Senior High School

Introduction to
the Philosophy of
the Human Person
Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Methods of Philosophizing
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person – Senior High School
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 2: Methods of Philosophizing
First Edition, 2020

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Nicolas T. Capulong, PhD, CESO V
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Librada M. Rubio, PhD

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 Senior High School

Introduction to
the Philosophy of
the Human Person
Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Methods of Philosophizing
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to Introduction of Philosophy of the Human

Person Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on
Methods of Philosophizing!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed

and reviewed by educators both from public and private
institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to
12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social,
and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their
needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage
their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Introduction to Philosophy of the Human Person Alternative Delivery

Mode (ADM) Module on Methods of Philosophizing!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner
is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and
skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.

iii
 Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your
level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the
lesson learned. This also tends retention of
learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing

this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and
gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

Philosophy gives us useful tools that can

help us determine truth. There are various
perspectives regarding what is “true and
one must exercise careful thought and
reflection to determine the truthfulness of
a claim. Determining truth is useful
because it enables us to distinguish
truthful claims from false ones and helps
us to carefully evaluate opinions and
determine which is factual or not.

The module containing a lesson, namely:

• Lesson 1 – Distinguish opinion from truth.
• Lesson 2 – Realizing methods of philosophy lead to wisdom and truth.
• Lesson3-Evaluating truth from opinions using the methods of philosophizing.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Define the role of philosophy in determining truth and knowledge;
2. Distinguish opinion from truth;
3. Analyze situations that show the difference between opinion and truth;
4. Realize that the methods of philosophy lead to wisdom and truth; and
5. Evaluate opinions.

1
 What I Know

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Read the following items carefully. Write the letter of the
correct answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What do you call to the series of statements that provides reasons to

convince the reader or listener that a claim or opinion is true?
a. arguments
b. conclusion
c. fact
d. knowledge

2. Which of the following is technically based on judgement on certain facts?

a. argument
b. beliefs
c. conclusion
d. judgment

3. What do you call the argument based on faulty reasoning?

a. fallacy
b. ideas
c. knowledge
d. opinion

4. What do you call the statements that assume the claim to be true and
provide reasons why the statement is true?
a. argument
b. belief
c. explanation
d. opinion
5. Which of the following is the scientific study of the essential structures of the
consciousness?
a. empiricism
b. epistemology
c. logic
d. phenomenology

6. What is the Greek word for the word “appearance “?

a. appara
b. paenomane
c. phainomenon
d. paenoma

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7. Which method of philosophizing distinguishes opinion from facts or from
personal feelings or emotions?
a. bias elimination
b. critical thinking
c. reduction criticism
d. wishful thinking

8. What do we call the tendencies and influences that affect our views of
people?
a. Bias
b. Claims
c. Explanations
d. Fallacies

9. What fallacy assumes that what is true for the whole is true for the parts?
a. Ad hominem
b. Appeal to emotion
c. Appeal to force
d. Fallacy of division

10. What do we call the fallacy where in the idea is acceptable because it
has been true for a long time?
a. Appeal to force
b. Appeal to tradition
c. Appeal to emotion
d. Ad hominem

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 Lesson
Distinguish Opinion from
1 Truth

At the end of this lesson you are expected to:

1. Determine the differences between truth and knowledge;

2. Distinguish opinions from truth by analyzing given situation correctly and;
3. Illustrate the three perspectives regarding truth.

What’s In

Good day! Are you ready to learn for today? But

before that, let us have a review. Answer the
following questions below.

IDENTIFICATION. Identify the terms being described in

the following statements. Write your answers on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. It is the study or discipline that uses human reason to

investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles, which
govern all things.
2. The Greek term for philosophy is philosophia, means?
3. The Greek philosopher Plato believes that philosophy is brought about by man’s
sense of?
4. He believes that persons engage in philosophy in order to make sense of difficult
life experiences.
5. Rene Descartes considers this as a reason why people philosophize.

Notes to the Teacher

Facilitator will instruct the students to answer
the given questions before proceeding to the
new lesson!

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 What’s New

In today’s society we encounter a lot of information from various sources such as the
media and our interactions with our friends, family, and members of the community.
Most of the information we receive is helpful, but some may mislead us or may even
be utterly false.

Every day we are confronted with news, claims and announcements from our peers,
family members, figures of authority the government and media. How do we know if
they are telling the truth?

ACTIVITY 1
List 5 some “controversial” or doubtful claims that encountered in media or social
media. Please use separate sheet of paper.

What is It

Truth
Philosophers often grapple with the concept
of truth. Truth lies at the heart of any
inquiry. It is a fact that has been verified.

Knowledge
Before we discuss truth, it is important to
clarify knowledge, since it through knowing
that we are able to determine what is true.
Knowledge is the clear awareness and
understanding of something.

Propositions or statements which are

observed to be real or truthful are
considered facts. However, there are statements that are not evidently or immediately
known to be true. This statement is claim, a further examination is required to
establish whether it is true or false.

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Philosophy has various views which can help us tackle the concepts of knowing the
truth, and arrive at a reasonable assessment if a statement, idea, or event is
believable.

ACTIVITY 2
Give at least 5 examples of statement that are facts and 5 statements that are
claim. Please use separate sheet of paper.

3 Theories of Truth
The Correspondence Theory states that a proposition is true if it is corresponding to
the facts.

o Consider: ‘The snow is white.’

o One needs to check if the statement corresponds to facts.
o Strength:
▪ Simplicity
▪ Appeal to common sense
o Problem: what about religious truths?
If we can’t see God, does it mean there is no God?

The Coherence Theory states that if a proposition coheres with all the other
propositions taken to be true, then it is true

o Consider: ‘The snow is white.’

o One needs to check if it is consistent with other beliefs known to be
true, e.g. ‘Ice is white,’ ‘Snow is frozen water,’ ‘Frozen water is ice.’
o Problem: can’t a body of false statements be coherent as well? What
made other beliefs true?

The Pragmatic Theory states that a proposition is true is true if it is useful to believe.

o William James is considered as the father of Pragmatism.

o Consider: ‘The snow is white.’
o One needs to test if the proposition works in reality; specifying the
pigment white and checking to see if different snow samples exhibit
the white pigment.
o Problem: if fake news works, does it become true?

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3 Perspectives regarding truth:
There are several views regarding truth. But what kind of belief is truthful? How do
we know that what we believe is true?

We assume that everything we know about this world is true. But philosophers who
pondered upon the origins of knowledge doubted everything that there is to know
about themselves and the world. It is said that there are instances when we have to
unlearn something so that we may learn anew.

Let’s embark on our own investigation on the nature of knowledge.

1. A belief is true if it can be justified or proven through the use of one’s senses.
I am alive.
I have a body.
I can breathe.

In philosophy, systematic doubt is employed to help determine truth.

Using doubt as our starting point, Let’s rewrite the statements as questions so
we can review and examine them further.
Am I alive?
Do I have a body?
Can I breathe?

Now, how will you figure out the answers to these questions? The obvious answer
would be to examine yourself to determine if indeed you are alive, that you have
a body, and you can breathe. Do you have a pulse? Can you feel your heartbeat?
Do you have hands, arms, legs, feet, and a head? Try to take a deep breathe, then
exhale. Were you able to do it? If you answered “yes” to all these questions, then
you can conclude with certainty that the previous statements about yourself are
true. You can now say:
I am alive!
I have a body!
I can breathe!

2. A belief or statement is true if it is based on facts.

I am a Filipino.

How philosophy can help us determine if it is

true.
So, let’s apply systematic doubt and revise the
statement for further examination.

Am I a Filipino?

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 We can use facts to guide us in our search for truth. If you look up the word
“Filipino” in a dictionary, you will come across the following definitions:

Filipino (noun)
1. a native of the Philippine Islands
2. a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines
3. the Tagalog-based official language of the Republic of the Philippines.

We applied this perspective when we looked up the meaning of the word “Filipino”
in a dictionary. We assumed that what is stated in the definition is the actual
meaning of the word.

3. Getting a consensus or having people agree on a common belief.

When you asked your peer, family, relatives and friends regarding your question,
all of them have the same answer then it is true. But this approach has certain
limitations.

ACTIVITY 3
Apply systematic doubt in analyzing the following statements. Describe how you
will determine their truthfulness. Please use separate sheet of paper.

1. Our classroom is tidy.

2. Our school is big.
3. I am a good student.
4. We live in a safe community.
5. I understand the lesson.

Distinguishing truth from opinion

Now that you have an idea of how philosophizing recognizes truth, let us try
and apply it in various situations in your life. The ideas that we encounter in everyday
life can be considered as truth or opinion. But what distinguishes one from the other?

ACTIVITY 4
Let us take a look at the following statements and determine which one states
Fact or Opinion. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. It takes me 30 minutes to walk from my home to school.

2. Living near the school is better because we don’t have to spend much for
transportation.
3. My sister ate the last piece of pizza pie.
4. My sister is a selfish person because she ate the last piece of pizza pie and did
not share it with me.

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5. The policeman firmly pushed the suspect to his knees and placed him in
handcuffs.
6. The aggressive manner by which the policeman arrested the suspect is an
example of the brutality that characterizes our police force.

Analyzing these statements, you will be able to identify statements that are similar.

Let’s rearrange them again.

1. It takes me 30 minutes to walk from 1. Living near the school is better

my home to school. because we don’t have to spend much
2. My sister ate the last piece of pizza for transportation.
pie. 2. My sister is a selfish person because
3. The policeman firmly pushed the she ate the last piece of pizza and did
suspect to his knees and placed him not share it with me.
in handcuffs. 3. The aggressive manner by which the
policeman arrested the suspect is an
example of the brutality that
characterizes our police force.

Which statements that are more factual? If you answered the first
column,then you are correct.We can confidently say that they fit into the
category of facts since they contain ideas or information that are easily
verifiable.
The second column, on the other hand, has statements that could be
considered opinions.
Opinion
These statements go beyond providing facts.They also provide conclusions or
perspectives regarding certain situations.

Conclusion
It is a judgment based on certain facts.

Beliefs
These are statements that express convictions that are not easily and
clearly explained by facts.
Explanations
These are statements that assume the claim to be true and provide
reasons why the statement is true.

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 What’s More

ACTIVITY 5
Give a reaction to the article below. Describe how you will determine the truth of
the claims given. Please use separate sheet of paper.

The newest miracle drug promise to cure a variety of diseases and

provide many health benefits to its users. The Ginkgo extract is taken
from the Ginkgo biloba tree which has been used in Chinese medicine
for thousands of years. In the United States, Europe, and Asia, many
people are taking Gingko supplements and have enjoyed several
benefits such as improved memory and sharpened thinking.

Many scientific studies prove that Ginkgo extract has several benefits to
human body It has been proven to improve blood flow to the brain. This
unique benefit has led many to use Ginkgo supplements to treat ailments
such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Alzheimer’s, dementia,
attention- deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) depression, dyslexia,
migraine, and drug addiction.

In several medical studies, it was discovered that using Ginkgo extract

improves blood circulation. Ginkgo supplements, therefore, can be used
to treat diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and can
help in the recovery from stroke. Ginkgo also gives significant benefits to
people suffering from asthma, vertigo, kidney disease, glaucoma,
diabetes, and cancer. Also, people taking Ginkgo supplements were
found to have better memory and showed fewer signs of aging.

The Ginkgo supplements are safe to take 3 to 5 times daily for maximum
health benefits. The supplements can be taken with other medicines and
rarely cause adverse side effects. Any person, young and old, can take
the Ginkgo supplement, so share the benefits of health with your family
today!

Discovering truths about oneself is merely the first step toward exploring knowledge
and truth. As we encounter varied ideas and knowledge in our everyday interactions,
philosophy can help us determine which information we encounter is believable and
acceptable, and which needs to be examined more closely to determine its truth.

10
 What I Have Learned

1. Philosophy is concerned with determining truth since it lies at the heart of any
inquiry.
2. The discussion on truth is part of philosophical studies on knowledge where
philosophers explore the nature of knowledge and ways of knowing.
3. Facts are statements that are observed to be real of truthful. Claims are statement
that require further examination to determine their truthfulness.
4. Philosophers consider something as truthful if it is corresponding with an
observable fact or reality. Something is also true if it can be justified through
experience and the use of one’s senses. Another view believes that truth is a
product of agreement or consensus.
5. Opinions are comprised of statements which not only give facts but also provide
conclusions or perspective regarding certain situations.

What I Can Do

1. Make a research and copy on any idea or claim that is

currently circulating in media and on the Internet.
Analyze it and determine if it is true. Please use separate
sheet of paper.

Additional Activities

Make a Reflection (Please use separate sheet of paper)

1. What are the things that you considered real, true, and unchanging in your life?

2. Have you experienced a situation where what you believed to be true turned out
to be untrue? How did this experience affect you?

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 Lesson
Methods of Philosophy that
2 Lead to Wisdom and Truth

At the end of this lesson you are expected to:

1. Discuss the various philosophical methods in determining truth;
2. Justify the validity of statement “The scientific method leads to wisdom and
truth and;
3. Compare the Socratic Method, dialectic method, and scientific method as
methods of philosophizing.

What’s In

A wonderful day to you! Before we proceed to

our new lesson let us have a short review of
our previous lesson.

Answer the following question below based on your own

understanding, please use separate sheet of paper.

1. How can philosophy help identify things that are

truthful?

What’s New

In your science class, you already know that when salt and sugar are dissolved in
water, they form a homogenous solution. On the other hand, sand combined with
water forms a heterogenous mixture. What process led you to know that?
A method of philosophizing is a process of determining the truth or drawing
conclusions from a statement using various philosophical methods.

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ACTIVITY 1
Which of the following statements are TRUE? Write your answers on a separate sheet
of paper.
1. The sun is the center of the solar system.
2. Asia is the largest continent in the world.
3. God made the world in seven days.
4. Man has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
5. A person must always consider the interest of his or her family before his or her
own happiness.

1. Were you able to easily judge the truthfulness of the statement? Why?
2. Which of the statements are obviously true? Which ones required more
thought to determine their truthfulness?

What is It

Doing experiments are standard in science classes. In the previous example, knowing
whether a mixture is heterogenous or homogenous can easily be done just
performing a simple test. This lesson involves the process of experimentation and
observation referred to as the scientific method of philosophizing.

The Scientific Method

The term “science” is derived from the Latin word
scientia that means “to produce knowledge.” The
scientific method also called empirical method, is a
process of determining truth or knowledge through
experimentation, inductive and deductive
reasoning, and hypothesis or theory testing. The
scientific could trace its history from the Classical
period with Aristotle giving the earliest structured
theory on the scientific approach. The process begins with an idea about any given
topic. Hypothesis testing is done to prove the validity of this idea.
In philosophical view, the means of hypothesis testing and its result are considered
the most important feature of the method. The scientific method also values
observation as an important aspect because it contributes to further understanding
the result of the hypothesis testing.

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The Socratic method

Socrates engaged in “didactic dialogue” of questioning

that is expressed in the critical examination and cross
examination of the positions of every participant to the
conversation. This didactic dialogue intends not to
convey new truth but only as guide to arriving the truth
(Nelson, 1965 pp.269-316). The method is later known
as ‘Socratic method of questioning”.

The Dialectic Method

Also known as the dialectical method, is at base a discourse between two or more
people holding different points of view about a subject but wishing to establish
the truth through reasoned methods of argumentation. Dialectic resembles debate,
but the concept excludes subjective elements such as emotional appeal and the
modern pejorative sense of rhetoric.

Socratic Method Dialectic Method Scientific Method

Origin elenchus dialektike Scientia

Meaning “to inquire” or “the art of “to produce

“to cross- examine” conversation” knowledge”

Methods ask, find or use Ask, clarify, reject Define the question,
examples, reject form a hypothesis
ask again. perform an
experiment, collect
data, draw
conclusions, publish
result.

Purpose To gain the truth knowledge and wisdom and to know

Sample • What made you • Can you clarify • What predictions

Questions say that X is your response can I make about
valid? about X? X?
• If X is valid, why • What makes X • How do I test the
does Y contest it? more useful than validity of X?
Y? • What can I
conclude based on
my experiment?

Both the Socratic and Dialectic method are based on a discussion between two or
more people who carry differing views but wish to pursue the truth by seeking an
agreement with one another. Meanwhile, scientific method is a process of
determining truth or knowledge through experimentation, and inductive or deductive
reasoning.

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ACTIVITY 2
Read the following statements carefully. Identify whether it is Scientific Method,
Dialectic Method or Socratic Method. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. I want to know if water freezes faster on its own or with added to.
2. What do you mean when you say I’m okay?
3. Can you provide an example that supports what you are saying?
4. Can you clarify your response?
5. How you define love between two people?

The scientific method leads to wisdom and truth because it uses an evidence – based
approach to come up with its conclusion. In this method, all truths are supported by
facts that can be easily tested or proven again through experiments, logical
reasoning, or observation. The knowledge and truth gained from the scientific
method are assured to come directly from valid conclusions.

What’s More

Let us explore one of the branches of Philosophy, logic. As what we have discussed
in our previous lesson, this is a branch of Philosophy which deals with correct
reasoning. And it has two major type; the Inductive Reasoning and the Deductive
Reasoning.

Inductive Not - from specific to general

o An inductive argument is an argument whose relationship between its
premise/s and its conclusion is of probability.
o If the premise/s are assumed to be true, it is still conceivable for the
conclusion to be false.
o E.g. Every day since I was born, the sun has risen from the East.
Therefore, tomorrow the sun will rise from the East.

Deductive Not - from general to specific

o A deductive argument is an argument whose relationship between its
premise/s and its conclusion is of necessity.
o If the premise/s are assumed to be true, it is inconceivable for the conclusion
to be false.
o E.g. All garments are worn. All worn things are used. Therefore, all
garments are used

ACTIVITY 3

15
Identify the following statement. Tell whether Inductive or Deductive? Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. All triangles are white.

All white things are colorless.
Therefore, all triangles are colorless.

2. All oranges are fruits

All fruits grow on trees
Therefore, all oranges grow on trees.

3. The chair in the living room is red. The chair in the dining is red. The chair in
the bedroom is red. Therefore, All the chairs in the house is red.

4. Bob is taller than his wife, and his wife is taller than his son. So, Bob is taller
than his son.

5. All men are mortal

Socrates is a man
Therefore, Socrates is mortal

16
 What I Have Learned

A method of philosophizing is a process of determining the truth or a Conclusion of

a statement through the use of various philosophical methods Such as Socratic
Method, dialectic method, and scientific method. The scientific method or empirical
method is a process of determining truth or knowledge through experimentation,
inductive and deductive reasoning.

What I Can Do

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Read the following items carefully. Write the letter of the correct
answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. The scientific method is also known as by what name?

a. Logical method
b. Dialectic method
c. Empirical method
d. Socratic method
2. How is hypothesis tested?
a. By reading
b. By arguing facts
c. By experimenting
d. By observing
3. Which of the following scenarios demonstrates the scientific method?
a. Eating only vegetables to see its effect on one’s health.
b. Looking out of the window to see the color of the sky.
c. Recording your grades in every subject
d. Answering the math questions of a friend.
4. Why is scientific method a valid source of the truth?
a. It is based on observation.
b. It is based on theory.
c. It is based on evidence.
d. It is based on logic.

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5. How do you differentiate the scientific method in philosophy and science?
a. The scientific method in philosophy is limited only in response to
questions about human existence while the scientific method in
science encompasses all questions about matter.
b. The scientific method in philosophy is more inclined to answering
questions of logic while the scientific method in science is more
inclined to answering questions about the physical environment.
c. There is no difference between the scientific method in philosophy
and science.

Additional Activities

Based on the picture presented, as one of the social issues that we are currently
facing today, formulate questions using the philosophical methods, choose one from
Scientific, Socratic, and Dialectic Method, and try to generate an answer.
Please use a separate sheet of paper.

18
 Lesson
Evaluating truth from
opinions using the methods
3 of philosophizing.
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to;
1. Determine truth from opinion;
2. Evaluate arguments and ways of expressing one’s beliefs, emotions and
opinion and;
3. Illustrate methods or ways of looking at truth and considered as mere opinion.

What’s In

Let us have a review first, before we proceed to our new lesson.

IDENTIFICATION. Identify the terms being described in the following statements.

1. What is the origin of Scientific Method?

2. What is the meaning of elenchus?
3. This is an argument whose relationship between its/s conclusion is of probability.
4. This is an argument whose relationship between its premise/ an and its
conclusion is of necessity.

What’s New

Philosophizing means to think or express oneself in a philosophical manner. It

considers or discusses a matter from a philosophical standpoint. Arguments are
given great importance since these are used to convey ideas that influence the
thinking, actions, and behavior of people. It can lead to either right or wrong decision
and action. Thus, we need to be careful when we listen to arguments since not all
arguments are truthful. In addition, not all arguments have the same merit because
some are better presented and substantiated than others. It is also possible that

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claims and arguments are given by persons who have ill intentions and wish to twist
or manipulate facts to suit their own purposes. As we analyze what is presented to
us, we must always keep in mind the standards of critical thinking.

ACTIVITY 1
Answer the following questions. Please use separate sheet of paper.

1. Why people argue? How people are able to win arguments

What is It

Critical Thinking
What separates mere thinking from critical thinking? Critical is
a Greek word “kritikos” (to separate) and analysis “ana”
(throughout) “lusis” (to loosen) so, critical thinking mean
thinking analytically.

This is a method that philosophers use to address

philosophical question. It is the ability to engage in reflective
and independent thinking. Critical thinking is the careful,
reflective, rational, and systematic approach to questions of
very general interest. The attributes of critical thinker include,
looks for evidence to support assumption and belief adjust
opinion, looks for proof, examines the problem, reject irrelevant
and innocent information.

Arguments

This is a series of statements that provide

reasons to convince the reader or listener
that a claim or opinion is truthful.

However, a number of arguments may be

based on faulty reasoning. These kinds of
arguments are called fallacies. Some of
these fallacies may be intentional, as the
person making the claim is desperate to
convince you to accept his or her
argument.

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 The following are examples of fallacies:

Fallacy Characteristics Example

ad hominem attacking the person “Of course, he believes that
presenting the the government is flawed,
argument instead of he is a rebel and a
the argument itself. Communist!”
ad baculum using the threat of “If you do not agree with
(appeal to force) force or an my political opinions, you
undesirable event to will receive flat 70 on your
advance an argument card”
ad misericordiam using emotion such “You can’t fire me; I have a
(appeal to pity) as pity or sympathy wife and 12 kids who will
go hungry if I lose this job
?”
ad populum the idea is presented “Every boy your age already
(appeal to the as acceptable because has a girlfriend, you should
majority) a lot of people accept it go find one
ad antiquities the idea is acceptable “Marriage should be
(appeal to because it has been between a man and a
tradition) true for a long time woman. It has been so for a
long time in this country; it
should remain so today and
in the future.”
fallacy of assuming that what is “These cases of robbery in
composition true of a part is true this district have convinced
for the whole me that the city has
become a den of thieves
and criminals”
fallacy of division assuming that what is “You come from a family of
true for the whole is doctors and intellectuals!
true for its parts Surely you can do better in
this course!”
petitio principi assuming that the “I have a right to free
(begging the thing or idea to be speech; therefore, you
question) proven is true; also cannot stop me from
known as” circular talking “.
argument”
post hoc assuming a “cause – “Ever since you bought that
(cause- and – and –effect sweater, everything has
effect) “relationship between been going wrong in your
unrelated events life. You should get rid of
it.”

Bias

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When we are looking for opinion be aware of bias. These are the personal views of
the person presenting it. They are not necessarily errors in reasoning, but refer to
tendencies or influences which affect the views of people.

Example of Bias:

Bias Characteristics Example

Correspondence tendency to judge a “These soldiers who
Bias person’s personality by fought in the war are all
his or her actions, bloodthirsty murderers!”
without regard for
external factors or
influences.
Confirmation Bias the tendency to look for “How can I accept his
and accept information in a view that there is no
way that confirms one’s God? I am a Christian!”
own beliefs and reject ideas
that go against it.
Conflict of Interest a person or group is “As the daughter of the
connected to or has a accused, I believe I have
vested interest in the issue the right to express my
being discussed. opinion on the issue of
his alleged corrupt
practices.”
Cultural Bias analyzing an event or “I do not agree with his
issue based on one’s Western practice of
cultural standards. placing aged parents in
retirement homes. We
Filipinos take care of
our family members.”
Framing focusing on a certain “Preliminary evidence
aspect of a problem while has still not pointed out
ignoring other aspects. the actual cause of the
plane crash, but
investigators are
currently focusing on
the possibility of pilot
error.’

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ACTIVITY 2
Read the article carefully. Identify any fallacies or bias that the speakers make in
their arguments. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Morales: PhilHealth ‘potentially lost’ P10.2B to fraud in 2019

By: Daphne Galvez - Reporter / @DYGalvezINQ

INQUIRER.net / 11:41 AM August 04, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — About P10.2 billion from the Philippine Health Insurance
Corp.’s (PhilHealth) budget was “potentially lost” to fraudulent transactions and
schemes in 2019.

This loss could balloon to P18 billion by next year if not addressed properly,
PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales revealed on Tuesday during a Senate inquiry
on the alleged corruption in the agency. Morales, citing a study in December last
year, said the state insurer’s fraud index rate was at 7.5%, while the global average
is at 10% to 20%. “In other words, of the 176 billion spent by PhilHealth last year of
benefit payments, P10.2 billion was potentially lost to fraud,” he said. “Next year, if
the right thing is not done, of the P240 billion planned benefit expenditure, this
potential loss could balloon to P18 billion,” the PhilHealth president added. The
“systematic” fraud plaguing the agency will only be stemmed by a “robust, integrated,
and harmonized information management system” that could run a membership
database, Morales claimed. He added that the current information management
system of PhilHealth is “fragmented, aging and overextended ministered by
overworked IT professionals.” However, the IT project of PhilHealth, which is
supposedly designed to stop fraud and scams within the agency, was flagged as
“overpriced” by government auditors.

The methodic doubt

According to Rene Descartes, the first rule is to accept
nothing as true which I do not clearly recognize to be so; that
is to say, carefully to avoid precipitation and prejudice in my
judgments, and to accept in them nothing more than what
was presented to my mind so clearly and distinctly that I
could have no occasion to doubt it. To achieve the truth, we
must doubt our senses since our senses are
fallible and unreliable, that is, we must avoid
our perceptual illusion. The objective of
Descartes is uncertainty, and this can be
possible through the method of doubt. The
opposite of truth is uncertainty. That is why
truth is related with uncertainty. This is what we mean by the
skepticism of Descartes.

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On Consciousness. Phenomenology was founded by Edmund Husserl. A method for
finding and guaranteeing the truth that focuses on careful inspection and
description of phenomena or appearances. It comes from the Greek word
phainómenon meaning “appearance.” It is the scientific study of the essential
structures of consciousness.

Husserl’s Phenomenological Standpoint

The first and best known is the epoche or “suspension” that “brackets” all questions
of truth or reality and simply describes the contents of consciousness. The second
reduction eliminates the merely empirical contents of consciousness and focuses
instead on the essential features, the meanings of consciousness.

What’s More

Understanding of opinions and facts and the means to distinguish one from the other
can further improve our understanding and appreciation of varied views and ideas.
The ability to determine truth goes hand in hand with the holistic perspective and
enables us to make wiser decision, especially in choosing the ideas and views which
we find acceptable.

An individual cannot live his or her life just agreeing with everybody he or she
meets. A critical mind aided by philosophy can help us our form our own personal
point of view that can guide us in making decisions and actions when faced with a
problem.
Philosophy can help us determine ideas that are truthful and acceptable which we
can then use to form our own views regarding certain matter.

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ACTIVITY 3
Read the article and evaluate the following opinions regarding the issue discussed.

Philippines wins arbitration case vs. China Sea

By Matikas Santos, July 12,2016

It has finally been decided that the Philippines

has exclusive sovereign rights over the West
Philippine Sea (in the South China Sea) and that
China’s “nine-dash line” is invalid, according to
the United Nations (UN) Arbitral Tribunal.

The Tribunal issued its Award Tuesday after

several months of hearings and submission of
documents. China was absent throughout the
proceedings, refusing to recognize the case.

The Tribunal concluded that there was no legal

basis for China to claim historic rights to
resources within the sea areas falling within the
“nine-dash line”, the statement released to the media said. “Having found
that none of the features claimed by China was capable of generating an
exclusive economic zone, The tribunal found that it could- without
delimiting a boundary-declare that certain sea areas are within the exclusive
economic zone of the Philippines, because those areas are not overlapped by
any possible entitlement of China,’ it added.

The tribunal also said that China has violated Philipines sovereign rights.”
Having found that certain areas are within the exclusive zone of the
Philippines, the Tribunal found that China had violated the Philippines’
sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by ( a) interfering with
Philippine fishing and petroleum exploration (b) constructing artificial
islands, and (c) failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the
zone,” the Tribunal statement said.

“The tribunal further held that Chinese law enforcement vessels had
unlawfuly created a serious risk of collision when they physically obstructed
Philippine vessels,” it said.

The Spratly Islands and its many reefs are being claimed by China under its
“nine- dash line” claim that covers nearly the entire South China Sea
including parts of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). China
insists it has “historic rights” in asserting its ownership of the region
believed to be rich in natural gas resources and also a vital trade route for
international cargo ships.

25
 The Philippines filed its case in January 2013 following a tense standoff
between Chinese and Philippines ships at Scarborough shoal in April 2012.
Since the initation of the arbitration case, China has conducted several
massive reclamation projects to turn submerged reefs into artificial islands
capable of hosting military structures and equipment.

China’s reclamation activities have alarmed other Southeast Asian

nations,particularly Vietnam, that also have competing claims in the South
China Sea.

Opinion 1:
Filipinos should rejoice that the UN Tribunal has upheld their right to the islands
and waters of the Spratlys. It is but right that the Philippines has gained this victory
over a known super power not through force of arms, but by engaging the global
community and appealing to the rule of law. The Tribunal’s decision both upholds
the UNCLOS as the primary basis for determining matters related to territorial waters
and provides nations an example of how the rule of law and due process, when
properly observed, can bring about a fair resolution.
With this victory, the Philippines can now confidently face China in negotiating the
rights to the territorial waters in the Spratlys. Armed with the conviction that the
Filipino people and its government are in the right; Filipino negotiators will now be
able to ask for more equitable terms regarding access to and use of resources in the
disputed area. International opinion can also be used to convince China to scale back
on its activities in the Spratlys islands, and this hopefully will put a stop to the
construction of facilities and their increasing military presence in the disputed
islands. The decision has made diplomacy the only option to resolve the issue
regarding the Spratlys. The region and the world will not benefit if the Philippines
and China, along with the other claimant countries, abandon dialogue and resort to
force to push their respective claims. With the support of its international partners,
the Philippines can now justly assert its rights and enjoin all involved parties to
uphold respect for international law.

Opinion 2:
China will never recognize the UN Tribunal decision and will continue its activities
in the disputed Spratly islands. Ever since the Philippines filed its cases against
China at the United Nations, the Chines government has dismissed the proceeding
and has not participated in any of the hearings of the Tribunal. This shows China’s
utter disregard for international rule of law and its lack of respect for the UNCLOS,
a document to which China is a signing party. The military and economic ambitions
of China will continue to fuel its desire to occupy more territory. If China does not
give way despite the decision and the overwhelming international pressure, what will
stop it from occupying islands that actually belong to the Philippines?
The continued presence of Chinese forces in the islands is a disaster waiting to
happen. Given that they have control over many islands and have been harassing
Filipino fishermen who go into its nearby waters, what will stop the Chinese from

26
using destructive and deadly force on any other ship that dares to trespass in their
so-called territories? Nothing short of a war will convince China that its territorial
ambitions have already exceeded the tolerance of the world.

Which among these is most acceptable? How will these opinions guide your views
and actions as citizens of the Philippines? Write your answer on a separate sheet of
paper.

What I Have Learned

Identify the terms being described in the following statement.

1. ______________ are a series of statements that provide reasons to convince the

reader or listener that a claim or opinion is truthful.
2. Some arguments may contain ___________. This means that they are products of
faulty reasoning. We must be aware of the various kinds of fallacies as these affect
the validity of arguments.
3. Opinions are often influenced by ________. This means that a person having the
opinion may have views and tendencies that affect the way he or she sees reality.
We must be aware of bias so that we can objectively and critically examine points
of view.
4. _______________ can help us examine various views on relevant issues in our lives.
An objective evaluation of opinions and an awareness of our own personal biases
can help us make wise choices regarding the most acceptable views to adopt and
the right actions to undertake.

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 What I Can Do

Match Column A with the correct answer on Column B. Write your answer on a
sheet of paper.

Column A Column B

1. cause-and-effect relationship a. ad hominem

between unrelated events. b. cause-and-effect
2. attacking the person presenting c. conflict of interest
the argument instead of the d. cultural bias
argument itself. e. framing
3. analyzing an event or issue f. fallacy of composition
based on one’s cultural
standards.
4. focusing on a certain aspect of
a problem while ignoring other
aspects.
5. a person or group is connected
to or has a vested interest in the
issue being discussed.

Additional Activities

1. Copy an article from the Internet, a newspaper or a magazine. Identify the facts
and opinions presented in the article. Determine how you will verify the facts
and opinions stated. Please use a separate sheet of paper.

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 Assessment

Identify the following. Please write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. These are statements that express convictions that are not easily explained by
facts.
2. These are statements that assume claim is true and provide reasons to support
them.
3. This is a series of statements that provide reasons to convince a person that a
claim or opinion is truthful.
4. These are arguments based on faulty reasoning.
5. These are tendencies or influences that affect the views of people.
6. It is the clear awareness and understanding of something.
7. These are statements which need to be examined to determine whether they
are true or false.
8. These are statement which are observed to be real or truthful.
9. This is a judgment based on certain facts,
10. These are comprised of statements that provide views on a certain matter.

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ANSWER KEY

10. Conclusion

9. Opinions

8. Claims

7. Facts
10.b
6. Knowledge 9.d
8.a
5. Biases
7.b
4. Fallacies 6.c
5.d
3. Argument 4.c
3.a
2. Explanations
2.c
1. Beliefs 1.a

Assessment What I know

RUBRIC FOR ESSAY:

Criteria Rating
The paper presents a clear and
comprehensive summary of the
information provided in the source 1 2 3 4 5
material.
The paper provides a clear evaluation of 1 2 3 4 5
the material.
The paper employs information and 1 2 3 4 5
clear arguments in discussing their
evaluation of the material.
The paper is original and does not 1 2 3 4 5
contain plagiarized content.
TOTAL ( 20 pts.)

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References
2019. www.globaltimes.cn. Accessed July 20, 2020.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/daily-specials/South-China-Sea-arbitration-
case/Comments3.html.
n.d. Accessed July 18, 2020. https://www.slideshare.net/jeromecastelo/methods-
of-philosophizing-152689719.
Hospers, J. 1997. An introduction to Philosophical Analysis.2nd ed.,Routledge:.
London.
n.d. www.cartoonstock.com. Accessed July 20, 2020.
https://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/p/philosophizes.asp.
n.d. www.slideshare.net. Accessed July 28, 2020.
https://www.slideshare.net/arielgilbuena7/intro-to-the-philosophy-of-the-
human-person-ch-23-scientific-method-of-philosophizing.

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