Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person

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MODULE 5 – Philo Subject Teacher:

FIRST TRIMESTER SY 2020-2021

METHODS OF DOING PHILOSOPHY
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

HOW DOES ONE EVALUATE AND DISTINGUISH TRUTH FROM OPINION?

a. What are the various methods of philosophizing?
b. How do these methods of philosophizing lead us to wisdom?

INQUIRE AND DISCOVER

I. What do we mean by methods of Philosophizing?

- Methods of philosophizing refers to various ways on doing philosophy or coming up

with the general truth or reality. Reality refers to the state of existence of things independent of
human consciousness. In the broader sense when we philosophize, we try to look on what is
real or true.
- At its core, methods of philosophizing refer to epistemology or branch of philosophy
that deals with the nature and the various ways we can attain knowledge or truth.

II. What is the difference between a philosophical lens and method of philosophizing?

- A philosophical lens offers a substantive insight or reading of a text while a method of

philosophizing gives us the procedures or step by step guide on doing a philosophy. In short, a
philosophical lens is Substantive while a method of philosophizing is Procedural.

III. What are the various methods in philosophizing?

- Philosophers believed in the existence of an “objective and absolute reality”, which

means that everything that exists in reality has a specific nature or character. They also
believed that man has the ability to sense and perceive reality thus, providing us some
method that we can use in order to reveal the truth or attain a knowledge.

A. SOCRATIC METHOD (Elenchus) – The word elenchus is a Latin term that originated from the
ancient Greek term elengkhos which means “argument of refutation”. It basically involves
putting forward an objection, through the use of a question, to a certain
belief or thesis for the purpose of scrutinizing said belief or statement. It is a
method of analyzing a topic by formulating series of questions design to
analyze, examine, and clarify a person’s view about the topic.

This method of Inquiry is what Socrates is known for. When somebody

in his community acted as if he had the monopoly of truth, Socrates comes
forward and questions the very thesis of that person’s claim. To the dismay of What do
that person, his answers, no matter how brilliant they sounded, did not satisfy you think
Socrates. Instead, the very same answers were used as questions in a are the
proper
seemingly never ending process of inquiry. It must be remembered though
ways to
that such scrupulous scrutiny is not designed to shame anybody. The Socratic execute
Method was designed so that people will come to realize what their opinions, Socratic
long-held and deep-seated at times, really amount to. Method?
B. METHODIC DOUBT (Cartesian Philosophy) – One of the things that make
Rene Descartes, a famous and very important figure in the history of
thought is his answer to the epistemological question: “How can I know?”
His answer is to doubt everything, for only after doubting can one find
certainty.
 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5 – Philo Subject Teacher:

Descartes systematically subjected every purported source of knowledge under doubt:

experience, authority, and even mathematics which was widely regarded as the epitome of
objectivity. He said that no one must ever rely wholly on experience. It is for the very reason that
experience is founded on sensation and sensation is deceiving. Examples: (a) it is hard to
distinguish the sensation while dreaming from when one is awake, no one is guaranteed that
what he experience now is reality and not just a dream. (b) Knowledge
in authority, too, must be doubted. It is for the very reason that authority
may deceive you. (c) Even mathematical knowledge must be doubted;
for all we know one plus one is in fact equal to three and not two, and - Skepticism-
we are just being manipulated by someone to think that it is the correct theory that
formula. questions the
certainty of
Doubt everything until what is left is already beyond doubt. In his established
case, Descartes found certainty in the fact that because he doubts, he doctrines or
exists. Hence, the famous “Cogito Ergo Sum”. truths and
believes that
Doubting, however, is not only for the sake of doubting. It is geared mind has
towards providing a solid foundation. In acquiring knowledge, one has to limits in
eliminate all doubtful things and should base on a reason so certain that understandin
it can never be shaken by any stronger reason. g reality- thus,
all knowledge
C. THOUGHT EXPERIMENT (Thought Allegory) - These are imagined is uncertain.
scenarios used to illustrate a problem, evaluate ethical stands and
describe a theory. Famous thought experiments includes Avicenna’s “floating man”- which
discusses the relationship between perception and the human mind; the “ship of Theseus”-
which illustrates problems with the concept of an objects’ identity; and the “prisoners’
dilemma”- which explores how individuals objective and motivations affect his willingness to
cooperate. A famous allegory in philosophy is the Allegory of the Cave by Plato which he used
to describe his theory of forms and his idea on how our perception
affects knowledge.

D. OCCAMS’ RAZOR- It is a problem solving principle used in Additional Readings

analyzing possible explanations regarding a phenomenon. This and point of
principle states that among possible explanation, the one which discussion:
has the least assumption is the most acceptable. This idea is - The trolley train
attributed to English-Franciscan friar William of Ockham who used problem
a preference for simplicity to defend the idea of divine miracles. It - The cow in the field
is sometimes paraphrased by a statement like “the simplest solution - Spider in the urinal
is most likely the right one”.

Some Examples of Occams’ Razor:

• One of the Fence post is broken. Possible explanations :
(a) An Albino moose, lost on its quest for its squirrel best friend, crashed through the
fence in despair,
(b) An old nail rusted through. In this case, choice “b” is more likely the answer

• It is raining and I saw a bright flash through my curtains. Possible explanation:

(a) Lightning, or (b) UFOs are trying to pull my roof off. In this case, “a” is more likely
the answer.

E. LOGIC - truth is based on reasoning and critical thinking analysis and construction of
arguments. It serve as path to freedom from half-truths and deception. Logic is also the study
of reasoning, or the study of the principles and criteria of valid inference and demonstration. It
attempts to distinguish good reasoning from bad reasoning.
 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5 – Philo Subject Teacher:

2 TYPES OF REASONING

A. INDUCTIVE REASONING– moves from B. DEDUCTIVE REASONING– Deductive

specific premises to a general conclusion. reasoning moves from a general premise to
a more specific conclusion.
Examples:
Yesterday, the sun has risen in the east and
set in the west Examples:
today, the sun has also risenProvide yourand
in the east All men
own examples are mortal
of Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
INDUCTIVE Socrates is a DEDUCTIVE
man
set in the west
Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
I conclude the sun will forever rise in the east
and will set in the west.
All gorillas are primates
All observed crows are black.
Koko is a gorilla
Therefore:
Therefore, Koko is a primate
All crows are black.

F. DIALECTIC (Dialectical Method) – a discourse between two or more people holding different points
of view about a subject but would want to establish the truth through reasoned arguments Dialectic
resembles debate, but the concept excludes subjective elements such as emotional appeal and
sense rhetoric.
Hegelian Dialectics has the specialised meaning of a contradiction between ideas that serves
as the determining factor in their relationship. Dialectic comprises three stages of development: First,
a thesis or statement of an idea which gives rise to the second step, a reaction or antithesis that
contradicts or negates the thesis and the third, the synthesis, a statement through which the
difference between the two points is resolved.

DISCUSS
1. How can these methods of Philosophizing help you succeed as a professional?
2. How can these methods of Philosophizing help you in becoming a productive individual and citizen?

REVIEW
▪ Philosophy is concerned with addressing a variety of topics and issues. The major question in
Philosophy involves the examination of the concepts of reality, certainty, causality, and ethics.
▪ Philosophers employ various methods and tools in their inquiries. Philosophical inquiry
emphasizes scepticism, purposeful discussion, and analysis of varied ideas and views.
▪ Philosophical skills can help us in our daily lives. Through the use of analysis and interpretation
we can better examine ideas, concepts, phenomena, and events. Philosophy also gives us
useful tools for problem solving, communication and self-development.

REFLECT:
▪ Which aspect of your life can greatly benefit Philosophy?
▪ In what ways do you see Philosophy contributing to the development of the
Philippine Society? (Based on the previous discussion).
 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5 – Philo Subject Teacher:

REFERENCES:

BOOKS:
Maboloc, Christopher. Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Quezon City: The
Inteligente Publishing Inc., 2016.
Atacador, Rey (et.al). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Malabon City: Mutya
Publishing House, Inc,. 2016.

ONLINE RESOURCES:
https://lrmds.deped.gov.ph/- DepEd Learning Portal
https://xlykabae.wordpress.com/2016/12/04/methods-of-philosophizing/