METHODS OF

PHILOSOPHIZING
(PART 1)

PREPARED BY: SIR JOSH CRUZ

DISTINCTION BETWEEN OPINION
AND TRUTH
TRUTH

 TRUTH – Is an accepted statement; it agrees with facts and reality;

truth need to be supported by factual evidences; it comes from the
heart; it requires courage and it always real.
OPINION

 OPINION – Is a statement of belief or feelings, views, ideas, or judgment about

something or someone.
 Things that need to understand
Truth is an accepted statement. It agrees with facts and reality.
Truth needs to be supported by factual evidence. If there is no
evidence, or there is insufficient evidence, then the statement
is an opinion. Logic does not prove anything. Many people
can play game of rhetoric and logic and suggest as proof. No
truth must be verifiable and be able to undergo rigorous
testing.
 Let’s have some example here. “God created the earth”
would be fact for believers but not for non-believers;
“The earth is flat” would be a fact – but not for some.
 If everyday observers are confused about the distinction,
“experts” fare little better.
 Example of Fact and Opinion

“With fewer cars on the road, there would be less air pollution and traffic noise; therefore, the
use of mass transportation should be encouraged”
(FACT)
“I think providing Zip-line from North Bound EDSA up to South Bound EDSA is the best way
to solve traffic in EDSA”
(OPINION)
How to Evaluate Opinion?
 A statement of opinion is one whose content is either
subjective or else not well supported by available
evidences.

 A statement of fact is one whose content is both objective

and well supported by available evidence.
How to Evaluate Opinion?

 SOURCE – What is the source of information?

 RELIABILITY – How reliable is the person
giving the opinion?
 PURPOSE – Why was the information given?
 BIAS – Is the person giving viewpoint biased
towards or against the topic?
 ASSUMPTION – What are the assumption
presented?
 Open your mind

An opinion in itself is not totally bad. The danger is actually in the act of accepting an opinion without analysing it.
This is the reason why critical thinking is important – it helps the person to get the real truth. Some of the opinionated
and yet less factual evidences that they have is on Radio Station, TV News because of limited and not concrete
evidence they have. So that’s why research is very important to weigh the evidences we have before we conclude.
 METHODS OF
PHILOSOPHIZING
(PART 1)

PREPARED BY: SIR JOSH CRUZ