Learning Activity Sheet: Method of

Week
Philosophizing
3
MELC 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS

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.
 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.
 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.
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.

Lesson 2.1 Distinguish Opinion from Truth

 Fact is something concrete that can be proven. You can find facts in legal records, scientific
findings, encyclopedias, atlases, etc. In other words, facts are the truth and are accepted as
such.
 Opinion is less concrete. It’s a view formed in the mind of the 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 te same for everybody but opinions can differ quite
widely.

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.

The following are the examples of fallacies.

Fallacy Characteristics
Ad hominem attacking the person presenting the argument
instead of the argument itself.
Appeal to force using the threat of force or an undesirable event
to advance an argument.
Appeal to emotion using emotions such as pity or sympathy.
Appeal to the popular the idea is presented as acceptable because a lot
of people accept it.
Appeal to tradition the idea is acceptable because it has been true
for a long time.
Begging the question assuming the thing or idea to be proven is true;
also known as circular argument.
Cause-and-effect assuming “cause-and-effect” relationship
between unrelated events
Fallacy of composition assuming that what is true of a part is true for the
whole
Fallacy of division assuming that what is true for the whole is true
for its parts.

The following are the examples of biases.

Bias Characteristics
Correspondence bias of attribution effect tendency to judge a person’s personality by his or
her actions, without regard for the external factors
or influence.
Confirmation bias tendency to look for and readily accept
information which fits one’s own beliefs or views
and to reject ideas or views that go against it.
Framing focusing on a certain aspect of a problem while
ignoring other aspects.
Hindsight - the tendency to see past events as predictable,
or to ascribe a pattern to historical events.
Conflict of interest a person or group is connected to or has a vested
interest in the issue being discussed.
Cultural bias analyzing an event or issue based on one’s
cultural standards.
 LEARNING COMPETENCY WITH CODE

 Distinguish opinion from truth. (MELC 4 or CG: PPT11/12-Ic-2.1)

DIRECTIONS/ INSTRUCTIONS

I. Identification
Directions: Identify the following statement. Choose your answer form the box. write your answer on
the space provided.

Facts Cultural of bias Truth Framing Knowledge

Appeal to tradition Fallacies Opinion Ad Hominem Conflict of Interest
___________1. It is the clear awareness and understanding of something.
___________2. These are statements which are observed to be real or truthful.
___________3. These are comprised of statements that provide views on a certain
___________4. These are arguments based on faulty reasoning.
___________5. It is most often used to mean being in accord with fact or reality, or
___________6. A fallacy which is attacking the person presenting the argument
___________7. A fallacy which the idea is acceptable because it has been true for
___________8. A kind of biases which is focusing on a certain aspect of a problem
. __________9. A kind of biases which a person or group is connected to or has a
___________10. Is by analyzing an event or issue based on one’s cultural stand.

EXERCISES/ ACTIVITIES

Directions: Give a brief answer to the following question. Write your answer in the space
provided.
Question 1: Give 5 examples of factual statements and 5 examples of an opinion.
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Guide Question:
1. How will you determine the truth from an opinion?
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RUBRIC FOR ESSAY EXERCISE

Criteria 4 3 2 1
Content/ Information Central idea is well Central idea and Central idea is Central idea and
developed and clarity clarity of purpose are expressed though it clarity of purpose are
of purpose is generally evident may be vague or too absent or
exhibited throughout throughout the essay broad incompletely
the paper expressed and
maintained
Structure Paper is logically Paper has a clear There is some level of There is no apparent
organized and have organizational organization though organization to the
effective, smooth and structure with some irrelevances are too paper.
logical transitions irrelevances many

REFLECTION

I learned ………….
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 REFERENCES FOR LEARNERS

Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person, Alternative Delivery Mode, Quarter 1 – Module
2: Method of Philosophizing First Edition, 2020

ANSWER KEY

I. Identification
1. Knowledge
2. Facts
3. Opinion
4. Fallacies
5. Truth
6. Ad Hominem
7. Appeal to Tradition
8. Framing
9. Conflict of Interest
10. Cultural Bias

Prepared by:
FLORABEL F. CAJUDO
Teacher II