MODULE ON INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON (MODULE 1)
Dear Students:
Dear Students:
This module is good for two weeks. At the end of two weeks please pass it back to me for checking. You can write me a letter if you wish to clarify something. The current situation due to pandemic made it impossible for us to see each other however Education must go on.
Pls open our You Tube channel Marilou Mendoza LNHS and our website for our Philosophy class is https://automendozaphilosophylnhs.car.blog/?fbclid=IwAR1wjE-LWQAdJOl9ToHRQzYi8pf-f_lXP49MOCzfOb4i9RV66nIK6y0kfho
Thank you. God bless you.
Your Philo teacher,
MARILOU D. MENDOZA
Your Philo teacher,
MARILOU D. MENDOZA
Attachment 1 –Meaning and Process of Doing Philosophy
The Story of the Blind Men and the Elephant
Once there were five blind men who were called by the King in the Kingdom named Sophia. The king instructed each man to touch an object then report and describe what he is touching and then tell what the object is. All five men started touching it and the first man said. “Alas! I touched two big balls.” The second man said, “I know what this thing is this is a big fan”. The third man said. “I am sure that this is a trunk”. The fourth man shouted “I touched hair” and finally the last man said. “I can’t be wrong this is a rope.” The king laughed and said “you are all correct but not fully correct. You have not touched the whole object. What you reported was partial point of view.” The king continued, “what you were actually touching was an elephant.”
ACTIVITY 1
1. Draw inside the box your impression of what is described
2. What is the story all about?
3. Define holistic point of view. ( YOU CAN WRITE IN BISAYA OR FLIPINO ) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Define partial point of view. ( YOU CAN WRITE IN BISAYA OR FLIPINO ) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What lesson or insight did you learn from the story. (YOU CAN WRITE IN BISAYA OR FLIPINO)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DISCUSSION
What people learn are not always full truth sometimes it is half-truth and sometimes it is fake news. News on TV and in the internet are sometimes fake news. To get the holistic story and the real news, thorough investigation is needed with right sources and authority. If you want to know the weather situation the right source is PAGASA and not DOH
EVALUATION
- Give real life situations that shows holistic and partial point of view
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Attachment 2 – Realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a broad perspective on life
“The unexamined life is not worth living!”
(Socrates)
ACTIVITY 2
QUESTION:
- What would you do for someone/something you love?
ANSWER:___________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONS
- Read the birth of Philosophy in Greece
- Read again the Life of Socrates
Culture and History of Greece
The Greeks wanted a good life. The question then, as well as now, is how to know what the good life is?
Greek culture rose to great heights in the period from 525 BC to 350 BC, the period that brackets the lifespan of Socrates and Plato. In this period Athens, the Greek city-state, would rise to the height of its political and military powers and would come to represent the height of Greek cultural achievement as well. The Greeks during this time, and particularly in Athens,
Greek culture was mythopoetic, based upon myths and transmitted through poetry. These tales had an imaginative character and an emotional one as well. The myths proclaim a truth, which transcends reasoning. These myths try to bring about the truth that they proclaim: the moral truths. The myths are a form of action or ritual behavior, which must proclaim and elaborate a poetic form of truth.
The logic of the events, the order of causality, is anthropomorphic. If one asks “why” things are as they are , then the answer will be in the form of “who” is responsible or the agent behind the events. The function of these myths, as in most cultures, is to explain, unify, and order experience. The myths dispel chaos. They reveal a structure, order, coherence and meaning not otherwise evident.
The tales spoke of Zeus, Chronos, Poseidon, Hera, Athena and dozens of other divinities, each with a genealogy and an assigned place in the pantheon or general organization of the divine community.
Socrates
It was he who developed the philosophical process of thought and who focused on matters of great concern to humans. He was concerned with the question:
- How do I live a Good Life?
- He was concerned with questions of knowledge, truth, beauty and Goodness.
He was executed for his beliefs and virtues. An interesting story and a life that produced such a great impact on the world that it is true to say that what Socrates did changed the world.
Socrates believed that he had a mission to seek after wisdom. He died being faithful to that mission. He was found guilty of both corrupting the minds of the youth of Athens and of impiety (“not believing in the gods of the state”),and subsequently sentenced to death by drinking a mixture containing poison hemlock.
He attempted to find a stable and certain truth and a wisdom that would serve as a guide for life. He attempted to lead others to real insight. He wanted to persuade others to look into themselves, to seek wisdom and virtue and to care for their noblest possession, their soul, before all else. He attempted this even at his trial and in his final days and hours. He used the dialectical method as a midwife to ideas to lead others to knowledge, truth and virtue. He used the dialectical process to arrive at universal definitions. Socrates himself believed in the universality of the inner rational being. He believed that: The unexamined life is not worth living!
Reading 1 The Story of the Execution of Socrates
Socrates clashed with the current course of Athenian politics and society. He praises Sparta, archrival to Athens, directly and indirectly in various dialogues. But perhaps the most historically accurate of Socrates’ offenses to the city was his position as a social and moral critic. Rather than upholding a status quo and accepting the development of what he perceived as immorality within his region, Socrates questioned the collective notion of “might makes right” that he felt was common in Greece during this period.
Socrates awaits his execution in prison. The Athenians have sent a boat laden with offerings to the gods in order to insure a better future for Athens. The Athenians won’t execute him until the boat returns. Socrates and his friends know that there will be several days until the boat returns. While in prison Socrates is visited by his friends. One of his friends is an old and wealthy Athenian named Crito. Crito visits one day and informs Socrates that he has arrange for Socrates’ escape. The guards have been bribed and he wants Socrates to leave with him. Socrates will go off and live in another town. Socrates is not eager to go off with his friend. He asks him why he should do this. Crito responds by informing Socrates that he loves him and does not want him to die. He asks Socrates to think of what people will say about Crito. They expect the old man to help out his friend. He has a great deal of money and people would think poorly of him if he did not assist Socrates. Crito’s reputation is at stake. Socrates does not accept Crito’s appeals to his emotions. He died being faithful to that mission. He was found guilty of both corrupting the minds of the youth of Athens and of impiety (“not believing in the gods of the state”),and subsequently sentenced to death by drinking a mixture containing poison hemlock.
| Explain: What was Socrates willing to do for the love of wisdom? He died for the truth and his principles in life. Love is an act and a movement towards the beloved or the love one. If you love something/someone you are willing to search and deepen your understanding of that object of love. |
| Elaborate: The word philosophy (derived from the Greek compound philo + sophia) points at once to a special attitude of a philosopher and her/his objective. According to this etymology, “philosophy” is “a love of wisdom”, which means that it combines both cognitive and emotional dimension of our mind. “Love” is named first and it is not knowledge – it is a craving and striving to attain the object of love. But striving to learn precedes knowledge. We need the passion of love to start and keep questioning the things that are either too familiar or too removed from everyday concerns. The continuation of this striving points to the essence of wisdom. Its posture is a passionate search for wisdom, not the possession of it. |
Graded Exercise 2: IDENTIFICATION
1. What does mythopoetic mean? _________________________________________________
2. What is the function of a myth in a society especially for the Greek? __________________________________________________
3. Socrates was found guilty of two crimes, name this two crimes and his punishment. ____________________________________________________
4. What is Philosophy? __________________________________
5. What was Socrates willing to do for the love of wisdom? ____________________________________________________________________
Attachment 3 – Realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a broad perspective on life
Activity 3
Share your own deepest questions and searches in life. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Human being in the real context of life is very diverse.
Some questions in life are similar while some are very different.
Philosophy is divided into different fields in its quest for life’s question.
Philosophy has several methods in deriving knowledge.
Plato
Plato was born around the year 428 BCE in Athens. His father died while Plato was young, and his mother remarried to Pyrilampes, in whose house Plato would grow up. Plato’s birth name was Aristocles, and he gained the nickname Platon, meaning broad, because of his broad build. A student of Socrates. He was present during the trial of Socrates. He was a mystic, mathematician, dramatist and philosopher. For him Philosophy is a form of life, a way to salvation involving intellect and courage. He founded a school of learning which he called the Academy. His school is often described as the first European university. Its curriculum offered subjects including astronomy, biology, mathematics, political theory, and philosophy. Plato hoped the Academy would provide a place where thinkers could work toward better government in the Grecian cities. He would preside over the Academy until his death.
When he was young he studied music and poetry. According to Aristotle, Plato developed the foundations of his metaphysics and epistemology by studying the doctrines of Cratylus, and the work of Pythagoras and Parmenides. When Plato met Socrates, however, he had met his definitive teacher. As Socrates’ disciple, Plato adopted his philosophy and style of debate, and directed his studies toward the question of virtue and the formation of a noble character.
After 399 BC Plato began to write extensively. Most scholars agree to divide Plato’s major work into three distinct groups:
- Socratic Dialogues – text on Socrates’ teachings.
- Apology -In this work/book, Plato refers to Socrates as the “gadfly” of the state (as the gadfly stings the horse into action, so Socrates stung various Athenians), insofar as he irritated some people with considerations of justice and the pursuit of goodness. Socrate’s attempts to improve the Athenians’ sense of justice may have been the source of his execution.
- Other texts relegated to this group include the Crito, Laches, Lysis, Charmides, Euthyphro, and Hippias Minor and Major.
In the later part he wrote Meno, Euthydemus, Menexenus, Cratylus, Repu blic, Phaedrus, Syposium and Phaedo
Plato’s most influential work, The Republic, is also a part of his middle dialogues. It is a discussion of the virtues of justice, courage, wisdom, and moderation, of the individual and in society. It works with the central question of how to live a good life, asking what an ideal State would be like, and what defines a just individual. These lead to more questions regarding the education of citizens, how government should be formed, the nature of the soul, and the afterlife. The dialogue finishes by reviewing various forms of government and describing the ideal state, where only philosophers are fit to rule. The Republic covers almost every aspect of Plato’s thought.
In 367 BC Plato was invited to be the personal tutor to Dionysus II, the new ruler of Syracuse. Plato accepted the invitation, but found on his arrival that the situation was not conducive for philosophy. He continued to teach the young ruler until 365 BC when Syracuse entered into war. Plato returned to Athens, and it was around this time that Plato’s famous pupil Aristotle began to study at the Academy.
Aristotle
He was born in 384-322 B.C. A pupil of Plato and a tutor of Alexander the Great. Considered founder of science and he created Logic. He established his own school that emphasized in Mathematics, the Lyceum. He was interested in learning about the nature of life itself and asked “What is a good life and how man should behave?” He said that ought to be happy by living “The Doctrine of the Mean.” which means to live a life in moderation, to too much and not less. For him, the mean depends on the person. A man whose body is big and works hard would need more food that those who have small structure and with little activities. With this ethical contention of Aristotle we can say that for him ethics is relative.
Activity 3: IDENTIFICATION
1. A student of Socrates. He was present during the trial of Socrates. He was a mystic, mathematician, dramatist and philosopher. ________________________________________
2. A pupil of Plato and a tutor of Alexander the Great. Considered as founder of science and he created Logic.______________________________
3. A book of Plato that refers Socrates as the “gadfly” of the state (as the gadfly stings the horse into action, so Socrates stung various Athenians)_______________
4. This is the doctrine/philosophy of Aristotle which means to live a life in moderation, not too much and not less. _______________
5. A school established by Aristotle that emphasized in Mathematics and Political Philosophy._____________
6. A school established by Plato that is often described as the first European university.__________________________________
Discussion
Philosophy is so complex that to define it would be very difficult. My dear students of IKON this course is given to you not to give you difficulty but to give you understanding and encouragement to ask questions and search for its answer with passion and dedication.
The earliest philosophers and considered three of the greatest thinkers of all time came from Athens Greece. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
Different and diverse questions and methods are used in Philosophy, it is divided into different fields and classification
Fields of Philosophy
- Logic – study of methods and principles used to distinguish correct reasoning from incorrect one.
- Theodicy- study that deals with philosophical concept on the nature, being and goodness of GOD.
- Philosophy of Man- a branch of philosophy that deals with MAN his nature, development and destiny.
- Ethics- branch of Philosophy that deals with HUMAN CONDUCT.
- Epistemology-a branch of philosophy that deals with HUMAN KNOWLEDGE its origin, nature and methods and limits.
- Metaphysics- a branch of philosophy that deals with the question of REALITY/EXISTENCE.
- Social Philosophy- a branch of philosophy that deals with SOCIETY, POLITICS and the PEOPLE that make it whole.
- Aesthetic- a branch of philosophy that deals with the question of what is BEAUTIFUL.
- Psychology- a branch of philosophy that deals with science of the MIND
- Cosmology – a branch of philosophy that deals with origin and development of the UNIVERSE.
Philosophical Methods
- Induction- from particular cases we obtain a general conclusion
- Deduction-from general terms to specific term
- Dialectic-arriving knowledge through question and answer, Thesis—Antithesis–Synthesis
- Analytic Method-this shows relationship of the other parts to the whole or comparison with others,
- Romantic Method- based on feelings and instinct
- Synoptic Method -This method is the grasping of anything in one comprehensive view
WRITTEN EXAM 3 AT THE END OF THE WEEK.
IDENTIFY WHO OR WHAT IS REFERRED IN THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS.
1. What do the words philo and sophia mean respectively? __________________________________
2. A philosophical method which is the grasping of anything in one comprehensive view..________________________________________________
3. A branch of philosophy that deals with MAN his nature, development and destiny. _______________
4. Study of methods and principles of correct reasoning._____________________________
5. Branch of Philosophy that deals with HUMAN CONDUCT._______________________
6. A reasoning that is from General to specific. _________________________
7. A philosophical method that arrives knowledge through question and answer, _____________
8. A branch of philosophy that deals with HUMAN KNOWLEDGE its origin, nature and methods and limits. __________________________________________
9. A branch of philosophy that deals with the question of what is REAL. ___________________
10. Name the three greatest philosophers in Greece _________________________________________________
PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON 