WHAT IS THE MOST

DIFFICULT QUESTION/S
THAT YOU EVER
ENCOUNTER IN YOUR
LIFE?
1.What is the definition of
Philosophy?
2.What are the branches of
Philosophy? Explain each branches
briefly.
3. What are the specific fields in
Philosophy?
4. What is the relation of Philosophy
to social sciences?
1. Define the philosophy.
2. Identify the different branches of philosophy.
3. Recognize the significance of philosophy.
Introduc tion to Philos ophy
• When humanity began trying to explain the nature and origin of
the universe through reasoning and observation, instead of
through poetry and mythology, it is said that humanity was taking
the first step in the development of philosophy.

• Etymologically, 'the word "philosophy" comes from two Greek

words, philo, meaning "to love," and sophia, meaning "wisdom."
Thus, philosophy originally meant, "love of wisdom," and in a
broad sense, wisdom is still the goal of philosophy.

• This "love of wisdom is something in which all human nature in

some measure at least participates and which predisposes all
toward sympathy for the philosophers enterprises” (Scott, et al.,
1993).
Introduction to Philos ophy

• With this meaning, we realize that there is nothing

disgusting with philosophy. It is not about
rummaging through musty manuscripts of great dead
men (though this is a part of "philosophizing"). Rather,
philosophy emphasizes our living desire to
understand the world that surrounds us and the
world within us (Demetrio, 1997).
• The ancient philosophers understood
the term philosophy as the sum total of
the main branches of scientific study
• physics, or the study of nature;
• mathematics, or the science of
proportion;
• metaphysics, or the science of being
as such;
• logic, or the science of correct
inferential thinking; and
• ethics, or the science of morality).
• Thus, there is no distinction between
philosophy and science, for the entire body
of these sciences constitutes what we call
philosophy.

• Philosophy is also defined as the science

that by natural light of reason studies the
first causes or highest principles of all
things.
Philosophy is also defined as the science that by natural light of
reason studies the first causes or highest principles of all things.
Under this definition, four things are to be considered:

1. Science
• It is called science because the investigation is systematic. It
follows certain steps or it employs certain procedures. In other
words, it is an organized body of knowledge just like any other
science.

2. Natural Light of Reason

• Philosophy investigates things, not by using any other
laboratory instrument or investigative tools, neither on the
basis of supernatural revelation, otherwise it becomes
theology instead the philosopher uses his natural capacity to
think, or simply human reason alone, or the so-called unaided
reason.
3. Study of All Things
• This sets the distinction between philosophy from other
sciences. All other sciences concern themselves with a
particular object of investigation.

For example:
• anthropologists study human beings in relation with the
society;
• sociologists study society, its form, structures, and functions;
• botanists focus their attention to plants;
• linguists limit themselves with language;
• theologians investigate God; whereas,
• a philosopher studies human beings, society, religion,
language, God, plants, and many more.
• 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 Highest Principle
• A principle is that from which something proceeds in any
manner whatsoever.

4.1 The First Principles

a. Principle of Identity - states that, whatever is, is; and
whatever is not, is not; everything is what it is. Everything is its
own being, and not being is not being.
b. Principle of Non-contradiction - states that 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.
4.2 A cause is defined as that from which in any way
whatsoever exerts a positive influence in the production of
thing. The main kinds of causes explain the how and the why
of a being.

a. Material Cause - is that out of which something is made.

b. Formal Cause - is that through which something is made

.
c. Efficient Cause - is that by which something is made.

d. Final Cause - is that on the account of which something is

made.
• Since its beginnings, however, the scope of
philosophy has changed. Early
philosophers studied aspects of the natural
and human world that later became
separate sciences astronomy, physics,
psychology, sociology.
• On the other hand, certain basic problems-
the nature of the universe, the standard of
justice, the validity of knowledge, the
correct application of reason, and the
criteria of beauty - have been the domain
of philosophy from its beginnings to the
present.
• These problems are the subject matter of
the five branches of philosophy-
metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, logic,
and aesthetics.

• Other than these branches, there are also

special branches of philosophy like,
philosophy of science, philosophy of state,
philosophy of politics, philosophy of
mathematics, philosophy of education,
philosophy of law, philosophy of language,
and others.
• For Double, (1999), although, philosophy is an organized body
of knowledge, the subject matter of philosophy is questions,
which have three major characteristics:

(1) philosophical questions have answers, but the answers

remain in dispute;

(2) philosophical questions cannot be settled by science, common

sense, or faith;

(3) philosophical questions are of perennial intellectual interest to

human beings.

• The methodology or method that philosophers use to address

philosophical questions is critical thinking that comes from the
word "criticize." Critical thinkers criticize the beliefs of
everyone, including themselves.
• By "criticize," Double means the careful, reflective, rational,
and systematic approach to questions of very general interest.

• Critical thinking means understanding of philosophy and

refraining from merely giving claims but through careful
thought, one reasons through argumentations.

• Though not every philosopher shares Double's beliefs,

different philosophers have their views of what philosophy is
and should try to do.