Introduction to the

Philosophy of Human

Person Quarter 1 – Module 5:

Methods of Philosophizing

Introduction to the Philosophy of Human Person Alternative Delivery Mode Quarter 1 – Module 5: Methods of Philosophy Lead to Wisdom and Truth First Edition, 2020 Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties. Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them. Published by the Department of Education Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

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Introduction to the

Philosophy of Human Person

Quarter 1 – Module 5:

Methods of Philosophizing

ii

Introductory Message

For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Introduction to the Philosophy of Human Person – Grade 12

Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Methods of Philosophy Lead to Wisdom

and Truth!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators both

from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping

the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming

their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent

learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help

learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their

needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of

the module:

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.

You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage

their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the

learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that

will help you in guiding the learners.

iii

For the learner:

Welcome to the Philosophy of Human Person – Grade 12 Alternative Delivery Mode

(ADM) Module on Methods of Philosophy Lead to Wisdom and Truth!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to

depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and

accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner

is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and

skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for

guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to

process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know

This will give you an idea of the skills or

competencies you are expected to learn in the

module.

What I Know

This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the

lesson to take. If you get all the answers

correct (100%), you may decide to skip this

module.

What’s In

This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New

In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a

story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an

activity or a situation.

What is It

This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and

understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More

This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and

skills of the topic. You may check the

answers to the exercises using the Answer

Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned

This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process

what you learned from the lesson.

iv

What I Can Do

This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or skill

into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment

This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning

competency.

Additional Activities

In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the

lesson learned. This also tends retention of

learned concepts.

Answer Key

This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the

module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.

2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities

included in the module.

3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.

4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.

5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.

6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not

hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are

not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and

gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

References This is a list of all sources used in developing

this module.

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master

the nature of Philosophy. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many

different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary

level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the

course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with

the textbook you are now using.

This module consists of 1 lesson:

• Methods of Philosophizing Lead to Wisdom and Truth

After going through this module, you are expected to:

• Understand Socratic methods of philosophizing, Plato’s

metaphysical systems, and Descartes’ skepticism

• Compare and contrast the three methods of philosophizing:

Socratic, Platonic, and Skeptic

• Realize that the methods of philosophy lead to wisdom and truth

What I Know

Direction: Multiple Choices: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your

answer on a separate answer sheet.

1. How do you understand Socrates’ line: “An unexamined life is not worth

living”?

A. Trials are but parts of our lives, hence they make our lives worth living.

B. Self-knowledge is necessary to make our lives meaningful.

C. Life has no value without self-reflection and life-analysis.

D. Challenges make our lives meaningful.

2. Rene Descartes’ “Cogito Ergo Sum” means ________.

A. I think therefore I learn. C. I think therefore I understand

B. I think therefore I exist D. I think therefore I add

3. Which describes Plato’s idea of good?

A. We become what we repeatedly do.

B. Our quest for good is based on our practical needs.

C. Repeatedly doing what is good will make someone wise.

D. Excellence is not act but a habit.

4. Which does NOT support Platonic philosophy?

A. This world is not the basis for the attainment of true and real knowledge.

B. He assumed the existence of another world in another dimension.

C. Everything in this world is considered as appearances.

D. Of necessity, all men desire their happiness, which consists in the

possession of what is truly good, that is, of what the intellect perceives as

truly good.

5. Which is considered by Plato as the highest in the hierarchy of ideas that the

soul can recognize?

A. material objects C. mathematical ideas

B. good D. abstract ideas

6. Which supports Platonic philosophy?

A. Knowledge is nothing but remembrance of ideas that we already knew.

B. Knowledge is acquired through perception, abstraction, and judgment.

C. Knowledge is learned through various forms of experiences.

D. Knowledge is power and we cannot live without it.

7. Which is the highest in Socrates’ hierarchy of the multiple elements which go

to make human good and human happiness?

A. health, beauty, wealth, honor C. bodily and emotional pleasures

B. self-control D. wisdom and virtue

8. How can we achieve “good” in Socrates’ perspective?

A. Live wisely and virtuous C. Live without excess nor deficiency

B. Live based on your limit D. Live as if tomorrow never comes

9. Which is the correct way of understanding Socratic philosophy and ethics?

A. Virtue is knowledge and happiness is virtue.

B. Knowledge is wisdom and virtue is knowledge.

C. Happiness is the possession of practically good.

D. Nothing comes into the intellect without passing through the senses.

10. Which does NOT support Cartesian’s Method of Systematic Doubt?

A. It consists of doubting everything that can be doubted until you arrive at

clear and distinct ideas which are non-sensical to doubt.

B. For something to be accepted as one of the starting points or premises of

knowledge, an idea must be clear and distinct.

C. One of the logically certain premises is the existence of the self, the starting

point of knowledge.

D. Ideas alone are real whereas things are illusory.

Lesson

5 Methods of Philosophy Lead

to Wisdom and Truth

What’s In

Activity 1: Think, Ask and Write. You are encouraged to interview at least two

persons in your family to share their point of view on the following issues. Gather

their ideas and compare it with your own ideas. Consolidate your responses and

write in your separate sheet.

1. When God created man, did He create the soul, the body, or the body and

the soul altogether? Why?

2. Have you experienced having a moment of remembering a place or an

event as if you have been there already and such event has happened

already in the past, but in fact that was your first time to be there?

a. Does it mean that you already have ideas even before you were born?

b. Does it mean that your just have reincarnated in this life?

Activity 2: Reflect. Write your answer on a separate answer sheet.

1. How did you find the responses of your interviewees?

2. How did you feel when you were conducting the interview? Why?

3. Do you consider their responses as mere opinion or truth? Why?

What’s New

Activity 3: Watch a 7:46 minute Video Clip. Answer the following after watching

the video.

(Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIn_oQQRJk)

1. What is the purpose of the Socratic Method of Philosophizing which is a

Didactic Dialogue?

2. What is the purpose of Maieutic or Intellectual Midwifery in Socratic quest for

the truth? How do participants in the dialogue arrive as the truth?

3. Describe the roles of a Socratic teacher and of the Socratic students in the

Socratic Dialectic.

4. How do the participants acquire knowledge of truth? What is the prerequisite?

Lastly, how do they acquire wisdom?

5. Discuss briefly the three steps in arriving at the truth based on the Socratic

method.

What is It

Our aim in this module is for you to realize that the methods of philosophy

can lead you to the truth and eventually to your acquisition of wisdom. Let us first

dissect the significant points of Socratic Method which you have just watched via

youtube. (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIn_oQQRJk)

1. Socratic Dialectic is one of the methods of philosophizing.

2. Socratic method is a didactic dialogue of questioning that is expressed in the

critical examination and cross-examination of the positions of every

participant in the dialogue. It is a way to discover the truth. It is neither a

rhetoric (art of persuasion) or a debate. This method is also called maieutic or

intellectual midwifery.

3. The first thing to do in the acquisition of knowledge is to accept one’s

ignorance. “It is when we admit that we do not know that there is so much to

know, and that the more we know the more that we do not know, and that we

begin to seek the truth and acquire wisdom.”

4. Socratic Method: 3 steps in arriving at the truth

a. Give an initial definition of a thing or a concept. Example: A table is a

four-legged furniture.

b. Look for characteristics that are not captured in the initial definition.

Example: Is the table a cow?

c. Give a new definition. Example: A table is a four-legged furniture made

up of wood and has a flat surface.

“In following the 3 steps, we arrive at a precise definition and understand its

essence. Example: A table is a four-legged furniture made up of wood, has a

flat surface, rectangular in shape, and is primarily used for dining or putting

things on it.”

Another Example:

c. Freedom is the ability of the human person to do whatever she wants

to do.

d. Am I really free to kill my enemy simply because I hate him?

e. No, we cannot just kill anybody we want to kill. There are rules to

follow in a civilized society.

“With the use of Socratic Method, we can improve our understanding of

something and eventually will arrive at the truth.”

Plato’s Metaphysical System

Aside from the idea that philosophy is wisdom, the

Platonic philosophy added that knowledge is wisdom,

and virtue is knowledge. Repeatedly doing what is good

will make someone wise.

It’s very interesting to note Plato’s concepts of soul,

perfect knowledge, and world of forms and ideas. First, Plato perceived the soul

having a priori knowledge. It means that before a soul occupies a body, it has been

already in existence, and such pre-existing soul possesses perfect knowledge of

everything. Eventually, when a soul occupied a body, its knowledge became limited,

thus, it was put into the state where it has to search for the truth. Second, he believed

that this world is not the basis for the attainment of true and real knowledge since

everything in this world is considered as appearance. He assumed the existence of

another world in another dimension. Objects of real knowledge must be ageless and

eternal. And since the things that we perceive through our senses are always

changing, therefore, we cannot have true knowledge. Therefore, there must exists

another world where the real objects of knowledge could be found. He called this

“the world of forms and ideas”.

For example: When we have an idea of, let say, a chair. Plato believed that

our mind has this idea of the chair that enables us to recognize that something is a

chair when we see one. This idea of the “chairness” of a chair, presumably is based

on our knowledge of this form and idea of the chair found in the other dimension,

the “world of forms and ideas”. Thus, everything that we see in this world is merely

a secondary copy of the idea that exist in the other world, which is the ultimate basis

for knowledge.

How do we acquire knowledge? Again, Plato would go back to his concept of

the soul, i.e., the Soul of every man possesses the power of learning the truth and

the organ to see it. Man has innate ability to recognize and remember the perfect

knowledge that we had before the soul joined the body, when it was still part of the

World Soul. Plato believed that before we were born we had perfect knowledge as

part of the World Soul, but the body has the effect of corrupting the soul when they

are joined. Thus, the soul forgets the knowledge that it had before joining the body.

“Thus, knowledge is nothing but remembrance”. In this sense, no knowledge is

learned, it is just remembered. Do you agree?

In the hierarchy, the easiest ideas to be recognized by the soul would be ideas

about the material objects, followed by mathematical ideas, and then abstract ideas.

The highest and the most difficult idea to be recognized is the idea of good. The idea

of good is the goal of Plato’s philosophy, the attainment of the good life.

Socratic Philosophy

theguardian.com

Of necessity, all men desire their happiness, which consists

in the possession of what is truly good, that is, of what the

intellect perceives as truly good. Good is synonymous with

useful (relative good).

Here is the hierarchy of the multiple elements which go to

make human good and human happiness: (1) health, beauty, wealth, honor (lowest)

– we can live without them; (2) bodily and emotional pleasures – unless regulated

they easily lead to excess (Good is in the middle, between excess and deficiency; (3)

self-control – it prepares the soul for the possession of the supreme good; and, (4)

wisdom and virtue – it is the absolute and supreme good. You are good if you are

able to make others good.

Virtue is synonymous with knowledge. The virtuous man is he who has a

perfect knowledge of moral goodness and the man of wisdom. Happiness is

synonymous with virtue. Man is happy even in this world in proportion as he is

virtuous.

Method of Systematic Doubt - Skepticism

Rene Descartes introduced this method of systematic doubt which

consists of doubting everything that can be doubted until you

arrive at clear and distinct ideas which are non-sensical to doubt.

For something to be accepted as one of the starting points or

premises of knowledge, an idea must be clear and distinct.

Descartes believed that one of the logically certain premises is the

existence of the self, the starting point of knowledge. Even if you

doubt everything that can be doubted (eg. you can doubt your parents, if they are

really your parents, or your brothers or sisters, if you are really related by blood; or

even the existence of things in the other room, if nobody is there to perceive them;

you can even doubt your own doubting), you can still be sure about one thing, that

you are doubting. Doubting is a form of thinking. Thinking could not happen in a

vacuum. There must be an owner of these thoughts. Therefore, thinking implies

your existence.

Can you doubt your existence? The answer is “no”. If yes, then you are

contradicting yourself. At the moment that you are doubting, then you are existing.

Thus, the self exists at the very act of doubting, which is a form of thinking. Descartes

put it as: “Cogito, ergo sum or I think therefore I am (exist). The important lesson

from Descartes’ skepticism is that never accept the truth of any statement or belief

without adequate evidence for it.

greeka.com

originalsources.com

What’s More

Activity 3: Connect your insights. Make a Venn diagram that describes the ways

of knowing based on three different perspectives: Platonic, Socratic, and Skeptic.

What I Have Learned

Activity 4: Check your understanding. Sentence Completion: Supply the word or words to form a concept. Write your answers on a separate work sheet.

1. Socratic method is a ___________ dialogue of questioning that is expressed in

the critical examination and cross-examination of the positions of every

participant in the dialogue.

2. The first thing to do in the acquisition of knowledge is to accept one’s ________.

3. With the use of _________ Method, we can improve our understanding of

something and eventually will arrive at the ______.

4. Repeatedly doing what is good will make someone _______.

5. Plato perceived the soul having a _________ knowledge. It means that before

a soul occupies a body, it has been already in existence, and such pre-existing

soul possesses perfect knowledge of everything.

6. There must exists another world where the real objects of knowledge could be

found. Plato called this “the world of _______ and _______”.

7. Rene Descartes introduced the method of ___________ which consists of

doubting everything that can be doubted until you arrive at clear and distinct

ideas which are non-sensical to doubt.

8. Descartes believed that one of the logically certain premises is the existence

of the ______, the starting point of knowledge.

9. “Cogito ergo sum” means ______________-

10. The important lesson from Descartes’ skepticism is that never accept the

truth of any statement or belief without adequate ____________ for it.

What I Can Do

Activity 5: Act what you Think. Write a journal reflection based on this given

situation:

Think of a particular truth that you have been holding for long. Then, choose a perspective that can support your decision whether to continue believing such

truth or to discontinue believing because of a new perspective that you learned in this module.

Assessment

A. Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. How do you understand Socrates’ line: “An unexamined life is not worth

living”? A. Life has no value without self-reflection and life-analysis.

B. Challenges make our lives meaningful. C. Trials are but parts of our lives, hence they make our lives worth living.

D. Self-knowledge is necessary to make our lives meaningful.

2. Rene Descartes’ “Cogito Ergo Sum” means ________.

A. I think therefore I exist C. I think therefore I understand B. I think therefore I learn D. I think therefore I add

3. Which describes Plato’s idea of good? A. Repeatedly doing what is good will make someone wise.

B. Our quest for good is based on our practical needs.

C. We become what we repeatedly do. D. Excellence is not act but a habit.

4. Which does NOT support Platonic philosophy?

A. Of necessity, all men desire their happiness, which consists in the possession of what is truly good, that is, of what the intellect perceives as

truly good. B. This world is not the basis for the attainment of true and real knowledge.

C. He assumed the existence of another world in another dimension.

D. Everything in this world is considered as appearances.

5. Which is considered by Plato as the highest in the hierarchy of ideas that the soul can recognize?

A. material objects C. mathematical ideas B. abstract ideas D. good

6. Which supports Platonic philosophy?

A. Knowledge is acquired through perception, abstraction, and judgment. B. Knowledge is nothing but remembrance of ideas that we already knew.

C. Knowledge is learned through various forms of experiences.

D. Knowledge is power and we cannot live without it.

7. Which is the highest in Socrates’ hierarchy of the multiple elements which go to make human good and human happiness?

A. health, beauty, wealth, honor C. bodily and emotional pleasures B. wisdom and virtue D. self-control

8. How can we achieve “good” in Socrates’ perspective? A. Live wisely and virtuous C. Live based on your limit

B. Live without excess nor deficiency D. Live as if tomorrow never comes

9. Which is the correct way of understanding Socratic philosophy and ethics? A. Knowledge is wisdom and virtue is knowledge.

B. Happiness is the possession of practically good. C. Virtue is knowledge and happiness is virtue.

D. Nothing comes into the intellect without passing through the senses.

10. Which does NOT support Cartesian’s Method of Systematic Doubt?

A. Ideas alone are real whereas things are illusory. B. It consists of doubting everything that can be doubted until you arrive at

clear and distinct ideas which are non-sensical to doubt. C. For something to be accepted as one of the starting points or premises of

knowledge, an idea must be clear and distinct. D. One of the logically certain premises is the existence of the self, the starting

point of knowledge.

Additional Activities

Activity 6: Think to Act. Write a reflection on this topic: “An Unexamined Life is not Worth Living”.

Follow this format:

I. What I learned: Write a statement or phrase that has great impact on you

II. What I experienced: Narrate a true-to-life story/event that you recalled because of the topic discussed.

III. What I realized: State your insight. It must be related to I and II. IV. What I plan to do: Enumerate plan of actions that you want to accomplish

to apply your learning of this topic.

Rubric for Essay

Mechanics Excellent

5

Proficient

4

Basic

3

Below Basic

2

Organization

-Specific

introduction and

conclusion

-Sequenced

material within

the body

-Cohesive

presentation

content

-Specific

introduction and

conclusion

-Sequenced

material within

the body

-Cohesive

presentation

content

-Specific

introduction and

conclusion

-Sequenced

material within the

body is

inconsistent

-Specific introduction

and conclusion

-No sequence in

material

Language

-Enhance the

effectiveness of

the presentation

-Correct

grammar

-Appropriate to

audience

- No

pronunciation

mistakes

-Support the

effectiveness of the

presentation

-Correct grammar

-Appropriate to

audience

-Very few

pronunciation

mistakes

-Not interesting

-Partially support

the effectiveness of

the presentation

-Correct grammar

-Appropriate to

audience

Some

pronunciation

mistakes

-Unclear

-Minimally support

the effectiveness of

the presentation

-Occasional mistakes

in grammar

-Appropriate to

audience

-Several

pronunciation

mistakes

Delivery

-Good posture

-Eye contact

with the

audience most of

the time

-Appropriate

gesture and

expression

-Deliverance

with confidence

-Full group

participation

-Good posture

-Frequent eye

contact with the

audience

-Appropriate

gesture and

expression

-Almost full group

participation

-Intermitted good

posture

-Occasional eye

contact with the

audience

-Appropriate

gesture and

expression

-Partial group

presentation

-Poor posture

-Seldom eye contact

with the audience

-Not enough or too

much gesture and

expression

-One-person

presentation.

Content

-Student

discusses the

subject in great

details.

-Student

describes in

detail about their

findings

-Student indicate

what they have

learnt

-Student

discusses the

subject with some

details.

-Student outlines

their finding

-Student show

what they have

learnt

-Student discusses

the subject with a

few details.

-Student do not

outline their

finding

-Student's

misconceptions are

still seen

-Student discuss the

subject with very

minimal details.

-Students do not

outline what they

have learnt

-Students still sound

confused on this topic

References

Bernardo, Juanito Philip V (2016). Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person:

JFS Publishing Services, Manila.

Guevarra, Geoffrey A (2016). Pambungad sa Pilosopiya ng Tao (Batayang Aklat): Rex

Book Store, Inc., Manila.

Sioco, Maria Paula and Vinzonsm Ignatius (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of

the Human Person: Vibal Group, Inc., Quezon City.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIn_oQQRJk

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/sep/21/plato-dialogues-philosophy

https://www.greeka.com/greece-history/famous-people/socrates/

https://www.originalsources.com/Discover.aspx?ID=130

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