Intro to Philosophy - Lessons 1 & 2.pptx

Lesson 1 and 2

1. DOING PHILOSOPHY

2. OBJECTIVES The students are expected to: discuss philosophy and its importance as a discipline and a means for understanding life; appreciate the value of philosophy in daily life; become philosophical in dealing with life situations; and discuss the practical uses of philosophy in life.

3. MOTIVATION A murderer is sentenced into death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first room is full of furious flame. The second is full of murderers with loaded guns. And there are lions in the third room who had not been fed for years. Which room is the safest? Answer: The room of the lions because they’re dead if they haven’t been fed for years !

4. PRESENTING THE NEW LESSON What questions about your life are you struggling to find answers to? Share some of them in class.

5. PRESENTING EXAMPLE OR INSTANCE OF THE NEW LESSON “An unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates

6. ACTIVITY Read and analyse the following conversation between a high school teacher and her student in class. Teacher : Juan, what would you like to be when you grow up? Juan : Ma’am, I want to be happy! Teacher : Juan, you did not understand my question. Juan : Ma’am, you do not understand what life is all about!

7. ACTIVITY Processing Questions : Do you think that Juan’s answer was appropriate for his teacher’s question? What do you think was Juan’s interpretation of his teacher’s question? Based on his responses, what kind of student do you imagine Juan to be? If you were Juan’s teacher, how would you respond to him? How is philosophy related to this situation?

8. ANALYSIS What is philosophy? Why is there a need to philosophize? How do we characterize the study of philosophy? What are the practical uses of philosophy in life?

9. ABSTRACTION Philosophy comes from two Greek words: philos ( love ) and sophia ( wisdom ) which were used by ancient Greeks to refer to “ love of wisdom ” and soon applied it to the study or discipline that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate, causes, reasons, and principles which govern all things Philosophers are people who engage in philosophy or “ lovers of wisdom ”

10. ABSTRACTION Pythagoras a mathematician and scientist, credited with formulating the Pythagorean Theorem established a community of learners devoted to the study of religion and philosophy Heraclitus proposed that everything that exists is based on a higher order or plan which he called logos change is permanent aspect of the human condition; “No man never steps in the same river twice.”

11. ABSTRACTION Democritus study the causes of natural phenomena was among the first to propose that matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms Diogenes of Sinope a known advocate of living a simple and virtuous life one should not only talk of virtue but should show it in words and actions his emphasis on austerity and simplicity often went to the extreme and was said to have lived like a beggar

12. ABSTRACTION Epicurus philosophy could enable man to live a life of happiness his views gave rise to Epicureanism – a school of philosophy which believes that wisdom and simple living will result in a life free of fear and pain

13. ABSTRACTION Socrates considered the foremost philosopher o f ancient times he did not claim to be “ wise ” and merely considered himself a “ midwife ” that helped inquiring minds achieve wisdom believed that philosophy could enable a man to live a life of virtue. formulated the Socratic Method – a means of examining a topic by devising a series of questions that let the learner examine and anlyze his knowledge and views regarding the topic

14. ABSTRACTION Plato a student of Socrates, he wrote down his mentor’s teachings and incorporated some of his own ideas his teachings and writings were considered the foundation of Wester n philosophy dialectic – a method of inquiry where two opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt to arrive at new knowledge founded the Academy – an institution of higher learning which was the first of its kind in the Western World

15. ABSTRACTION Aristotle he attended the academy and prominent student of Plato all idea s and views are based on perception and our reality is based on what we can sense and perceive studied logic that led to the formulation of a formal process of analyzing reasoning which gave rise to deductive reasoning – the process of which specific statements are analyzed to reach a conclusion or generalization

16. ABSTRACTION We all have the potential to philosophize since we have the tendency to wonder and doubt. We possess the capacity to reflect on our experiences, and we have a never-ending need to learn and discover. The need to philosophize is traced to a person’s sense of wonder (Plato) and doubt (Rene Descartes), the need to make sense of challenging experiences (Karl Jaspers), and the love for wisdom .

17. ABSTRACTION The study of philosophy can be considered as a way of analyzing ideas and frameworks. It is also considered as a way of examining a particular area of knowledge . Philosophy itself is a discipline with its own goals, concerns, and ways of doing things. It also makes use of information gathered from other fields of knowledge and not just its own conclusions. Finally, philosophy can be considered a reflective and meditative activity .

18. ABSTRACTION Aesthetics deals with beauty and what makes things “beautiful” Logic the branch of philosophy which deals with correct reasoning Epistemology discusses the nature of knowledge and knowing Ethics the branch which deals with moral questions and dilemmas

19. ABSTRACTION Political Philosophy studies governments and deals with questions of justice, power and the rights and obligations of citizens Metaphysics deals with questions regarding reality and existence Philosophy of the Human Person understands the human person from a philosophical perspective – integrating and synthesizing the different branches of philosophy and other fields of study to know the truth about the human person

20. ABSTRACTION Practical Uses of Philosophy in Our Lives: Philosophy enables a person to engage in critical analysis and interpretation of concepts, definitions, arguments, and problems. Philosophy also improves problem-solving and decision making. A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and adequately present his or her ideas. 4. Wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing that refers to a person’s ability to apply knowledge to daily life particularly in making sound choices and judgment. 5. Knowledge of Philosophy can contribute to self-development.

21. APPLICATION Describe (through poster, slogan, essay, song, poem, drawing, etc.) a situation in your life when you were able to engage in philosophy. What circumstances or dilemma brought about your need to philosophize? How did philosophy help you address your situation?

22. GENERALIZATION What are the reasons that compel a person to engage in philosophical thinking? How can you as a person benefit from philosophizing? Based on the characteristics of Philosophy, would it be possible for any person to engage in philosophical discussion? Why or why not?

23. ASSESSMENT Direction : Identify what is asked in each number. 2. What does the Greek term for philosophy, philosophia , mean? 1. What is the study or discipline that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which govern all things? 3. The Greek philosopher Plato believes that philosophy is brought by man’s sense of __________. 4. He believed that persons engage in philosophy in order to make sense of difficult life experiences.

24. ASSESSMENT 6. What refers to a way of thinking about the world and is made up of a person’s views and beliefs? 5. Rene Descartes considers this as a reason why people philosophize. 7. Whose studies in logic led to the formulation of a formal process of analysing reasoning which gave rise to deductive reasoning? 8. Who was considered the foremost philosopher of ancient times? 9. His most significant ideas included his Theory of Forms. 10. What is the branch of Philosophy which deals with moral questions and dilemmas?

25. ASSESSMENT Answer Key : Philosophy 6. Framework Love of Wisdom 7. Aristotle Wonder 8. Socrates Karl Jaspers 9. Plato Doubt 10. Ethics

26. AGREEMENT What philosophical questions do you wish to be answered as you study this course? List down five.

27. OBJECTIVES The students are expected to: distinguish a holistic perspective from a partial point of view (PPT11/12-Ia-1.1); recognize the value of having a holistic view to become better individuals; and understand situations from different vantage points to see them more fully.

28. MOTIVATION A man carrying two bags with sand crosses the Mexican border on a bicycle every day. Custom officers regularly check the bags and all the time they contain sand. It is obvious that the man smuggles something but the officers can’t realize what it is exactly. As they don’t have any proof, the Mexican man crosses the border without interruptions. What does he smuggle?

29. MOTIVATION Answer: This creative individual distracts the customs officers’ attention with the bags of sand . But in fact , he smuggles bicycles !

30. PRESENTING THE NEW LESSON “My philosophy comes from a worldview that looks at the world as one. It’s a holistic view that sees the world as interconnected and interdependent and integrated in so many different ways …” – Dennis Kucinich How do you understand the quotation below?

31. PRESENTING EXAMPLE OR INSTANCE OF THE NEW LESSON Building Vocabularies: Holistic Thinking Partial Thinking

32. ACTIVITY Read the poem written by John Godfrey Saxe’s on the classic Indian legend of the Six Blind Men and the Elephant . It was six men of Indostan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind

33. ACTIVITY The First approach’d the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: “God bless me! But the Elephant Is very like a WALL!”

34. ACTIVITY The Second , feeling of the tusk, Cried, - “ Ho ! What have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ‘tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a SPEAR!”

35. ACTIVITY The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spoke: “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a SNAKE!”

36. ACTIVITY The Fourth reached out his eager hand, And felt about the knee. “What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plan,” quoth he, “ ’Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a TREE!”

37. ACTIVITY The Fifth , who chanced to touch the ear, Said: “ E’en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a FAN!”

38. ACTIVITY The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Then, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a ROPE!”

39. ACTIVITY And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong! MORAL So oft in theologic wars The disputants, I ween Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!

40. ACTIVITY Processing Questions : Did anyone among the blind men give the correct answer? Why or why not? In the context of the elephant story, what do you think is a holistic perspective? What is a partial point of view? What is the importance of a holistic perspective as pointed out by the poet John Godfrey Saxe? In the last stanza, John Godfrey Saxe related the legend to the religious wars during his time. What do you think is John Godfrey Saxe trying to say in this poem?

41. ANALYSIS What is the difference between holistic thinking and partial thinking?

42. ABSTRACTION Holistic Thinking refers to a perspective that considers large-scale patterns in system often described as looking at the “ big picture ” when describing and analyzing a situation or problem requires an individual to have an open mind-set and an ability to get the general sense/impression regarding a situation

43. ABSTRACTION Partial Thinking focuses on specific aspects of a situation important component of analytical thinking, as an individual focuses on certain areas or aspects of a problem in order to understand it though partial thinking is useful, philosophy utilizes holistic thinking in making sense of problems and issues related to the human experience.

44. ABSTRACTION Adopting a holistic view enables a person to view a problem more objectively and come up with better decisions or solutions. A holistic view also means that one does not confine one’s understanding of the world to one’s own perspective, but also includes the perspective of others . This view also enables a person to better appreciate his or her experience as vital components that give meaning to life.

45. APPLICATION The story of the elephant and the blind men can be an analogy of everyday experiences. Recall an experience where you had disagreements with friends or family over something. Was the disagreement resolved? If yes, how? If not, how can a more holistic perspective help in the resolution? Share your story to your groupmates , then choose the best story that you will share to others in class.

46. GENERALIZATION Have you adopted a holistic view in looking at a problem or situation? How did adopting a holistic view help you make sense of the situation?