CHAPTER 3CHAPTER 3

Philosophizing and InsightsPhilosophizing and Insights

PHILOSOPHISINGPHILOSOPHISING

1.Speculate or theorize about fundamental or serious issues, esp. in a tedious or pompous way.2.Explain or argue (a point or idea) in terms of one's philosophical theories.

Philosophizing  present participle of phi·los·o·phize (Verb)

INSIGHTINSIGHT Insight is the understanding of a specific Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect in a specific in a specific

context. The term insight can have several related meanings:context. The term insight can have several related meanings: a piece of informationa piece of information the act or result of understanding the inner nature of things or of the act or result of understanding the inner nature of things or of

seeing seeing intuitively in Greek called in Greek called noesis an an introspection the power of acute observation and the power of acute observation and deduction, penetration, , penetration, discernment

, , perception called intellection or noesis called intellection or noesis an understanding of cause and effect based on identification of an understanding of cause and effect based on identification of

relationships and behaviors within a model, context, or scenario (see relationships and behaviors within a model, context, or scenario (see artificial intelligence)artificial intelligence)

An insight that manifests itself suddenly, such as understanding how An insight that manifests itself suddenly, such as understanding how to solve a difficult problem, is sometimes called by the German word to solve a difficult problem, is sometimes called by the German word Aha-ErlebnisAha-Erlebnis. The term was coined by the German psychologist and . The term was coined by the German psychologist and theoretical linguist Karl Bühler. It is also known as an epiphany.theoretical linguist Karl Bühler. It is also known as an epiphany.

PhilosophizingPhilosophizing This is making a quest which as earlier This is making a quest which as earlier

explained results in any of the following:explained results in any of the following: Asking questions, Why does the moon shine at Asking questions, Why does the moon shine at

night? Why not during daytime? night? Why not during daytime? If this is a question asked by a science teacher to If this is a question asked by a science teacher to

a student in his class, the answer as expected a student in his class, the answer as expected must be a satisfying response based on scientific must be a satisfying response based on scientific principle.principle.

If the questions comes from an inquisitive little If the questions comes from an inquisitive little girl the answer must be tactfully phrased so as girl the answer must be tactfully phrased so as not to dissuade the child from truth, it merely not to dissuade the child from truth, it merely requires a musing kind of response like it the requires a musing kind of response like it the natural course of things on earth.natural course of things on earth.

PhilosophizingPhilosophizing Philosophizing deals with a subject matter using a Philosophizing deals with a subject matter using a

particular method of response.particular method of response. The philosophical thinker does not even dare to The philosophical thinker does not even dare to

produce anything of practical use but simply to produce anything of practical use but simply to contemplate wisdom.contemplate wisdom.

This quest further explains that by philosophizing This quest further explains that by philosophizing man’s rational need is answered.man’s rational need is answered.

Characteristic of Philosophical QuestionsCharacteristic of Philosophical Questions They have answers which remain unanswered, They have answers which remain unanswered,

therefore disputable. Example: What does freedom therefore disputable. Example: What does freedom mean?mean?

They cannot be settled by science or common They cannot be settled by science or common sense. Example: Are lovers really blind?sense. Example: Are lovers really blind?

They are of perennial intellectual interest? Example: They are of perennial intellectual interest? Example: why does man exist? What does freedom mean why does man exist? What does freedom mean when we havewhen we have

no choice, sometimes?no choice, sometimes?

PhilosophizingPhilosophizing

For philosophizing is a searching For philosophizing is a searching for meaning.for meaning.

Why is the moon round?Why is the moon round? Why do birds fly?Why do birds fly? Where is heaven, Papa?Where is heaven, Papa? Why are you crying, Mama?Why are you crying, Mama? Why are you laughing all by yourself?Why are you laughing all by yourself?

What I am trying to say is that one “sees’ into What I am trying to say is that one “sees’ into something more than what meets the eye. It is something more than what meets the eye. It is what philosophers call “insights”what philosophers call “insights”

Insight men have had ever since they used Insight men have had ever since they used their intelligence and powers of reflection.their intelligence and powers of reflection.

The history of philosophy shows that men have The history of philosophy shows that men have seen and noticed things around them, thought seen and noticed things around them, thought and pondered on these, and acted on their and pondered on these, and acted on their reflections.reflections.

InsightInsight

Insights pertains to ideas or knowledge derived from Insights pertains to ideas or knowledge derived from different sources. Its kind are:different sources. Its kind are:

a. Conceptual idea or knowledge means a kind of a. Conceptual idea or knowledge means a kind of idea or idea or learning one derives from sharing of learning one derives from sharing of minds and minds and experiences or from reading printed experiences or from reading printed materials. It may materials. It may come as a form of come as a form of information which consequently information which consequently becomes becomes an idea.an idea.

Example: Ordinarily in some meetings or Example: Ordinarily in some meetings or seminar seminar articles or bible passages are read for the articles or bible passages are read for the

participants to get a striking idea in relation participants to get a striking idea in relation to to what they heard or derived from the what they heard or derived from the passage. passage. When the answer leads to another query When the answer leads to another query like how like how does this guide me to the proper direction, does this guide me to the proper direction, then then this kind has a philosophical nature.this kind has a philosophical nature.

b. Perceptual kind refers to knowledge derived b. Perceptual kind refers to knowledge derived through the through the senses. In certain cases, during senses. In certain cases, during mental exercises, mental exercises, reflection is done with reflection is done with certain instrumental music or an certain instrumental music or an episode episode presented.presented.

C. Intuition refers to the learning or knowledge one C. Intuition refers to the learning or knowledge one obtained through feelings independent of the cause. obtained through feelings independent of the cause. Example to this is one feels he is being cheated by his Example to this is one feels he is being cheated by his spouse without any basis but one simply derived spouse without any basis but one simply derived unfounded such from feeling.unfounded such from feeling.

Insights are gained through concept or mere formation Insights are gained through concept or mere formation of idea while perception is from mere senses and of idea while perception is from mere senses and intuition is from mere feeling. These ideas or pieces of intuition is from mere feeling. These ideas or pieces of information are delivered through the mind, to the information are delivered through the mind, to the sense or to the feeling satisfy three basic factors to sense or to the feeling satisfy three basic factors to constitute learning namely:constitute learning namely:

A. Reasons tell the truth and objectivity of the matter appealing A. Reasons tell the truth and objectivity of the matter appealing to to one’s common sense or judgment. one’s common sense or judgment.

Examples: A father is a male parentExamples: A father is a male parent

the blind cannot see.the blind cannot see.

B. Experience refers to the information or knowledge gained B. Experience refers to the information or knowledge gained through perception or awareness of mental lives.through perception or awareness of mental lives.

Examples: One gets hurt being rejected or turned Examples: One gets hurt being rejected or turned down.down.

A child dislikes to swim because he had A child dislikes to swim because he had an early an early experience of drowning. experience of drowning.

C. Memory pertains to mental activity of restored C. Memory pertains to mental activity of restored ideas.ideas.

Examples: A child ha a vivid memory Examples: A child ha a vivid memory of her dead of her dead mother. mother.

A girl remembers an early A girl remembers an early childhood childhood memory of a pet. memory of a pet.

Reflection 3Reflection 3

1.1.What insights do you have with regard to the What insights do you have with regard to the preparation as a student to the kind of life you preparation as a student to the kind of life you want to be and to have? elucidate? (15 pts)want to be and to have? elucidate? (15 pts)

2.2.How does a philosophical question differ from How does a philosophical question differ from an ordinary question? (15 pts)an ordinary question? (15 pts)

3.3.How do you define insight and philosophizing? How do you define insight and philosophizing? Give examples of each. (20 pts)Give examples of each. (20 pts)