LESSON 1: What is Philosophy

What is philosophy?

The word philosophy comes from two Greek words: philos (love) and sophia (wisdom). The
ancient Greeks used this term to refer to "love of wisdom" and they soon applied it to the study or
discipline that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which
govern all things. People who engage in philosophy are called philosophers or "lovers of wisdom."
Among the ancient Greeks, the philosophers became pioneers in various fields of knowledge such as
history, biology, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and even physics. It was quite common to hear of
ancient philosophers who were "experts" in various fields of learning.

Since ancient times, philosophers have been pondering some of the most enduring questions regarding
human existence.

• What is real? Are we able to perceive and understand reality and everything in it?
• How do we know what we know? Are the things that we know true?
• What is the ultimate cause of all things? What is our purpose in this world?
• To what extent are our choices and actions considered "free"?

The following are the most notable ancient Greek philosophers.

Pythagoras (570 BCE to 495 BCE) - A mathematician and scientist, he was credited with formulating
the Pythagorean theorem. His work earned him many followers, and he established a community of
learners who were devoted to the study of religion and philosophy.

Heraclitus (535 BCE to 475 BCE) - He proposed that everything that exists is based on a higher order
or plan which he called logos. For him, change is a permanent aspect of the human condition as he
was credited with the saying, "No man ever steps in the same river twice."

Democritus (460 BCE to 370 BCE) - He devoted himself to the study of the causes of natural
phenomena. He was among the first to propose that matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms.

Diogenes of Sinope (412 BCE to 323 BCE) - He was a known advocate of living a simple and virtuous
life. For Diogenes, one should not only talk of virtue but should show it in words and actions. His
emphasis on austerity and simplicity often went to the extreme, and he was said to have lived like a
beggar. He was also known to be a vocal critic of well-known philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle.
His teachings and views were later developed by his followers and influenced the development of
several schools of philosophy such as Cynicism and Stoicism.

Epicurus (341 BCE to 270 BCE) - He believed that philosophy could enable man to live a life of
happiness. His views gave rise to Epicureanism - a school of philosophy which believes that wisdom
and simple living will result in a life free of fear and pain.

Socrates (470 BCE to 399 BCE) - He was considered the foremost philosopher of ancient times. He
made great contributions to the field of ethics. Socrates was a known critic of intellectuals during his
time, but he himself did not claim to be "wise" and merely considered himself a "midwife" that helped
inquiring minds achieve wisdom. He also believed that philosophy could enable a man to live a life of
virtue. He was credited with formulating the Socratic Method - 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.

Plato (427 BCE to 347 BCE) - A student of Socrates, he wrote down his mentor's teachings and
incorporated some of his own ideas into them. His teachings and writings were considered the
foundation of Western philosophy. Plato's most significant ideas included his 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 also focused his studies on the ideal
society and proposed an ideal model of government and society which is ruled by wisdom and reason.
Plato is also known for his dialectic - a method of inquiry where two opposing ideas are discussed in
an attempt to arrive at new knowledge. Plato's lasting contribution to learning was his founding of the
Academy, an institution of higher learning which was the first of its kind in the Western World.

Aristotle (384 BCE to 322 BCE) - He attended the Academy and was a prominent student of Plato.
Aristotle, however, disagreed with Plato's theory of forms and took a different stance in interpreting
reality. For him, all ideas and views are based on perception and our reality is based on what we can
sense and perceive. This view greatly influenced the study of the physical sciences. Aristotle was
involved in a great variety of disciplines such as zoology, psychology, ethics, and politics. He also
proposed a system for the classification of plants and animals. His studies in logic led to the formulation
of a formal process of analyzing reasoning which gave rise to deductive reasoning - the process by
which specific statements are analyzed to reach a conclusion or generalization.

From their roots in ancient Greece, the thoughts and ideas of philosophers soon gained
popularity in many places throughout the world. The developments that started in ancient Greece
brought about the emergence of Western Philosophy. Meanwhile, Eastern Philosophy emerged from
the communities and civilizations in Asia. While both philosophies pondered the significant questions
regarding human existence, Western philosophy throughout the centuries became more systematic
and specialized in its approach. Eastern philosophy, on the other hand, is more fluid and places greater
emphasis on social relations, the family, and community.

At present, philosophy is an important field of study as it touches upon a diverse array of topics
and disciplines. Every aspect of human knowledge from the arts to science and technology has
benefitted from the inquiring nature of philosophy.

Why is there a need to philosophize?

Philosophers have often wondered and argued about the role of philosophy in man's life. One
view is that each one of us is a philosopher, whether or not we have studied philosophy. We all have
the potential to philosophize since we have the tendency to wonder and doubt. We possess the capacity
to reflect on our experiences, and we have a never-ending need to learn and discover.

The Greek philosopher Plato traced man's need to philosophize to his sense of wonder.
Whenever we are confronted with an experience, we always wonder how it came about. Man's over
bounding curiosity drives him to ask questions, some of which have no definite answers. Where did we
come from? Why do we exist? For what purpose were we created? Consider a small child's curiosity
about all the things around him, most of which he encounters for the first time. This perspective drives
the need of a philosopher to question, examine, and learn more.

The 15th-century French philosopher Rene Descartes traced the need to philosophize to doubt.
Descartes was famous for rejecting or questioning established ideas, and he even went as far as
doubting his own ideas. His method of examining ideas and perspectives became the basis of critical
thinking and analysis in the sciences. For example, a scientific hypothesis must first be tested and
verified before it is accepted as truth. In life, we will be faced with several ideas and arguments which
present themselves as "truths." A critical and questioning perspective is necessary to determine if
indeed these ideas or views are correct or true.

The 20th-century Swiss-German philosopher Karl Jaspers saw the need to philosophize
because of experience. Jaspers believed that man is often confronted by experiences which challenge
his ideas and frameworks. Jaspers called these experiences limit situations, and these are often
accompanied by feelings of helplessness, anxiety, or dread. For Jaspers, philosophy provides us a
means to understand adverse or challenging conditions, and to rise above them and gain new
knowledge and perspectives.

Finally, the need to philosophize is driven by the love for wisdom. To love wisdom is to have
an insatiable desire for truth. A philosopher does not seek knowledge to claim ownership of it; and one
who engages in philosophy is not satisfied with figuring out the answer to a question. He seeks to
continue to question, to probe, and to discuss in order to get to the bottom of things. The philosopher
who exemplified this perspective was Socrates. He gained fame for his curiosity and his constant
debates with many of the intellectual elite in Greece. Socrates is famous for having said "I know that I
do not know..." and it is in accepting this state of ignorance that one can begin to learn and understand.
By expanding our knowledge through philosophy, we begin to realize that learning is unceasing - there
is a lot more to learn and experience in life. Socrates is also recognized for his motto: "The unexamined
life is not worth living." And nowhere is it more appropriate to embark on philosophy than in an
examination of our own life.

How do we characterize the study of philosophy?

Just as there are many ways of looking at a problem, philosophers have employed varied means
of looking into the fundamental questions regarding the human condition. This has given rise to various
viewpoints, thoughts, and approaches in philosophy.

One way of looking at philosophy is to consider it as a way of analyzing frameworks. A

framework is defined as a way of thinking about the world and is composed of the views and beliefs
of a person. Whenever a person encounters a problem or question in life, he or she often goes back to
his or her own framework in order to make sense of the problem. Questions dealing with our own
correctness and values are considered internal questions which can be addressed using our own
personal frameworks.

Also, there are external questions that seek to question the very frameworks upon which
people base their own beliefs and views. For instance, a child who is going through the bitter experience
of his or her parents' separation will be in a state of confusion as his or her experience does not conform
to his or her personal framework of what a family should be. In this case, the child begins to question
the very framework or concept of family that he or she has built based on previous experiences. By
questioning his or her ideas and concepts, the child has already touched on an important aspect of
philosophy. The child seeks to clarify, examine, and evaluate the basis of frameworks which he or she
uses to deal with the world and give meaning to his or her experiences.

Philosophy can also be thought of as an examination of a particular area of knowledge. The

central principle in philosophy is examination and questioning, and this is often applied in the analysis
of the frameworks of other areas or sciences. Philosophy goes hand in hand with other disciplines in
examining their fundamental purposes and evaluating the changes they experience. There is a
philosophy of science, which seeks to understand the fundamental principles that guide scientific
thought. There is also a philosophy of religion, which examines the basic tenets of any faith. There is
philosophy of education, political philosophy, philosophy of history - every aspect of knowledge can
benefit from the inquiring nature of philosophy.

Philosophy itself is a distinct area of knowledge with its own goals, concerns, and ways of
doing things. It is often divided into several branches each of which deals with a particular aspect of
life or phenomena. The philosophy which deals with beauty and what makes things "beautiful" is called
Aesthetics. Logic is the branch of philosophy which deals with correct reasoning, while Epistemology
discusses the nature of knowledge and knowing. Ethics is the branch which deals with moral questions
and dilemmas, while Political Philosophy studies governments and deals with questions of justice,
power and the rights and obligations of citizens. Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy which deals
with questions regarding reality and existence. Although not a branch itself, Philosophy of the Human
Person is an area in philosophy that understands the human person from a philosophical perspective
- integrating and synthesizing the different branches of philosophy and other fields of study to know the
truth about the human person.
However complex and varied the perceptions, they suggest two important facts about
philosophizing: philosophy is a reflective and meditative activity, and it has no designated subject
matter of its own. It is also a method of mental exercise on any type of experience. When confronting
human experience, philosophers often employ tools that engage the mind in analyzing problems and
situations. For instance, in discussing complex philosophical issues, philosophers often use thought
experiments. Individuals also engage in this form of philosophizing when they ponder possible
consequences regarding their actions. When one imagines certain alternatives and possible outcomes,
one already engages in philosophy.

Additionally, philosophy does not limit itself to its own field. Philosophy makes sense of
information gathered from various fields of knowledge (e.g., science, psychology, economics, politics,
etc.) by integrating and synthesizing them to have a deeper and more complete understanding of reality.

What is the difference between holistic thinking and partial thinking?

Holistic thinking refers to a perspective that considers large-scale patterns in systems. This is
often 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 the general
sense or impression regarding a situation. Partial thinking, on the other hand, focuses on specific
aspects of a situation. The partial view is an important component of analytical thinking, as an individual
focuses on certain areas or aspects of a problem in order to understand it. Though partial thinking is
useful, philosophy utilizes holistic thinking in making sense of problems and issues related to the human
experience.

People tend to apply an analytical perspective when looking at problems or situations. For
instance, doctors often focus on a specific set of symptoms to determine the cause of a patient's illness.
Once a particular cause has been identified, the doctor then prescribes the appropriate medicine and
other treatments to address the illness. In the case of a person who experiences a stomachache, a
doctor may prescribe the appropriate medicine that will address the physical causes of the problem.

A holistic perspective, however, requires the doctor to look at the "big picture" and view the
patient's illness as an aspect of his or her lifestyle and personal circumstances. When using this
perspective, a doctor may be able to identify other underlying causes of the illness. The doctor can
interview the patient and get an idea of his or her situation. In the case of the patient with stomach
problems, the doctor's inquiry into his or her habits and lifestyle may lead to the discovery that fatigue
and stress may be factors that cause the illness. Knowing this, the doctor can advise the patient to
make changes in his or her habits to reduce stress and eventually improve his or her well-being.

A holistic perspective can enable a person to step back and consider the general aspects of a
certain problem. In the case of an argument among friends, would it be beneficial to take one side or
act as a mediator and try to reconcile all sides? Should we simply condemn a person who misbehaved
in a video that has gone viral? Or should we reserve judgment until we get all the facts regarding what
made that person act in that manner? Adopting a holistic approach in thinking encourages us not only
to be more critical but also to be more considerate in dealing with others.

A holistic view also gives rise to a more appreciative perspective about life, as we are able to
look at life in its totality. This means that we try to understand a situation from different vantage points
so we can see it more fully. Just as we savor food in its entirety and not pick out each ingredient and
taste it, we experience and appreciate life in its entirety and not just its specific "flavors". All the positive
and negative experiences in our life come together to give meaning to our existence, and we learn to
appreciate our individual experiences as vital aspects of a larger and more meaningful life.

How does one engage in reflection?

Reflection requires a person to be willing to examine one's thoughts, feelings, and actions and
to learn more about one's life and experiences. One can reflect on almost any subject. For instance,
the moment you wake up you can already reflect upon the things that you plan to do for the day. This
will enable you to set your daily goals and set you on the path of thinking of ways to achieve them.

Seemingly simple or mundane actions take a whole new meaning when one engages in
reflection. When buying clothes, for example, think of the questions that you ask yourself as you
consider buying the t-shirt or blouse you are holding. You may start with the simple questions: "Will this
fit me?" "Do I look good in this color?" These are the usual questions any buyer would ask himself or
herself.

But since we are in a reflective and philosophizing mood, let us now try and think of "deeper"
questions and reflect on the situation. You may find yourself asking the following questions: "Do I even
have to buy a new t-shirt today?" "Am I better off spending my money on other things?" "Do I see myself
wearing this shirt often, or am I just going to wear it once?" "What sort of person wears this kind of
shirt?"

Notice the difference when you engage in reflection. The simple task of buying a shirt becomes
something much more. If you concentrate only on the simple questions, you will just buy that shirt
immediately. But reflection allows you an opportunity to think more deeply about your action, your
motivations for doing such an action, and even its possible consequences. Buying a shirt becomes a
much more meaningful act with the aid of reflection. Constant reflection on your possible purchases
may even help you make wiser choices and improve your spending habits in the future.

Reflection is vital in ensuring that our actions and decisions are well thought out and are done
with due regard for their implications and consequences on ourselves, others, and our surroundings.
Reflection helps us understand ourselves and our actions better. When we reflect, we can judge
whether our actions or decisions are reasonable or not. Taking time to analyze your decisions and
actions is one vital skill that will greatly help you as you encounter more challenges in life.
What are the practical uses of philosophy in our lives?

Philosophy has an important place in our daily lives. Engaging in philosophical reflection leads
to the development of beneficial skills that individuals can apply in everyday situations.

Philosophy enables a person to engage in critical analysis and interpretation of concepts,

definitions, arguments, and problems. It also trains us to be critical of our own ideas as well as of
others - meaning, we don't simply accept or reject whatever is presented to us. One can apply this
critical and analytical mindset in processing information gained from media and addressing certain
issues encountered in life. Critical thinking skills can help us avoid being tricked by false claims or
manipulative schemes.

Philosophy also improves problem-solving and decision making. The ability to analyze a
problem or dilemma, identify its significant aspects, and come up with alternative solutions is an
important skill learned through philosophy.

A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and adequately present his or her
ideas. Discussion and debate require skills in presenting and communicating ideas. Philosophy can
also help us be more open to new and different ideas. Communication skills are also enhanced by the
study of philosophy because it trains us to be very clear and precise about our thoughts and sentiments
in order to express exactly what we want to say.

Wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing, and this refers to a person's ability to apply
knowledge to daily life particularly in making sound choices and judgment.

Finally, knowledge of Philosophy can contribute to self-development. One can be a better

student, scientist, artist, professional, and citizen if he or she has the capacity for inquiry, critical
thinking, and reflection. In addition, philosophy encourages a person to know oneself, his or her
strengths and weaknesses, establish an identity, and determine his or her purpose in life. Self-
knowledge also grows along with one's understanding of the world and this is essential to the realization
of the self. These are tools to develop one's own ideas and views and engage fully in useful activities
in the community, nation, and the world at large.