LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

QUARTER I/ SEMESTER First (Week 3 & 4)

Name:__________________________________Section: ___________Score:______
Subject: Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person Teacher: ______Date: ______

I Title: Opinion versus Truth

II. Type of Activity: Concept notes with formative activities

LAS for summative assessment (Written Work)

(Performance Task)

III. MELC: Evaluate truth from opinion in different situations using the methods of philosophizing
(PPT11/12-1a-2.3)

IV. Learning Objective/s:

1. assess how philosophy guide man in distinguishing truth from opinion
2. obtain truth by avoiding fallacies in propositions;
3. evaluate truth from opinion in different situations using the methods of philosophizing

V. Reference/s
Mabaquiao,, Napoleon, Jr. 2016. Making Life Worth Living: An Introduction to the
Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc. pp. 47-53
Corvino, John. Essay: The Fact/Opinion Distinction from
https://www.philosophersmag.com/essays/26-the-fact-opinion-distinction retrieved on July
11, 2020
Fake News: Common Logical Fallacies article from https://ggu.libguides.com/c.php?
g=810754&p=5785291 retrieved on July 12, 2020

VI. Concept notes with formative activities

The Fact/Opinion Distinction
 In calling something an opinion, one presumably wants to contrast it with something that
is not an opinion, and the obvious candidate for the contrast class is “fact”. Philosophers might
be tempted to draw this contrast by identifying facts as states of affairs – occurrences that are
there in the world regardless of what anyone may think about them – and identifying opinions as
beliefs (or some other mental state) about states of affairs.

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  Suppose, then, we narrow our inquiry to statements, so that when we ask, “What is the
difference between facts and opinions?” what we’re really asking is “What is the difference
between statements of fact and statements of opinion?”
 This seems like it should be an easy question, but it actually tends to stump most people
on the street. Mind you, they have no trouble in offering examples of either, or in
categorising others’ examples. So for instance, given:

(1a) There is beer in my (1b) Wine tastes better than beer.

refrigerator.
(2a) The earth revolves around (2b) The earth was created by an
the sun. omnipotent God.
(3a) Thousands were killed in (3b) Genocide is wrong.
Darfur.
(4a) The current US president is (4b) A Democrat will win the
a Democrat. presidency in 2016.
they’ll say that the A statements are facts and the B statements are opinions. When asked
to explain the principle of distinction between the two,

 “Fact: statement of actuality or occurrence. A fact is based on direct evidence, actual

experience, or observation.

 “Opinion: statement of belief or feeling. It shows one’s feelings about a subject. Solid
opinions, while based on facts, are someone’s views on a subject and not facts
themselves.”
 “Facts are statements that can be shown to be true or can be proved, or something that
really happened. You can look up facts in an encyclopaedia or other reference, or see
them for yourself. For example, it is a fact that broccoli is good for you (you can look
this up in books about healthy diets).
 “Opinions express how a person feels about something – opinions do not have to be
based upon logical reasoning. For example, it is an opinion that broccoli tastes good (or
bad).”

How can philosophy guide us in distinguishing truth from opinion?

 Opinions are comprised of statements which not only give facts but also provide
conclusions or perspectives regarding certain situations. They may advance a belief about
certain things or provide explanations. Opinions are also the bases for making arguments
and convincing people that a certain claim is a fact. They are often influenced by bias. They
comprised statements which not only give facts but also provide conclusions or
perspectives regarding certain situations. Hence, opinions may advance a belief about
certain things or provide explanation.

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 Beliefs are statements that express convictions that are not easily and clearly explained by
facts. To judge the truthfulness of a belief, we must also consider things such as the
person’s experiences and views.

Example: I believe that God put me on earth to spread hus message of love.

 Explanations are statements that assume the claim to be true and provide reasons why
the statement is true.
 Arguments are a series of statements that provide reasons to convince the reader or
listener that a claim or opinion is truthful. They often take the form of statements that are
either claims of facts and are phrased in such a way that they seem reasonable. Logic is a
branch of philosophy that focuses on the analysis of arguments. However, a number of
arguments maybe based on faulty reasoning.
 Fallacies are arguments based on faulty reasoning. Some of them are intentional, as the
person making the claim is desperate to convince you to accept his or her argument. They
are ideas that a lot of people thinks it is true but is in fact false.


Biases
are the

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 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.
How can an understanding of the difference between truth and opinion lead to
wisdom?

 Understanding of opinio
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 decisions, 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 form our own personal point of view that will
eventually guide us in making decisions and actions when faced with a problem.
 Philosophy can help us ideas that are truthful and acceptable which can then use to form
our views regarding certain matters in life. Philosophy can help us examine

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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.

You can do this!

Task 1.
Read the following statements. If the statement states a fact, write F; if it states an opinion,
write O. Write your answers on the line.

_____1. Guimaras mangoes are the best in the Philippines

_____2. Celine is the most beautiful mother in the world.
_____3. Harvest season is Ukraine is a celebration of thanksgiving.
_____4. Russians sing and dance better than any nationality in the world.
_____5.Ukraine declared independence in 1991.
Task 2.
Read the following statements about the coronavirus disease (covid 19). If the statement
states a fact, write Fact; if it states an opinion, write Bluff. Write your answers on the line.
_____1. The COVID-19 can be transmitted in ALL AREAS. 
_____2. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill COVID-19.
_____3. Cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases, while the
normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C,
regardless of the external temperature or weather.
_____4. The COVID-19 virus be transmitted through mosquito bites.
_____5. Older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions appear to be
more vulnerable to the virus.
Task 3.
Read the statements carefully and encircle the best answer.
1. My brother found a little puppy in the middle of the street today. He was shivering so my
brother wrapped him in a blanket. Mom said that we cannot keep him because he
belongs to another family. He is the cutest puppy I have ever seen! I do not want to give
him back. 
Which sentence from the paragraph above is an OPINION?
A. My brother found a little puppy in the middle of the street today.
B. He is the cutest puppy I have ever seen!
C. Mom said that we cannot keep him because he belongs to another family.
D. He was shivering so my brother wrapped him in a blanket.
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 2. What is an opinion?
A. There are clouds in the sky.
B. The sky is blue.
C. I think it will rain.
D. It has not rained this month.
3. My opponent raises a good point, but can we really trust him? I mean, he moved to this
town only two years ago and everyone knows that his wife left him.
A. Ad baculum
B. Ad verecundiam
C. Ad populum
D. Ad Hominem
4. You visit a new country and the first person you meet in the airport is rude. You send a
message to a friend back home that everyone in this new country is rude.
A. Begging the Question
B. Hasty Generalization
C. Red Herring
D. Ad Ignorantiam 
5. People who deny the truth of Marxism are simply dancing to the tune of their capitalist
masters, as Marx understood so well.
A. Begging the Question
B. Ad Hominem
C. False Dilemma
D. Red Herring 
You can do more!

Task 4.
Read the logical fallacies carefully and encircle the best answer.

1. This occurs when the arguer claims that something must be true for an entire group when
it is only true for a small or non-representative sample.
A. hasty generalization
B. ad populum
C. false appeal to tradition
D. exigency

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2. This fallacy plays off of the idea that because something has always been done, it must
be correct.
A. post hoc
B. circular logic
C. ad populum
D. false appeal to tradition
3. This occurs when the arguer claims his assertion must be correct because his/her
opponent cannot prove it to be incorrect.
A. false appeal to authority
B. appeal to ignorance
C. quid pro quo
D. pro bono
4. The idea that because many others believe something to be true, it must be true. This is
also referred to as the bandwagon fallacy.
A. false appeal to tradition
B. ad populum
C. false appeal to fairness
D. straw man

5. A personal attack on the opponent that is unrelated to the opponent’s claim. It’s used to
raise doubts about a speaker’s credibility, but proves little.
A. quid pro quo
B. post hoc
C. ad hominem
D. false appeal to fairness

Task 5.
. Read the situations and the kind of bias that is described. Encircle the best answer.

1. An interview with the new mayor focuses on his DUI 25 years ago rather than his work
as a doctor. This interview needs a cure for...
A. Confirmation bias
B. Anchoring bias
C. Outcome bias
D. Negativity bias

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2. Your mom still thinks Pluto is a planet, though it was downgraded to a "dwarf planet" in
2006. Is she spacing out or experiencing...
A. Anchoring bias
B. Outcome bias
C. Negativity bias
D. Blind spot bias
3. Your ice cream-loving friend has an obvious bias against Popsicles. So ridiculous!
Popsicles are the BEST! In this case, your flavor of bias is:
A. Outcome bias
B. Blind-spot bias
C. Anchoring bias
D. Negativity bias
4. Who would ever be opposed to free college tuition? Certainly no one you had ever pay
attention to. Which is a perfect example of:
A. Confirmation bias
B. Anchoring bias
C. Negativity bias
D. Outcome bias
5. Your friend didn't study for the math test but ended up with a B. Now she's not going to
study for the final. You think she's miscalculated due to:
A. Negativity bias
B. Anchoring bias
C. Confirmation bias
D. Outcome bias

Task 6.

Recall about what you heard about philosophy and state facts and opinions about
philosophy as a subject.

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 Checkpoint:
What one fact about the study of philosophy
did you believe the most? Write it below.
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

Challenge Yourself
Task 7.
Read the article Viewpoint: Have You Heard about the Herd? It’s a COVID-19

Fallacy written by Kevin Kavanagh, MD which can be accessed through

https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/join-or-die-how-covid-19-forces-more-

healthcare-consolidation (retrieved on July 12, 2020).

Identify five (5) informal fallacies in the article. (10 points)

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Fallacies committed:
1. _______________________________________
2. _______________________________________
Task 9.
Explain your answer by citing life experience to back up your viewpoint. (10 points)

Should we observe correct reasoning at all time? How will you react to this
philosophical quote by Blaise Pascal “The heart has its reasons which
reason knows nothing of... We know the truth not only by the reason, but
by the heart." 

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Level Up
Task 10.

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 Fill in the correct answers, one letter per square, both across and down, from the given
clues. (12 points)

Task 11.

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Let us see if you can give arguments to support some of your beliefs. Read the questions below and
write your arguments on the space provided below. Choose only one and give five to ten
propositions. (12 points)

1. Do you think the economy is going to improve or worsen in the next six months? Why or why
not? What arguments can you give to support your position?

2. Think about something different, do you think computers can have emotions? What arguments
can you give to support your viewpoint? Make sure that your arguments are composed of
statements/propositions.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Task 12.
Following are statements and propositions that commit fallacies. Let avoid fallacious
statements. So, let us state clearly these fallacious statements. Restate the statements inorder
to give clearer and correct meanings. (15 points)

Example: Signage in a provincial road: “Slow men at work!”

In other words, the program engineer means Slow down! Men at work! or Drive
slowly, men are at work.

1. Cocktail Lounge in Norway: “Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar”
In other words, what the bar owner means
____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. Doctor’s Office in Rome: “Specialist in women and other diseases”
In other words, what the doctor means
____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. In a maternity ward in Las Pinas: ”No children allowed”
In other words, what the ward attendant means
____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
4. On the grounds of a private school, the guard puts “No trespassing without permission”

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 In other words, what the guard means
____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
5. Hotel in Japan: “You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid”
In other words, what the hotel owner means
____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

“In learning and argumentation, the quality brain is similar to a facility of maximum security. What passes
the logic test, free of fallacy and pretense, then must pass the test of biblical accuracy in order to proceed
as an adopted, reliable truth.”
―  Criss Jami, Killosophy

VII. Notes to teachers:

o This lesson touches the concepts of logic though the discussion is not exhaustive.
Students should be able to explain the nature of reasoning as a method for
establishing or justifying truth.
o The activities are tailored in such a way that students will avoid fallacies and biases,
instead, emphasis is given on understanding of the difference between truth and
opinion lead to wisdom.

Rubrics for Philosophical Essays and written work (to be adjusted according to the
assigned point per task)
Performance Needs Improvement Fair Very Good Excellent
Indicators (1 point) (2 points) (3 points) (4 points)
Number of Insufficient number of Minimal but Most concepts Most concepts and
Concepts concepts selected acceptable relating to topic were all significant
(sufficiency) relating to topic number of selected concepts selected
concepts selected, and they clearly
with some relate to the topic
relationships to
the topic
Arrangement of Arrangement of Arrangement of Arrangement of Arrangement of
Concepts concepts illustrates no concepts concepts concepts
understanding of demonstrates demonstrates and demonstrates
conceptual simple understanding of complete
relationships understanding of subordinate understanding of
subordinate conceptual subordinate
conceptual relationships conceptual
relationships relationships
Depth of Coverage Insufficient coverage Show a basic level Shows a sold grasp Shows a sold
of contend covered of coverage of key of most of the grasp of all the
ideas but little content and shows content covered.
extension of ideas extensions of most Extensions of the
key ideas key ideas show a
deep
understanding of
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 that content

VIII. Answer Key to the Tasks:

You can do this
Task 1. 5 points
1. F
2. O
3. F
4. O
5. F
Task 2. 5 points
1. Fact
2. Bluff
3. Bluff
4. Bluff
5. Fact

Task 3. 5 points
1. B
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. A

You can do more

Task 4. 5 points
1. A
2. D
3. B
4. B
5. C
Task 5. 5 points
1. D
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. D
Task 6. (Answers will vary) 12 points

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Challenge yourself
Task 7. (Answers will vary) 10 points
Task 8. (Answers will vary) 10 points
Task 9. (Answers will vary) 5 points

Level Up
Task 10 12 points

Task 11. (Answers may vary) 12 points

Task 12. (Answers may vary) 15 points
Suggested answers:
1. Cocktail Lounge in Norway: “Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar”
In other words, what the bar owner means that ladies are not allowed to bring in minors or
children inside the bar.

2. Doctor’s Office in Rome: “Specialist in women and other diseases”

In other words, what the doctor means that he/she specializes in women diseases and other
related diseases.

3. In a maternity ward in Las Pinas: ”No children allowed”

In other words, what the ward attendant means that the hospital does not allow children to enter
the facility (and not in any way depriving the child to come out)

4. On the grounds of a private school, the guard puts “No trespassing without permission”
In other words, what the guard means simply “No trespassing” because to add without
permission is implied.

5. Hotel in Japan: “You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid”

In other words, what the hotel owner means that customers can “avail of the hotel services that
the chambermaid can offer. Thus, it can be re-stated as: You may avail of the services of a
chambermaid.

Prepared by:

HENRY B. BUEMIO, EdD

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ISNHS
Revised September 2021

Noted and checked by:

CLARITO SIABABA, EdD

Education Program Supervisor,
Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao
SDO – Vigan City

Approved by:

MARIE CHRISTINE L. NATIVIDAD

Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division
SDO – Vigan City

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