03/02/2021
ACTIVITY 1
1. List down three (3) of your most strongly held
DOING beliefs.
PHILOSOPHICAL 2. Give your justification or reason why you believe
REFLECTION ON A them
CONCRETE BELIEFS REASON FOR BELIEVING
SITUATION FROM
A HOLISTIC
Sit Dolor Amet
PERSPECTIVE
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Doing Philosophy: West and East Why do we philosophize?
◦ The Western Philosophy was revolutionary because it went against tradition (mythology).
They explained nature through man’s recognized rationality and ability to coherent thought. ◦ Many argued on the role of philosophy in our lives. For some, “philosophy
◦ The western tradition’s quest for knowledge ends for its own sake. From the triumvirates of the is dead” which means that it has no significance now a days. Another
Milesians: Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes to other great Greek thinkers, the search for some would say that “philosophy is only for philosophers.” While still
the reality about nature seemingly intended to simply finding out the truth about the “cosmos”, others would claim that regardless of our status in life, whether we study
but essentially their attempts contributed much in enriching this quest for knowledge. philosophy or not, whether we are philosophers or not, we have the
◦ The Eastern Philosophy while philosophizing, was also practicing religion. There is no ability to philosophize in so far as we have moments of wonders and
dichotomy (a division or contrast between two things that are represented as being opposed or doubts. As we reflect on our experiences, we find answers to our
entirely different) between man and the objective world. They look at man as being one with
questions, and these answers will eventually lead us to another sets of
the world. Philosophy is a way of life. (Philosophers: Mencius, Lao-Tzu, Confucius)
questions, until we realize that we are in our way to never-ending
necessity to learn and relearn as well as discover and rediscover.
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◦ A 15th C. French philosopher, Rene Descartes,
traced this necessity of man to philosophize to
his sense of doubt. He doubts everything except
his own existence. His famous line: “Cogito ergo
sum” or “I think therefore I exist” capsulized
◦ Plato, a Greek philosopher, traced this necessity of his philosophy of doubt. His starting point is to
man to philosophize to his sense of wonder. According reject, to question, and to doubt everything
to him, when we confront a particular experience, we including his own ideas. This contributed much
have the tendency to wonder why and how things to the critical thinking and analysis in the field
came to be. In other words, we become conscious of of sciences. It gave birth to the scientific
the events that happen in our lives which drive us to hypothesis where something to be concluded as
think, ask questions, and reflect. From a philosophical
scientifical truth, it must undergo a scientific
question, we then develop a philosophical reflection.
method of testing and verifying the hypothesis.
But, the fact that he (Descartes) is thinking, he
cannot deny this existence.
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◦ We can also trace this necessity of man to philosophize to
◦ A 20th C. Swiss-German philosopher, Karl his sense of love and wisdom. As we etymologically define
it, philosophy is love of wisdom. To love wisdom means to
Jaspers, traced this necessity of man to
have strong desire for truth. A lover of wisdom does not
philosophize to his sense of experience. settle for less truth when he knows that he can find
For him man is always confronted with a something great about a truth. As to its real definition,
lot of experiences of different kinds, some philosophy searches for the ultimate causes of everything
are pleasant while others are challenging. that exists. It continues to question the answers as it
These experiences challenge his ideas and continues to answer the questions.
frameworks, which according to him, are ◦ One of the great philosophers taught us a very significant
experiences that limit situations. These way of knowing, that is, accepting the fact that a fact is
are often accompanied by feelings of unknown to us. His famous line is “I know that I do not
know.” The philosopher who popularized this
helplessness, anxiety, or dread. Now, for perspective. is Socrates Being wise has its way from being
Jaspers, philosophy’s role enters because ignorant. By accepting that one is in the state of ignorance
it provides us a means to understand that he begins to learn and understand. Philosophical
adverse or challenging conditions, and to reflection was further enhanced because of his another
rise above them and eventually gain new famous line: “An unexamined life is not worth living”.
knowledge and perspectives. Philosophy therefore is nothing but a way of examining
one’s life
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Approaches in Doing Philosophy
1. Critical or Analytic Philosophy
Fundamental Tasks: a. Analyze and define your fundamental concepts
b. Criticize your beliefs
“Are you aware of the nuances (a subtle differences in or meaning, expression, or sound) in meaning of Beliefs are often based on our prejudices (pre-convinced opinion
the use of concepts that you use?”
that is not abased on reason or actual experience).
Example: Which came first? Is it the chicken or is it the egg?
Apply analytic philosophy:
Ex. Your bias against Muslims.
- Understanding verbal disagreement: coming first “You need philosophy to free yourself from your prejudices”
“What do you mean by this phrase? In what sense are you using this phrase?”
1. From the reproductive standpoint: chicken
2. From the developmental standpoint: egg
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Activity 2
2. Speculative or Metaphysical Philosophy ◦ Share your insights.
- It tries to find an underlying explanation or general principle that could
explain reality in its entirety.
◦ Answer the following questions:
- It aims to reach some general conclusions as to the nature of the universe; and
as to our position and prospects in it. ◦ 1. Are there beliefs that you may have questioned as you go through with your life? Give
- It is an attempt to think synoptically of all the facts. examples.
◦ 2. Have you examined your evidence for believing in them? How?
- Example: The attempts of the pre-Socratic philosophers to explain reality ◦ 3. Do you find them worth holding on to amidst this scrutiny? Why?
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ASSIGNMENT (PERFORMANCE TASK)
: Draw what you think. Illustrate your holistic perspective of your life. You may use
a digital way of creating your visualization or a traditional paper and pen (other
drawing materials). Focus on your experiences that displays the meaning and
purpose of your life. (50 POINTS)
RUBRICS
CRITERIA
The information and message are clearly displayed (20)
The creativity and aesthetic value are shown (20)
Effectiveness and efficiency of accomplishing the task are observed (10)
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