UNIT 3

METHODS OF
PHILOSOPHIZI
NG
Philosophical inquiry
takes various forms and
employs many methods
depending on the topic
of inquiry and even the
perspective or school of
philosophy involved. In
general, philosophers
employ these steps in
their philosophical
studies or inquiries:
 1. SYSTEMATIC
DOUBT

They employ a skeptical attitude

in looking at ideas, events, or
things. Each aspects of the topic
in question analyzed to
determine its validity or
truthfulness.
 
 2. ARGUMENT

Philosophers are engage in

discussion and debate on their
ideas. And various perspective
on a certain topic are taken into
consideration and examined.
  
 3. DIALECTIC

Varied and differing ideas

and perspectives are
analyzed and from the
information gathered, new
ideas and views are
formulated.
 
In addition,
philosophers may
choose to employ
various methods
or problem-
solving devices in
their discussions.
Examples of these
are the following:
 SOCRATIC
METHOD
It is a method of analyzing a
topic by formulating a series
of questions designed to
analyze its various aspects,
and examine and clarify a
person’s view on it.
 
 AXIOMS

These refer to assumptions

which are taken for granted in a
philosophical discussion. Axioms
provide a foundation and
direction in philosophical
studies. An example of a
philosophical axiom is the view
that “existence exist”.
 OCCAM’S
RAZOR
It is a problem-solving device
used in analyzing possible
explanations regarding a
phenomenon. This principle
states that among possible
explanations, the one which has
the least assumptions is the
most acceptable.
 FORMAL
LOGIC
It is a systematic analysis of the
validity of arguments and
statements. Logic often entails
the use of syllogisms or logical
arguments presented as a series
of related statements. Other
types of logic employs symbols,
mathematics, and language
 THOUGHT
EXPERIMENT AND
ALLEGORY.
These are imagine scenarios
used to illustrate a certain
problem or describe a theory.
Famous thought experiments in
philosophy include Avicenna’s
“floating man”- which discusses
the relationship between
perception and the human mind;
 THOUGHT
EXPERIMENT AND
ALLEGORY.
The “ship of Theseus”- which
illustrates problems with the
concept of an object’s identity;
and the “prisoner’s dilemma” -
which explores how an
individual’s objectives and
motivations affect his
willingness to cooperate.
 THOUGHT
EXPERIMENT AND
ALLEGORY.
A famous allegory in
philosophy is the Allegory of
the Cave, used by Plato to
describe his theory of forms
and his ideas on how our
perception affects
knowledge.