This document provides an introduction to the philosophy of the human person. It defines philosophy and discusses its main branches, including metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology. It also examines key principles of philosophy like the principles of identity, non-contradiction, and sufficient reason. Additionally, it explores concepts in Filipino philosophy such as loob, utang na loob, and bahala na. Finally, it discusses the idea of abundance in philosophy, describing abundance as something that comes from scattering rather than gathering and is found in sharing rather than holding.
2. Wisdom is the goal of Philosophy.
Philosophy is defined as the science that by
natural light of reason studies the first causes or
highest principles of all things.
3. SCIENCE. It is called science because the
investigation is systematic. It follows certain
steps or it employs certain procedures.
NATURAL LIGHT OF REASON. Philosophy
investigates things, not by using any other
laboratory instrument or tools even theology
but philosopher uses his natural capacity to
think simply human reason alone.
4. STUDY OF ALL THINGS. This sets the distinction
between philosophy from other sciences. All
other sciences concern themselves with a
particular object of investigation. Whereas, a
philosopher studies human beings, society,
religion, language, God, and plants among other
concerns.
5. The reason is that philosophy is not one
dimensional or partial. Philosopher does not
limit himself to a particular object of inquiry. He
questions almost anything, if not everything. It
is multidimensional or holistic.
6. FIRST CAUSE OR HIGHEST PRINCIPLE. A
principle is that from which something proceeds
in any manner whatsoever.
PRINCIPLE OF IDENTITY. Whatever is it; and
whatever is not is not; everything is what it is.
Everything is its own being, and not being is not
being
7. PRINCIPLE OF NON-CONTRADICTION. It is
impossible for a thing to be and not to be at the
same time, and at the same respect.
PRINCIPLE OF EXCLUDED MIDDLE. A thing is
either is or is not; everything must be either be
or not be; between being and not-being, there
is no middle ground possible.
8. PRINCIPLE OF SUFFICIENT REASON. Nothing
exists without a sufficient reason for its being
and existence.
9. In attaining wisdom, there is a need of
emptying.
For Taoist considers an empty cup more useful
than a full one. This means simplicity and
humility.
Emptying can be also spiritual. For Christian
Philosophy, poverty in spirit means compassion
11. METAPHYSICS. Is really only an extension of a
fundamental and necessary drive in every
human being to know what is real.
ETHICS. It explores the nature of moral virtue
and evaluates human actions.
EPISTEMOLOGY. Specifically, it deals with
nature, sources, limitations, and validity of
knowledge.
12. Epistemology questions are basic to all other
philosophical inquiries. Epistemology explains:
(1) how we know what we claim to know; (2)
how we can find out what we wish to know; and
(3) how we can differentiate truth from
falsehood. It addresses varied problems.
13. LOGIC. Reasoning is the concern of the
logician. Logic is not interested in what we know
regarding certain subjects. Its concern, rather, is
the truth or the validity of our arguments
regarding such objects.
14. AESTHETICS. When humanity has learned to
make something that is useful to them they
begin to plan and dream how to make it
beautiful.
Aesthetics Is the science of the beautiful in its
various manifestations.
16. LOOB. HOLISTIC AND INTERIOR DIMENSIONS.
Kagandahang-loob, kabutihang-loob and
kalooban are terms that show sharing of one`s
self to others.
Filipino believes the innate goodness of the
human being.
17. Filipino ethics has an internal code and
sanction that flow from within itself.
18. FILIPINO PHILOSOPHY OF TIME. Often, Filipino
time is mistakenly interpreted as always delayed
in the committed time of arrival. This notion can
be misleading since the Filipino Farmers are
early risers to go to their field and waste no
time for work. The concept of “Siesta time” or
“Power naps” is also important for Filipino
culture that must not be necessarily considered
negative.
19. BAHALA NA. The Filipino subconsciously
accepts the bahala na attitude as a part of life.
Bahala na literally means to leave everything to
God who is Bathala in the vernacular. It contains
the elements of resignation. Thus, the Filipino
accepts beforehand whatever the outcome of
his problem might be. (Mercado 2000)
21. However as we consider our duty, it should not
be bounded by utang na loob but to help to
uplift the life not only of one`s own family but of
others as well. The Filipino gives great value to
endurance and hard work as means to
economic self-sufficiency. This self-sufficiency
refers not to individual self, but to the family to
which one owes a special debt of gratitude for
having brought him life and nurtured him.
22. We should stress other positive Filipino values
such as bayanihan. It is another moving spirit of
the Filipino people. Deep down in the Filipino
psyche, there exists the belief that whatever
good one has done will redound to one`s
benefit because a supreme judge will dispense
just compensation whether in this life or the
next (Mercado 2000)
23. PHILOSOPHY: TRANSCENDING AND AIMING FOR A
LIFE OF ABUNDANCE. Abundance comes from the
Latin term, “abudare” (Aguilar 2010) meaning, to
overflow nonstop.” in Aguilar`s The Gift of
Abundance, abundance was given new spiritual,
even Buddhist paradigm. Abundance is out flowing
than incoming, it is not about amassing material
things or people but our relationship with others,
ourselves, and with nature. Aguilar (2010) asserts
that our very life belongs to God.
24. ABUNDANCE IS NOT WHAT WE GATHER BUT
WHAT WE SCATTER. Often, abundance is
equated with materialism, but it is when we
raise our empty hands and surrender, when we
do not grab, when we are unattached to
anything or anyone, when we often oneself-all
these are abundance. Only if we have empty
hands can we receive full blessings.
25. ABUNDANCE IS NOT WHAT WE KEEP BUT
WHAT WE GIVE. Aguilar (2010) believes that to
be abundant, we must learn to control our
appetites and desires, for they have impact on
other people. Harsh words, pollution, and
eating unhealthy foods are examples where our
choices influence or affect not only ourselves
but others as well
26. In other words, there is karma in our thoughts,
words, and actions.
27. ABUNDANCE IS NOT WHAT WE HOLD BUT
WHAT WE SHARE. Undoubtedly, money counts
in our globalized society. However, Aguilar
(2010) reminds us that money should not
matter much, for every moment is a blessing,
even if one does not have money.
28. Abundance is more than ambitions; there are
more precious things such as people that
matter.
29. ABUNDANCE IS A CHOICE. As we aspire for our
dreams, we should try our best to be positive in
our thoughts, motives, and efforts. A friend
once said that when we look down, we only see
our misfortunes but when we look up, we
realize that we are more fortunate than others.