Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences
Filipino Social Thinkers
A Social Thinker
People who stood out and became sources of new social ideas and inspiration.
Individuals in society who can be regarded as forefronts and visionaries toward the
improvement of society in a particular time.
Great individuals who have contributed significantly to development of political and
social thoughts and philosophy
Jose Rizal
Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
National Filipino Hero
One of the greatest Filipino social thinkers during the nineteenth century
“The first systematic social thinker in Southeast Asia”
o Syed Farid Alatas
o His writings can be used as basis of sociological theories and concepts
Born in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861
Finished Bachelor en Arte (Bachelor of Arts) at Ateneo de Municipal de Manila
Enrolled in Medicine at Universidad de Santo Tomas and finished his education in
Spain at the Universidad Central de Madrid
o Left for Spain in 1882
Wrote the La Solidaridad, Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, and the Annotian of
Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Noli Me Tangere
o 1887
La Solidaridad
o Rizal wrote articles in this propaganda publication
o Filipinas dentro de cien anos (The Philippines: A Century Hence)
September 30, 1889 – February 1, 1890
o Sobre la indolencia de los Filipinos (The Indolence of the Philippines)
1890
“The Filipinos, from being an advanced society before the 16 th Century
became a backward country during the Spanish period”
Annotation of Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Historical events of
the Philippine Islands)
o 1890
El Filibusterismo
, o 1891
In his works, Rizal introduced 3 sociological aspects
o Critique of colonial knowledge of the Philippines
o Theory of Colonial society that explains the nature and the conditions of
Filipino colonial society
o Discourse on the meaning of and requirements for freedom
Proved a number of things about Philippine social realities during the nineteenth
century
o Filipinos made significant advancements in agriculture and industry during
the precolonial times
o He discussed the colonized people’s point of view on various issues such as
lack of progress in the Philippines and the imposition of Spanish colonial
policies
Colonized people Filipinos
o Examined the cruelties committed by Spanish colonizers
o Criticized the hypocrisies and irrationalities of the Spanish colonial
government and the Catholic church
An advocate for Human Rights
o In his, “Letter to the Young Women of Malolos” Rizal provided a number of
important ideas on human and women’s rights, and gender issues in the
Philippines
Letter to the Young Women of Malolos
o 1889
o Jose Rizal was greatly impressed by the fighting spirit that the young women
of Malolos had shown. In his letter, he expresses great joy and satisfaction
over the battle they had fought. In this portion of Rizal’s letter, it is obvious
that his ultimate desire was for women to be offered the same opportunities
as those received by men in terms of education. During those days young
girls were not sent to school because of the universal notion that they would
soon only be taken as wives and stay at home with the children. Rizal,
however, emphasizes on freedom of thought and the right to education,
which must be granted to both boys and girls alike.
o Filipinos must be educated
o Filipino women must be courageous, strong-willed, and educated
o Tyranny happens if people remain coward and careless
Tyranny could mean: Unjust power; An oppressive, harsh or unjust
act
o Ignorance is equivalent to loss of liberty/freedom
o A person who loves his independence must first aid his fellowmen
As if saying magtinabangay ta dapat to earn the independence we love
Filipino Social Thinkers
A Social Thinker
People who stood out and became sources of new social ideas and inspiration.
Individuals in society who can be regarded as forefronts and visionaries toward the
improvement of society in a particular time.
Great individuals who have contributed significantly to development of political and
social thoughts and philosophy
Jose Rizal
Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
National Filipino Hero
One of the greatest Filipino social thinkers during the nineteenth century
“The first systematic social thinker in Southeast Asia”
o Syed Farid Alatas
o His writings can be used as basis of sociological theories and concepts
Born in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861
Finished Bachelor en Arte (Bachelor of Arts) at Ateneo de Municipal de Manila
Enrolled in Medicine at Universidad de Santo Tomas and finished his education in
Spain at the Universidad Central de Madrid
o Left for Spain in 1882
Wrote the La Solidaridad, Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, and the Annotian of
Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Noli Me Tangere
o 1887
La Solidaridad
o Rizal wrote articles in this propaganda publication
o Filipinas dentro de cien anos (The Philippines: A Century Hence)
September 30, 1889 – February 1, 1890
o Sobre la indolencia de los Filipinos (The Indolence of the Philippines)
1890
“The Filipinos, from being an advanced society before the 16 th Century
became a backward country during the Spanish period”
Annotation of Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Historical events of
the Philippine Islands)
o 1890
El Filibusterismo
, o 1891
In his works, Rizal introduced 3 sociological aspects
o Critique of colonial knowledge of the Philippines
o Theory of Colonial society that explains the nature and the conditions of
Filipino colonial society
o Discourse on the meaning of and requirements for freedom
Proved a number of things about Philippine social realities during the nineteenth
century
o Filipinos made significant advancements in agriculture and industry during
the precolonial times
o He discussed the colonized people’s point of view on various issues such as
lack of progress in the Philippines and the imposition of Spanish colonial
policies
Colonized people Filipinos
o Examined the cruelties committed by Spanish colonizers
o Criticized the hypocrisies and irrationalities of the Spanish colonial
government and the Catholic church
An advocate for Human Rights
o In his, “Letter to the Young Women of Malolos” Rizal provided a number of
important ideas on human and women’s rights, and gender issues in the
Philippines
Letter to the Young Women of Malolos
o 1889
o Jose Rizal was greatly impressed by the fighting spirit that the young women
of Malolos had shown. In his letter, he expresses great joy and satisfaction
over the battle they had fought. In this portion of Rizal’s letter, it is obvious
that his ultimate desire was for women to be offered the same opportunities
as those received by men in terms of education. During those days young
girls were not sent to school because of the universal notion that they would
soon only be taken as wives and stay at home with the children. Rizal,
however, emphasizes on freedom of thought and the right to education,
which must be granted to both boys and girls alike.
o Filipinos must be educated
o Filipino women must be courageous, strong-willed, and educated
o Tyranny happens if people remain coward and careless
Tyranny could mean: Unjust power; An oppressive, harsh or unjust
act
o Ignorance is equivalent to loss of liberty/freedom
o A person who loves his independence must first aid his fellowmen
As if saying magtinabangay ta dapat to earn the independence we love
