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Noel E. Cenabre Jr. Fr. Julius Rodulfa Book critique                                                                              Philo. I

“AN INTRODUCTION TO PHLOSOPHY” (Mariano Artigas)

Introduction To review a book, especially the introduction of philosophy is not easy to do with. Its because this book states the principal issues concerning the nature of philosophy and many of its problems. In this critique we can observe the relationship between philosophy and theology. This is demanded by the very nature of philosophy, the highest wisdom in the natural level, which is closely linked with the wisdom that a human being attains through supernatural faith. Besides, philosophy truly finds itself so involved with theological issues that a study of the relationship between philosophy and theology is necessary in order to acquire an adequate understanding of different philosophical perspectives in the past and in the present. Philosophy is etymologically defined as love of wisdom. A persons who strives to go deeply into it must be aware from the start that mere erudition would not be enough. The task requires a deliberate effort to seek the truth (Mariano Artigas). I choose this book entitle “An Introduction to philosophy”, because I believe that through this book, I can understand more about philosophy. This book is represents as an overview of what really the philosophy is. It helps me to understand fully the mystery of philosophy. There are many kinds of mystery of philosophy that we can find in studying philosophy. Its better for us to study first the introduction to philosophy before its branches. Its because the introduction is the overview of the whole philosophy. That's why the introduction of philosophy can help me to understand little by little the mystery of philosophy in my life. Part I	In this part, it's speak about the nature of philosophy. This nature is divided into four chapter or topics: what is philosophy? Philosophy as wisdom, Philosophy as science, and the method of philosophy. What is philosophy? Philosophy is “ultimate” knowledge in the natural level with regard to both theoretical and practical questions. Also, philosophy does not do away with this spontaneous knowledge and philosophy studies all these realities in a scientific way, taking into account of their nature and their foundation. Philosophy is the knowledge of all things through their ultimate causes, acquired through the use of reason. All aspects of reality can be the object of philosophical study, since one can seek their ultimate or most profound causes. The formal object of philosophy is the study of realty “through its ultimate causes”, that is, by searching the explanations regarding the existence and nature of being. Why the philosophy is as wisdom? Its because the desire for knowledge is something natural to man, and his happiness is closely linked to wisdom. Wisdom enables him to discover the meaning oh his life and to act in an upright way. We can define wisdom in general terms as a certain knowledge of the deepest of everything. In a general way, wisdom studies all things in the light of their ultimate causes. Above all, it considers them in relation to God, who is the origin and end of all creatures. In this way, it allows us to carry out the task of passing judgment on them and ordering them with regards to their ultimate end, which is God. Philosophy is a science, and it is a science in an eminent way, that is more sublime than other science, as we ourselves can conclude after considering the two principal meaning of the term “science”. First, in so far as science is a “certain knowledge through causes”, philosophy can truly be consider as a science. It studies the deepest causes of reality, it is the first and the most eminent among all the sciences. Second, as science is knowledge attained by way of demonstration, starting from some principles, philosophy is truly a science since it attains knowledge in the same manner. The philosophy carries it endeavor, in continuity with ordinary human knowledge. It makes use of the same means: it begins from sense experience, through which it obtains abstract universal knowledge with the use of the intellect. To understand philosophy, one should ask himself or herself before tackling a particular topic: what is the real issue involved here? For this, needs to constantly take into account the data supplied by experience, this avoid falling into merely terminological discussions. Part II In this part, it will tackle about the division of philosophy. It is divided into six chapters or topics: metaphysics, philosophy of nature, philosophy of living being, ethics, logic, and history of philosophy. The “metaphysics” which in Greek means “beyond physics”, is used to denote what Aristotle called 'first philosophy'. Metaphysics is philosophy, understood in its meaning, since it studies reality, seeking its ultimate causes in an absolute sense. It seeks the most intimate aspect of every reality, that is its being. Since, metaphysics studies realty from the point of view of its being, the formal object of metaphysics is the being of realty, that is, The being of ethics. When we speak of philosophy of nature, the term “nature” can take on two meanings. First, the term may refer to nature itself, that is, the sum total of corporeal being. In this sense, philosophy of nature is the philosophical study of corporeal or material beings. Second, the term may refer to natural beings, as distinct from artificial ones. A natural being is that which possesses an informal principle of its being and activity. Aristotle defined nature as the “principle and causes enabling that which it primarily constitutes to move and to attain the rest, by itself and not by an accidental form”. As the fact that among living being one can find man with his rational and corporeal nature, the philosophy of living being has always been a specific object of study since ancient times. Even though the philosophy of living beings forms part of the philosophy of nature, it is highly preferable to make it the object of study of a specific discipline. Obviously, the philosophy of inanimate nature will also be applied to living beings, taking into account the particular characteristics derived from their special condition. Ethics is a practical science, since it studies how human acts are directed towards man's purpose or end. It does not stop at the contemplation of truth, but applies that learning to human acts, providing the necessary knowledge. Ethics is a practical science, but not in the “technical” sense. Rather, it is a practical science because it deals with human acts in so far as they are voluntary, and because it is part of philosophy which studies the ultimate explanation of the ends means concerning human existence. I can say that ethics is the most important part of philosophy, since it helps man in specific way to attain his end. Logic studies the laws that apply to different types of reasoning,that is, the conditions that must be met to make them avoid. Reasoning would not be necessary if we had a perfect knowledge or reality. However, our knowledge has a limit to demand the lie and reasoning, so that with the use of our mind and starting from some previously acquired knowledge, we can attain further knowledge. Logic studies our mental processes, to make sure that they are correct and that they lead to the truth. The purpose of the history of philosophy is to acquaint us with the thought of different philosophers in order to facilitate our own search for wisdom. The history of philosophy cannot be reduced to a mere grouping of facts regarding philosophers and their statements. Hence, history of philosophy is a part of philosophy. History of philosophy is significant mainly because it facilitates our access to the truth. It informs us about what others in the past have said regarding the issues. The study of history allows us to realize that there are different philosophical doctrines revolve around some basic questions. The study of philosophy is usually divided into four main reasons. (a) the ancient philosophy. It covers the period starting from the early Greek philosophers, and extending up to the middle ages. Plato and Aristotle were the towering figures of this period. (b) the medieval philosophy. It involves all the centuries of the middle ages. Outstanding contribution were made during this period by the Arab philosophers, and above all, by Christian scholasticism, which closely linked in philosophy with theology. It is the time which St. Thomas Aquinas the towering figures of this period. (c.) the modern philosophy. Descartes is the beginning if this period and he is responsible for the sharp turn in philosophy that would exert a decisive on all philosophers after him. (d) contemporary or 20th century philosophy. It features many influential thinkers, as an any other historical period, and some especially well-know lines of thought. Part III It speak about the philosophy and Christianity. It is divided into four parts: theology as a science, philosophy and theology, philosophy in Christianity, and the Christian before philosophy. What theology is? It is the science of the faith. It is the science which deals with God and creatures in so far as they refer to God, in the light of divine revelation. Theology studies all reality of divine revelation. Therefore, theology is not a form of knowledge dissociated from Christian living. Its mission is to illumine the most varied practical problems through the light provided by a depth view of the truths of the faith. Philosophy plays an important role in theology, and that role is only an instrumental one, since the source and norm of theology is faith and not reason. It would be mistake to try to make theology do away with philosophy, under the divine revelation from all conditioning influences of human perception. Therefore, philosophy is an instrument of theology, for philosophy systematically actualizes the possibilities of natural reason. Christianity clearly taught truths like the existence of a personal God, the creation of the universe, the spirituality and immortality of the human soul, and the existence of human freedom, sin and objective morality. It constituted a Christian philosophy, on account of its origin and its purpose. It took its inspiration mainly from revealed truths, and it sought to defend them, making use of arguments of reason and of whatever truth there was in ancient philosophies. St Augustine played a particularly in significant role in the development of the Christian philosophy. With the help of the faith, the fathers of the church fashioned a philosophical instrument in harmony with faith, and this has been called “Christian philosophy”. In the study of philosophy, one should not momentarily cast aside the knowledge of natural truths that faith brings. A Christian passes judgment on philosophical doctrines in the light of the faith. Later on, by using philosophy, he can pinpoint the root causes of the possible errors contained in such doctrines. Conclusion: Therefore I conclude that the study of the introduction of philosophy can help us to acquire the truth. How can we find this truth? It can be find through observing the reality and try our best to formulate a questions that is related in our reality today. It is also important that we cannot try our best to separate the faith and reason. It because faith and reason are always accompany each other.