Pagpukaw: An Invitation to Philosophize

This current issue of the Philosophy Departments journal contains essays intended to be used as reading materials for classes in philosophy. Remaining, nonetheless, a journal of ideas, Pagpukaw undertakes to propagate better its invitation to philosophize by seeking to be integrated in a particular venue where insights are often generated: classroom discussions. In Towards A Functional Philosophy: Revisiting Our Mission Statement, Fr. Wilmer Joseph S. Tria provides an analysis of what is meant by having philosophy becoming functional within the context of the Ateneo de Naga University. He asserts the critical and ethical goals incumbent upon such an understanding of the philosophical enterprise. Fr. Patrick Riordan S.J., meanwhile, examines the thorny issue of charter change in the Philippines with his Power and Charter Change: Control or Tyranny? Relying on a conception of democracy as a peoples capacity to control those who govern them, Fr. Riordan clarifies what is at stake in the effort to amend the constitution and shift to a different form of government. Fr. Riordans analysis is instructive for students of Political Philosophy. In the meantime, Adrian V. Remodos Paghuba sa Magayon is a linguistic exploration of the Bikol concept of magayon as it is contrasted to oragon. Unpacking the layers of meaning contained in the term, Remodo offers a gender-sensitive account of what can be construed as virtue in the Bikol context. The outline of what can be viewed to be Michel Foucaults ethics is the subject of Federico Jos T. Lagdameos The Elements of Foucauldian Ethics. Such an ethics, according to Lagdameo, entails turning human lives into works of art that have the effect of inspiring people. In a word, Foucaults ethics entails an aesthetics of existence. Fr. Trias Friendship: Bikol Philosophy Perspective is an informative discussion on friendship through the linguistic exploration of the terms used to designate it in the Bikol language. The essay serves as a contribution to the development of themes for Pilosopiya nin Tawo. Michael Roland F. Hernandezs Edith Steins Phenomenology of Empathy is an elucidation of a possible alternative to arriving at moral certitude. Using Edith Steins notion of empathy, Hernandez shows a way of knowing that resists the violence inherent in assimilating a reality that is other. In the last article, Bikolano poet and Palanca awardee Kristian Cordero renders in Bikol a classic text in Western Philosophy, Platos Apology. Perhaps

the first Bikol version of the Apology, Korderos text introduces Platos text and thought to Bikolanos by having him speak their own language.