METHODS OF

PHILOSOPHIZING
LESSON 2
OBJECTIVES
2.1. Distinguish opinion from truth PPT11/12-Ic
-2.1

2.2. Analyze situations that show the

difference between opinion and truth
PPT11/12-Id-2.2
2.3. Realize that the methods of philosophy
lead to wisdom and truth PPT11/12-Id-2.3
2.4. Evaluate opinions PPT11/12-Ie-2.4
ACTIVITYWhich of the following statements are TRUE?
1. The sun is the center of the solar system.
2. Asia is the largest continent in the world.
3. God made the world in seven days
4. Man has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
5. China’s continued presence in the Spratlys is a violation of
international law.
6. A person must always consider the interest of his or her family
before his or her own happiness.
7. Citizens have the right to take up arms and overthrow an oppressive
government.
8. The President has done very little to uphold democracy and look
after the interests of the Filipino people.
[Link] sun is the center of the solar system.

True

Explanation: The solar system is heliocentric, meaning the sun is at its center. All planets, including Earth, orbit around the sun due to its gravitational
pull.
[Link] is the largest continent in the world.

True

Explanation: Asia is the largest continent by both land area and population, covering about 30% of the Earth’s land surface.
[Link] made the world in seven days.

Belief-based (depends on religious perspective)

Explanation: This is a religious belief from the Judeo-Christian tradition based on the Bible’s Book of Genesis. It is true within those faiths but not
scientifically proven.
[Link] has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

True] Explanation: This phrase comes from the United States Declaration of Independence, expressing fundamental human rights recognized in many
democratic societies.
[Link]’s continued presence in the Spratlys is a violation of international law.

Contested/Depends on interpretation

Explanation: The Spratly Islands are disputed territory claimed by multiple countries. Many international legal experts argue China’s extensive claims
and actions violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), but this is politically and legally complex.
6.A person must always consider the interest of his or her family before his or her own happiness.

Subjective/Value-based

Explanation: This is a moral or cultural viewpoint, not an absolute truth. Different cultures and individuals prioritize family and personal happiness
differently.
[Link] have the right to take up arms and overthrow an oppressive government.

Debatable/Depends on legal and ethical context

Explanation: Some political philosophies and historical documents support this right (e.g., American Revolution). However, modern laws vary widely,
and such actions are often illegal and controversial.
[Link] President has done very little to uphold democracy and look after the interests of the Filipino people.

Opinion-based

Explanation: This is a subjective political statement and depends on individual perspectives and political analysis. It cannot be classified as objectively
true or false without context.
 Today, we
encounter a
lot of
information
from various
sources such
as media and
the internet.
Truth lies Knowledg
e must be
at the fruitful to
heart of gain
any validity
and
inquiry. acceptanc
e.
Philosophe PROPOSITIONS
rs consider are statements
truth as a about the world
kind of or reality and may
quality or or may not carry
value. truth.
 What is truth
and
why is it important?
KNOWLEDGE

-Is the clear awareness and

understanding of something
… the product of … our knowledge is
questioning that comprised of ideas
seeks for clear and beliefs that we
answers provided know to be true…
Let’s talk about your knowledge of:

BIRDS
I know that ….
I know why ….
I know how ….
Let’s talk about your knowledge of:

LOVE
I know that ….
I know why ….
I know how ….
Let’s talk about your knowledge of:

HUMAN PERSON
I know that ….
I know why ….
I know how ….
There are
statements These are called
that are not CLAIMS.
evidently or
immediately Further examination is
known to be required to establish its
truthfulness.
true.
 TRUTHFUL
STATEMENTS
Statements that are based on
facts.
Science While, Philosophy
considers truth has various views.
as something
observable and
empirical.
Claims, evidence and experience is
scrutinized and analyzed Has a very
important
purpose.

DOUBT
Doubt helps Nothing is taken as TRUE unless
determine the there is sufficient reason and
truth evidence to prove it.
Determining truth in this case
requires a person to prove a
statement through an action.
action

This can be true if they can be

applied in real life.
 Claims and beliefs
should also be
subjected to tests to
determine truth and to
prove their validity.
 Discovering truths
about oneself is
merely the FIRST step
toward exploring
knowledge and truth.
How can philosophy
guide us in
distinguishing truth
from opinion?
OPINION
- Statements that provide conclusions or
perspectives regarding certain situations

CONCLUSION
- A judgement based on certain facts but can still be
contested or questioned.

BELIEFS
- Statements that express convictions that are not
easily and clearly explained by facts.
EXPLANATION
- Statements that assume the claim to be true and
provide reasons why.

ARGUMENT
- Series of statements that provide reasons to
convince the reader/listener that a claim or

LOGIC opinion is truthful.

A branch of Philosophy that focuses on the analysis

of arguments
 What should we
consider when looking
at arguments or
opinions?
When looking at an opinion, be
aware of BIAS.

Biases are not necessarily

errors in reasoning, but refer to
tendencies or inf luences which
affect the views of people.
 HOW CAN UNDERSTANDING of the
DIFFERENCE between TRUTH and OPINION
LEAD US TO WISDOM?

• Improve understanding and appreciation of varied

views and ideas.

• Help to form one’s own personal point of view

• Help determine ideas that are truthful and acceptable

What is a Fallacy?
Definition:

A fallacy is a mistaken belief or
error in reasoning that
weakens an argument.
 TYPE’S OF FALLACY
Ad Hominem
Definition: Attacking the person instead of the
argument.

Examples:


"You can’t trust his opinion on politics; he’s a
criminal."


"She’s too young to understand the issue."
"Don’t listen to him; he’s just jealous."
Straw Man
Definition: Misrepresenting an argument to attack it
easier.

Examples:
"He wants to cut defense spending; he must want
us defenseless."
"She says we should reduce homework; she wants
kids to fail."
"You oppose the plan? So you want chaos."
Appeal to Authority
Definition: Using an authority figure’s claim
as evidence, regardless of relevance.

Examples:
"A famous actor says this diet works, so it
must be good."
"My teacher said this is true, so it must be."
"The CEO says it’s safe, so it is."
False Dilemma
Definition: Presenting only two
options when others exist.

Examples:
"You’re either with us or against us."
"We must ban cars or accept pollution
forever."
"Either you love it or hate it."
Slippery Slope
Definition: Claiming one event will lead to a
series of negative events.

Examples:
"If we allow phones in class, soon no one
will pay attention."
"Legalizing marijuana will lead to heroin
use."
"If we fail this test, we’ll never get into
Circular Reasoning
Definition: The conclusion is used as a
premise.

Examples:
"I’m honest because I say I am."
"The Bible is true because it says so."
"He is trustworthy because he never
lies."
Hasty Generalization
Definition: Drawing conclusions from
insufficient evidence.

Examples:
"My two friends failed math; all students
must fail."
"That cat scratched me; all cats are mean."
"I met one rude person from that city;
everyone there is rude."
Red Herring
Definition: Distracting from the main issue with
irrelevant info.

Examples:
"Why worry about pollution? What about
poverty?"
"You say I’m late, but what about your mistakes
?"
"Look at his past mistakes instead of his
current argument."
9. Post Hoc
Definition: Assuming cause because one event
follows another.

Examples:
"I wore my lucky hat and won; the hat caused
the win."
"The rooster crowed, then the sun rose; rooster
caused sunrise."
"Since I started taking vitamins, I haven’t gotten
sick."
Bandwagon
Definition: Believing something is true
because many believe it.

Examples:
"Everyone’s watching this show, so it
must be good."
"All my friends cheat, so it’s okay."
"This app is popular; it must be safe."
Appeal to Emotion
Definition: Using feelings instead of facts
to persuade.

Examples:
"If you don’t donate, you don’t care about
kids."
"Think about the suffering animals; you
must support this."
"Imagine how sad she’ll be if you disagree."
False Cause
Definition: Wrongly linking cause and
effect.

Examples:
"Crime dropped after the new mayor took
office; he caused it."
"Since I started praying, the team won."
"The rooster crowed before rain; crowing
causes rain."
Begging the Question
Definition: Assuming the truth of what
you’re trying to prove.

Examples:


"Ghosts exist because I’ve seen one."


"He is a good leader because people
follow him."
"The law is just because it’s the law."
Equivocation
Definition: Using ambiguous words to mislead.

Examples:
"A feather is light; what is light cannot be dark;
therefore, a feather cannot be dark."
"I have the right to speak; therefore, what I say
is right."
"The sign said ‘fine for parking here,’ so I
thought it was okay."
Appeal to Ignorance
Definition: Claiming something is true
because it isn’t proven false.

Examples:
"No one proved aliens don’t exist, so they
do."
"You can’t prove ghosts aren’t real, so they
must be."
"We haven’t found evidence against it, so
16. Composition
Definition: Assuming what’s true of parts is
true for the whole.

Examples:
"Each ingredient is healthy, so the meal
must be healthy."
"Every player is great, so the team is great."
"Every brick is small, so the building is
small."
Division
Definition: Assuming what’s true of the
whole is true for parts.

Examples:
"The team is great, so every player is great."
"The car is heavy, so each part is heavy."
"The cake is sweet, so the frosting must be
sweet."
False Analogy
Definition: Comparing two things that
aren’t really comparable.

Examples:
"Employees are like nails; they must be hit
to work."
"Using a computer is like riding a bike;
once learned, never forgotten."
"Taking exams is like fighting a battle."
No True Scotsman
Definition: Changing the definition to
exclude counterexamples.

Examples:
"No true scientist would disagree with this
theory."
"No real fan would criticize the team."
"No true vegetarian eats meat."
Appeal to Tradition
Definition: Arguing something is right because
it’s always been done.

Examples:
"We shouldn’t change the curriculum because
it’s always been like this."
"Marriage has always been between a man and
a woman, so it should stay that way."
"We use this method because that’s how it’s
always been done."
PERFORMANCE NO 2.
COPY AN ARTICLE FROM THE
INTERNET, A NEWSPAPER, OR
MAGAZINE. IDENTIFY THE FACTS
AND OPINIONS PRESENTED IN THE
ARTICLE. DETERMINE HOW YOU
WILL VERIFY THE FACTS AND
OPINIONS STATED.