In celebration of World Philosophy Day, Professor Jove Jim S. Aguas, PhD of the Department of Philosophy and Inst. Ivan Efreaim Gozum, MA of the Institute of Religion emphasized philosophy’s continued relevance by guesting in the program El Pueblo Publico of the station DWIZ 882AM hosted by Mr. Ryan Lao on November 23, 2024.
The discussion centered on the importance of philosophy and its relevance to life. According to Gozum, philosophy is not just about thinking critically, but also about finding and implementing solutions to practical problems of society. He added that philosophy is not about making a living, but rather, it makes life worth living. In the same vein, Aguas contrasted the purely academic exercise of philosophy from a philosophy rooted in and relevant to daily life. In line with this, he underlined the importance of civic engagement as a critical component of philosophical education.
World Philosophy Day is celebrated annually every third Thursday of November as set by the UNESCO. In the University of Santo Tomas, courses in philosophy form an important part of the curriculum, from senior high school all the way to the doctoral level. UST’s Department of Philosophy is one of the university’s best units, recognized in the country as a Center of Excellence. The Department also manages a peer-reviewed and indexed open access journal, Kritike. Meanwhile, the Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy, which is as old as UST itself, has for centuries helped shape future clergymen into becoming astute thinkers ready to minister to the faithful.
The full interview can accessed through this link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=494271780314423
