Method of

Philosophizing
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 observed 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.
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. Remember the
famous French philosopher, Rene Descartes traced the
need to philosophize to doubt.
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.
 1. It takes me 30 minutes to walk from my home to
school.
2. Living near the school is better because we do not
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.
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.
Statements 1, 3, and 5 are more factual than statements 2,
4, and 6. Using the philosophical tools we learned, they fit
into the category of facts since they contain ideas or
information that are easily verifiable.
While statements 2, 4, and 6 could be considered as
opinions. These statements go beyond providing facts. It
also provide conclusions or perspectives regarding certain
situations. Opinions are also the bases for making
arguments and convincing people that a certain claim is a
fact.
Fact is something concrete that can be proven. You can find
facts in legal records, scientific findings, encyclopaedias,
atlases, etc. In other words, facts are the truth and are
accepted as such.
A fact is something you can prove to be either true or
false.
You cannot change a fact.
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.
Also, note in the examples below how facts are the same for
everybody, but opinions can differ quite widely.
An opinion is how a person or thing feels about something.
You ca change an opinion.
Examples of an opinion:
Ann can have the opinion that Italian food tastes best,
while Joe has the opinion that French food is ideal.
Sue can have the opinion that reading is boring, while
Mike can have the opinion that reading is fun.
Penny can have the opinion that cold weather is better,
while Tim can prefer hot weather.
Opinions are statement that go beyond providing facts.
A conclusion is a judgment based on certain facts.
Beliefs are statements that expresses 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.
Bias is disproportionate weight in favor of or against an
idea or thing, usually in a way that is closed-minded,
prejudicial, or unfair.