Introduction to the PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
Quarter 1/Unit 1: THE MEANING & PROCESSES OF PHILOSOPHY
PHILOSOPHY HUMAN PERSON
- from Greek and Latin words PHILO Aspects/Attributes
which means LOVE and SOPHIA which A. Basic Anthropology
means WISDOM – Love of Wisdom - EMBODIED SPIRIT which means with
- a learning exclusive of technical body, heart, mind and soul or “unity of body
principles and practical arts acquired and soul”.
through long life studies or thinking and - EMOTIONAL BEING
through experiences - MORAL BEING (moral, immoral, a-moral)
- The science of thinking rationally and - THINKING/RATIONAL BEING
critically about life’s important questions - SOCIAL BEING
in order to obtain knowledge and wisdom - DIGNIFIED
about them - With RIGHTS
- It investigates and presents the evidences - With FREEDOM AND WILL to direct
systematically – arranged and complete himself to always choose the good
body of knowledge and truth about; B. Christian Anthropology
a. anything that exists; - Man is a creature.
b. is going to exists; - Man is the image of God.
c. can be thought of; and - Man is fallen but redeemed.
d. known.
PHILOSOPHY OF MAN
- is the theoretical and reflective study of human being which intends to gain INTERPRETATIVE
AND PRESCRIPTIVE knowledge regarding the meaning and value of human nature,
personhood, existence and condition.
- is a course that deals with man. It is one’s desire to know who and what man is. Philosophy of
man examines the origin of human life, the nature of human life and the reality of human
existence.
BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY
1. EPISTEMOLOGY – study of origin, structures, methods, nature, limit and veracity that include
truth, reliability, and validity of human knowledge.
2. COSMOLOGY – study of the origin and development of the cosmos.
3. AESTHETICS – study of what is beautiful.
4. PHILOSOPHICAL PSYCHOLOGY – science of mind, mental state and processes.
5. THEODICY – philosophical study of God.
6. SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY – study of man in relation to family, state and church concerns about
moral principles regarding the problems of freedom, equality, justice and the state.
7. HUMAN PHILOSOPHY – or philosophy of man is a theoretical and reflective study of human
being.
8. METAPHYSICS – branch of philosophy that studies nature and reality. It deals with human
reality and system of human thought that seeks to explain the fundamental concept of man.
9. ETHICS – study of the nature of moral judgments or the science of morality of human acts.
10. LOGIC – the science of reasoning which means a dissertation on matters pertaining to human
thoughts.
DIVISION OF PHILOSOPHY
1. Speculative philosophy – philosophy which considers beings for the soul purpose of acquiring
knowledge of them.
a. Rational Philosophy (Logic) – the science and art of correct thinking.
b. Real Speculative Philosophy (Epistemology, Metaphysics, Social Philo & Psychology) –
science which considers real being, that is, all beings which have their own nature.
2. Practical Philosophy (Ethics and Human Philosophy) – is a philosophy that considers how man
naturally ought to act to attain his ultimate end.
2.1 Economics or Domestic Morals – considers the operations of domestic society, that is, of
the family or one’s country.
2.2 Politics – studies the operations of civil society.
THE PURPOSES OF PHILOSOPHY
1. Helps human to understand himself better.
2. Helps human to understand his fellowmen.
3. Helps human to adapt to everything there is and adjust to others way of thinking
4. Helps human to understand the world and their role in it.
5. Helps human to understand the meaning, significance, value and finality of human life.
6. Helps human to know and understand God in His nature, essence, activities and attributes.
“Religion tells you there is heaven. Science describes how the heaven works. Philosophy teaches you
what, where and how to get there.”
“No other being can know himself except man that is why he is the steward of God’s creation.”
LESSON 2: METHODS OF PHILOSOPHIZING
Abstractive Thinking – is the philosopher’s way of thinking which pertains to thinking holistically. It is
thinking from the level of everyday life to a higher level that gives a bird’s eye view of a whole.
Through abstractive thinking, Philosophers use their mind to see the world. Not only their eyes. They
had insight which means seeing with the mind.
Holistic Thinking – looking beyond what is immediate before you. Learning to and seeing how things
are related to everything else.
Worldview – one’s picture of how the world is and how everything in it works. It is a big set of beliefs
about the world.
“Judge a person by the way he ask questions not by the way he answer questions.” – Friedrich Nietzch
Two Types of Questions
1. Personal Questions
- Answerable by yes or no, WH questions and questions we normally ask ourselves
2. Philosophical Questions
- Questions beyond our everyday questions which we recognize because of metaphysical unease.
- Questions which cover something broader and deeper than what we physically see.
- Questions that can bring new or further knowledge to humans.
Dogmatic Person
- A person who is convinced that only the things he believes are true. He thinks of his truths as the
only truth without verifying, questioning or reflecting on them. All who say otherwise are either
stupid or arrogant.
- Arrogance in assertion or opinion especially when unwarranted. (e.g. religious fundamentalism)
Three Domains of Truth
1. OBJECTIVE OR SCIENTIFIC Domain - point to descriptions of state of affairs which remains
true regardless of who is viewing them. It pertains to the natural world that maintains a relative
independence from the perspective and attitude of human being that perceive them.
2. SOCIAL Domain– truth is analogous (but not the exact equivalent) of a general agreement or
consensus on what is right as opposed to what is wrong. This implies that some things are “true”
or good in a particular context, while they are “false” or wrong in another context. These are
product of an agreement in a society that has been established over time. However, these can be
changed through a critical examination and deliberation among the members of a society.
3. PERSONAL Domain – truth is analogous with sincerity. Statements known to self that are
consistent with inner thoughts and intentions.
JUSTIFICATION OF TRUTHS
1. OBJECTIVE OR SCIENTIFIC Domain – truths are tested against empirical evidence. Justified
by data gathered from careful observation and analysis.
2. SOCIAL DOMAIN – truths are tested against their acceptability to a particular time in history.
Social truths are the basis for balance in our society however this can still be revoked or changed.
3. PERSONAL DOMAIN – truths are tested against the consistency and authenticity of the person
who claims it. This is the longest or hardest to prove among three.
