The Nature of Philosophy

Human beings are natural-born

question askers, they are
constantly
asking questions
 A question is Research Questions Scientific Questions
Manifest the objective or line Questions already known with
an information- of scientific inquiry designed some degree of certainty to be
seeking act to address a specific gap in capable of being answered in a
precise and definite way
knowledge.
to elicit Research questions are
(Mabaquiao, 2017).
information. expressed in a language
appropriate for the greatest
interest of the academic
community to address the said
gap.
 Philosophical
Empirical Investigations
Questions • Studying the nature or the ancient manuscripts.
• Conducting experiments or surveys.
Answers are in • Building a piece of apparatus or a model or by
stimulating using a computer.
principle open to
inform rational and
honest disagreement
which require
Empirical investigations will often
intellectual resources. be relevant to philosophy but
cannot provide the answers to
philosophical questions.
 Origin of Philosophy
The Greek Thinkers
Anaximande Empedocles
Thales (600 B.C.)
r regarded the Heraclitus (450 B.C.) thought
looked upon
infinite conceived of of earth, water
water as the
atmosphere as fire as the fire, and air as
primary stuff
fundamental only reality the permanent
of the world
reality substances
 The Vedic Thinkers

Rene Descartes
Wondered at the grand Father of modern
and sublime aspects of western philosophy
nature and conceived sprang from doubt.

Present Age
of the sun, the moon, Experience, reason, The present age
the sky, the wind or and authority or is also one of
storm, the rain, and traditions are doubt and
the like as animated doubtful. But- the perplexity.
by spirits. fact of doubting is
undoubted. Tradition and
They thought of a To doubt is to think. authority have
large number of To think is to exist. lost their hold
Nature-Gods, who ‘I think; therefore, I on the human
gave men rich crops, exist.’ Cogito ergo
cattle, health, wealth, mind.
sum.
and victory in battles.
 ‘love of
wisdom’ or
pursuit of
knowledge

highest
logic and
branch of
reason
knowledge
PHILOSOPHY
Greek word
philo = love
sophia = wisdom
criticism of
critical
life and
thinking
experience

logical
analysis
Definitions of philosophy coming from different perspectives:
 “Philosophy is the science and criticism of cognition” (Kant)

 “Philosophy is the science of knowledge” (Fichte)

 “Philosophy aims at the knowledge of the eternal, of the essential nature of things” (Plato)

 “Philosophy is the science which investigates the nature of Being as it is in itself, and the attributes
which belong to it in virtue of its own nature” (Aristotle)

 “Philosophy is the science of sciences” (Comte)

 “Philosophy is the sum total of all scientific knowledge” (Paulsen)

 “Philosophy is the unification of all knowledge obtained by the special sciences in a consistent whole”
(Wundt)

 “Philosophy is completely unified knowledge—the generalizations of philosophy comprehending and

consolidating the widest generalizations of science” (Herbert Spencer)
 The word Philosopher was first used by Pythagoras (Fremantle, 1954, 13),
the Ancient Greek thinker known for his Pythagorean Theorem mathematical formula.
Pythagoras preferred to be called a “philosopher” which means “one who knows” or a “wise
person.”

Philosopher Pilosopo
One who is aware of (or who knows) what he/she
knows and what he/she does not know - aware of
One who is covering up an
his/her own ignorance. obvious truth
Holds a belief that is not only true but which he/she
can also justify. He/she must have strong reasons to A person annoying someone
have these beliefs.
Knows a lot about things that are valuable in life.
 Someone engaging in an
Each thing corresponds to value or use in the unwelcome situation
practical affairs of life.
Knows how to apply his/her knowledge to practical
matters.
Knows which actions are good, and he/she
performs them
 Nature of Philosophy
It has been called the mother of all disciplines
because it gave birth to the different sciences.
Philosophy attempts to arrive at a rational conception of reality as a whole.
Philosophy persistently attempts to seek clear notions. Philosophy arrives at a
rational conception of the reality which clarifies concepts as its task. (Plato).
Philosophy inquiries into the nature of matter, time, space, causality, evolution,
life, and mind, and their relation to one another.
Philosophy systematizes our scientific knowledge and moral, aesthetic, and
religious experiences.
Philosophy is an inquiry into its source and destiny. It investigates the nature of
the supreme norms, ideals, or values of life. It investigates the relation of values to
reality. In this sense, philosophy is the interpretation of life.
Philosophy seeks to give a rational conception of the reality as a whole, which
satisfies man’s deepest intellectual, moral, aesthetic, and religious aspirations.
 Major Branches of Philosophy
Moral & Political
Epistemology
Metaphysics deals Philosophy pertains
concerns whether/
with the ultimate to how we conduct
how knowledge of
nature of reality ourselves within
reality is possible
the world
Aesthetics or
Value Theory Logic pertains to
refers to the doing do the relations of
of beauty, balance, things
and harmony
 Minor Branches of Philosophy

Philosophy of Philosophy of Philosophy of Philosophy of

Education History Language Law

Philosophy of Philosophy of Philosophy of Philosophy of

Mathematics Mind Politics Religion

Philosophy of
Science