Philosophy First Quarter First Semester

Philosophy

Love of wisdom; the science that studies the first causes or highest principles through human reason alone.

Knowledge

Awareness or understanding gained through experience, study, and reasoning.

Wisdom

Deep insight and good judgment that guide actions and understanding.

Science

Systematic knowledge obtained through observation, reasoning, and evidence.

Natural Light of Reason

Human reason’s intrinsic capacity to know truths without empirical input.

Study of All Things

Philosophy’s aim to examine fundamental aspects of reality through reason.

Principle of Identity

Whatever is, is; A is A; an object is identical to itself.

Principle of Non-Contradiction

A statement cannot be both true and false in the same sense at the same time.

Principle of Excluded Middle

For any proposition, either it is true or its negation is true; no middle ground.

First Cause or Highest Principle

An ultimate principle or cause that underlies all things.

Thales of Miletus

Early Western philosopher who sought natural explanations and contributed to deductive geometry.

Pre-Socratic Philosopher

Early Greek philosophers before Socrates who emphasized naturalistic explanations.

Naturalism

Belief that nature is all that exists and that natural causes explain phenomena.

Western Ideologies

Philosophical traditions of the Western world (e.g., Greece, Rome, later Europe).

Eastern Ideologies

Philosophical traditions from Asia (e.g., Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism).

Socrates

Classical Greek philosopher known for the Socratic Method and ethical inquiry.

Socratic Method

Technique of guided questioning to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas.

Plato

Student of Socrates; founder of the Academy; theory of Forms; Republic.

Theory of Forms

Abstract, perfect realities that exist beyond the physical world; true reality.

The Republic

Plato’s dialogue on justice and the ideal state.

Academy

Plato’s school; considered the first institution of higher learning in the Western world.

Aristotle

Greek philosopher who developed logic, empirical science, ethics, and politics.

Logic and Scientific Method

Aristotle’s emphasis on rational inference and systematic observation.

Syllogistic Reasoning

Aristotle’s deductive reasoning using syllogisms (two premises lead to a conclusion).

Empirical Approach

Knowledge derived from observation and experience.

Virtue Ethics

Ethics focusing on character and virtue rather than rules alone.

Rene Descartes

Rationalist philosopher famous for doubt and cogito ergo sum.

Immanuel Kant

Philosopher who explored limits of knowledge and the mind–world relation.

Jean-Paul Sartre

Existentialist philosopher emphasizing freedom, responsibility, and choice.

St. Augustine

Early Christian thinker integrating faith with Neoplatonism.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Medieval thinker reconciling faith and reason; influenced Aristotle’s ethics and theology.

Søren Kierkegaard

Existentialist who stressed individual faith and authentic living.

Karl Marx

Political philosopher known for historical materialism and critique of capitalism.

Confucianism

Ethical system emphasizing social harmony, filial piety, and righteousness.

Confucius

Founder of Confucianism; central figure in Eastern ethical thought.

Daoism (Taoism)

Philosophy advocating harmony with the Dao (the Way) and naturalness.

Buddhism

Spiritual tradition focusing on overcoming suffering through the Eightfold Path and enlightenment.

Hinduism

Dharma, karma, moksha; diverse philosophical schools seeking ultimate reality (Brahman).

Shinto

Indigenous Japanese spirituality centered on kami and purity.

Eastern Ideology

Philosophies emphasizing collectivism, tradition, and social harmony.

Western Ideology

Philosophies emphasizing individualism, rights, and rational progress.

Karl Jaspers

Philosopher who emphasized questions as central to philosophy and holistic thinking.

Holistic Thinking

A broad perspective that considers large-scale patterns and the whole system.

Partial Thinking

Focusing on specific aspects; analytical approach that may miss the bigger picture.

Practical Philosophy

Branch of philosophy applying ideas to everyday life and real-world issues.

Practical Wisdom

Ability to apply knowledge well to make sound decisions.

Ethics

Moral principles that govern right conduct and good life.

Axiology

Theory of value; study of what is valuable (goods, harms, virtues).

Aesthetics

Science of beauty, taste, and artistic value.

Semantics

Study of meaning in language and interpretation.

Division of Philosophy

Subdivision into practical vs. speculative branches (logic, ethics, aesthetics, etc.).

Practical Wisdom

Skill in applying informed judgment to practical decisions.

Ethics and Moral Reasoning

Applying moral principles to assess right actions and responsibilities.

Ontology

Study of being and existence; questions about what exists and what it means to be.

Metaphysics

The first philosophy; study of reality beyond the physical, including being, causation, time, and space.

Epistemology

Study of knowledge: its nature, sources, and limits.

Cosmology

Study of the origin, structure, and laws of the universe.

Phenomenology

Study of conscious experience and appearances as they are perceived.

Theodicy

Justification of the goodness of God in the face of evil.

Natural Theology

Study of God and divine attributes using reason and experience.

Induction

Reasoning from particular observations to general conclusions.

Deduction

Reasoning from general principles to specific conclusions.

Pragmatism

Truth is verified by practical consequences and usefulness.

Empiricism

Knowledge arises from sensory experience and evidence.

Rationalist

Belief that reason can yield knowledge independent of experience.

Speculative Philosophy

Abstract, theoretical exploration without immediate empirical application.

Ontology (term)

See above.

Archaeology of Truth Theories (Theories of Truth)

Various theories explaining what makes statements true: correspondence, coherence, and pragmatism.

Correspondence Theory of Truth

Truth corresponds to the way things actually are in reality.

Coherence Theory of Truth

Truth is the coherence of a belief with a system of beliefs.

Pragmatic Theory of Truth

Truth is verified by practical usefulness and outcomes.

Postmodernism

Intellectual movement challenging universal truths and grand narratives.

Analytic Tradition

Philosophical approach prioritizing language clarity, logic, and rigorous argument.

Environmental Protection

Efforts to safeguard the environment by individuals, organizations, and law.

RA 9275 (Clean Water Act of 2004)

Philippine law protecting water resources and water quality.

RA 6969 (Toxic Substances Act)

Philippine law regulating toxic/hazardous substances.

RA 8749 (Clean Air Act)

Philippine law governing air quality and pollution control.

RA 9003 (Solid Waste Management Act)

Philippine law for sustainable solid waste management.

PD 1586 (Environmental Impact Statement)

Philippine decree requiring environmental impact assessment for projects.

Deep Ecology

Philosophy asserting equal intrinsic value for all living beings.

Arne Naess

Founder of Deep Ecology; argued for intrinsic value of all beings.

Social Ecology

Critique of domination; links society, environment, and power structures.

Murray Bookchin

Proponent of Social Ecology; argued against hierarchical domination.

Ecofeminism

Link between oppression of women and degradation of nature.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Advocate for women’s rights; critical of gender inequality.

Ynestra King

Ecofeminist theorist connecting feminism with ecology.

Sustainable Development

Balancing human development with environmental protection for long-term viability.

Environmental Integrity

Maintaining a healthy, functional environment.

Economic Efficiency

Smart, prudent use of resources to minimize waste.

Equity

Fair and just distribution of resources for current and future generations.

Environmental Challenges

Problems like pollution, deforestation, soil degradation, water scarcity, etc.

Anthropocentric Thinking

View that humans are the most important beings and focus on human interests.

Environmental Degradation

Harmful destruction or depletion of ecosystems through human activity.

Animal Agriculture

Raising animals for food; discussed in environmental ethics.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns, often driven by human activity.

Pathocentrism

Moral consideration based on the capacity to feel pain or pleasure.

Objectivism

Philosophical system emphasizing objective reality and individual rights.

Social Constructivism

Knowledge and reality shaped by social and cultural contexts.

Ecocentrism

View that ecosystems have intrinsic value beyond human use.

Biocentrism

Belief in the intrinsic value of all living beings.