INTRODUCTION TO THE

PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN

PERSON 121

Mandy D. David, LPT

Insight
1. What was the discussion all
about?
2. What have you learned from
the discussion?
3. How did the discussion
helped you to become a
Lesson 2:
Philosophy
Philosophy
Etymologically, the word
“philosophy” comes from two Greek
words, Philo, meaning “to love”,
and Sophia, meaning “wisdom.”
Philosophy originally meant, “Love
of Wisdom,” and in a broad sense,
wisdom is still the goal of
 Philosophy
Philosophy is also defined as the
science that by natural light of
reason studies the first causes or
highest principles of all things.
 1.
Science
The investigation here is systematic.
It follows certain steps or employs
procedures, it is an organize body of
knowledge.
 2. Natural Light
of Reason
Philosophy investigates things but not by
using laboratory instruments or undergo
laboratory experiments, neither on the
basis of supernatural revelation,
otherwise it becomes theology. Rather,
Philosophers uses his natural capacity to
think or simply. Human reason alone or
3. Study of All
things
All other sciences concern themselves with a
particular object of investigation. For
example, An Anthropologist study human
beings in relation with society; sociology
study society, its form, structures ad
functions; botanist focus attention to plants;
linguist with language; theologians- about
God; whereas, a philosophers studies human
3. Study of All
things
In short philosophers doesn’t limit
themselves to particular object of
inquiry. He questions almost most if not
everything. It is multidimensional or
holistic.
 4. First Cause or
Highest Principle
A principle is that from which something
proceeds in any matter, whatsoever.
 4. First Cause or
Highest Principle
Principle of Identity- Whatever is, is;
whatever is not, is not; everything is, what it
is. Everything is its own being, and not being
is not being.

Principle of Non-Contradiction- It is
impossible for a thing to be and not the same
time, and at the same respect.
c. Principle of Excluded Middle- A thing is
either is or not; everything must be or not be;
between being and not being, there is no
middle ground possible.

d. Principle of Sufficient Reason- Nothing

exists without a sufficient reason from its
being and existence.
Since its beginnings, however, the scope of
philosophy has changed. Early Greek
philosophers studied aspects of the natural
world that later became separate sciences-
astronomy, physics, psychology, and
sociology. On the other hand, basic problems-
nature of the universe, the standard of
justice, the validity of knowledge, the correct
application of reason, and the criteria of
In attaining wisdom, there should be
emptying. Emptying can be intellectual.
This means there should be simplicity
and humility. Emptying can be also
spiritual. For Christians, poverty in spirit
means compassion. Emptying can be
also be physical.
Questions to Answer:
1.Cite examples of how philosophy can be a
principle of sufficient reason or non-
contradiction.
2. Share your concepts about the importance of
Philosophy.
Give examples of these in politics, sports, law,
The Branches of Philosophy
Metaphysi Ethics Epistemol
cs ogy
Logic Aesthetics
The Branches of Philosophy
Metaphysi Ethics Epistemol
cs ogy
Logic Aesthetics
 Metaphysics
Metaphysics is really only an extension
of a fundamental and necessary drive in
every human being to know what is real. The
question is how to account for this unreal
thing in terms of what you can accept as real.
Thus, a very big part pf metaphysics task is
to explain the part of our experience, which
we call unreal in terms of what we call real.
The Branches of Philosophy
Metaphysi Ethics Epistemol
cs ogy
Logic Aesthetics
 Ethics
Ethics is generally a study of the nature of
moral judgements. Philosophical ethics attempts to
provide an account of our fundamental ethical ideas.
Whereas religion motivates individuals to follow and
obey the moral code of the society. Philosophy is not
content with traditional or habitual ethics but adopts a
critical perspective. It insists that obedience to moral
law be given a rational foundation. We see from the
thought of Socrates the transition from traditional-
The Branches of Philosophy
Metaphysi Ethics Epistemol
cs ogy
Logic Aesthetics
 Epistemolog
y
Epistemology deals with
nature, sources, limitations and
validity of knowledge (Soccio
2007). Epistemology questions
are basic to all philosophical
inquiries.
 Epistemolog
y
Epistemology explains:
1. How we know what we claim to
know;
2. How we can find out what we
wish to know; and
3. How we can differentiate truth
from falsehood?
The Branches of Philosophy
Metaphysi Ethics Epistemol
cs ogy
Logic Aesthetics
 Logic
Reasoning is the concern of the
logicians. This could be reasoning in
science and medicine, in ethics and
law, in politics and commerce, in
sports and games, and in the
mundane affairs of everyday living.
Varied kinds of reasoning may be used
The Branches of Philosophy
Metaphysi Ethics Epistemol
cs ogy
Logic Aesthetics
 Aesthetics
When humanity has learned to make something
that is useful to them they begin to plan or dream how to
make things beautiful. What therefore is beauty? The
establishment of criteria of beauty is the function of
aesthetics.
Aesthetics is the science of the beautiful in its
various manifestations- including the sublime. Comic,
tragic, pathetic, ugly. To experience aesthetics, therefore,
means whatever experience has relevance to art, whether
the experience be that of the creative artist or of
 Aesthetics
As a branch of philosophy everyone should
consider the importance of aesthetics,
because of the following:

a. It vitalizes our knowledge

b. It helps to live more deeply and richly
c. It brings us in touch with our culture