Lesson 1 - Doing Philosophy

Lesson Overview

• Lesson Title: Doing Philosophy: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

• Institution: La Consolacion University, Philippines

• Location: City of Malolos, Bulacan

Lesson Objectives

• By the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

  • Explain philosophy, including its definition, value, processes, and branches.

  • Value their learnings about the practical value of philosophy through sharing their existing philosophical reflections.

  • Write a short reflection on a philosophical theme of their choice.

Short Film Analysis

• Students engage in a short film analysis to explore personal reflections on self-identity and philosophical themes.

  • Discussion prompts include:

    1. Emotional responses to the video.

    2. Insights on self-identity conveyed through the video.

    3. Whether the video raises more questions than it answers concerning self-identity.

Importance of Philosophy

• Philosophy's Role:

  • Sheds light on fundamental questions about human existence, providing insight into reality and our place within it.

Definition of Philosophy

• Philosophy as Science:

  • Defined as a science that utilizes reason to study first causes or the highest principles of all things.

• Philosophy as Love of Wisdom:

  • Translates from Greek: 'philo' (love) + 'sophia' (wisdom).

Value of Philosophy

• Understanding:

  • Through philosophy, we come to know truths about ourselves, our world, and our relationships.

• Practical Implications:

  • Philosophy invites a deeper quest for wisdom over mere knowledge, encouraging wise judgment and ethical decision-making.

Benefits of Philosophy

1. Encourages Seeking Wisdom:

   • Philosophy leads to a pursuit of wisdom over mere accumulation of facts.

2. Knowledge vs. Wisdom:

   • Philosophy emphasizes wisdom as the application of knowledge to achieve good judgment and right conduct.

3. Holistic Approach:

   • Integrates knowledge (theoria) with practical action (praxis).

Branches of Philosophy

1. Metaphysics:

   • Concerned with the nature of reality, existence, and the universe, addressing relationships between mind and matter, and causality.

2. Epistemology:

   • Studies knowledge, belief, and the limits of understanding. Key term: Tabula rasa - the idea that we are born as a blank slate, and knowledge emerges from experience.

3. Ethics:

   • Focuses on morality, right and wrong, and the consequences of actions. Key issues include:

     • Abortion

     • Human trafficking

4. Aesthetics:

   • Explores the nature of art and concepts of beauty, and its role in human experience.

5. Logic:

   • Involves reasoning, argumentation, and the analysis of valid and sound arguments.

   • Examples of arguments:

     • Valid: "All cats are evil. Your pet is a cat. Therefore, your pet is evil."

     • Invalid: "All dogs have four legs. All dogs are animals. Therefore, all animals have four legs."

Discussions and Reflections

• Discussion Questions:

  • How do various branches of philosophy deepen understanding of life's ultimate purpose?

  • How can philosophy guide meaningful choices in daily life?

• Reflection Paper Assignment:

  • Write a short paragraph reflecting on a concrete life experience where a philosophical concept or value helped solve a problem or made an understanding clearer.