Philosophy: What is it and where did it originate?

The word philosophy comes from two Greek words: philos (love) and sophia
(wisdom). The Ancient Greeks used this term to refer to a "love for wisdom" and was
soon applied to a science or discipline which uses human reason to investigate the
ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which govern all things.
Since ancient times, people have been reflecting on and discussing various issues
related to philosophy. Asian communities already had thriving schools of thought and belief systems since
2000 BCE. In the west, the first philosophical schools emerged in ancient Greece around the 6th century BCE.
These first schools of thought gave rise to changes and developments which brought about the emergence of
philosophy as we know it at present.

What developments brought about the emergence of Western Philosophy?

Western Philosophy is primarily concerned with uncovering the truth through systematic
argumentation and theory. There is 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 a 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 a Greek to claim himself a wise
and learned person, he must know a lot of things from various disciplines,
The Sophists were an important group that emerged and influenced learning in Ancient Greece,
Learning during that time was done through discussion and argument, and the Sophists Were excellent public
speakers who trained their students to win each and every argument they participated in.

This style of teaching, however, soon met resistance from another group of thinkers who disagreed with the
methods of the Sophists. They believed that teaching is more than just training people to win arguments.
Teaching and learning should be an opportunity to learn the truth of all things in this world, and all real wisdom
should strive to achieve truth aside from knowledge.
One of their leaders, Pythagoras, called themselves philosophos - a term which mean "lovers of
wisdom.” For the philosophos, arguments and discussion must be based on sound reasoning. They were the
pioneers of today's philosophers. 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 the human condition.
 DISCUSS

1. How did the first philosophers distinguish themselves from other intellectuals during
their time?
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2. What did it mean to be a “lover of wisdom”? What characteristics or traits defined a

philosopher?
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From their roots in Ancient Greece, the thoughts and ideas of philosophers soon gained popularity in
many places throughout the world. Among the ancient Greeks, the philosophers became pioneers in various
fields of knowledge such as history, biology, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and even physics. It was
quite common to hear of an ancient philosopher who was considered an "expert" in various fields of learning.

The following are among the most notable ancient Greek philosophers:

Pythagoras (570 BCE to 495 BCE) - 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 the 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. For him, change is a 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 a known advocate of a simple and virtuous life. For
Diogenes, one should not only talk of virtue but should show it in words and actions. His emphasis on austerity
and simplicity often went to the extreme, and he was said to have lived like a beggar. He was also known to
be a vocal critic of well-known philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. His teachings and views were later
developed 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 philosophy 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
great contributions to the field of ethics. Socrates was a known critic of intellectuals during his time, but he
himself did not claim to be wise and merely considered himself a "midwife" that helped inquiring minds
achieve wisdom. He also believed that philosophy could enable a man to live a life of virtue. He was credited
with formulating the 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, he wrote down his teacher's writings and incorporated
some of his own ideas into them. His teachings and writings were considered the foundation of Western
philosophy. Plato's most significant ideas included his Theory of Forms, which proposes that everything that
exists is based on an idea or template that can only be perceived in the mind; these nonphysical ideas are
eternal and unchanging. He also focused his studies on the ideal society and proposed an ideal model of
government and society which is ruled by wisdom and reason. Plato is also known for his 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. Aristotle,
however disagreed with Plato's theory of forms and took a different view in interpreting reality. For him, all
ideas and views are based on perception and our reality is based on what we can sense and perceive. This view
greatly. This view greatly influenced the study of the physical sciences. Aristotle was involved in a great
variety of disciplines 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 the Archimedes screw, a devise for raising water, and a method for determining volume
using displacement.
 These and other ancient philosophers contributed greatly to the development and spread of philosophy
in Greece and throughout Europe. Many of their ideas survived through the centuries, and these formed the
basis for the development of modern Western Philosophy.

THINK
1. Complete the table by providing the required information.
Ancient Philosophers Significant Contributions

2. Which ancient philosopher, in your opinion, made the greatest contribution to the
development of Philosophy? Defend your answer.
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Why is there a need for man to philosophize?

Philosophers have often wondered and argued about the role of philosophy in man's life. One view is
that each one of us is a philosopher, whether or not we have studied Philosophy as a science.
The Greek philosopher Plato traced man's need to philosophize to his sense of wonder. Whenever we
are confronted with an experience, we always wonder how it came about. Man's over-abounding curiosity
drives him to ask questions, some of which have no definite answers. Where did we come from? Why do we
exist? For what purpose were we created? Consider a small child's curiosity about all the things around him,
since many of the things he sees he encounters for the first time. This perspective drives the need of a
philosopher to question, examine, and learn more.
The 15th-century French philosopher Rene Descartes, meanwhile, traced the need to philosophize to
doubt. Descartes was famous for rejecting or questioning old ideas, and he even went as far as doubting his
own ideas. His method of examining ideas and perspectives became the basis of critical thinking and analysis
in the sciences. In the sciences, there is a need to verify an information or explanation before it is accepted as
truth. In life, we will be faced with several ideas and arguments which present themselves as "truths." A critical
and questioning perspective is necessary in order to determine if indeed these ideas or views are correct or
true.
The 20th-century Swiss-German philosopher Karl Jaspers saw the need to philosophize because of
experience. Jaspers believed that man is often confronted by experiences which challenge his ideas and
frameworks. Jaspers called these experiences limit situations, and these are often accompanied by feelings of
helplessness, anxiety, or dread. For Jaspers, philosophy provides us a means to understand adverse or
challenging conditions, and to rise above them and gain new knowledge and perspectives.
Finally, the need to philosophize is driven by the love for wisdom. To love wisdom is to have
an insatiable desire for truth. A philosopher does not seek knowledge to claim ownership of it; and one who
engages in philosophy is not satisfied with figuring out the answer to a question. He seeks to continue to
question, to probe, and to discuss in order to get to the bottom of things. Perhaps the one philosopher that
exemplified this perspective was Socrates, who gained fame for his curiosity and his constant debates with
many of the intellectual elite in Greece. Socrates is famous for having said "I know that I do not know..." and
it is in accepting this state of ignorance that one can begin to learn and understand. By expanding our
knowledge through philosophy, we begin to realize that learning is unceasing-there is a lot more to learn and
experience in life. Socrates is also recognized for his motto: "The unexamined life is not worth living." And
nowhere is it more appropriate to embark on philosophy than in an examination of our own life.

DISCUSS
How can philosophizing benefit you as a person?
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What are some of the major questions that Philosophers ponder on?
In the course of their studies and inquiries, philosophers touch upon many subjects and concerns. There
are a number of problems or questions, however that are considered to be exclusively in the domain of
Philosophy. These major questions concern reality, certainty, causality, and ethics.

What is real? Are we able to perceive and understand reality and everything in it?

The first major question that philosophers look into is the question of reality. Reality refers to the
state of existence of things independent of human consciousness. In the broadest sense, reality includes
physical things that we see, feel, taste, and smell, as well as things that we cannot easily perceive and
comprehend. It also includes things that already existed, things that presently exist, and things that are yet to
exist.
Philosophers believe in the existence of an "objective and absolute" reality, which means that
everything that exists in reality has a specific nature or character. They also believe that man has the ability to
sense and perceive reality. Philosophers have attempted to classify reality into various categories. The most
general categories divide reality into concrete and abstract reality.
The branch of Philosophy which addresses questions regarding reality is Metaphysics. A branch of
metaphysics, Ontology, focuses on the classification of existing things. Topics relate to the discussion of
reality include the concepts of time, space, the nature of the universe, and tilt nature of the human being or
what makes man what he is.

DISCUSS
What are your personal ideas about the nature of the world and the universe?
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The second major focus of philosophical investigation is the question of certainty. Certainty refers to
perfect knowledge that is free from error or doubt. Philosophy seeks to achieve certainty in its quest for
knowledge, though many philosophers believe that it is impossible to be perfectly certain about existence and
the human condition. A central concept in the question of certainty is truth. Although we cannot be perfectly
certain about all things, philosophers use methods and approaches to reach conclusions with certain degrees
of certainty or truth in them. Also related to the question of certainty is the concept of knowledge and the
means by which man is able to know.
Rationalism is a theory on knowledge which believes that knowledge is a priori knowledge or based
on pure reasoning without the benefit of any experience.
Empiricism is another theory which considers knowledge to be a posteriori knowledge or knowledge
gained from experience.
Another theory, skepticism, questions the certainty of established doctrines or truths and believe that
the mind has limits in perceiving and understanding reality — thus, all knowledge is uncertain.
Many philosophers employ a skeptical view in analyzing certainty and the nature of knowing. The
skeptical philosopher does not fully discount everything, but instead carefully looks into the various aspects
of ideas or concepts in question to figure out if they are, indeed, truthful or not. The branch of Philosophy
which deals with the nature and extent of knowledge is called Epistemology.

DISCUSS
1. In your personal life, what are the things you consider “real,” “true,” or “unchanging”?
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2. Did you experience a situation where you had to defend your beliefs? Share your experience.
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 Philosophers also tackle the question of causality or the causes of events and phenomena.
Philosophers analyze causality by examining events in the context of a cause-and-effect relationship.
Philosophers try to understand the underlying principles that govern a certain phenomenon and uncover the
true nature of such phenomenon. In analyzing the causes of human actions and events, philosophers are able
to determine the factors and motivations behind them closely related to the concept of causality are questions
regarding the origin of things. Another important concept related to causality is purpose or the explanation of
a thing's function or go in a broader sense, purpose also refers to the reason for a thing's existence. A thing's
purpose often considered its final or ultimate cause.

A concept related to causality is agency, which is the capacity of man to govern or control his actions.
Philosophers accept that human beings are capable of making decisions that define their actions. How humans
make decisions, however, is a topic of much discussion and debate. There are those who contend that humans
possess free will or the ability to choose among possible actions. Others, however, point to other factors and
processes which influence individual actions such as reason, belief, desire, and morality. The concept of choice
is an important aspect of any discussion on agency and free will. An important perspective regarding causality
and agency is determinism which shows that each event is determined or influenced by a specific set of events
or factors. A related concept is destiny, which refers to a predetermined course future. The branch of
Philosophy of events leading to a specific outcome of future. The branch of Philosophy that studies causality
is called Etiology, while Teleology is the branch which deals with the question of purpose.

What is the ultimate cause of all things? What is our purpose in this world? To what extent are our choices and
actions considered “free”?

What are the practical uses of Philosophy in our lives?

Apart from being an academic course and a science, Philosophy also has a place in our daily lives.
The work of a philosopher requires a set of skills which can be applied in various academic and practical
endeavors.

Philosophy requires a person to engage in analysis and interpretation of concepts, definitions,

arguments, and problems. One can apply this critical and analytical mindset in approaching information
gained from media and addressing certain issues encountered in life. A philosophical approach can help us
avoid being tricked by false claims or manipulative schemes.
Problem-solving and decision making are important aspects in life which can benefit from a
knowledge of philosophy. The ability to analyze a problem or dilemma, identify its significant aspects, and
come up with alternative solutions is an important skill learned through Philosophy.

A philosopher is also a good communicator who can clearly and adequately present his or her
ideas. Discussion and debate require skills in presenting and communicating ideas, Philosophy can also help
us be more open to new and different ideas. This openness and acceptance help in facilitating communication
among people of different beliefs and backgrounds.
Wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing, and this refers to a person's ability to apply
knowledge to daily life particularly in making sound choices and judgment in the practical aspects of life.
Finally, knowledge of Philosophy can contribute to self-development. One can be a better student,
scientist, artist, professional, and citizen if one has the capacity for inquiry, critical thinking, and reflection.
These are tools to develop one's own ideas and views and engage fully in useful activities in the community,
nation, and the world at large.
DISCUSS
How can philosophical skills help you succeed as a professional?
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Holistic vs. Partial Point of View

In philosophy, understanding something depends on the point of view used in studying that object,
concept, or situation. Limiting one's view to one cause or factor can be called a partial point of view.
Holism comes from the Greek word "holos," meaning literally everything, whole, whole. Holism is
a way of thought which preserves the interdependence of factors with other causalities agencies. In other
words, a certain structure or component cannot alone determine the properties of a particular phenomenon or
system (e.g., philosophical, biological, psychological , emotional, spiritual , social, political, and
linguistic). This type of system therefore aims, by analyzing the behaviour and operations of certain
components, to define and describe any or more of a certain system.

A partial point of view is characterized in philosophy as a way or method of how the fact or the
situation is seen or interpreted. Therefore, if one speaks from a partial perspective, he made it clear that the
way he sees the reality or some phenomenon depends on a single factor or causal agency. A partial view is
then a view centered on a single portion of an entire object.
THINK
Give your own examples of Holistic and Partial Point of view.

Holistic Point of View Partial Point of View