CHAPTER II

PHILOSOPHY OF MAN

INTRODUCTION

1.

2.

3.

4.

Philosophy is very essential to everyday

living.
One can make good decision and act on
such decision.
Widens mans awareness of himself, e.g.
we are capable of making a reflection of
what we could have done since we are
humans.
Helps man solve certain problems, but
not all, logically and quickly.
Affords man correct thinking and

Why Study Philosophy of Man?

Perhaps, a very logical of answering the

above question is to answer first a more
fundamental question Who is man? and
What is man?
We then study man in order to uncover
the secret of his nature since mans
nature is a problem to himself.
Philosophy of Man is a great help in
solving mans problem of understanding
his own nature- that includes his essence
and his personality.

PHILOSOPHY OF MAN IN
HISTORY

At the time of Aristotle, the philosophical

study of man was known as De Anima
or De Homine. In the 18th century,
psychology was used by a philosopher
named Christian Wolf as a substitute for
anima or homine.
In the 19th century, Kant introduced
anthropology as the study of man in
philosophy.

The three (3) phases of Philosophy of Man in

the history of Philosophy:
1. The first phase-Cosmocentric or cosmoscentered. This is basically the Greek
approach towards the study of man. For
Aristotle, the study of man is always
linked to the study of the Cosmos. Hence,
man finds happiness in the fulfillment of
the physical laws of nature. However, it is
here that Plato and Aristotle both
affirmed the existence of both body and
soul, although they differ in their views of
their relationship to each other as
principles.

2.

3.

The second phase-Anthropocentric or mancentered. Here, man is considered the measure

of all things. Rene Descartes expressed such
reality in his dictum Cogito ergo sum or I
think, therefore I am. Descartes asserted
clearly that the starting point of all knowledge is
man as well as the object of all forms of
knowledge.
The third phase-Theocentric or God-centered.
Obviously, it is here that the concept of mans
soul acquired a religious and spiritual dimension.
St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine both
affirmed that mans soul is related to God.
Likewise, for them, mans happiness depends on
how he abides by the Divine Laws.

METHOD OF PHILOSOPHY OF
MAN
Phenomenological Method
Man observes both his external and internal
environment. All he can discover by observation
are known to him as phenomenological data.
1. External Phenomenological Data.
He finds these data from other men which can
help him discover himself and his nature. Here,
he gathers data by observation.
2. Internal Phenomenological Data.
Man finds data from himself in discovering his
nature through the use of introspection.
a.

b. Metaphysical Method.
In this approach, man tries to study the
causes of all human operations and
behaviors beyond any phenomena. This is
considered purely a rational form of study.
c. Empirical Method.
This also uses observation of facts but
with the aid of scientific instruments in
order for man to gather a very detailed
description of facts.

PHILOSOPHY OF MAN:ITS
MEANING
Philosophy of Man is the philosophical
analysis of mans nature-its means his
operations and behavior in order to give us
knowledge of who and what man is all
about.

IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY
OF MAN
1.
2.

3.

It helps man realize his nature.

It helps man understand his self
( through metaphysical and selfdiscovery exercises)
It helps man solve his problems by facing
real life issues and identifying their
causes for occurences.

ISSUES TO CONSIDER IN
PHILOSOPHY OF MAN

The study of Philosophy of Man only deals

with information and data from different
philosophers of the past and present
generations who contributed in
answering questions regarding mans
nature.