Caintic Sean Patrick 12 – Java

Philosophy, the topic people often hear but sometimes goes unnoticed. Later, I’ll discuss the topics
surrounding philosophy like the philosophers and my perspective about them, branches and how
it applies to our society. This subject interests me in a way I think about life. Let’s be clear, I’m
supportive on what philosophers reflected back in the old ages.

First part is the definition and concept of “Philosophy”. In my own understanding, I often refer it
as the knowledge/wisdom of everything in its ultimate form. In other words, I call it as “values”
in terms of psychology. Well, there is actually no single definition of this word, since there are
different variations and branches of this specialization. For me, I define it as study of “human
nature”.

Moving onto the branches, first is axiology, I understand it as the study of value. Meaning, it’s the
importance of such thing and often applied in real life. One thing that has been mentioned, is ethics.
I know it as the study between what is right and wrong, in human nature. It’s also how our
consciousness and instincts work with each other on our behavior, not only to ourselves but others
as well. As for the aesthetics, I recognize it as study of arts/beauty and representing its mood,
sense/taste between reality. Epistemology, I understand it as study of human knowledge. I pointed
out “human” because this reflects to our capacity and will to know things as species. Ontology or
also known as metaphysics, I consider it as the perception of what is really real and what isn’t
visible.

As quoted on Encyclopedia Britannica, “Philosophy … has no other subject matter than the nature
of the real world.”, it basically distinguishes between ideal and realistic views of this world.

Next, philosophers. Honestly speaking of Epicurus, I do have similar beliefs as him. Technically
I believe in a god, but in disguise I really don’t. I mean, if there’s an existing god, there’s a purpose
and set goals on it as humans. Heraclitus, on the other hand, believes things are always changing.
This is true, everything’s happening around us is evolving; there’s no such thing as permanent. As
he said that change is a fundamental essence, it can be applicable to us humans. If one wants to
have change, it means we are growing. Another point he made is opposites attract. For every side
there’ll be always a contrary to it, in order to make balance.
I picked only two philosophers whom I stand with, and explain how this applies to society as well.
Ever wondered why today’s modern society is different than 10 years ago where it was really
violent and chaotic? Well, as Heraclitus say, things change for a reason. Change is a must in order
to move up. Without it, nothing will happen. Example of this is the Philippine society, wherein
some of the remote areas in provinces have been influenced by technology, some are already
developing but there’s still some that remains unchanged. Too much change and too little are bad.
This is the current reality.

Lastly, while I didn’t mention the other philosophers, in my opinion they aren’t whom I’m familiar
with their ideas. Overall, from all the lessons that’ve been tackled, it further made me study more
about philosophy and influence people for the better.