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. There is not just one method that philosophers use to answer philosophical questions.
Philosophy is concerned with determining the concept of truth. Truth lies at the heart of any inquiry.

Propositions 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 observe 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.

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 provides 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 suc
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.
Facts are statements that are observed to be real or truthful. Claims are statements that require further
examination to determine their truthfulness. Some arguments may contain fallacies. We must be aware of the
various kinds of fallacies as these affect the validity of arguments. Opinions are often influenced by bias. We
must be aware of bias so that we can objectively and critically examine points of view.

The methodology or method that philosophers use to address philosophical question is critical thinking.
Critical Thinking is the careful, reflective, rational and systematic approach to questions of very general
interest.
Critical thinking means understanding if philosophy and refraining from merely giving claims but through
careful thought, one reasons through to argumentation.
The scientific method also leads to wisdom and truth because it uses an evidence based approach to come up
with its conclusion. In this method, all truths are supported by facts that can easily be tested or proven again
through experiments, logical reasoning, or observation.

An understanding of opinions and facts and the mean to distinguish one from the other can further improve our
understanding and appreciation of varied views and ideas. The ability to determine truth goes hand in hand with
the holistic perspective and enables us to make wiser decisions, especially in choosing then ideas and views
which we find acceptable.

A critical mind aided by philosophy can help us from our own personal point of view that can guide us in
making decisions and actions when we faced with a problem. Philosophy can help us determine ideas that are
truthful and acceptable, which we can use to form our own views regarding certain matters.

For Maboloc and Pascua (2008) critical thinking is a lifelong process of self-assessment
that further consists of:
1.Defining, analyzing and devising solutions,
2.Arriving at reasonable and informed conclusions
3.Applying understanding and knowledge to new and different problems.
4. Willingness to say “I don’t know.”

The attributes of a critical thinker include;

1.Looks for evidence to support assumption and beliefs
2. Adjusts opinion
3.Looks for proof
4.Examines the problem
5.Rejects irrelevant and innocent information
A method of philosophizing is a process of determining the truth or drawing conclusions from a statement using
various philosophical methods, such as: Socratic, dialectic, scientific, and historical.

When you evaluate information, it is very important to distinguish between fact and opinion. How do we know
if something is true?

Philosophers emphasize the importance of belief as a basis for determining truth. It is said that there are
instances when we have to unlearn something so that we may learn anew. Philosophers questioned what they
knew and even analyzed their methods of knowing in order to understand themselves and the world much
better.
The discussion on truth is part of philosophical studies on knowledge where philosophers explore the nature of
knowledge and the ways of knowing.

Deductive Reasoning
In this type of reasoning, conclusion comes first, followed by main points, and the last will be the supporting
data, facts, examples, and evidences. General idea comes first before the specific or particular idea.
Inductive Reasoning
In this type of reasoning, supporting data, facts, examples, and evidences come first followed by the main points
and conclusion will be the last part. This is the vice versa of the deductive reasoning because particular idea
comes fist before the general idea.

Direction: Read the conversation below and answer the following question. Write your answer on the space
provided.

Lover’s Quarrel
Shanon: Did you hear about what happened between Angel and her boyfriend?
Vanvan: What happened?
Shanon: They got a huge fight last night. Angel called me up. She was crying and she said that Mike hit her.
Dean: Wait, what? That’s not right? Mike came by my place last night and he was
pretty shaken up. He had scratch marks on his arms and a bite on his left hand. He said Angel just attacked her
and was accusing him of seeing another girl.
Shanon: No! Angel said it was Mike who started to hit her and she had to defend herself!

Question: As friend of Angel and Mike, how will you react to the statements given?