Introduction: Methods of Philosophizing

Review
Activity 1. How it begins!
Let us consider first the beginning of knowledge.
Direction: Read the conversation of the three eyes
about an object.

Blind eye says: Color blind eye says: Healthy eye says:
It is black. The color of the object It is white.
is cream.

Follow up questions
a. Which one of the statements contains truth of an object?
b. Why does it contain truth?
Generally, the statement given by the healthy eyes is
correct because the sense of
sight is not defective.

Statements are expressions of idea or

thoughts about objects or things,
feelings and emotions about
experiences and situations.
A Statement observed to be real or
truthful is a fact.

An example of fact is the statement

given by the healthy eye.
On the other hand, there is a statement that could
not be true because it is not evident is called claim.

Examples of claims are statements given by

the blind eye and color-blind eye.

Their statements with their current condition

are considered as true because the sense of
sight provides yet we all know that it is not
what the object appears to be.
The three statements are considered as
propositions. Thus, proposition is either a
fact or a claim.

Proposition describes the world or

reality. It can be true or not true.

In evaluating proposition, philosophy

tells us to use systematic doubt in
knowing the truth.
Systematic doubt is the mental act of
scrutinizing and analyzing statements,
claim, evidence and experience.

The starting point of philosophizing is

doing a systematic doubt, establishing
certainty and arriving at the Truth
itself.
There are bases of establishing certainty or
knowing the statement as true.

Firstly, a statement is true if it can be justified

or proven through the use of one’s senses.

Examples are:
There green and yellow bananas (referring to
the objects)
Table can be rectangular, oblong or triangular
(referring to the objects)
Secondly, a statement is true
if it is based on facts.

Example:

General Santos City is a chartered city.

(base on public information)
Thirdly, a statement is true if there is
consensus or having people agree on a
common
belief.

Examples are:
Muslim women must wear hijab.( base on
culture, Islamic practice)

Filipina must be feminine, obedient and

respectful.
• (base on Philippine tradition)
And lastly, a statement is true base on action.

Examples are;

Ruben can fry a sunny side up egg (he

has to show it through cooking)

Kirt plays basketball (he must show it)

For Example:

When we answer “True or False” test, we judge

if the statement we read are true or false.

 This means that statements have truth or may

not have truth.

 Statements about the world or reality are

called propositions and these propositions
may or may not carry truth.
Definition of Truth and Importance

Knowledge – is the clear awareness and

understanding of something.

 It is the product of questions that allow for

clear answers provided by facts.

 Our knowledge is comprised of ideas and

beliefs that we know to be true.
Let’s Explore

• I know that…….

• I know why…….

• I know how…….
FACTS

Propositions or statements which are observed

to be real or truthful are considered facts.

There are statement, however, that are not

evidently or immediately known to be true.

 This statement is a claim, and further

examination is required to establish whether it
is true or false.
TRUTH

 Truthful statements, therefore, can be

considered based on facts. Science considers
truth as something observable and empirical.

 This means that any claim can be proven by

verification and experimentation.
How do we know if something is true?

Let’s embark on our own investigation on the

nature of knowledge. Let’s start by stating the
very obvious things we know about ourselves.

• I am alive.
• I have body.
• I can breathe
Doubt has a very important purpose in philosophy as it drives our desire to
discover truth.

• Am I alive?

• Do I have a body?

• Can I breathe?

 Do you have a pulse?

 Can you feel your heartbeat?

 Do you have hands, arms, legs, feet, and head?

 If you answered “yes” to all these questions.

• I am alive!
• I have body!
• I can breathe!

 This is on perspective on truth – that a belief is true if it can be

justified or proven through the use of one’s senses.
Another example:

• I am a Filipino.
• Am I a Filipino?

 A belief or statement is true if it is based on

facts.
 We applied this perspective when we looked up
the meaning of the word “Filipino” in a
dictionary.
 We assumed that what is stated in the definition
is the actual meaning of the word.
Are you now convinced that you can call yourself a Filipino?

• If not, what additional proof should you look to

prove, without a doubt, that you are a Filipino?

1. Ask your parents and other relatives.

2. Look for official documents that prove you are a
Filipino.

 Getting a consensus or having people agree on a

common belief is another way of determining what
is true.
Another example:

1. I can play basketball.

2. I can fry an egg.
3. I understand the lesson.

Let’s revise the statements so we can analyze them

further.

• Can I play basketball?

• Can I fry an egg?
• Do I understand the lesson?
Determining the truth

• Determining the truth in this case requires a

person to prove a statement through an
action.

• The statements, therefore, are only true if

they can be applied in real life.
The final statement also requires proof through action .
• Philosophers also believe that claims and
beliefs should also be subjected to tests to
determine the truth.

• Any claim, therefore, should be subjected to

tests to prove their validity.
\

All these approaches can help you determine whether the

statements are true or applicable in your case. The inquiry would
result in any of the following realizations:

I can play basketball.

I cannot play basketball.

I can fry an egg.

I cannot fry an egg.

I understand the lesson.

I do not understand the lesson.