Methods of

Philosophizing
“Everything we hear is
an opinion, not a fact.
Everything we see is a
perspective, not the truth.”
- Marcus Aurelius
FACT
is a statement of actuality or
occurrence. A fact is based on
direct evidence, actual,
experience, or observation.
OPINION
is a statement of belief or feeling.
Solid opinions, while based on
facts, are someone’s views on a
subject and not the facts themselves.
 Statements
Whales are mammals.
Water can be liquid, solid, or gas.
Coke is better than Pepsi.
Dogs are better than cats.
There are books in the library.
God created the world.
Joanna Marie is very beautiful.
Marawi City was terrorized by Maute Group.
That is the ugliest dress I’ve ever seen.
Christmas is the best holiday of the year.
 FACT OPINION
A statement of fact is A statement of opinion
one that is OBJECTIVE is one whose content is
content and is WELL- either SUBJECTIVE or
SUPPORTED by the else NOT WELL
AVAILABLE SUPPORTED by the
EVIDENCE. AVAILABLE
EVIDENCE.
PHILOSOPHICAL
METHODS
Methods of Philosophizing (philosophical
method or philosophical methodology) is the
study of how to do philosophy. A common view
among philosophers is that philosophy is
distinguished by the ways that philosophers
follow in addressing philosophical questions.
Objective
Systematic philosophy attempts
to provide a framework in a
reason that can explain all
questions and problems in
human life.
Some common features of the methods that
philosophers follow:
• Methodic Doubt  a systematic process of
being skeptical about (or doubting) the
truth of one’s belief.
• Argument  provide an argument or
several arguments supporting the
solution.
• Dialectic  present the solution and
arguments for criticism by other
philosophers, and help them judge their
own.
Kierkegaard
Systematic
Philosophy
I. Doubt and the sense of wonder
The initial impulse to philosophize may
arise from suspicion, for example that we do
not fully understand, and have not fully
justified, even our most basic beliefs about
the world.
II. Formulate questions and problems
Formulate questions to be answered or
problems to be solved. The working
assumption is that the more clearly the
question or problem is stated, the easier it is
to identify critical issues.
III. Enunciate a solution
Another approach is to enunciate a
theory, or to offer a definition or analysis,
which constitutes an attempt to solve a
philosophical problem. It is stated quite
briefly. It includes hedging, explanation,
and argument.
IV. Justify the solution
Philosophers are, or at least are expected
to be, very good at giving arguments. They
constantly demand and offer arguments for
different claims they make. This therefore
indicates that philosophy is a quest for
arguments.
V. Philosophical criticism
Philosophers offer definitions and
explanations in solution to problems; they
argue for those solutions; and then the other
philosophers provide counter arguements,
expecting to eventually come up with better
solutions. This exchange and resulting
revision of views is called dialectic.
VI. Motivation
Method in philosophy is in some sense
rooted in motivation, only by understanding
why people take up philosophy can one
properly understand what philosophy is.
QUIZ