CUETO, JESSICA Z.

MAY 01, 2020

BS ARCHITECTURE PHP (MWF 11-12NN)

REFLECTION ABOUT THE PHILOSOPHY OF SOCRATES, PLATO AND ARISTOTLE

As what have Socrates quoted that, “Unexamined life is not worth living”, I have come to realize
that I wasn’t able to clearly define it the last time I wrote the reflection paper. I only stated there what I
thought the simplest meaning of the phrase and I did not look to its deeper message. As I have now read
the reference and clearly understood the real meaning and definition of his quote, I am now amazed how
his philosophies are timeless. Indeed, he’s the wisest sophist among all.

It is stated that, “evaluation opens for possibility to correct wrong things,”. In my own opinion, I
agree to what he have said but I was just wondering when a person should evaluate things by their selves?
Is it when a person have done something wrong first? Is it when they already have their regrets? Or they
should evaluate first before doing something they are at risk? Personally speaking, I always evaluate first
the things I know I’m not sure of, like doing pros and cons, consulting others on what I should do, but I
know that in reality not all people can apply it their selves because we do not have the same fate, we are
not on exactly on the same shoes, so I understand that each person do not have the same process of self-
learning and evaluating their selves.

Socrates pointed out that one should not boast about their learning or achievement because for
him, humility is a real sign of wisdom, and the more one knows and achieve the humble a person should
be. I think, this saying of him is very timely right now because of what a regular student is experiencing
from the kind of learning set-up a school wants in this time of crisis. This may not be literally about “learning
& achievement” but it is about how privileged a person is. Some say that because a person could afford to
study in a prestigious school then how come they do not afford to have an internet access? And I was like
Wow? How come he or she could point this out not knowing that not all students are not privileged as she
or he is. I think it is being self-centered. He or she should be humble and thankful that they could afford
those kind of things because for others, they would rather save the money they’re going to spend for an
internet connection to save up for food and other essentials since there is no concrete date when this crisis
will end. In addition to that, aside from not all students have a conducive learning space at home, their
mental health is actually at risk especially those who are really affected by the crisis. As what from the
mass promotion is, #NoStudentShouldLeftBehind. This opens the idea of Aristotle that in respecting
CUETO, JESSICA Z. MAY 01, 2020
BS ARCHITECTURE PHP (MWF 11-12NN)
someone, we should not only respect his human status but also his potentials. We may never know that
someday in our lifetime, those who are on top will experience how to be at the bottom.

In this kind of situation, it also applies the idea of Plato and Aristotle about the capacity of man to
think and reason out to attain perfection. If the government will wholeheartedly hear out and think
thoroughly about the real demands that needs to address, they could have a concrete and long-term plan
on how will resolve the issues in this pandemic.
CUETO, JESSICA Z. MAY 01, 2020
BS ARCHITECTURE PHP (MWF 11-12NN)
REFLECTION ABOUT MODERN PHILOSOPHY: Man and Reason

The era of modern philosophy I think makes a big difference and impact to the society because it gives
emphasis on self-discovery and self-rule of a person. Rene Descartes, father of Modern Philosophy, stated
that Knowledge in ancient and medieval is pathetic and dogmatic being dictated by notable Philosophers,
and for me his philosophy sent a message of empowerment and became an eye-opener to the society.
With that, I would like to point out some remarks from this chapter.

First is the idea of “Cogito ergo sum”, which basically means if a modern man is a thinking being. I
commend the phrase given by the book which is “Dreaming is a sign of existence”. For me, dreaming gives
a person motivation to do better every single day he or she lives, it becomes a reason to keep moving
forward whatever circumstances may come, therefore dreaming is indeed a sign of existence of a person.