1st Quarter: Module 1

The Meaning and Process of Doing Philosophy

What is Philosophy?
There is no best definition of Philosophy as a discipline. Hence, for the sake of our
understanding, we will look into its etymological and technical definition.
a. Etymological definition Philosophy comes from the two Greek words philo meaning
“love” or “friendship” and sophia meaning “wisdom.” Thus, philosophy means “love of
wisdom.” Love is an urge or a drive of a will towards a particular object.
b. As a drive, love always seeks unity with its object and desires to possess its object.
Thus, wisdom cannot be dissociated from knowledge. Truth is the ultimate object of
knowledge. Philosophy is absolutely committed to the truth, “the whole truth and nothing
but the truth.” Hence, truth is being shown and practiced by a man of wisdom. Now, if
philosophy means love of wisdom, to philosophize, therefore, is to be in quest, or to have
a desire towards loving and living the truth (Babor, 2007)
c. Technical definition Philosophy is defined as “the science of beings in their ultimate
reasons, causes, and principles acquired by the aid of human reason alone (Bittle, 1984).”
To better understand Philosophy, let us break down the statement into the following:
1) Philosophy is a science. - Science is about acquiring a certain kind of knowledge. Philosophy
is a science because the questioning is given more importance than the answers to the questions,
since answers can become questions themselves. (Babor,2007)

2) Philosophy is a science of beings. - As a science of beings, it covers all the things that can be
reached by the human mind. This includes man, the world, God, everything that is, or becomes,
or is known.
3) Philosophy searches for the ultimate reasons, causes and principles of beings. - This
means that philosophy studies the ultimate “whys and wherefores” of beings. To illustrate:
Philosophy does not investigate plant life, but rather, it seeks an answer to the question: “What
does it mean to be a living thing as opposed to a non-living thing?”
4) Philosophy uses the power or natural light of reason. - The study of philosophy helps us
acquired by the aid of human reason alone.
Meaning, philosophy doesn’t base its knowledge on authority, but solely on the reasoning
power of the human mind.
Hence, divine revelation is formally excluded as a source of information although it can
and should assist the mind of man by pointing out the proper direction for the philosophic
solution of a problem along purely natural line.
What are the divisions of Philosophy?

Philosophy is classified into practical and speculative. Man’s philosophical questions tend to fall
into any of the following fields:

1. Practical Divisions of Philosophy - is composed of philosophical fields, which study not only
to obtain knowledge and wisdom but also to use that knowledge and wisdom for practical
purposes. It includes logic, ethics, axiology, aesthetics, and semantics.

a) Logic (Questions related to Reasoning). Logic studies the laws of thought. It is the
science of correct reasoning. This covers the study of simple apprehension and ideas, judgment
and proposition, reasoning and arguments. Logic attempts to resolve the following questions:
“What makes good arguments good and bad arguments bad?”
b) Ethics (Questions related to Morality). Ethics deals with development of a virtuous
and moral character. It is the science of the morality of human acts as ordained to the end. Ethics
attempts to resolve questions like: “What makes my action right or wrong, and how could I know
it?”. “Is there a norm good and evil?
c) Axiology (Questions related to Values). It is the science of value. It is the study of
the origin, nature, functions, types, and interrelations of values. Axiology attempts to resolve
questions like: “How are values experienced?” “What are the kinds of value?”
d) Aesthetics (Questions related to Beauty and Taste). It is the science of beauty and
art. Beauty means the quality attributed to whatever pleases the beholder such as form, color, and
behavior. Art is creativeness and skill in making or doing things that have form and beauty. It
includes the concept of creativity, expression, representation, form, and style. Aesthetics
attempts to resolve questions like: “What are the essential characteristics of beauty?” “What is
aesthetic value?” “Do the arts provide knowledge?”
e) Semantics (Questions related to Meaning). It is the science of meaning. It studies
the natural and artificial language scientifically. This includes the study of the relations of words
to the objects denoted by them, the relations of words to the interpreters of them, and, in
symbolic logic, the formal relations of signs to one another (syntax).
2. Speculative Division of Philosophy - is made up of philosophical fields whose main concern
is the acquisition of knowledge without any thought of applying it for any practical use. It
includes epistemology, theodicy, cosmology, philosophical psychology, and metaphysics.

a) Epistemology (Questions related to Truth and Knowledge). Epistemology is the

science of knowledge. This includes the statement and solution to the critical problem, nature,
origin, objectivity, and validity of knowledge, truth and certitude. Epistemology attempts to
resolve questions like: “What is knowledge?” “What is fact?” “What is truth?”
b) Theodicy (Questions related to God). Theodicy is the science of God - His nature,
existence, essence, attributes and operations. Theodicy attempts to resolve questions like: “Does
God exist?” “Why God allows evil?”
c) Cosmology (Questions related to Universe). Cosmology is the science of the
universe – its origin and development with its parts, elements, laws, especially its characteristics
with regard to space, time, causality and freedom. Cosmology attempts to resolve question like:
“How did the world begin and where will it end?”
d) Psychology (Questions related to Soul). Psychology is science of soul. The study
deals man not only as a sensing or thinking subject but also as a being composed of body and
soul. Psychology attempts to resolve question like: “Is there really a soul?”
e) Metaphysics (Questions related to Being and Existence). It studies the nature of the
mind, the self, and consciousness. It is the science which deals with the nature of being, its
attributes, constituent principles, and causes. Metaphysics attempts to resolve the following
questions: “What is being?” “Why is there being rather than non-being?” “What is existence?”
“What is essence?”

A. Philosophy and its importance as a discipline and as means

for understanding life
This time, you are about to begin exploring how essential, engaging,
and challenging the discipline of Philosophy is, and particularly the meaning
and process of doing philosophy towards understanding and fulfilling your
goal in life.

The key to profit will reveal. Did you know that Philosophy came from
two Greek words: Philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom)? The blending of
two words (philosophy) means love of wisdom. The ancient Greeks first used
that term, philosophy. They soon utilized it to the study or discipline that
practices human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and
principles which govern all things. The one who engages in Philosophy is
called philosophers or lovers of wisdom. In different fields of knowledge such
as history, politics, education, science, mathematics, and even medicine,
ancient Greek philosophers became pioneers of those fields. It was normal to
hear that ancient Greek philosophers were experts in various fields of
learning. Philosophy is a primary means to obtain knowledge and wisdom in
understanding life. You tend to inquire about something that you want to
know. The awareness of something is called knowledge. However, the
recognition and understanding of life will never be complete unless the
knowledge is applied. In doing Philosophy, you may be able to apply that
knowledge to daily life particularly in
making choices and judgment. That circumstance is called wisdom, the
intended product of philosophizing.
B. Most Notable Ancient Greek Philosophers
This time, you will meet various ancient philosophers. The following are
the most notable ancient Greek Philosophers in Greece.
1. Pythagoras (570 BCE – 495 BCE) was a mathematician and
scientist. he was credited with the formulation of the Pythagorean theorem
which earned him many followers. He organized a community of learners
who were dedicated to the study of religion and philosophy.
 2. Heraclitus (535 BCE – 475 BCE) proposed that everything that
exists is based on the higher-order or plan he called logos. He believed that
change is a permanent aspect of the human condition and he was
recognized with the saying, “No man ever steps on the same river twice.”
3. Democritus (460 BCE – 370 BCE) devoted himself to studying
the causes of natural phenomena. He first proposed that matter is composed
of tiny particles called atoms.
4. Diogenes of Sinope (412 BCE – 323 BCE) was known to
advocate for a simple and virtuous life. For Diogenes, one should not only
talk of virtue but should show it in words and actions. He emphasized the
austerity and simplicity often went to the extreme, and he was said to have
lived like a beggar. His teaching and views were later promoted by his
followers and inspired the development of several schools of Philosophy such
as Cynicism and Stoicism.
5. Epicurus (341 BCE – 270 BCE) believed that Philosophy could
enable man to live a life of happiness. His views gave rise to Epicureanism –
a school of philosophy that believes that wisdom and simple living will result
in a life free from fear and pain.
6. Socrates (470 BCE – 399 BCE) was the Foremost Philosopher of
ancient times. He made great contributions to the field of Ethics and known
critic of intellectuals during his times. He also concluded that philosophy
could enable a man to live a life of virtue. The Socratic method derived from
his name that refers to 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.
7. Plato (427 BCE – 347 BCE) was a Student of Socrates whose
teaching and writings were considered the foundation of western philosophy.
He also believed in the Theory of Forms which proposes that everything that
exists is based on an idea or template that can only be perceived in the
mind; these nonphysical ideas are eternal and unchanging. He added that
the Ideal government must be ruled by wisdom and reason. The Dialectic
method was first suggested by him that refers to the inquiry where two
opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt to arrive a new knowledge
8. Aristotle (384 BCE-322 BCE) was a Prominent student of Plato
whose. His ideas were such as (a) All ideas and views are based on
perception and reality that must be based on what we can sense and
perceive; (b) His view greatly influences the study of Physical Science; (c) He
was involved in a great variety of disciplines such as zoology, psychology,
ethics, and politics; and (d) He also proposed the classification of plants and
animals.
9. Archimedes (287 BCE – 212 BCE) was a mathematician,
physicist, inventor, and astronomer. His achievements were such as (a)
Known for his philosophical inquiries and was considered a leading scientist
in ancient times; (b)His inquiries led to the developments which gave rise to
modern calculus; (c) Using mathematics to analyze natural phenomena; and
(d) Known for his invention, Archimedes crew – a device of raising water, and
method for determining volume using displacements.

C. Difference Between Holistic Thinking and Partial Thinking

This topic will help you to become a more considerate and appreciative
individual. It discusses the holistic and partial thinking that may help you to
consider the various situations in having the sound and right judgments.
Holistic thinking refers to a perspective that recognizes large-scale
patterns in systems. It is described as looking at the “big picture” when
describing and analyzing a situation or problem. A holistic perspective
requires an individual to have an open mindset and an ability to get a
general sense or impression concerning a situation. Partial thinking, on the
other hand, focuses on particular aspects of a situation. The partial view is
an important component of analytical thinking when an individual focuses on
certain areas or aspects of a problem to understand it. Though partial
thinking is beneficial, Philosophy utilizes holistic thinking in making sense of
problems and issues related to the human experience. A holistic perspective
can enable a person to step back and consider the general aspects of a
certain situation.
NAME: Date:
Grade & Section: Score:

QUARTER 1-WEEK 1
The Meaning and Process of Doing Philosophy

OBJECTIVES:
1. Distinguish a holistic perspective from a partial point of view
2. Recognize human activities that emanated from deliberate reflection
3. Realize the value of Doing philosophy in obtaining a broad perspective in life
4. Doing a philosophical reflection on a concrete situation from
holistic perspective

ACTIVITY 1: Look at the pictures below. What can you say about them?
Describe their similarities and differences. Write your answer at the back of this
page.

ACTIVITY 2: Complete the table below. Write your answer in your notebook.

ACTIO WHAT MUST BE DONE BEFORE

NS THE
ACTION?
1. Buying new clothes
2. Choosing friends
3. Eating food
4. Deciding where to study for Senior
High School
5. Attending classes in the afternoon
6. Going to school
7. Visiting a friend
8. Joining an organization in school
9. Playing computer games
10. Buying a new gadget
11. Asking permission if you would like
to
go out with friends
12. Helping a stranger
13. Traveling without your family
14. Going to mass or any
religious activities
15. Watching movies that are not
 allowed for your age
16. Posting your opinion or feelings in
the social media
17. Communicating to your siblings
about a conflict
18. Giving opinions
19. Going out with the opposite sex
20. Confronting a person who verbally
hurt you

ACTIVITY 3: Answer the following questions and write your answer in a

yellow paper.

Based on your answers in Activity 2, what must be done before the actions?
1.
2. Is it helpful that you do this before making actions? Why or why not?
3. As a grade 11 student, what have you realized about this activity? Reflect and
explain your answer in your notebook.

ACTIVITY 4: What can you say about the quotation below? Do you agree
with this? Explain your perspective and point of view.

God bless always!