of
being focused on one’s inner life and identity. Having an inner world
allows a person to create goals, dreams, and plans.

2. Self-determination
- is the capability of persons to make choices and decisions based on
their preferences, monitor, and regulate their actions, and be goal-
oriented and self-directed. As human persons, we act, and we are aware
of our actions.
- is associated with freewill, consequence, and morality. Freewill enables
us to act willfully, control our actions, and recognize ourselves as the
source of action. The consequence is the result or effect of an action or
condition. And morality refers to the goodness or badness of an act.

3. Externality
- is the capability to reach out and interact with others and the world.
Our interaction with others and the world is externality. We believe that
no man is an island and that we need to reach out to others to give
meaning to our existence as persons. We grow and develop not only
through our thoughts and actions, but also through the influence of other
people whom we meet and interact with in our lives.

4. Dignity
- Is the innate right to be valued and to be respected. As human people,
we have an innate worth or value. Each person is worth the same as
another person in the sense that every person is priceless, unique,
unrepeatable, and irreplaceable. We do not equate our value to any
material thing that we have. Outside forces or characteristics such as
beauty, intelligence or skills do not define our dignity.
A person’s incapability and criminal act will not make him or her less of a person he/she is
expected to be. Since a person has dignity, he/she deserves to be treated fairly. The
recognition of the dignity of the human person is the basis for the recognition of human rights.
Activity 2: Complete Me!
Directions: Complete the graphic organizer below by writing in the boxes examples
that show the following traits of the human person. Copy this and write your
responses in your activity notebook.

A PERSON ...

has self- is able to has dignity

has awareness determination reach out
of self and interact
with others

The Human Person is an Embodied Spirit.

The idea of the human person as an “embodied spirit” does not

necessarily refer to the incarnation or materialization of spirit as an immaterial
entity. The embodiment of the spirit in the context of Christian philosophy
specifically refers to the inseparable union of body and soul. Thus, when we say
“embodied spirit” we mean that the body is not separate from the soul, just as
the soul is not separate from the body.
So, when we say that the human person is an embodied spirit, we
specifically mean that the human person is the point of convergence between
the material and spiritual entities, that is, between the body and soul. We cannot
say, therefore, of the human person without the union of body and soul.

The human body also stands as the mediator between the material and
the spiritual world. Being an embodied spirit, the person can encounter the world
of objects in a manner that transcends the physical. An example of this is a
prayer where the human body becomes an object of the world to reach the
spiritual world (God) since in saying a prayer, the body is required.

Activity 3: This Is Me!

 Directions: Think of a profound emotional experience you had and reflect on how
your nature as an embodied spirit gave meaning to this experience.
Write your response in our activity notebook.

Guide Questions:
1. Did you find this activity interesting? If yes, why? If no, why not?
2. After answering this activity, have you realized that knowing the “human person
as an embodied spirit” is important to you? Explain.

ACTIVITY 4: “My Limitations!”

Directions: Copy this table and fill in at least ten (10) limitations or weaknesses that
you have as a human person.

Things That I Cannot

Do

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
 This lesson will discuss human being’s weakness and imperfections – a
person’s limitations and how he could go about getting pass these retrain in his
being. It is with good reason that we consider the body as having several of
weakness because we have many experiences that manifest the truth of this
idea.

As defined in the Merriam dictionary, a limitation is “something that

controls how much of something is possible or allowed”. This means that though
the nature of the person as an embodied spirit provides numerous opportunities
to explore everything around us and even within us, our human nature imposes
limitations. It can be said that the person is very biologically deficient being. We
do not have the natural ability to fly. We cannot breathe underwater without
using breathing apparatus. We cannot survive in certain environments like other
animals.

Three Categories of Limitations

1. Facticity refers to the things in our lives that are already given and did
not choose them. It also refers to all the details that surround us in the
present, including our environment, language, past decisions, past and
present relationships, and even our future death.

2. Spatial-Temporal is about being limited due to our being temporal.

This means that we will not live forever because we have a limited period
of stay in this world (we call this finitude). We are just passers of this
place. Our limitations here are based on time, ability, etc. (the not yet
and the no longer). Just like a five years old child cannot put on lipstick
because she is still a child (the not yet), and a senior citizen cannot bear
a child because she is no longer capable of reproduction. On the level of
being spatial individuals, we are limited by our bodies to be present in
two or more places at the same time. We are set to be in one place at a
time. For example, one cannot be in Manila and Cebu at the same time
because his body does not allow him to.

3. Body as Intermediary is about having a body that links us to the world

appears to be a source of limitation because we can never really directly
and fully experience the world. We have established that we are our
bodies, but also more than our bodies. Our body then serves as an
intermediary between the physical world and us. It is because of my body
that I experience the world as my world and not the world of others. For
example, “I can always imagine myself living like a rock star; but I will
never really know how it is to be a rock star unless I become one myself. I
can never be you, or you can never be me.”
 A very important tool that allows us to go through our physical limits is
our mind. Although we have these physical limitations, we can transcend them
because of our spiritual dimension. We have natural tendencies and inclinations
as a human person. Some of these are felt bodily functions like hunger, fatigue,
etc. Transcendence is the ability to explore and surpass limits. This means
overcoming oneself or being in control even if the body reminds us of certain
tendencies. Although these tendencies are felt, the person can govern them and
ensure that they are exercised within the bounds of reason.

The presence of several limitations of being an embodied subject may

make us think that life is difficult and is very restricting. But, if we come to think
it, if we reflect on our personal lives, we could come to the idea that the
limitations that we have make our lives more colorful and challenging. Let us try
to look at these limitations and see how we could surpass or transcend our
limitations, or perhaps we could realize that there is no need to overcome it.

1. Facticity
We understand that our facticity is the things already given to us
the moment we are born. With this, we could say that we really cannot
do anything about it, what we could do is to change our attitude
towards it. If we let our facticity define who we are then, that makes it a
limitation but, if we see our facticity as a chance to challenge and
explore ourselves then, we are making our facticity a positive aspect of
our life. As a free individual, we should always think that it is us who
could decide what we want to do with our lives and that we are not
limited to what nature has initially given us. Facticity challenges us to
be creative with our life options and to maximize the possibilities that
are given to us. For example, Nick Vujicic is born with no arms and legs.
But this limitation he had, did not hinder him from become a successful
person. He had been known all over the world being a motivational
speaker, and he even builds his own family.

2. Spatial-Temporal
Our being temporal being maybe one of the things that bother as
the most. Knowing that we are temporary being in this world often
times gave us fear to try and do things. We are more concerned about
what might happen tomorrow, next month or next year that we forget
to live our lives for today. We forget to cherish and enjoy the present
because we are too bothered about what might happen next. If we
appreciate how wonderful the present is, then perhaps we could look at
our temporality as a challenge, a challenge on making our life more
interesting, colorful, and meaningful, and how we make most of the
time given to us.
In relation to our being spatial being in one place at the same
time may be a limit to us, but if we take a look at it – it also helps us
overcome our temporality. Because being in one place at a time gives
us the opportunity to appreciate more the things and people around us.
It gives us the chance to be more connected to one another. We should
appreciate always what is
 present in our space because sometimes we only appreciate
things or
people when it’s already gone.

3. Body as Intermediary
Having a body as an intermediary to the world may
only allow us to experience the world based on our point of
standing, thus, limiting us to fully experience the world. But,
if we take a closer look at it, it is somehow our privilege to
experience the world uniquely. Our experience of the world
is unique and distinct from other beings. Therefore, it gives
more meaning to our experiences and how we live life.
Although our body often conceals or restricts what emotions
we wanted to convey, somehow it became our protection for
there are times that we do not want others to know what we
truly feel and think. The body may pose some limitations,
but these limitations serve as our advantage as well.

Each individual carries within himself or herself the possibility

of transcending his or her limits. Most of our limits often involve
facing a challenge or overcoming a weakness. Through the study of
Philosophy, we can explore our limitations and possibilities for
transcendence. The essence of transcendence is to acknowledge our
limitations, identify possibilities for development, and change
ourselves for the better. Another aspect of transcendence is opening
yourself to new experiences and ideas. Our capacity for
transcendence allows us to work toward becoming better versions of
ourselves.

Activity 5 “The Revitalized Me!”

Directions: Complete the chart by rewriting your present limitations in the

first Column concerning your answers to the previous
activities. Make an action plan towards transcendence and the
corresponding actions on how to surpass each limitation in the
second column. Copy the chart in your notebook.

MY LIMITATIONS PLAN TOWARDS TRANSCENDENCE

1.
 2.

3.

4.

5.

Key Concepts:

 The human being is recognized not only as a distinct species –

Homo sapiens, sapiens, but as unique being, an individual
person possessing awareness.
 The human person possesses self-awareness which refers to
the awareness of oneself as an active participant in reality. A
person is not only aware of his or her surroundings or reality
but also of himself or herself as a participant in this reality.
 Another trait that defines a human person is self-
determination. This refers to the awareness of one’s action. It
is brought about by the person’s free will and awareness of
the consequences – that every action will have results or
effects.
 A human person can reach out and interact with others. Our
interactions with others define our existence and help us
develop as a person.
 A human person has dignity that each of us has an innate
value and worth that cannot be quantified.
 The human person is an embodied spirit. The body is not
separate from the soul, just as the soul is not separate from
the body.
 Despite being an embodied subject, a human person has
limitations. A limitation is something that controls how much
of something is possible or allowed.
 There are three categories of limitations. Facticity, Spatial-
Temporal being, and Body as an intermediary.
 Facticity refers to the things in our lives that are already given.
 Spatial-Temporal being this means that we will not live
forever – that we have a limited period of stay in this world.
 The body as an intermediary serves as an intermediary
 between the physical world and us.
 Transcendence is our ability to explore and surpass limits.