 At the end of the lesson, the student will be

able to:
◦ Discuss philosophy as a science.
◦ Identify and discuss the branches of philosophy
◦ Discuss the origins of philosophy
◦ Enumerate and discuss the characteristics of
philosophy
◦ Enumerate and discuss the development that
brought about the emergence of Western
Philosophy
◦ Identify notable ancient philosophers and discuss
their significant ideas and achievements
◦ Discuss how ancient philosophy develop into a
modern science
 Discuss significant aspects of Eastern
 Philosophy and discuss its related schools of
thought and belief system.
 Compare eastern and western philosophy
 Discuss their thoughts regarding the
importance of philosophy and their lives.
 Philosophy comes from the two greek words
“philo” means love and ‘sophia” means
wisdom if joint together it means “the love for
Wisdom”.
 It is an applied science or discipline which
uses human reason to investigate the
ultimate causes, reasons, and principles
which govern all things.
 Western Philosophy – primarily concerned
with uncovering the truth through systematic
argumentation and theory.
 There is a greater emphasis on the use of
reason rather than faith, and an increased
focus on man as an individual.
 This perspective has led to the development
of 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. Among the most
notable characteristics of ancient Greek
civilization was their love for learning.
 For greeks to claim himself a wise and learned
person, he must know a lot of things from
various disciplines.
 The Sophist were an important group that
emerged and influenced learning in Ancient
Greece.
 They were teachers who traveled throughout
Greece and taught people who wished to learn.
 Learning during that time was done through
discussion and arguement, and the sophists
were excellent public speakers who trained
their students to win each and every
argument they participated in.
 This style of teaching soon met resistance
from another group of thinkers who
disagreed with the methods of the sophists.
They believe that teaching is more than just
training people to win arguments.
 “Philosophos” a term which means lovers of
wisdom.
 Pythagoras as their leader believed that
arguments and discussion must be based on
sound reasoning.
 Their central belief was that man need not
know all things in the world, but one must
continue to inquire and seek to understand
and learn about human condition.
 Pythagoras
◦ A mathematician and
scientist, he was
credited with the
formulation of the
Pythagorean Theorem.
◦ His work earned him
many followers, and he
established a
community of learners
who were devoted to
study of religion and
philosophy
 Heraclitus (535 BCE to 475 BCE)
◦ He proposed that everything that exists is based on
a higher order or plan which he called logos.
◦ Change is permanent aspect of the human
condition and he was credited with the saying, “No
man ever steps on the same river twice”.
 Democritus (460 BCE to 370 BCE)
◦ 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.
 Diogenes of Sinope (412 BCE to 323 BCE)
◦ He was known advocate of a simple and virtuous
life.
◦ He was also known to be a vocal critic of well –
known philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle.
◦ His teachings and views were later develop by his
followers and influenced the development of several
schools of philosophy such as Cynicism and
Stoicism.
 Epicurus (341 BCE to 270 BCE)
◦ He believed that philosophy could enable man to
live a life of happiness.
◦ His views gave rise to Epicureanism – a school of
though which believes that wisdom and simple
living will result to a life free from fear and pain.
 Socrates (470 BCE to 399 BCE)
◦ He was considered the foremost philosopher of ancient
times.
◦ He made a great contribution to the field of ethics.
◦ Socrates was known critic of intellectuals during his
time, but himself did not claim to be “wise” and merely
considered him
self a “midwife” that helped inquiring minds achieve
wisdom.
◦ He believed that philosophy could enable a man live a
life of virtue.
◦ He was credited with formulating SOCRATIC METHOD – a
means of examining a topic by devising a series of
questions that let the learner examine and analyze his
knowledge and views regarding the topic.
 Plato (427 BCE to
347 BCE)
◦ A student of Socrates
◦ His teachings and
writing were
considered the
foundation of
western philosophy
 Theory of Forms – proposes that everything
that exists is based on an idea or template
that can only be perceived through the
mind;this non physical ideas are eternal and
unchanging.
 He also focused his studies on the ideal
society and proposed an ideal government
and society which is ruled by wisdom and
reason
 Dialectic – A method of inquiry where two
opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt
to arrive at 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.
 Aristotle (384 BCE
to 322 BCE)
◦ He attended the
academy and was a
prominent student of
Plato.
◦ For him, all ideas and
views are based on
perception and our
reality is based on
what we can sense
and perceive.
 He was involve in variety of discipline such as
zoology, psychology, ethics, and politics.
 He also proposed a system for the
classification of plants and animals.
 His studies in logic led to the formulation of a
formal process of analyzing reasoning which
gave rise to deductive reasoning – the
process by which specific statements are
analyzed to reach a conclusion or
generalization.
 Archimedes (287
BCE to 212 BCE)
◦ He gained renown for
the practical aspects
of his philosophical
inquiries and was
considered a leading
scientist in ancient
times.
 A mathematician,Physicist, engineer,
inventor, and astronomer, Archimedes
inquiries into mathematics led to earlier
developments which gave rise to modern
calculus.
 He pioneered the use of mathematics to
analyze natural phenomena.
 He is credited for several inventions such as
archimedes screw, a devise for raising water,
and a method for determining volume using
displacement.
St. Thomas Aquinas Petrarch
Rene Descartes Soren Kierkegaard
Edmund Husserl Michel Foucault
 Eastern Philosophy consists of school of
Thoughts which are closely tied with religious
beliefs.
 Eastern Philosophies are often described as
“Wisdom” Literature.
 There is a great emphasis on social relations,
and the family and community are considered
a central aspect of life.
 The goal is to achieve a balanced life and find
one’s role in society.
 Eastern Philosophies are callsified according
to theistic (Belief in Supreme being and
deities) and Nontheistic philosophies.
Historical School of Main Features, Belief Proponents,
Period Thought, Major Texts
Belief System
CA 2000 Judaism Belief in one GOD Abraham,
BCE (Israel) (monotheism), who has Moses, various
a role in the ultimate prophets.
destiny of mankind; the
Jewish people are God’s Tanakh, Torah
chosen People and Various
scriptures
The observance of
God’s commandments
will result in rewards. A
deeper study and
understanding of God’s
laws as revealed in the
sacred scriptures will
lead to wisdom.
Historical School of Main Features, Belief Proponents,
Period Thought, Major Texts
Belief
System
Ca. 1500 Hinduism Belief in a pantheon of gods, The Vedas
BCE (India, with three main gods, Brahma,
South Shiva, and Vishnu
Asia)
Belief in a cycle of birth and
rebirth (Samsara), which is
broken when a person achieves
ultimate union with the devine
(Moksha)

Emphasis on Dharma, the

fullfilment of duties and
behavior in accordance with the
established order in the world;
individual actions contribute to
either a good or bad effect
(karma) in a person’s life.
Historical School of Main Features, Belief Proponents,
Period Thought, Major Texts
Belief
System
Ca. 600 Shinto An animistic religion influenced No Distinct
BCE (Japan) by Japanese myth and traditions. Philosophers
or sacred
The material and spiritual worlds texts
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.
Historical School of Main Features, Belief Proponents,
Period Thought, Major Texts
Belief
System
Ca. 600 – Jainism Rejects the idea of a creator and Mahavira
500 BCE (India) considers the universe as eternal
and unceasing; time is a wheel Jain Agamas
which goes through cycles of
prosperity and suffering.

Wisdon is develop through the

practice of the five main vows,
Ahisma (non – violence), Satya
(Truth), Asteya (Honesty),
Brahmacharya (Chastity), and
Aparigraha (piety).

Meditation, discipline, and

respect for all are emphasized.
Historical School of Main Features, Belief Proponents,
Period Thought, Major Texts
Belief
System
Ca. 400 Buddhism Shares number of main beliefs
BCE (South (Samsara, Dharma, Moksah) with
Asia, East Hinduism.
Asia,
Southeast The Four Noble Truths describe
Asia) worldly existence as imperfect
and influenced by earhtly
desires and suffering (Dukkha);
to rid oneself of desire and
achieve liberation from
suffering, one must follow the
Eight fold Path.

Divided into two major

branches: Theravada Buddhism
and Mahayan Buddhism.
Historical School of Main Features, Belief Proponents,
Period Thought, Major Texts
Belief
System
Ca. 400 Confucian The contemplation of the order Confucious
BCE ism (East of things can lead to self –
Asia) transformation. Self – The Five
transformation can lead to the Classics
betterment of the family and
society.

Human relationships are based

on mutual
obligations;individulas should
perform their intended roles and
contribute to social order.
Historical School of Main Features, Belief Proponents,
Period Thought, Major Texts
Belief
System

Ca. 200 Taoism Emphasis on the unity and Lao Tzu

BCE (East Asia) harmony among opposing
elements (yin and yang); I ching, Tao
individuals must seek to te Ching,
understand and act in and
accordance with the natural Zhuangzi.
order.

Ca. 610 Islam Belief in one God (Allah); Muhammad

CE Commitment to faith is shown
through the practice of the Five Quran
Pillars: Testament of Faith
(shahada), daily prayers (Salat),
Alms – giving (Zakat), fasting
during the month of Ramadan
(Sawm), and the pilgrimage to
mecca (Hajj)
Historical School of Main Features, Belief Proponents,
Period Thought, Major Texts
Belief
System

Religion and society are closely

intertwined; all Muslims are
member of a community
(UMMAH) bounded by faith.

Divided into two major branches:

Sunni Islam and Shiite Islam.

Ca. 1440 Sikhism •God is believed to have created Guru Nanak

CE the universe and is present
everywhere and in everything. Guru Granth
•Man communicate with God Sahib
through meditation, and his
ultimate destiny is union with
the divine
•Apart from meditation, believers
must devote themselves to
selfless service and action.
 The way of analyzing framework
◦ Framework – 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.
 External questions – seek to question the very
framework upon which people base their own beliefs
and views.
 As an examination of a particular area of
knowledge
◦ Philosophy goes hand – in – hand with other
disciplines in examining their fundamental
purposes in evaluating the changes they
experiences
 A distinct area of knowledge with it own goal,
concerns, and ways of doing things
◦ Philosophy of the human person – looks in to the
nature of man.
◦ Aesthetics – deals with beauty and what makes
things beautiful.
◦ Logic – deals with correct reasoning.
◦ Epistemology – discusses the nature of knowledge
and knowing.
◦ Ethics – deals wit moral questions and dilemmas
◦ Political philosophy – studies government and deals
with questions of justice, power and the rights and
obligation of citizens
 ◦ Metaphysics – deals with the question of reality and
experience.
 Philosophy is a reflective and meditative
activity.
 A method of mental exercise on any type of
experience.
 Plato traced man’s need to philosophize to
his sense of wonder.
◦ Why do we exist?
◦ For what purpose are we created?
 Rene Descartes traced the to philosophize to
Doubt.
◦ A critical questioning perspective is necessary in
order to determine if indeed this ideas or views are
correct or wrong.
 Karl Jaspers saw the need to philosophize
because of experience.
◦ He believed that man is often confronted by
experiences which challenge his ideas and
frameworks. He called this experiences as Limit
Situations.
◦ Philosophy provides us a means to understand
adverse or challenging conditions and to rise above
them and gain new knowledge and perspective.
 Finally, the need to philosophize is driven by
the love of wisdom.
 I know that I do not
know .......