Spiritual_Wellness_Holistic_Health_and_the_Practic

12 Philosophical Foundations of Health Education
behavior within the norms of a particular group. Morality sets standards for right and
wrong in human behavior. Religion , or spiritualism, addresses good and evil behavior,
often in terms of eternal consequences.
Thus, philosophy describes human existence without necessarily judging it.
Judgment comes in the form of ethics (acceptable//unacceptable), morality (right/
wrong), or religion (good/evil). The four terms should not be confused since they represent
related but distinct concepts. Therefore, avoid considering the concepts collectively
as in “ philosophy and ethics. ”
Ancient philosophers loved knowledge and devoted their lives to the search for
meaning in human existence. Defining three central components — reality, truth, and
value — formed the basis for that search. Over time three traditional schools of philosophical
thought emerged: idealism, realism, and pragmatism. Contemporary schools
of thought include existentialism, naturalism, humanism, theism, and eclecticism.
While the schools differ in detail, all approach reality, truth, and value by addressing
considerations such as the relationship of human beings to nature, the relationship
between individuals and society, the relationship between mind and body, sources and
consequences of human behavior, the absolute or relative nature of values, the meaning
of the physical world, the role of science in defining human existence, and the
nature and involvement of God in human existence.
THREE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
While studying philosophy as an academic subject can prove interesting, the process
may provide students with limited help in forming a personal philosophy.
Formal courses often focus on the history of philosophy, rather than developing
methods of philosophical thought among the students. They study the writings of
past philosophers, or what others have written about those philosophers. They
spend time talking about philosophy, rather than developing their own abilities as
philosophical thinkers. Consequently, they gain knowledge but fundamental questions
go unanswered. They leave the course better appreciating Plato or Idealism,
but lacking confidence in their own explanation of human existence. Unfortunately,
the abstract nature of the experience can discourage students from further
contemplation.
Philosophy need not be an abstract process. You and I still face the same fundamental
question as did Plato or other great philosophers: “ What is the origin, nature,
and purpose of human existence? ” Or, treating the matter as three essential questions:
Where did I come from? Why am I here? and What happens to me after I die? To be
viable, any philosophy must provide satisfactory answers to these questions.
Given the knowledge available today, we have at least as good a chance, or perhaps
a better chance, to successfully answer the questions as did the ancient philosophers.
Answers to question one (Where did I come from?) fall into three categories:
creation, evolution, and fate. Options one and two both require faith since neither can
be proven with complete satisfaction, especially to an unreceptive listener. If creation,