Intro to Philosophy

Dr. Crispulo S. Alarde, Jr.

Professor
 What is Philosophy?
• When the people were trying to explain the origin of
the universe through reasoning and observation, this
was the first step in the development of philosophy.
• Etymologically, the word “philosophy” comes from the
Greek words, “philo”, meaning, “to love”, and “sophia”,
meaning “wisdom”. So, the original defination of
philosophy si “love of wisdom”.
• Philosophy emphasizes our living desire to understand
the world that surrounds us, and the world within us.
• The Ancient philosophers understood the term
philosophy as the sum total of the main branches of
scientific study.
 Philosophy is also defined as;
• Science – because the investigation is systematic. It follows certain
steps or it employs certain procedures. In other words, it is an
organized body of knowledge just like any other science.
• Natural light of Reason – Philosophy investigates things, not by
using any other laboratory instruments, or investigative tools,
neither on the basis of supernatural revelation, instead,
philosophers uses his natural capacity to think, or simply human
reason alone, or the so-called unaided reason.
• Study of All Things – This sets the distinction of philosophy from
other sciences.
• 4 First Cause or Highest Principle – A principle is that from which
something proceeds in any manner whatsoever.
 4. The Cause of Highest Principle
• 4.1 The First Principles
a. Principle of Identity – states that, whatever is, is; and
whatever is not, is not; everything is what it is.
Everything is its own being, and not being is not being.
b. Principle of Noncontradiction – state that it is impossible
for a thing to be and not to be at the same time, and at
the same respect.
c. Principle of Excluded Middle – a thing is ether is or is not;
everything must be either be or not be; between being
and not-being , there is no middle ground possible.
d. Principle of Sufficient Reason – nothing exist without a
sufficient reason for its being and existence.
 4. First Cause or Highest
Principle
4.2 - A cause is defined as that from which in any way
whatsoever exerts a positive influence in the production of a
thing. The main kinds of causes explain the how and the why
of a being.
a. Material Cause – is that out of which something is
made.
b. Formal Cause – is that through which something is
made.
c. Efficient Cause – is that by which something is made.
d. Final Cause – is that on the account of which
something is made.