PHILOSOPHICAL

INQUIRY
Prepared by:
Ms. Elaine J. Riñon
TRUE OR FALSE
 Everyone is a philosopher.
 Children can philosophize.
 Questioning leads to philosophizing.
 Mentally disturbed people philosophize.
 There are times that people answer in non -
philosophical ways.
 “1+1=0”
1. What do you observe in the equation?
2. Do you think it’s correct? Why or why
not?
Situation #1 
There was an airplane crash, every single
person on board died, but yet two people
survived. How is this possible?
Situation #2
 What goes up and never comes down?
Situation #3
Imagine you are in a sinking row boat
surrounded by sharks.
What strategies or ways did you use to
answer the questions?
THREE LEVELS OF INQUIRIES
(COMMON SENSE, SCIENTIFIC & PHILOSOPHICAL)
INQUIRY
 An inquiry is a question which you ask in
order to get some information.
COMMON SENSE
 a basic ability to perceive,
understand, and judge things
that are shared by (common to)
nearly all people without need
for debate
COMMON SENSE
 For example, if you are cooking dinner in a large
pot and pick it up after it has been on the hob,
you will burn yourself. If you do this, one might
say that you lack “common sense”.
 It is widely known that metal objects conduct heat,
and with even a rudimentary understanding of heat
transfer and the process of cooking food, you
would know that you require protection to avoid
burning your hands when moving a hot metal pot.
SCIENTIFIC
 Based on or characterized by the methods and
principles of science.
SCIENTIFIC
 The scientific method is a process for
experimentation that is used to explore observations
and answer questions.
1. Make an observation.
2. Ask a question.
3. Form a hypothesis, or testable explanation.
4. Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.
5. Test the prediction.
6. Iterate: use the results to make new hypotheses or
predictions.
SCIENTIFIC
Your flashlight doesn't work. Why
doesn't’your flashlight work?
 Hypothesis 1: The batteries are dead
 Hypothesis 2: The bulb is burnt out
PHILOSOPHICAL
 relating or devoted to the study of the
fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and
existence.
PHILOSOPHICAL
 For example, a scientist might make a
statement that one type of event causes
another type of event. Such statements take
for granted the concept of cause. Someone
interested in philosophical inquiry about
science would ask, "What is a cause?"" 
PHILOSOPHICAL
 What is the truth and is it the same as reality? 
 Do you shape your own destiny or does
everything happen by fate?
 Is everyone’s life of equal value?
 Is the most important purpose in life happiness?
If not, what is?
 How and when did everything begin?
PHILOSOPHICAL
 I have a terminal case of stomach cancer; I am
given only three months to live, so I ask “ What
is the meaning of my Life?”
In what situations, do you apply
philosophical inquiries?