Handouts W2 Philo

LESSON 2: METHODS OF HILOSOPOHIZING
Truth in metaphysics and the philosophy of language is the property of sentences, assertions, beliefs,
thoughts, or propositions that are said, in ordinary discourse, to agree with the facts or to state what the
case is. It is most often used to mean being in accord with fact or reality, or fidelity to an original or
standard.
Truth is also sometimes defined in modern contexts as an idea of "truth to self", or authenticity.
Proposition is a statement about the world or reality. Propositions may or may not carry truth.
Knowledge is the clear awareness and understanding of something. It is the product of questions that
allow for clear answers provided by facts.
Facts are propositions or statement which are observe to be real or truthful.
Claim is a statement that is not evidently or immediately known to be true. This means that any claim
can be proven by verification and experimentation.
Therefore, truthful statements can be considered as based on facts
Conclusion is a judgment based on certain facts.
Beliefs are statements that expressed convictions that are not easily and clearly explained by facts.
Explanations are statements that assume the claim to be true and provide reasons why the statement is
true.
Arguments are series of statements that provide reasons to convince the reader or listener that a claim
or opinion is truthful.
Fallacies are arguments based on faulty reasoning.
Examples of Fallacies.
Attacking the Person (Ad Hominem) - attacking the person presenting the argument instead of the
argument itself.
Appeal to force (Argumentum Ad Baculum) - using the threat of force or an undesirable event to
advance an argument.
Appeal to the Popular (Argumentum ad Populum) - the idea is presented as acceptable because a lot of
people accept it.
Appeal to tradition (Argumentum Ad Traditionem) - the idea is acceptable because it has been true for
a long time.
Bias is disproportionate weight in favor of or against an idea or thing, usually in a way that is closed-
minded, prejudicial, or unfair.
Examples of Biases:
Bias Correspondence or Attribution Effect - tendency to judge a person's personality by his or her
actions, without regard for the external factors or influence.
Confirmation Bias - tendency to look for and readily accept information which fits one's own beliefs or
views and to reject ideas or views that go against it.
Framing Bias - focusing on a certain aspect of a problem while ignoring other aspects.
Cultural Bias - analyzing an event or issue based on one's cultural standards.
There are several views regarding truth. Philosophers emphasize the importance of belief as a basis for
determining truth. But as a philosopher, we do not assume that every statement is true.
In philosophy, systematic doubt is employed to help determine the truth. This means that every
statement, claim, evidence, and experience is scrutinized and analyzed.
Philosophers always engaged with the concept of truth. Philosophers consider truth as a kind of quality
or value. Knowledge is the clear awareness and understanding of something, since it is true knowing
that we are able to determine what is true.
Doubt has a very important purpose in philosophy as it drives our desire to discover the truth. In
philosophy, systematic doubt is employed to help determine the truth.
A belief is true if it can be justified or proven through the use of one’s senses.
Another basis for determining truth is a belief or statement is true if it is based on facts
Getting consensus or having people agree on a common belief is another way of
determining what is true. Although this approach has certain limitations. Getting everyone to agree on
something may not take that belief true.
Philosophers also believe that claims and belief should also be subjected to test to
determine truth. In determining truth requires also that a person can prove a statement through an
action.
Fact is something concrete that can be proven. You can find facts in legal records, scientific findings,
encyclopedias, atlases, etc. In other words, facts are the truth and are accepted as such.
Opinion is less concrete. It's a view formed in the mind of a person about a particular issue. In other
words, it is what someone believes or thinks, and is not necessarily the truth.
The methods of philosophizing will help us learn the process of doing
philosophy in a systematic way. On the other hand, philosophizing is to think or express oneself in a
philosophical manner.
Although philosophy is an organized body of knowledge, the subject matter of philosophy is questions,
which have three major characteristics:
1. Philosophical questions have answers, but the answers remain in dispute.
2. Philosophical questions cannot be settled by science, common sense, or faith; and
3. Philosophical questions are of perennial intellectual interest to human beings.
Doing philosophy is not just pure reasoning. It includes reflection combined with and confirmed by
experience, observation, and introspection. Philosophy is a dedicated search for meaning.
A philosopher observes, reads, reflects, and writes until the answer is found.
The way of doing Philosophy is nearly similar to the step in scientific method.
More than anything else, Philosophy seeks for the "truth" not just "opinions."
STEPS OF DOING PHILOSOPHY:
1. Know the Issue or Problem
2. Arrange and Assess the Data
3. Make a Hypothesis
4. Test the Hypothesis
5. Find out the Truths (Conclusion)
6. Philosophical Criticism and Reflection
Philosophical Reflection - the process by which a person undergoes a reflective state and evaluate
his/her experiences before making any related action. The use of philosophical reflection is important as
it enables thought to be investigated using a deeper, holistic perspective and will direct us towards
wisdom and truth.
Activities that deliberate reflection:
- learning from mistakes
- evaluating and knowing the best choice
- in reflecting, one can learn more about thyself
- gaining a holistic point of view before making any conclusion

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LESSON 2: METHODS OF HILOSOPOHIZING

Facts are propositions or statement which are observe to be real or truthful.

Therefore, truthful statements can be considered as based on facts

Conclusion is a judgment based on certain facts.

Fallacies are arguments based on faulty reasoning.

Cultural Bias - analyzing an event or issue based on one's cultural standards.

Getting consensus or having people agree on a common belief is another way of

The methods of philosophizing will help us learn the process of doing

2. Philosophical questions cannot be settled by science, common sense, or faith; and

3. Philosophical questions are of perennial intellectual interest to human beings.

STEPS OF DOING PHILOSOPHY:

1. Know the Issue or Problem

2. Arrange and Assess the Data

4. Test the Hypothesis

5. Find out the Truths (Conclusion)

6. Philosophical Criticism and Reflection

Activities that deliberate reflection:

- learning from mistakes

- evaluating and knowing the best choice

- in reflecting, one can learn more about thyself

- gaining a holistic point of view before making any conclusion

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