Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

PHILOSOPHY: What is it and where did it originate?

The word Philosophy comes from two Greek words: philos (love) and Sophia (wisdom). The
ancient Greek used this term to refer to a “love for wisdom” and was soon applied to a science
or discipline which used human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons and
principles which govern all things. Since ancient times, people have been reflecting on and
discussing various issues related to philosophy.

Think: What ideas come to your mind when you hear the word Philosophy? Write them in the
graphic organizer.

Philosophy

Western Philosophy – primarily concerned with uncovering the

truth through systematic argumentation and theory. They put more emphasis on the use of
reason rather than faith and put more weigh on man as an individual. With this perspective, it
led to a more scientific, theory based approach in philosophy and a more individualistic, self-
oriented approach in analyzing the human condition. Greece was home to one of the great
civilizations during the ancient period. The so called Sophist, were an important group that
emerged and influenced learning in Ancient Greece. They were excellent public speakers.
Another set of style in teaching emerged that rivalled the Sophist and they are called the
Philosophos, which means lovers of wisdom, they believed that teaching is more than just
training people to win arguments but rather strive to reach for the truth. For the philosophos,
arguments should be based on sound reasoning.
The following are the most notables ancient Greek Philosophers:

1. Pythagoras (570BCE to 495BCE) - a Mathematician and scientist, he is credited with the

formulation of the Pthagorean theorem.
2. Heraclitus (535BCE to 475BCE) – He propose that everything that exists is based on a
higher order or plan which he called logos. For him change is a permanent aspect of the
human condition. And his famous saying: “No man steps on the same river twice.”
3. Democritus (460BCE to 370BCE) – He devoted himself to studying the causes of natural
phenomena. He was among the first to propose that matter is composed of tiny
particles called atoms.
4. Diogenes of Sinope (412BCE to 323BCE) - He was a known advocate of a simple and
virtuous life. Later, his teachings influenced the schools of philosophy that developed
into Cynicism and Stoicism.
5. Epicurus (341BCE to 270BCE) - He believed that philosophy could enable man to live a
life of happiness. His view gave rise to Epicureanism – a school of philosophy which
believes that wisdom and simple living will result to a life free from fear and pain.
6. Socrates (470BCE to 399BCE) – He was considered the foremost philosopher of ancient
times. He made great contributions in the fields of ethics. He formulated the so called
Socratic Method – a series of questioning that can let the examiner to analyze the
knowledge and views of the other.
7. Plato (427BCE to 347 BCE) – A student of Socrates, he wrote his teacher’s writings and
incorporated some of his ideas into them. Plato’s most significant ideas included his
Theory of Forms, which proposes that everything that exists is based on an idea or
template that can only be perceived in the mind. These nonphysical ideas are eternal
and unchanging. Plato is also known for his dialectic – a method of inquiry where two
opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt to arrive at a new knowledge. Plato’s lasting
contribution to learning was his founding of the Academy an institution of higher
learning which was the first of its kind in the West.
8. Aristotle (384 BCE to 322BCE) – He attended the Academy, and he was a prominent
student of Plato. Aristotle, however disagreed with Plato’s theory of forms and took a
different view in interpreting reality. For him, all ideas and views are based on
perception and our reality is based on what we can sense and perceive. This view
greatly influenced the study of the physical sciences. DEDUCTIVE REASONING – The
process by which specific statements are analysed to reach a conclusion or
generalization.
9. Archimedes (287BCE to 212BCE) – He gained renowned He gained renown for the
practical aspects of his philosophical inquiries and was considered a leading scientist in
ancient times. He was credited for several inventions including the so called Archimedes
 screw, a devise for raising water, and a method for determining volume using
displacement.

HOW DID WESTERN PHILOSOPHY DEVELOP INTO A MODERN SCIENCE?

The science and discipline of Philosophy, as we know at the present, is primarily a product of
developments and changes in the Western world.

WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

Historical Period Sch of Thought Main features, beliefs Notable Philosopher

Ancient Rome STOICISM Emphasis on morality, Seneca, Epictetus,
1st C BCE to 5th C BCE virtue, calm, fortitude Marcus Aurelius
Medieval Period SCHOLASTICISM Application of St. Thomas Aquinas
5th to 15th C philosophy to define/ and St. Augustine
explain religious
doctrines
Renaissance 14th to HUMANISM Emphasis on the Petrarch, Desiderius
the 17th C human person Erasmus, Niccolo
Machiavelli, Francois
Rabelais
Enlightenment 17th to RATIONALISM Reason and logic Rene Descartes
the 18th C Immanuel Kant
Gottfried Liebniz

EMPIRICISM Knowledge is gained David Hume

thru the senses and Francis Bacon
experience, inductive John Locke
reasoning

SOCIAL AND Discussions on the Voltaire

POLITICAL PHILO ideal human situation Jean Jacque Rousseau
and society, emphasis Thomas Hobbes
on individual rights John Stuart Mill
and liberties.
th
Modern Period 19 to EXISTENTIALISM Human Experience is Soren Kierkegaard
th
20 C defined by the views, Friedrich Nietzsche
emotions, actions of Martin Heidegger
the individual. Jean Paul Sartre
Simone de Beauvoir
PRAGMATISM Emphasis on the Charles Peirce
practical use of William James
knowledge and ideas John Dewey
 PHENOMENOLOGY Experience is studied Edmund Husserl
based on the
subjective viewpoint
of the individual.

ABSURDISM Man will never Albert Camus

understand the
human condition and
the meaning of life.

POST MODERNISM, Analysis on how Jacques Derrida

POST- knowledge, ideas, and Michael Foucault
STRUCTURALISM power relations are
defined

EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

Historical Period School of Thought Main features, Belief Proponents, Major

Texts
Ca. 2000 BCE JUDAISM (ISRAEL, THE Belief in one God Abraham, Moses,
LEVANT) (monotheism) various prophets
The observance of God’s
commandments will result
in rewards Tanakh, Torah and
various scriptures
Ca. 1500 BCE HINDUISM (INDIA, Belief in a pantheon of The Vedas
SOUTH ASIA) gods, with three main
gods – Brahma, Shiva and
Vishnu

Belief in a cycle of birth

and rebirth (samsara) w/c
is broken when a person
achieves ultimate union
with the Divine (moksha)

Emphasis on Dharma, the

fulfilllment of duties and
behaviour in accordance
with establish order in the
world; individual actions
contribute to either good
or bad effect (karma) in a
person’s life.
Ca. 600 BCE SHINTO (JAPAN) An animistic religion No distinct
influence by Japanese philosophers or
myth and traditions
sacred texts

The material and spiritual

worlds are closely
connected; rituals and
traditions are a way to
connect with the spiritual
world

Mankind and the world

are essentially good and
pure

Harmony and Balance are

essential in maintaining
purity.
Ca. 600 – 500 BCE JAINISM (INDIA) Rejects the idea of a Mahavira
Creator and considers the
universe as eternal and
unceasing; time is a wheel
Jain Agamas
w/c goes thru cycles of
prosperity and suffering.

Wisdom is developed thru

the practice of the 5 main
vows: ahimsa
(nonviolence), satya
(truth), asteya (honesty),
bramacharya (chastity),
and aparigraha (peity).

Meditation, discipline and

respect for all life are
emphasized
Ca. 400 BCE BUDDHISM, (SOUTH Shares a number of main Siddharta Gautama
ASIA, EAST ASIA, beliefs (samsara, dharma, (Buddha)
moksha) with Hinduism
SOUTHEAST ASIA) Tripitaka
The four Noble Truths
describe worldly existence
as imperfect and
influenced by earthly
desires and suffering
(dukkha); to rid oneself of
desire and achieve
liberation from suffering,
one must follow the 8-fold
path.
 Divided into two major
branches: Theravada
Buddhism and Mahayana
Buddhism.
Ca. 400 BCE CONFUCIANISM (EAST The contemplation of the Confucius
ASIA) order of things can lead to
self-transformation. Self-
transformation can lead to
The Five Classics
the betterment of the
family and society.

Human relationships are

based on mutual
obligations; individuals
should perform their
intended roles and
contribute to social order.
Ca. 200 BCE Taoism (East Asia) Emphasis on the unity Lao Tzu
and harmony among
opposing elements I Ching, Tao Te Ching,
(yin and yang); and Zhuangzi
individuals must seek
to understand and act
in accordance with
the natural order.

Ca. 610 BCE ISLAM (West Asia) Belief in One God (Allah); Muhammad
commitment to faith is
shown through the
practice of the Five Pillars,
Quran
testament of faith
(shahada), daily prayers
(salat), alms-giving (zakat),
fasting during the month
of Ramadan (sawm), and
the pilgrimage to the holy
city of Mecca (hajj).

Religion and society are

closely intertwined; all
muslims are members of a
community (ummah)
bounded by faith.

Divide into two major

branches: Sunni Islam and
Shia Islam
Ca. 1440 CE SIKHISM (INDIA) God is believed to have Guru Nanak
created the universe and
is present everywhere and
 in everything. Guru Granth Sahib
Man communicates with
God through meditation,
and his ultimate destiny is
union with the Divine.

Apart from meditation,

believers must devote
themselves to selfless
service and action.

Think: Compare and Contrast aspects of Western and Eastern Philosophy using the Venn
diagram. Discuss your work in class.

Discuss: Which aspects or characteristics distinguish Eastern Philosophy from Western

Philosophy.