Roque Ferriols was a prominent Filipino philosopher and educator who made significant contributions to the field of Filipino philosophy. He believed that Filipino philosophy should be rooted in the country’s history, culture, and experience, and that it should be characterized by a deep respect for human dignity, social justice, and the common good.
Ferriols believed that Filipino philosophy should be grounded in a critical understanding of the country’s colonial history and its impact on Filipino culture and identity. He argued that colonialism had a profound effect on the Filipino psyche, and that it was essential to critically examine the legacy of colonialism in order to develop a truly Filipino philosophy.
One of Ferriols’s central concepts in Filipino philosophy was the idea of “pakikisama,” which he defined as the ability to get along with others, to work collaboratively, and to live harmoniously with one’s community. He argued that pakikisama was a core value of Filipino culture, and that it reflected the country’s social and relational orientation.
Ferriols also believed that Filipino philosophy should be grounded in a deep respect for human dignity and social justice. He argued that the concept of “kapwa,” or the shared humanity of all people, was a central value in Filipino culture, and that it should inform the country’s approach to social and political issues. He believed that social justice was essential for the common good, and that it was the responsibility of all Filipinos to work towards a more just and equitable society.
In his book, “The Filipino Ideology,” Ferriols outlined his vision for a truly Filipino philosophy. He argued that Filipino philosophy should be rooted in the country’s unique history, culture, and experience, and that it should be characterized by a deep respect for human dignity, social justice, and the common good. He also emphasized the importance of developing a critical approach to Western philosophy, and of using Western philosophical concepts and methods to engage with the specific issues facing the Filipino people.
Ferriols’s philosophy was deeply influenced by his Catholic faith, and he believed that spirituality and religion were essential components of Filipino philosophy. He argued that spirituality was an important aspect of Filipino culture, and that it provided a framework for understanding the world and one’s place in it. He also believed that religion could be a powerful force for social change, and that it was the responsibility of religious leaders to use their influence to promote social justice and the common good.
Ferriols’s philosophy was also characterized by a deep concern for the environment and the natural world. He believed that the destruction of the environment was a result of a distorted understanding of the relationship between humans and nature, and that it was essential to develop a more holistic and sustainable approach to the environment. He argued that the protection of the environment was not only a matter of environmental conservation, but also of social justice, since the poor and marginalized were often the most affected by environmental degradation.
In conclusion, Roque Ferriols’s Filipino philosophy was characterized by a deep respect for Filipino culture and history, a commitment to social justice and the common good, and a concern for the environment and the natural world. He believed that Filipino philosophy should be grounded in a critical understanding of the country’s colonial history, and that it should reflect the country’s social and relational orientation. His ideas continue to influence the development of Filipino philosophy and the broader philosophical discourse in the Philippines.