LESSON 1.3 Why Become a Philosopher in Attaining a Comprehensive Outlook in Life?

Diversity, what is diversity? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it is defined as

the state of having many different forms, types or ideas. It is the difference that makes a
person unique. This is one of the key elements in many educational reforms that establish
separate curricular routes for different groups or individuals, because sometimes we have this
difficulty in accepting others because they are different. Thus, this makes us limit our own
perception to them – we make them feel rejected or resentful.

Therefore, the education in the 21st century entails the appropriate acceptance of
cultural and racial multiplicity. So this lesson will introduce the various viewpoints of
philosophy: the western and non-western, with the emphasis on our very own Filipino
indigenous beliefs.

A. Western and Non-Western Traditions

According to many philosophers there are three great original centres of philosophy in
the world: Greek (Western), Indian and Chinese. All of these arose from their own cultural
traditions. These Asian classics predate the oldest of Western classics. Indian and Chinese
philosophers lived earlier than their Greek counterparts. There are already philosophical
activities in the East, and the West hardly had. Greeks before Thales, did not have
philosophy.
Philo12A DedosinMJ June 16/17, 2017 Page 1 of 5
 Soon after the height of the Eastern philosophy, a reversal took part giving the Greek
philosophy the life and subdued the east. There are three famous Greek philosophers, they
are called as the Greek triumvirate, and they are people who share the same level of
power – Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. This led to the diminishing of the eastern
philosophy. Up to now, almost all of the philosophical ideas emanate from the Greek
Philosophy.

So the dilemma now is that, one size does not fit all. The culture of the east is very
different from the west, but it does not mean that we are incapable of understanding other
culture. This means that the world now is getting “smaller,” that we should understand that
cultures around the globe is different from us. Each society have their own definition of
what life is, the picture or the perspective of what the world is, thus each culture or society
has its own, “philosophy.”

In order to appreciate the Oriental/Eastern mindset vis-à-vis with the

Occidental/Western thoughts, we need to consider some of these perspectives:

EASTERN PERSPECTIVE
1. The eastern thought runs in a circular manner, wherein the end conjoins
the beginning, while the westerners envision the beginning and ending of
life in a straight line.

Philo12A DedosinMJ June 16/17, 2017 Page 2 of 5

 2. The East does not make a rigorous distinction between philosophy and
religion. Life for the oriental thinkers is a translation of though. It is
philosophy in action.

3. Lastly, the acceptance of the validity of intuition and mysticism. The

readiness to revert to extra logical, if not unscientific mores of thinking.
Intuition is your 6th sense, feeling or suspicion and mysticism is your
religion.

B. FILIPINO THINKING: FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL

It may sound conceited to speak of the “Filipino Thought,” since Filipinos could
not really speak well of a tradition such as of the China or Greco-Roman. Yet, there
has to be one. There had been a lot of attempts but, lacked tools and predecessors.
Nevertheless, Filipinos do have their own philosophies. The three dimensions of
Filipino thought are: Loob, The Filipino Philosophy of Time and Bahala Na.

1. Loob: Holistic and Interior Dimensions

Kagandahang-loob, kabutihang loob and kalooban are the terms that show
sharing of one’s self to others. Great Philippine values, in fact are essentially,
interpersonal. The use of the mediators, the values of loyalty, hospitality,
Philo12A DedosinMJ June 16/17, 2017 Page 3 of 5
 pakikisama and respect to authority are the values we have. Generally, Filipinos
believe in the innate goodness of the human being.

2. Filipino Philosophy of Time

Filipinos, whether Ilonggo, or Cebuano, believes that a man is like a bird that
flies high, but certainly goes down – proves that he believes in gulong ng palad
(wheel of fortune) and hence, looks at life as a series of ups and downs. Life may
be sorrowful, but precisely because suffering is ultimately salutary, there is hope
beyond suffering. This philosophy of life makes the Filipinos unmitigated
optimists.

3. Bahala Na
The pre-Spanish Filipinos believe in the Supreme Being, or Bathala. The
Filipinos seem to signify that ultimately in life, we have to reckon not only with
nature and human nature, but also with cosmic presences or spirits, seen to be
the ultimate origin to the problem of evil. The Filipinos subconsciously accepts
the bahala na (come what may) attitude as a part of life. Bahala na literally
means to leave everything to God who is Bathala in vernacular.

Philo12A DedosinMJ June 16/17, 2017 Page 4 of 5

 4. Filipino Thought and Values: Positive and Negative Aspects
What are the Positive and Negative aspects of the Filipino thoughts and
values?
C. PHILOSOPHY: TRANSCENDING AND AIMING FOR A LIFE OF ABUNDANCE
Abundance is from the Latin word, “abundare” meaning, “to overflow
nonstop.” Abundance is out flowing not incoming. It is not about amassing
material things or people but, our relationship with others, ourselves and with the
nature.
1. Abundance is not what we gather but what we scatter.
2. Abundance is not what we keep but what we give.
3. Abundance is not what we hold but what we share.
4. Abundance is a choice.
5. Abundance is to evolve into a higher being.

Philo12A DedosinMJ June 16/17, 2017 Page 5 of 5