LESSON 1

PURSUING WISDOM AND FACING CHALLENGES IN THE 21 ST CENTURY

 The meaning of Philosophy
◦ Etymologically, the word “philosophy” comes from the two Greek words,
---- philo means “to love” and Sophia means wisdom
◦ Philosophy originally meant, “love of wisdom”, and a broad sense, wisdom is still the
goal of philosophy.
◦ Philosophy is also defined as the attitude of the mind that by natural light of reason
studies the first causes or the highest principles of all things.
1. Scientific Approach – It uses scientific approach because
the investigation is systematic.
 It follows a steps or it employs certain procedures. In
other words, it is an organized body of know ledged just
like any other sciences.

2. Natural Light of Reason – Philosophy investigates

things, neither by using any laboratory instruments or
investigative tools, nor on the basis of supernatural
revelation; otherwise it becomes theology.
 Instead, the philosophers uses his natural capacity to
think or observe the world and people.
3. Study of all things – This sets the distinction between philosophy
and other sciences. All other sciences concern themselves with a
particular object of investigation.
 For example, anthropologist study society, its form structures and
functions. Whereas, a philosopher studies human beings, society,
religion, language, God and plants, among other concerns.
 The reason is the philosophy is not one-dimensional or partial.
Rather, philosophy is multidimensional or holistic. In short, a
philosopher does not limit himself to a particular object of inquiry.
He questions almost anything, if not, everything.
4. First cause or the Highest Principle – An idea which means something is the
main and first cause why an event or situation look place. It is a principle
because everything in the world and every situation has a starting point or a
beginning.
 The first principles are:
a) Principle of Identity – it means a thing, idea, or person always has a name,
a concept, and a characteristic for that thing to exist.
b) Principle of Non Contradiction – it is impossible for a thing to be and not
to be at the same time, and at the same respect.
c) Principle of Excluded Middle – a thing is either is or is not; everything
must be either 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
for its being and existence.
Branches of Philosophy
A. Metaphysics

 Is only an extensions of the fundamental and necessary drive

in every human being to know what is real.
 What is reality, why does reality exist, and how does it exist
are just some of the questions pursued by metaphysics.
B. Ethics

 Is the branch of philosophy that explores the

nature of moral virtue and evaluates the morality
and virtue of human actions.
 Ethicists who study morality from the
perspective of philosophy appeal to logical
arguments to justify claims and positions
involving morality.
Ethics has five main frameworks:

1. Divine command – What does God ordain us to do? In this framework, a strong
sense of individualism does not exist, but rather, the collective is emphasized. The
actions and moral reasoning of St. Teresa of Calcutta and St. Lorenzo Ruiz are
exemplars of this theory.
2. Consequentialism or Utilitarianism –
What has the most desirable consequences?
In other, what is good for the greatest
number of people is the best choice and the
moral choice.
- For example, if killing a cow is the only
way to save seven children from starvation,
then killing the cow is moral.
- Jeremy Bentham is the author of this
ethical theory.
3. Deontological ethics – Whatever is my moral duty to do. This
means that a person has a moral duty to do what is right
regardless of what the person thinks or feels about the situation.
- For example, when a person sees Hitler drowning, he must
save him because letting a person die without helping is wrong.
The act of saving Hitler is a moral duty and is not dependent on
a person’s opinions of Hitler’s past criminal and atrocious acts.
- This does not mean Hitler is innocent. It only means he must be
helped despite his evilness because saving is a moral duty every
human being has an obligation to do.
- Immanuel Kant is the author of this ethical theory also known
as Kantianism.
4. Virtue ethics – What kind of person I ought to be. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle are
some examples.
- This ethical theory ignores the consequences, duties, and social contracts. Instead, it
focuses on character development of individuals and their acquisition of good virtue
ethics.
5. Relativism – What does my society think I ought to do? The divine command
discusses how personal religious beliefs and spiritual attitudes are specially important
personal commitments that are relevant to personal and professional lives.
C. Epistemology
 Specifically, epistemology deals with the
nature, sources, limitations, and validity of
knowledge.
 Epistemology explains:
1) How we know what we claim to know
2) How we can find out what we wish to know
3) How we can differentiate truth from
falsehood
 Induction – General to Specific
 Empiricism – is the view that
knowledge can be attained only
through sense experience. Knowledge
for Empiricist are based on facts and
evidence that we can see and perceive
in the world.
 Deduction – Specific to General
D. Logic

 The term “logic” comes from the Greek word “logike”

and was coined by Zeno the Stoic.
 Etymologically, it means a treatise on matters
pertaining to the human thought.
 It is important to underpin that logic does not provide
us knowledge of the world directly, for logic is
considered as a tool, and therefore, does not contribute
directly to the content of thoughts.
 Logic is not interested in what we know regarding
certain subjects. It’s concern, rather, is the truth or the
validity of our arguments regarding such subjects.
E. Aesthetics

 Is the science of beautiful in its various manifestations – including sublime, comic,

tragic, pathetic, and ugly.

◦ As a branch of philosophy, students

should consider the importance of
aesthetics because of the following:
1. It vitalizes our knowledge
2. It helps us live more deeply and richly
3. It brings us in touch with our culture.
◦ In this vein, Filipino art was influenced by Negrito,
Indonesian, Malay, Hindu and Mohammedan.
◦ The Sarimanok for instance, is a Lanao influence that
symbolizes good fortune, while Spanish influences include
churches, monasteries, crosses, candlesticks, chalices, and
painting in churches.
◦ Hans-Georg Gadamer, a German philosopher, argued that
our tastes and judgement regarding beauty work in
connection with one’s own personal experience and culture.
- Gadamer believed that our culture consists of the values and
beliefs of our time and our society.
 That is why a “dialogue” or conversation is important in
interpreting works of art.
Attaining a Comprehensive Outlook in Life

A. Expanding our Philosophical Frames: Western and Non-Western

Traditions
B. Filipino thinking: From Local to Global
C. Filipino thought and values: Positive and Negative Aspects
D. Philosophy: Transcending and aiming for a life abundance
 A. Expanding our Philosophical Frames: Western and
Non-Western Traditions
 Many philosophers hold that there are three great original centers of philosophy in the
world – Greek (or Western), Indian and Chinese.
 All three arose as critical reflections on their own cultural traditions. Historically speaking,
Asian classics of the Indian and the Chinese predate the oldest of Western classics. Indian
and Chinese philosophers of note also lived earlier than their Greek counterparts.
 As the world becomes “smaller”, it is increasingly important to develop an understanding
of cultural centers around the globe that are very different from our own. Each society or
culture has its own ideas of itself, a definition of what is important in life, and its own
notions of what the world is like in general terms; thus, each society or culture can be said
to have its own “philosophy”
◦ For Quito, there are three attitudinal imperatives that we must bear in mind if we are
to appreciate either the Oriental or Eastern thought vis-à-vis the Occidental or Western
mindset and to situate them in their proper perspective.
1. First, in contrast to the propensity of the West to think in a linear manner , that is, in
terms of beginning and ending in a straight line, Oriental though runs in a circular
manner in which the end conjoins the beginning in a cyclic style.

 Samsara or Rebirth
 Religion or Mythology
2. Second, life for Oriental thinkers is translation of thought; it is philosophy in
action.
- Orientals believe that life must be the extension of thought, its fruit, and its
application. It is not accurate to judge that Asia is poor because of religion.
- Rather, it is poor because it cannot accept the polarization or division of theory
and practice, of philosophy and religion, of its way of thinking and its way of
living.

3. Third, is the acceptance of the validity of intuition and mysticism, the

readiness to revert to extra logical, if not, illogical modes of thinking.
 B. Filipino Thinking from Local to Global
◦ It may sound presumptuous to speak of “Filipino thought” for the reason that the
Philippines could not very well speak of a tradition such as that of China, India or
Greco-Roman. Yet, for the Filipino, there has to be “Filipino thought” or none at all.

- There are three dimensions of a Filipino thought namely: loob, Filipino concept of
time, and bahala na. These attitudes and values constitute the hidden springs of the
Filipino mind.
1. Loob: Holistic and Interior Dimensions

- Kagandahang-loob, kabutihang-loob, and kalooban are terms

that show sharing of one’s self to others. For Mercado (1994),
interiority manifests itself freedom.
- Loob puts one in touch with his fellow beings. Great
Philippines values, in fact are essentially interpersonal.
- The use of intermediaries or go-betweens, the values of
loyalty, hospitality, pakikisama (camaraderie, conformism),
and respect to authority are such values that relate to persons.
- In short, the Filipino generally believes in the innate
goodness of the human being.
2. Filipino concept of Time

- Moreover, the Filipino – whether Ilokano

(Ti tao kasla kulintaba, no agtayab, ngumato, bumaba)
--- (Life is like a wheel, sometimes you are up, and while
sometimes you are down.)
Or Kapampangan (Bie keti and yatu, mengari yang ruweda, mibabo,
milalim, ing Dios nung buri na)
--- (A human being is like a bird who flies up and goes down)
proves that he believes in gulong ng palad (literally, “wheel of
fortune”) and hence, looks at life as a series of ups and downs.
3. Bahala na

- The pre-Spanish Filipino people believed in a Supreme Being, Batula or Bathala.

However, in this regard, the originality of Filipino thought will probably be precisely
in his personalistic view of the universe.
- Bathala is not an impersonal entity but rather a personal being that keeps the balance
in the universe. The Filipino puts his entire trust in this Bathala who has evolved into
the Christian God.
- The Filipino subconsciously accepts the bahala na attitude as a part of life. Bahala na
literally means to leave everything to God who in Bathala in the vernacular.
C. Filipino thought and values: Positive and
Negative Aspects
◦ It is believed, however, that the Philippine values and system, in
line with Filipino philosophy, are in dire need to be used as
positive motivation.
◦ However, as we consider our duty, it should not be bounded by
utang na loob (indebtedness to patrons) but to help uplift the life
not only of one’s own family (micro perspective) but of others as
well (macro perspective).
◦ Other Filipino positive values such as Bayanihan or helping in
others in times of need.
 D. Philosophy: Transcending and Aiming for a Life of
Abundance
◦ Abundance comes from the Latin term, “abundare” meaning to
overflow nonstop.
◦ Abundance is outflowing rather than incoming. It is not about
amassing material things or people but our relationship with others,
ourselves, and with the nature.
◦ Abundance is not what we gather but what we scatter. Often,
abundance is equated to materialism, but is when we raise our empty
hands and surrender, when we do not grab, when we are unattached
to anything or anyone, when we offer oneself – all these are
abundance. Only if we have empty hands can we receive full
blessings.
◦ Abundance is not what we keep but what we give away. To live
an abundant life, one must pursue one’s desires and inner self. One
must go after what fulfills, before making more money. It is truly
paradoxical because to be able to have, we must first let go. To be
able to acquire, we must first control ourselves.
◦ Abundance is not what we hold but what we share.
Undoubtedly, money counts in our globalization society. However,
money should not matter, much, for every moment is a blessing,
even if one does not have money. Abundance comes to the one who
has money and heart, money and values, money and relationships,
money and deeper happiness.
◦ Abundance is a choice. In pursuing one’s dreams, there are people
who can be negative regarding your efforts and successes.
Abundance is more of an effort of the heart than mind alone.
 The Secret by Rhonda Byrne offers a similar idea, which claims that we have our dreams, and
regardless of who we are, the universe will answer our wishes. According to The Secret, our
dreams come true because we attract them. We achieve our dreams if we cooperate with the
Power of Dreams of God Himself. God will grant our wishes in His due time.
o Abundance is to evolve into a higher being. It becomes clear that the concept of abundance
covers both external and internal life. We cannot truly live without material considerations, but
externals are not all there are; values for instance, matter.
- Thus, to live in abundance means evolving to a higher being in following one’s mission; a
deliberate or conscious desire to act upon what we can us and others happy.