PHILOSOPHICAL GUIDE TO ARTICLE REFLECTIONS

Sometimes it can seem intimidating to “criticize” a video, book or article; after all, they are professors and experienced
policymakers. However, part of this exercise is to expose the fact that even though these authors are highly qualified,
they are still advancing an argument and providing evidence--their aim is to persuade you that their argument is true,
not to just present facts. As you peruse your readings reflect upon the philosophical underpinnings, how knowledge
get constructed, the epistemic orientation that were present in these readings. Once you recognize that these authors
are making philosophical arguments, you can analyze whether you find their argument compelling. Following is an
overview of the branches of philosophy and a review sheet of some possible questions you could consider when
reviewing articles:

Branches Of Philosophy and Representative Questions Associated with Each

BRANCH OF
SUBBRANCH CHIEF TOPIC QUESTIONS RELATED TO SCIENCE/RESEARCH IN PRTM
PHILOSOPHY
Epistemology Knowledge What is knowledge?
Epistemology is the study of What is truth?
knowledge and how we come to How do we acquire knowledge?
know. Where does knowledge originate? With researchers or
community members?
How do we determine the validity of knowledge?
Metaphysics Ontology Reality What is the nature of reality?
Metaphysics is How do we prove the existence of something?
the branch of Cosmology The Universe How was the world made?
philosophy that Does the world exist outside our thoughts?
addresses
What is the meaning of life? Our purpose?
questions of
reality.
Theology Supreme Being What is out there?
Axiology Values What is of value in PRTM?
Axiology is the branch of What values are essential?
philosophy that deals with values. What is the good life?
Ethics What is morality? How does our morality determine our
thoughts and actions?
How should we live our lives via proper conduct?
Justice What does “justice” even mean?
Who/What is given worth?
Aesthetics What is beauty?
What is art?
How do we judge what we see, hear, and touch?
Logic Reasoning What is valid reasoning? Is the reasoning deductive or inductive?
Logic is the branch of philosophy What distinguishes a good argument from a bad one?
that deals with reasoning. How do we spot fallacies in an argument?
Political Government What is government?
Political is the branch of How does government work?
philosophy that deals with the Policies/Laws What is the extent of power?
social or communal life of human What is permissible?
beings and force.
Rights What rights and freedoms are granted?
 REVIEW SHEET

ARTICLE SOURCE:
PURPOSE:

OVERVIEW:

PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER NOTES

BRANCHES:
Epistemology  Who is the author? Is s/he authoritative? Published in the field?
Respected among colleagues?
 Does the author’s background have important implications for
their argument?
 What evidence does the author use to support the position?
 Does the author underemphasize or ignore evidence that is
contrary to their argument?
 What kinds of key questions and critical assumptions are evident
in the article?
 Is the evidence credible? Can you identify a bias in the evidence?
 Whose knowledge counts in the article?
Metaphysics  How does the author see reality? Or view the situation presented?
 What stance is being taken?
Axiology  Did the researcher convey a personal set of values, assumptions or
beliefs in these readings?
 Do the specific language choices of the author betray a certain
ideology or bias, or frame the argument in a certain way?
 Are you being persuaded to ‘value’ the issue(s), the implications of
the study, etc.?

Logic  What is the basic structure and format?
 Is the article structured in a deductive or inductive approach?
 Characterize the writing style and rhetoric (persuasive techniques)
of the article.
Political  If the author is a clear proponent of Western philosophy, how will
this influence his/her study of authoritarian states?
 What does the study implications mean for societies that have
different cultures and values?
CONCLUSION:  What did you learn from the article?
 Which major branch did it fall under?
 If the article was an argument, were you convinced?
 Does it improve your understanding of something you’re
studying?
 What kinds of data, claims, research methods, and/or background
material are relevant to your own research interests?
ADDITIONAL NOTES: