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One may ask himself why he would take a philosophy subject if he is a major in a

course which is based on communication and the arts. What are the importance of

philosophy and logic in his life?

Philosophy is a branch of knowledge that deals with the study of fundamental

(some term it essential) concepts dealing with

existence, knowledge, reason mind and language.

As some treat it as a science, philosophy deals

with the problems it encounters through a very

logical and systematic manner to solve problems

that probe the human mind. It is from Greek word

philosophia meaning love of wisdom. Although

eastern philosophy could have started earlier,

many consider Greece as the birthplace of philosophy. This could be because of the

well preserved documents regarding the early works of the ancient Greek philosophers.

The word philosopher was used to ascribe then to an intellectual who devotes

himself to the study of logic or knowledge. It was believed to have replaced the word

sophist which means the same thing, wise men who later became the teachers of many

young men in Greece. In Plato’s allegory of the cave (as seen in his famous work, the

Republic), he regards a philosopher as someone who stood above the rest of the

society who are chained in the darkness and are made to believe the shadows that

many believe as knowledge. A philosopher was someone who went out of the cave and

saw the real world; thus, when he goes back to the cave, he should share what he saw,

real knowledge, for the betterment of the society. The works of the philosophers were
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divided in many branches such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political

philosophy, aesthetics, and others.

On the other hand, the field of mass

communication is primarily concerned with the

differential impact of messages transmitted by

various mass media, including international

exchanges through mass media. The undergraduate

program Bachelor in Arts Mass Communication

promotes systematic study of communication presented through the electronic,

cinematic and print media. Students are aimed to participate in developing theory,

examination of the processes and effects of mass communication and development and

evaluation of policy relevant to mass communication. Usually, students are exposed to

the different ways of communication using several media such as magazines, television,

newspapers and the like. Being journalists, advertisers, researchers, broadcasters are

among others of jobs that students of BA Mass Communications could have.

So, having all of those we could see that the fields of philosophy and mass

communication are two too different fields. However, we stand corrected.

According to Philosophical Analysis by Andresito E. Acuna, a former department

chair of the University of the Philippines - Diliman College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Philosophy: Often students find it useless to study philosophy. Sure it is

added to the UP and CHED charters to be studied by students to develop them

holistically. However what many professors forget to teach is the art of philosophy –
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how it is like a tool that helps students have a better view of everything and have

confidence to live the world knowing that logic is with them. Philosophy is quite pointless

and mind-bending actually but to witness its expressions and usefulness is like looking

at the beauty of the beach.

We see here that mass communication is a field that is encompassed by the

discoveries in philosophy. As stated, by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, “Logic is a tool

that needs to be sharpened to attain knowledge.” As human beings specializing in

different fields, we need a broader perspective in life to be able to understand why

certain events happen or the way people react during situations in everyday life. As

humans, study of philosophy and logic doesn’t stop in the academe since its

manifestations to our lives are countless.

Simple logic aids us to have a better reasoning and

help ourselves in solving mathematical problems (since

the foundation of mathematics is logic). For example, one

is in a situation where in he is stressing his correct point

while debating to another he can easily point out the faulty

reasoning and logic of his opponent when he learned

logic. It is also easier to know if you are being fooled or

not because of his knowledge in fallacies reasoning (ad hominen, bandwagon effect

etc). Due to a person’s knowledge in logic, it will be harder to fool him simply because

he can defend himself, stress his points (as long as they are reasonable and logical)

and keep himself away from those who try to fool him because of his ability to analyse

where one thing is logical or just appearing to be logical.

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Though there are many debates in morality, a branch of

philosophy, with knowledge and thorough analysis of situations,

a person will have a broader perspective and deeper

understanding to the situations that are happening within his

environment. Though many consider some acts immoral, a

person with knowledge in philosophy can easily point out that not all things that are

considered by the laws, views and judgements of society as immoral are indeed

immoral. There are some things that are done for the greater good of many or done

because of duty. It is easy to judge another person if you are not learned for we are

influenced by the presumptions prescribed upon us by the society. However, to have

knowledge in philosophy is like having x-ray vision; you are able to analyse the truth

and judge people better.

Still, the ordinary mass communications student in the

university may think that philosophy and logic has no

connection to the field of mass communications.

However, he stands corrected. Philosophy and logic are applied by many operations in

the field of journalism and mass communication.

Since time immemorial, man has been using a certain language to be able to

communicate with his fellow. In the time of Aristotle, he developed a certain system to

categorize words according to their usages in the languages. His work, the Categories,

is the foundation of modern day linguistics which is needed by many linguists,

journalists and many people who are working in the field of mass communications. This
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knowledge in linguistics is important since language serves as the main tool for these

people to do their job. The knowledge in linguistics, semantics and pragmatics

particularly, helps in saving oneself in possible situations that could endanger one’s job

or reputation in the field. For example, certain words are offending to some populations.

The improvement in the field of linguistics would not have been possible without the

works of the philosopher Aristotle.

As workers in the field of media and communication, we need to verify facts and

data through thorough thought and analysis. We need to use mathematics to compute

for the tendencies of data. We need to have investigations whether a certain statement

is true or not true. The concept of truth value in philosophy assures us that facts need to

be true to be considered a fact. We also need our deductive skills to be able to foresee

details or events that could happen in the future.

In advertising, logic and philosophy is also

important in the field of advertising. Since mass

communication employs advertising to be able to

communicate a certain thought to be able to attract

people to buy a product or share the same sentiment to the thought. Logic taught us

that even most nonsensical thoughts such as I live in the moon which is made of

cheese could be logical. Sometimes it is important to have phrases that sound very

illogical to attract certain audiences’ attention. Though a phrase could sound very

stupid, its comedy makes it easier to remember.

Also, ethics and morality is important in the field of

advertising and mass communications. Since students are

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supposed to be a part of the field of journalism and mass communications in the future,

they are to know the proper attitudes in publicizing certain information or not.

Sometimes, people are faced with choices that test their moral character and work

ethics – either doing a certain job or publicizing certain information will make one climb

the corporate ladder or destroy someone’s reputation and the like. It is very important

then that students learn to appreciate and look in to their values system correctly to be

able to answer these questions in case they pop out in the future. Will you do something

according to your duty or because it will simply make you happy.

Several years in the future, a mass

communication will also use his learning in

philosophy class to be able to answer

questions regarding his work. Why am I

still here? Does this make me happy?

Many people after graduating from college and having found jobs in the metro often

doubt themselves if they are really happy with what they are doing. When one doubts

his role in his particular field, a broad knowledge and understanding of the environment

is helpful in solving such. Some people call it soul searching but it is a work of

philosophy and on how it aids to appreciate the world we move in and feel better about

ourselves. It is often important to realize that the field of mass communications is indeed

a high paying job. However, not all of the students will be able to attain what they are

aspiring for themselves.

Although, philosophy is a very theoretical subject wherein you will make yourself

believe that certain ideas are true and logical, I realized that it is important in developing
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students as complete and competent individuals so that they are ready to face the

challenges in the world. More to this, it helped me visualize a future wherein I am

equipped to face the cruel world will offer – not only in my chosen field in the future but

also in moulding me as a person and changing my views and opinions regarding the

world. It gave me a stronger back and a broader view to behold what the future offers.

References:
Acuna, A. (2006). Philosophical Analysis. Diliman, Quezon City: University of the
Philippines Printing Press.

Answers.com. (n.d.). Philosophy: A Definition from Answers.com. Retrieved August 20,

2010, from Answers.com: http://www.answers.com/topic/philosophy
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Osborne, R. (1991). Philosophy for Beginners.

Whig, A., & Shames, C. (2000). The Human Communication Processes, An Introduction
to Communication Processes and Speech Pathology. In A. Whig, & C. Shames,
The Human Communication Processes, An Introduction to Communication
Processes and Speech Pathology (pp. 11 - 15).

Wikipedia.com. (n.d.). Mass Communication - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Retrieved August 2010, 2010, from Wikipedia.com:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_communication

Wikipedia.com. (n.d.). Philosophy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved August

20, 2010, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy

Wisegeek.com. (n.d.). What is Mass Communications. Retrieved August 20, 2010, from
Wisegeek.com: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-mass-communications.htm