INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
WEEK 1 LESSON
OBJECTIVES
Distinguish a holistic perspective from a partial point of view
Recognize human activities that emanated from deliberate reflection
Realize the value of doing philosophy in obtaining a broad perspective on life
Do a philosophical reflection on a concrete situation from a holistic perspective
In simple terms: Philosophy asks a big question like:
What is real?
Who I am?
What is the meaning of life?
How should I live?
What is truth?
What is good and bad?
How do we know what we know?
PHILOSOPHY
study of the fundamental nature of reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and
language.
used to understand reality and answer questions of knowledge, morality and human nature.
The word comes from the Greek "philo" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom)—so philosophy literally
means "love of wisdom."
It can be described as either a body of knowledge or an intellectual activity.
Why we Study Philosophy?
To develop critical thinking and reasoning skills
To explore life's deepest questions
To understand different worldviews and cultures
To form your own beliefs more thoughtfully
Traditional branches of philosophy
1. Metaphysics – The Study of Reality and Existence
• Asks: What is real? What exists? What is the nature of being?
• Topics: Being, existence, time, space, causality, the soul, God, free will.
• Example Question: Does God exist? Is there life after death? Do we have free will? Are
mind and body separate?
• Famous Thinker: Aristotle – Called it the "first philosophy" because it deals with the
most fundamental things.
2. Epistemology – The Study of Knowledge
• Asks: What is knowledge? How do we know what we know?
• Topics: Truth, belief, justification, perception, skepticism.
• Example Question: Can we trust our senses? What is truth? What is the difference
between belief and truth?
• Famous Thinker: René Descartes – Known for his method of doubt in search of certainty.
3. Ethics – The Study of Morality and Right Action
• Asks: What is good or bad? How should we live?
• Topics: Virtue, duty, happiness, justice, moral responsibility.
• Example Question: Is lying ever morally acceptable? What makes an action right?
• Famous Thinker: Immanuel Kant – Proposed the “categorical imperative” as a rule for
moral action.
4. Logic – The Study of Reasoning
• Asks: What are the rules of correct thinking?
• Topics: Arguments, fallacies, deductive and inductive reasoning.
• Example Question: Is this argument valid? How do we distinguish good reasoning from
bad?
• Famous Thinker: Aristotle – Developed formal logic and syllogisms.
5. Aesthetics – The Study of Beauty and Art
• Asks: What is beauty? What is art?
• Topics: Taste, artistic expression, creativity, perception of beauty.
• Example Question: Is beauty subjective? What makes something “art”? Is beauty in the
eye of the beholder, or is it universal?
• Famous Thinker: Plato – Believed art should reflect the ideal forms of beauty and truth.
Optional Branches Often Included:
• Political Philosophy – Studies justice, law, rights, and the role of the state.
• Philosophy of the Human Person – Focuses on human nature, dignity, freedom, and
purpose.
• Philosophy of Religion – Investigates the existence and nature of God, faith, and reason.
STUDENT’S ACTIVITY/ASSIGNMENT
Assignment 1 - Answer the Philosophy big question?
Activity 1 - What must be done before the action?
Activity 2 - Answer the following questions based on the activity 1.
Activity 3 - Creating scenario and role playing (Branches of Philosophy)
Prepared by: MELCHIE P. VELUZ, LPT, MAEd GC
Subject Teacher, Philosophy
