Pursuing Wisdom and Facing

Challenges in the Twenty-

First Century
LESSON 1
1. Doing Philosophy

1.1 The Meaning of Philosophy

1.2 Recognize Human Activities that

Emanated from Deliberate Reflection

1.3 Why Become a Philosopher?

1.4 Philosophical Reflection

1. Doing Philosophy

1.1 The Meaning of Philosophy

1.2 Recognize Human Activities that

Emanated from Deliberate Reflection

1.3 Why Become a Philosopher?

1.4 Philosophical Reflection

The Meaning of Philosophy
Philosophy - etymologically
• Philo – to love
• Sophia – wisdom

Philosophy – “love of wisdom”

Wisdom – is the goal of Philosophy

Philosophy – the science that by natural light of reason

studies the first causes or highest principle of all things.
The Meaning of Philosophy
• Science
• The investigation is systematic.
• It follows certain steps or it employs
certain procedures.
• An organized body of knowledge.
The Meaning of Philosophy
• Natural light of reason
• Not using any other laboratory
instrument or investigative tools
• Not on the basis of supernatural
revelation (Theology)
• Philosopher is only using his natural
capacity to think or simply human
reasons
• Unaided reason.
The Meaning of Philosophy
• Study of all things
• Other sciences concern only with a particular
object of investigation
• Anthropology – the study of human beings in
relation with the society
• Sociology – the study society

• Philosophy studies human beings, society,

religion, language, and God, among other
concerns.
The Meaning of Philosophy
• Study of all things
• Philosophers question almost
anything
• It is multidimensional or holistic
The Meaning of Philosophy
• First Cause or Highest Principle
• Principle – is that from which
something proceeds in any manner
whatsoever.
The Meaning of Philosophy
• First Cause or Highest Principle
• First principles
• Principle of identity – whatever is “is”. And
whatever is not “is not”. Everything is what
it is. Everything is its own being, and non
being is not being.

• Principle of Non- Contradiction – it is

impossible for a thing to be or not to be at
the same time, and at the same respect.
The Meaning of Philosophy
• First Cause or Highest Principle
• First principles
• 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.

• Principle of Sufficient Reason – nothing

exists without a sufficient reason for its
being and existence.
The Meaning of Philosophy
• Domains of Philosophy, certain basic
problems
• Nature of universe
• The standard of justice
• The validity of knowledge
• The correct application of reason
• The criteria of beauty
The Meaning of Philosophy
• Five Branches of Philosophy
• Metaphysics
• (Nature of universe)
• Ethics
• (The standard of justice)
• Epistemology
• (The validity of knowledge)
• Logic
• (The correct application of reason)
• Aesthetics
• (The criteria of beauty)
The Meaning of Philosophy
• Special Branches of philosophy
• Philosophy of Science
• Philosophy of state
• Philosophy of politics
• Philosophy of mathematics
• Philosophy of education
• Philosophy of law
• Philosophy of language
The Meaning of Philosophy
How to attain wisdom?
• Through emptying
• Intellectually – simplicity and humility
Empty cup is more useful than the full one. (Taoism)

• Spiritually – poverty in spirit means compassion.

(Christian Philosophy)

• Physically –refrain from the misuse of the senses,

thereby emphasizing a unified whole. (Buddhism)
 “Without the virtue of
emptying, students will only
learn partial philosophy that
is knowledge-based,
without becoming holistic.”
“Acquiring wisdom through
various dimensions of being
human includes the
psychological, social,
emotional, and moral
aspects.”