REVIEWER IN PHILOSOPHY OF MAN 4.

Politics - refers to the branch of

philosophy that is broadly defined as the
CHAPTER I: Intro to Philosophy
study of force.
What is Philosophy? 5. Aesthetics - refers to the branch of
philosophy that is broadly defined as the
➢ Refers to a field of study of the process study of art.
which includes standards and guidelines 6. Logic - refers to the branch of philosophy
for thought and for logic by which that is broadly defined as the study of
people develop concepts and principles reason.
which describe people, things and
events, and techniques for using the Brief History of Philosophy
concepts and principles for the purpose
➢ Pre-Socratic Philosophy - is
of observing, analyzing, understanding,
characterized by the rejection of the
evaluating, organizing, and dealing with
mythological explanation on the
themselves and other people, things,
nature and phenomena in the
and events who/which comprise reality
universe.
(Kroepel, 2011).
o Thales (c. 624 - 546 B.C.) - was
➢ Refers to a human drive in the search of
a Greek philosopher who was
knowledge and wisdom to facilitate the
regarded as the first
evolution of man.
philosopher in western
➢ Philosophy studies the fundamental
tradition.
nature of existence, of man, and of
o Anaximander (c. 610 - 546
man’s relationship to existence.
B.C.) - was a student of Thales
Philosophy is difficult to define because of who postulated that air is the
the following factors: source of all things in the
universe.
➢ It has no specific subject matter and ➢ Classical Philosophy - was primarily
thus cannot be defined based on characterized by the rise of the
any particular area of investigation. “Great Greek Triumvirate” - Socrates,
➢ Philosophy pursues questions rather Plato and Aristotle.
than answers. The responsibility of o Socrates (c. 469 - 399 B.C.) -
philosophy is not so much to answer was the Greek philosopher
our questions as to question given who became known as one of
answers. the most prominent
➢ Philosophy changes historically both philosopher in Ethics.
in respect to its content and its o Plato (c. 428 - 348 B.C.) - was
character. the student of Socrates who
Branches of Philosophy become known through his
dialogues which contained
1. Metaphysics - literally means beyond the presentation of his
physics, this refers to the branch of ideologies and theories in a
philosophy that is broadly defined as the conversational form.
study of existence. o Aristotle (384 - 322 B.C.) - was
2. Epistemology - refers to the branch of the student of Plato and
philosophy that is broadly defined as the became known as the first
study of knowledge. thinker to create a
3. Ethics - refers to the branch of philosophy comprehensive system of
that is broadly defined as the study of philosophy, encompassing
action. Ethics, Aesthetics, Politics,
 Metaphysics, Logic and
Science.
➢ Medieval Philosophy - this period was
predominantly composed of
philosophers who were concerned with
proving the existence of God and with
reconciling Christianity/Islam with the
classical philosophy of Greece
particularly that of Aristotle.
➢ Early Modern Philosophy - the rise of
Modern Philosophy can be attributed to
certain historical and cultural changes
that happened between the Age of
Reason during the 17th century and the
Age of Enlightenment during the 18th
century.
o René Descartes (1596 - 1650) - was
a French philosopher,
mathematician, scientist and
writer of the Age of Reason. He
has been called the "Father of
Modern Philosophy", and much of
subsequent Western philosophy
can be seen as a response to his
writings. He is responsible for one
of the best-known quotations in
philosophy: "Cogito, ergo sum"
which means "I think, therefore I
am" (Mastin 2008).
➢ Modern Philosophy - the modern period
of philosophy generally refers to the 19th
and 20th century.
Eastern and Western Philosophy: An
Overview
➢ Western Philosophy - refers to the
philosophical thinking in the Western or
Occidental world, particularly in Europe.
Historically, it refers to the philosophical
thinking of Western civilization, beginning
in ancient Greece. Western thought puts
more emphasis on individualism,
science, math, and politics - hence,
rational and materialistic. It can be seen
as the triumph of reason and empiricism
over faith/religion - a search involving
many questions.
➢ Eastern Philosophy - refers broadly to the
various philosophies in the Eastern or
Oriental world, particularly Asia and
some Arab countries. Historically, it is
heavily influenced by Hinduism - the
world’s oldest religion, beginning in India.
Eastern thought puts more emphasis on
interdependence (of human beings and
nature), harmony, unity, and faith -
hence, meditative and spiritual. It can be
seen as the triumph of faith/religion over
science and reason - an answer
following realization.
CHAPTER II: Man and the Meaning of Life
Theories of Knowledge
➢ Empiricism - claims that the starting point
of man’s knowledge is the sense
experience.
o John Locke (1632 –1704) an
English Philosopher who
developed his own theory on
empiricism. According to Locke,
all man once born is considered
as “tabula rasa,” or a clean or
blank slate.
➢ Rationalism - argues that the starting
point of all knowledge is reason.
o Rene Descartes (1596-1650).
According to him, because of
their rational nature, man knows
certain truths innately.
➢ The Philosophical Method of Inquiry -
refers to the usage of reasoning and
contemplation (rationalism) combined
with and confirmed by experience,
observation, reflection and tradition
(empiricism) in solving problems.
The Three Oriental Sages on the Meaning of Life
Gautama Buddha: The Metaphysical Basis of
Human Life
➢ Gautama Buddha - the “Enlightened
One”, was the sage whose teachings
provided the foundation of Buddhism.
➢ Brahma - this refers to the only absolute,
universal and all-pervading reality in
which all things are one.
 ➢ Brahman - the “Enlightened One”, man that should be inculcated in a
was united originally with Brahma. person.
➢ Reincarnation - according to Buddha, o Hsiao - refers to the love for the
despite the corruption and immediate family and then
decomposition of man’s bodily society.
components, it is still capable of rebirth o Yi - refers to the principle of
and subsequent regeneration. righteousness.
➢ Nirvana - the sinless calm state of mind, o Xin - refers to the principle of
the destruction of earthly yearnings, the honesty in life.
absence of lust, the cessation of sorrow. o Jen - refers to the most important
of all principles.
Lao Tzu and Taoism
o Chung - refers to the last but not
➢ Lao Tzu (6th Century BC) was the Chinese the least important principle.
philosopher who advocated the
CHAPTER III: Greek Wisdom of Man
concept of the “The Way”.
➢ Fundamental Principles of Taoism - the The Teachings of Socrates
following are the essential principles in
➢ Socrates - was born in Athens circa 469
living life by following “the way”.
B.C. and died in 399 B.C, he is known as
o Tao - means road, pathway,
one of mankind’s greatest teachers.
channel or doctrine.
During his times, the task of inculcating
o De (Te) - refers to an active
critical thinking in the society was way
expression of Tao.
more difficult compared today. The
o Wu Wei - literally means action
people who occupied the high positions
without action.
in society were least impressed by
o Pu - relates to simplicity and is
Socrates' efforts, as his philosophy
symbolic of the state of Wu Wei.
questioned the very attributes on which
➢ Taoist Teachings on Existence -
the society was standing tall. Eventually,
according to Taoism, man should avoid
Athenians charged Socrates with
display and self-assertion; he should be
impiousness (the lack of respect for God)
humble, calm, modest, ready to meet
and corrupting the minds of youth, which
misfortunes in life and fearless even in
were back then considered to be very
death.
serious offenses, and sentenced him to
Confucius and Confucianism death. That, however, was too late, as
Socrates' philosophy had already been
➢ Confucius (551-479 BC) - was the Chinese
rooted in people's minds. In course of
teacher and philosopher who
time, Socrates' students ensured that his
emphasized on personal and
preaching reached everybody through
government morality, sound social
their writings (Naik, 2010).
relationship, justice and equality.
➢ The Analects of Confucius - refers to the Two Processes in Socratic Method
compilation of Confucius’ teachings.
➢ Ironic process - this process serves to
➢ Fundamental Principles of Confucianism
make the seeker of knowledge clear his
- according to Confucius, these are the
mental decks for action. It rids the mind
principles that a person should live by in
of prejudices and leads to a humble and
order to become a ‘superior man’ or the
sincere confession of ignorance.
ideal man.
➢ Maieutic process - after clearing one’s
o Li - refers to the principle of self-
mind through the ironic process, Socrates
restraint and sense of propriety
uses the maieutic method to draw out
 the truth from his students. This is usually
done through a dialogue or a
conversation.
The Teachings of Plato
➢ Plato - was born around 424 B.C. in
Athens, Greece. He was a great man
who studied mathematics, and founded
the Academy of Athens, which became
the first institution for higher learning.
However, Plato is best known for a series
of ‘dialogues’ which contained his
teachings and philosophical point of
views; the main character of most of the
dialogues was his former teacher, hence
the name, Socratic Dialogues.
Plato on Man and Soul
➢ Platonic soul - according to Plato, the
soul is the spirit that uses the body. It is in
a non-natural state of union, and longs to
be freed from its bodily prison. The
Platonic Soul is composed of three parts.
These parts must work together in
harmony in order to attain a peaceful
soul:
o Logos - which is translated as
mind/reason.
o Thymon - which means emotion or
ego.
o Pathos - which is synonymous to
appetite.
became prominent and was dubbed as
“Alexander the Great.”
➢ On the latter part of his teaching career,
Aristotle established his own school, the
Lyceum.
➢ Aristotle went out to Athens after
Alexander the Great died. He transferred
to Chalcis in Euboea, where the land of
his dead mother was situated. He died of
an illness in 322/1 B.C.
➢ Theory of Contemplation - Aristotle
believed that the happiest place on
earth is the one dedicated to
contemplation, specifically on the
‘divine truth’.
➢ Theory of the Golden Mean - According
to this theory, truth and virtue are found
midway between two false and vicious
extremes. Therefore, Aristotle advocates
man to avoid extremes and practice
moderation.
GOOD LUCK! 😊

CHAPTER IV: Aristotle’s Philosophy of Man

Aristotle’s Life

➢ He was born at Stageira in Thrace in

384/3 B.C. His father’s name is
Nicomachus, a doctor of the
Macedonian King, Amyntas II.
➢ He was 17 years old when he pursued his
studies at the Academy (which was
established by Plato). He had academic
intercourse with Plato which made him a
critic of the latter.
➢ Because of Aristotle’s growing popularity
in Philosophy, he was invited to Pella by
Philip of Macedon in order to educate
the latter’s son, Alexander. This boy