Introduction to Philosophy by Jeo L. Bongato.pptx

a power point for introduction to philosophy

1. Introduction to Philosophy. By: Jeo L. Bongato

2. What is Philosophy It is a study or discipline that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons and principles which governs all things. It comes from two Greek words: Philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom). People who engaged in Philosophy are called Philosophers or lovers of wisdom. Among the ancient Greeks, the philosophers became pioneers in various field of knowledge such as history, biology, medicine, mathematics, astronomy and even physics.

3. Doing Philosophy The following are some of the most enduring questions since ancient times. 1. What is real? Are we able to perceive and understand realityy and everything in it? 2. How do we know what we know? Are the things we know true? 3. What is the ultimate cause of all things? What is our purpose in this world? 4. To what extent are our choices and actions be considered free?

4. Why is there a need to Philosophize? Philosophers have often wondered and argued about the role of philosophy in man’s life. One view is that each of us is a philosopher, whether we have studied philosophy or not due to our tendency to wonder and doubt. We possess the capacity to reflect on our experience and we have a never ending need to learn and discover.

5. Why is there a need to Philosophize? 1. The Greek Philosopher Plato traced man’s need to philosophize to his sense of wonder. Whenever we are confronted with an experience, we always wondered how it came about. Man’s over bounding curiosity drives him to ask questions, some of which have definite answers. Why do we exist? For what purpose are we created?

6. Why is there a need to Philosophize? 2. The French Philosopher Rene Descartes traced the need to philosophize to doubt. Descartes was famous for rejecting or questioning established ideas, and he even went as far as doubting his own ideas. His method of examining ideas and perspective became the basis of critical thinking and analysis in sciences. In life, we well be faced with several ideas and arguments which present themselves as “truths”. A critical and questioning perspective is necessary to determine if indeed these ideas or views are correct or true .

7. Why is there a need to Philosophize? 3. According to Karl Jaspers, the need to Philosophize because of experience. He believed that man is often confronted by experiences which challenges his ideas and frameworks called Limit Situations. 4. The need to philosophize is driven by the love of wisdom. To love wisdom is to have an insatiable desire for truth. A philosopher does not seek knowledge to claim ownership of it; and one who engages in philosophy is not satisfied with figuring out the answer to a question. He seeks to continue to question, to probe and to discuss to get to the bottom of things.

8. How do we characterize the study of Philosophy? Just as there are ways of looking at the problem, philosophers have employed varied means of looking into the fundamental questions regarding the human conditions. One way of looking at philosophy is to consider it as a way of analyzing frameworks. A Framework is defined as a way of thinking about the world and is composed of the views and beliefs of a person. Internal questions-Questions dealing with our own correctness and values are considered internal questions which can be addressed using our own personal frameworks.

9. How do we characterize the study of Philosophy? 3. External questions are questions that seek to question the very framework upon which the people base their own beliefs and views. Ex. A child who is going through his/her experience separation will be in a state of confusion as his/her experience does not conform to his/her personal framework of what a family should be. 4. Philosophy can be thought of as an examination of a particular area of knowledge. The central principle in philosophy is examination and questioning, and this is often applied in analysis of the frameworks of other areas or sciences. Philosophy goes hand in hand with other discipline in examining their fundamental purposes and evaluating the changes they experience.

10. Holistic and Partial Thinking Holistic thinking refers to a perspective that considers large scale patterns in systems. This often describe as looking at the “big picture” when analyzing a situation or problem. A holistic perspective requires an open mindset and an ability to get the general sense or impression regarding a situation. Partial thinking, on the other hand, focuses on specific aspects of a situation. The partial viewis an important component of analytical thinking, as an individual focuses on certain areas or aspects of a problem in order to understand it.

11. How does one engage in reflection? Reflection requires a person to be willing to examine one’s thoughts, feelings and action and to learn more about one’s life and experience. One can reflect in almost any subject. For instance, the moment you wake up you can already reflect upon the things that you plan to do for today. This will enable you to set your daily goals and set you on the path of thinking of ways to achieve them.

12. Practical uses of philosophy in our lives Philosophy has an important place in our daily lives. Engaging in philosophical reflection leads to the development of beneficial skills that individuals can apply in everyday situations. Philosophy enables a person to engage in critical analysis and interpretation of concepts, definitions, arguments and problems. It also trains us to be critical of our own ideas as well as of others – meaning, we don’t simply accept or reject whatever is presented to us. One can apply

13. Practical uses of philosophy in our lives. 2. Philosophy also improves problem-solving and decision making. The ability to analyze the problem or dilemma, identify its significant aspects, and come up with alternative solutions is an important skill learned through philosophy. 3. A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and adequately present his or her ideas. Discussion and debate requires skills in presenting and communication ideas. Philosophy can also help us be more open to new and different ideas. Communication skills are also enhanced by the study of philosophy because it trains us to be very clear and precise about our thoughts and sentiments in order to express exactly what we want to say.

14. Practical uses of philosophy in our lives 4. Wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing, and this refers to a person’s ability to apply knowledge to daily life particularly in making sound choices and judgement. 5. Finally, knowledge of Philosophy can contribute to self-development. One can be a better student, scientist, artist, professional and citizen if he or she has the capacity for inquiry, critical thinking and reflection. In addition, philosophy encourages a person to know oneself, his or her strengths and weakness, establish an identity and determine his her purpose in life. Self knowledge also grows along with one’s understanding of the world and this is essential to the realization of the self. These are the tools to develop one’s own ideas and views and engage fully in useful activities in the community, nation and the world at large.