Introduction to the Philosophy of the

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Human Person
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade11/12
Module 2 – Philo Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY
For this module, we will have an overview of the development of philosophy in the east and
west. We will also analyze the philosophy of sample philosophers from one period to another.
We will also compare the theme of philosophy per timeline.

Learning Objectives:
A. define philosophy;
B. describe the nature of philosophy;
C. distinguish philosophical and non-philosophical questions; and
D. realize the importance of philosophy.

Beginnings of Philosophy in the West

The cradle of Western philosophy is Ancient Greece, particularly in Miletus (a colony of
Ionia). Prior to philosophizing, the Greeks told stories about gods and goddesses as well as
supernatural beings to explain nature. It is evident on the remains of Ancient Greece
excavated by the archaeologists.

“Mysterium tremendum et fascinans.”

- Rudolf Otto (Theologian)

Rudolf Otto, a theologian, argued that religion (in which myths are told) emerge when
people experience the aspect of reality which is essentially mysterious. He called it the
“mystery that causes trembling and fascination.” For example, a strong manifestation of
nature – such as a violent thunderstorm – may startle us. It is an aspect of reality that is
frightening, forcing us to tremble (tremendum) but also feel fascination (fascinans).
Myths were passed on from generation to generation. It became the status quo until one
person deviated from mysticism and began investigating the world through reason. He was
followed by the other Greeks and they became known as the “pre-Socratics” or the
philosophers before the time of Socrates, the father of Philosophy. This event in history was
called the “Ionian Awakening.”

Mysticism Speculation
Animism
“worship in “start of
“belief in spirits”
gods” philosophy”

A. Ancient Philosophy
The philosophers during this period focused on inquiry of searching for the causes and
principles of the natural world by not relying on supernatural explanation. There is a great
emphasis on metaphysics and materialism.

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 Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Human Person
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade11/12
Module 2 – Philo Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

1. Thales
• Known as the first person in recorded history to have started philosophizing.
• Coined the term arche which means the ultimate substance of reality.
• Believed that water is the arche since it assumes the three states of matter: liquid
(inherent state), solid (freezing), and gas (evaporation).
• Presumes that the earth is flat.
2. Anaximander
• Star student of Thales.
• Believed that the ultimate substance of reality is apeiron (infinite).
• Presumes that the earth is round.
3. Anaximenes
• Did separate religion and philosophy
• Believed that the ultimate substance of reality is air because it binds the soul to the
body.
• Supported flat earth theory.
4. Pythagoras
• Said that everything can be explained through numbers.
• Proponent of Pythagorean theorem.
5. Heraclitus
• Believed that change and motion are the arche.
• Likened the idea of change to river. “You cannot step on the same river twice.”
6. Parmenides
• Disagreed with the idea of Heraclitus.
• Believed that change is an illusion, and the real arche is “being.”
7. Empedocles
• Believed that the ultimate substance of reality are the four elements: water, earth,
fire, and air.
• Has a strong conviction that he is immortal; he tried to justify this by jumping on a
volcano (Mt. Etna, Sicily).
8. Anaxagoras
• Believed that the mind (nous) is infinite and self-ruled.
• Our imagination is boundless.
9. Democritus
• Believes that everything is made up of atoms.
• These atoms are infinite and indestructible.

B. Classical Philosophy
This period focused on how saving the intellectual and moral life which were threatened by
materialism. There is a great emphasis on rationalism, morality, government and social
relations.

1. Socrates
“An unexamined life is not
• The oratorical philosopher; left no writings. worth living.”
• Well-known for his Socratic Method; it is a method - Socrates -
of questioning that attempts provoke clarification
of ideas and discussion by asking follow-up questions that are critical and insightful.
• Encourages people to acknowledge their own ignorance and to be skeptic; this
will motivate us to pursue wisdom.

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 Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Human Person
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade11/12
Module 2 – Philo Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

2. Plato
• A literary superstar; he is best known for his writings
Who established Academy?
such as “The Republic” which is composed of It was Plato who founded the
philosophies presented in dialogues. Academy. He believed that
• It was he who wrote the philosophies of Socrates. knowledge cannot be
• His philosophy is a completion and extension of attained only by
philosophy of Socrates. contemplation, but through
• His famous philosophy is the Theory of Forms which discussion, teaching, and
asserts that the reality only exists in our mind, and research. And this will be
that experiences are just illusions. made possible by establishing
• He also believed that philosopher kings should rule an institution where teachers
the people. and learners can gather.
Hence, the creation of the
• Introduced the idea of tripartite soul (rational spirit,
Academy. Aristotle was one
emotional spirit, and appetitive spirit). of the students of this
institution.

3. Aristotle Aristotle and the Lyceum

• His philosophy is an opposition of Plato’s The Lyceum, which was
philosophical tradition. Unlike Plato, Aristotle founded by Aristotle, is known
believes that the endowment of senses will lead a an as Peripatetic school
person in direct contact with the world because students and
(experiences) and provide adequate proof in teachers here discuss science
pursuit of the truth. and philosophy while walking
• Father of Political Science; he created the classical along the hallway. It was
named after “Apollo Lyceus”,
types of the government.
a statue of god Apollo.
• Aristotle’s philosophy is extensive on human
anatomy, biology, physics, knowledge, and ethics.

C. Medieval Philosophy
The confluence of faith and reason. It is concerned with proving God’s existence and
relation of man to God.

1. Anselm of Canterbury
• Ontological argument (to be discussed on finals).
2. Thomas Aquinas
• Cosmological argument (to be discussed on finals).
• Teleological argument (to be discussed on finals).
3. Avicenna
• Tabula rasa (to be discussed on finals).

D. Modern Philosophy
Concerned about the problems or issues on knowledge; rise of two schools of thought:
rationalism and empiricism.

1. Rationalism
• The chief source of knowledge is reason, and is something supplied by our mind.
2. Empiricism
• Knowledge is impossible without experience, which is only possible because of our
senses.

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 Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Human Person
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade11/12
Module 2 – Philo Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

E. Contemporary Period
Concerned about the verification of knowledge; rise of another two schools of thought:
analytic tradition and continental tradition.
1. Analytic Tradition
• Only accepts that those investigated by science is meaningful and true.
2. Continental Tradition
• Believed that scientific method is insufficient to provide the explanation of the
word; it focuses on the centrality of human action.

Beginnings of Philosophy in the East

Unlike the West, Asians did not separate philosophy and religion (or spiritual path). Since
there is no known person to have first started philosophy in the East, it is logical to trace its
origin on the oldest surviving religion.
A. Hinduism
• The term “Hinduism” refers to the religion of the people of in Indus Valley. It is based
on the teachings of the Veda. “Veda” is Sanskrit word which means “knowledge.” It
is a body of the sacred scriptures in Hinduism.
• Hinduism has four fundamental principles:
1. Dharma – refers to Hindu’s moral obligation based on Vedas.
2. Samsara – refers to the cycle of life which is characterized by the existence of
reincarnation (rebirth).
3. Karma – refers to the consequences of action. Good actions lead to good karma;
bad actions lead to bad karma.
4. Moksha – refers to the state of enlightenment. The samsara of a person ends in the
attainment of moksha.
B. Confucius
• Also known as Kung Fu Tze (Great Master GOLDEN RULE
Kung), he is the founder of Confucianism Original Version:
“Do unto others as you would want
• Born during the Warring States Period
others to do unto you.”
• Began philosophizing to give a solution to
Confucius’ Version:
social chaos, which he found during the “Do NOT do unto other what you
warfare of states in the Chinese kingdom. would not want others to do unto you.”
• His philosophy is focused on social values
and relations.
• Created the prohibitive version of the golden rule.
C. Mencius
• Also known as Meng Ke, he is the second sage of Confucianism.
• He is responsible for the spread and development of Confucianism.
• He believed that man is inherently good.
D. Lao Tzu
• Also called Laozi or Lao-Tze (meaning the “old master”), he is credited for the
founding of Daoism.
• Lao Tzu is recognized as a wise man. After his work as a keeper of archives, he was
asked to write his thoughts. These writings became the Daodejing (Classic of Dao).
• Central to Daoism is the “Dao” which means “the way” or “path”. It is focused on
following the flow of nature.
• Introduced “Wu Wei” which means effortless actions; Lao Tzu believes that we
should not rush into things. Instead, we should be still.
• Gave an emphasis to yin and yang, the opposite qualities of the chi. Yin represents
the heavens, light and warmth. Yang represents the earth, dark, and cold.

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 Introduction to the Philosophy of the
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Human Person
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade11/12
Module 2 – Philo Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY

A. EPISTEMOLOGY
• Came from the word episteme which
means “knowledge.” Examples of epistemological questions:
• Deals with the study of knowledge: origin of 1. What is the truth?
knowledge (empiricism-from experience; 2. Do we really know what we think
we know?
rationalism-from mind prior to experience)
3. Is experience the best teacher?
and verification of knowledge.

B. METAPHYSICS
• Means “after physics” Examples of metaphysical questions:
• Study of the nature of reality 1. What is the meaning of life?
• It encompasses everything that exists, as 2. What is the purpose of life?
well as the nature of existence itself. 3. Does God exist?

C. LOGIC
• Looks into whether there are rules or
Example of a logical argument:
principles that govern reasoning. 1. Socrates is a human.
• Knowing the rules of logic to create sound 2. All humans are mortal.
argument and avoid fallacious reasoning. 3. There, Socrates is mortal.

D. ETHICS
• Came from the word “Ethos” which means
Examples of ethical questions:
“moral”
1. Is it okay to do abortion?
• Deals with norms of standards of right and 2. Is masturbation immoral?
wrong 3. Would you kill one person to save
• The systematic reflections in ethics will lead five?
to an understanding of morality.

E. AESTHETICS
• Came from the word “aisthetikos” which
Examples of aesthetical questions:
means “sensitive”
1. What is beauty?
• It is an analysis toward the nature of 2. Is beauty about physical
aesthetic judgement, standard of beauty, appearance?
and objectivity of these standards. 3. Is goodness related to beauty?
• It is called the study of aesthetic experience
and the idea of beauty.

*PHILOSOPHER’S PIE
Each slice of pie corresponds to theme of the different branches of
philosophy (knowledge - epistemology, metaphysics; reason - logic; KNOWLEDGE VALUE

and value - ethics and aesthetics). Philosophers take not just one
slice of knowledge, reason, or value, but all since our life is not
REASON
revolving on one aspect.

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