Pamimilosopo: Understanding the Filipino Practice of “Philosophizing”

Abstract

Philosophy is an old discipline that has continued to thrive since the Pre-Socratic period, tackling the nature of practically everything from the concrete to the abstract. In addition to examining generally recognized concepts, philosophy also looks into indigenized concepts that can be discussed using local knowledge. Pilosopiyang Pilipino, for instance, looks richly into concepts related to utang na loob, pakikipagkapwa, and other concepts that have deep roots in our culture. Quite interestingly, Filipinos have, to a certain extent, owned the term ‘philosophy’ and its derivative words by coming up with terms like pilosopo (philosopher) and pamimilosopo (philosophizing) used in their colloquial senses to refer to the informal and, sometimes, frowned upon practice of ‘philosophizing’. In its Filipino adaptation, pamimilosopo has been associated with excessive concern over the minor details and rules surrounding the use of words in conversations. This paper looks into the popular uses of the term by examining terms or expressions that are either loosely used, improperly qualified, or understood in a manner that deviates from the broader context in which they are usually used. In sum, this paper will show how pamimilosopo can either be a legitimate or an unwarranted practice, and how the pilosopo is, in certain ways, similar to or different from the actual philosopher.