LESSON 2:

Methods of Philosophizing

Christine Joyce Quiambao-Roque

 Which of the following statements are
true?
1. The sun is the center of the Solar system
2. Asia is the largest continent in the world.
3. God made the world in seven days
4. Man has the right to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness
5. China’s continued presence in the Spratlys
is a violation of international laws
6. A person must always consider the
interests of his or her family before his or
her happiness
7. Citizens have the right to take up arms
and overthrow an oppressive government

8. The President has done very little to

uphold democracy and look after the
interests of the Filipino people
 Inquire and Discover

 Philosophers often grapple with the

concept of truth
 Statements about the world or reality
are called propositions and these
propositions may or may not carry
truth
 What is truth? Why is it important?

 Knowledge is the clear awareness and

understanding of something.
 It comprises of ideas and beliefs that
we know to be true.
 Let’s explore your knowledge by
completing the following statements
 I know that…
 I know why…
 I know how…

 Propositions or statements which are

observed to be real or truthful are
considered facts.
 There are statements however, that are
not evidently or immediately known to
be true. Further examination is
required to establish whether it is true
or false.
 How do we know if something is true?

 Philosophers emphasize the

importance of belief as a basis for
determining truth.

Let’s embark on our own investigation on

the nature of knowledge.
• I am alive
• I have a body
• I can breathe.
 How can philosophy guide us in distinguishing truth from
opinion?

 Let us take a look at the following

statements and determine which one
states fact or opinion.

1. It takes me 30mins. To walk from my

home to school.
2. Living near the school is better
because we don’t have to spend much
for transportation.
 How can philosophy guide us in distinguishing truth from
opinion?

3. My sister ate the last piece of pizza

pie.
4. My sister is a selfish person
because she ate the last pizza pie and
did not share it with me.
5. The policeman firmly pushed the
suspect to his knees and placed him in
handcuffs.
 How can philosophy guide us in distinguishing truth from
opinion?

6. The aggressive manner by which the

policeman arrested the suspect is an
example of the brutality that
characterizes our police force.
 How can philosophy guide us in distinguishing truth from
opinion?

 Facts – contain ideas or information

that are easily verifiable.
 Opinions – these are statements that
go beyond providing facts
 Conclusion – is a judgment based on
certain facts.
 Beliefs – are statements that express
convictions that are not easily and
clearly explained by facts.
 How can philosophy guide us in distinguishing truth from
opinion?

 Explanations – are statements that

assume the claim to be true and
provide reasons to convince the
readers to simply accept the fact.
 Arguments – are a series of statements
that provide reasons to convince the
reader or listener that a claim or
opinion is truthful
 How can philosophy guide us in distinguishing truth from
opinion?

 Logic – is the branch of Philosophy that

focuses on the analysis of arguments.

 Importance of Arguments
- influences thinking
- actions and behavior of people.