METHODS OF

PHILOSOPHIZING
 Methods of Philosophizing
A method of philosophizing is a process
of determining the truth or drawing a
conclusion from a statement using various
philosophical methods, such as:
A. Socratic,
B. dialectic,
C. scientific
D. historical.
 Socratic Method of
Philosophizing
The Socratic method, also known
by the Greek term elenchus that
means "to inquire or to cross-
examine", is an exchange of ideas
using Socratic questioning.
Socratic questioning - a type
of interrogative statement that
clarifies points through
understanding the deeper
meaning of a claim.
 Socratic Method of
Philosophizing
• It was developed by Socrates, a
Greek philosopher and teacher,
who laid the groundwork for
Western systems of philosophy
and logic.
 Socratic Method of
Philosophizing
In this process, statements are
deconstructed or questioned to
come up with the actual truth that is
believed to rest on the roots of the
argument.
 Socratic Method of
Philosophizing
Conflicting ideas are seen as invalid
sources of the truth, and probing
questions are immediately derived
from the given statements.
 Socratic Method of
Philosophizing
In a classroom setting, this method is
used not to intimidate students, but to
produce a deeper understanding of
thoughts and ideas through further
questioning statements or claims.
 Socratic Method of
Philosophizing
There is no particular end goal aside
from reaching an absolute truth from
probing statements and, in the
process, eliminating ideas that are
questionable or contradicting.
 EXAMPLES:

A psychologist is trying to dig

deeper into the story of his patient
who only mentions vague and
general ideas.
 EXAMPLES:
A lawyer is asking further
questions about the suspect’s
whereabouts during the crime
because she is not entirely
convinced by his alibi.
 EXAMPLES:

A mother is questioning her

son’s real reason for his
excessive absences from
school.
 Opinion, Fact, and Truth
In using the Socratic method,
it is important to analyze
expressions and statements
that show the differences of
opinion, fact, and truth.
 Opinion
An opinion is an expression of one’s
feelings based on facts, emotions, beliefs,
or views. It is not based on evidence.
Examples:
• Filipinos are the most resilient and hospitable
people in the world.
• Manny Pacquiao is the best Filipino boxer.
 Fact
A fact is a statement that can be checked and
backed up with evidence. It is often used in
conjunction with research and study.
Examples:
• Based on the Miss World Organization records, Megan Young was
the first Filipina to be crowned as Miss World. She won the title in
2013 in Bali, Indonesia.
• According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the country's total
population is 92,337,852. It is based on the recent May 2010 census.
 TRUTH
A truth is something that has actual and proven
existence scientifically and spiritually regardless of
one’s opinion and beliefs. It is undisputed, objective,
universal, constant, exact, and factual.
Examples:
• All things that can be seen are temporal. (undisputed)
• Two plus two equals four (2 + 2 = 4). (exact)
• The Philippines, as proven in geographical and anthropological
properties, is a country in Southeast Asia. (factual)
 Opinion is what someone
believes or thinks. A fact is
firmly planted in the material
world, while truth extends to
the spiritual realm.
 Socratic Method Leads to
Wisdom and Truth
The Socratic method has been emphasized to use
statement deconstructions and creative questioning
to delve deeper into an issue. It is a systematic
process whereby random and ambiguous ideas are
eliminated to reach a sound conclusion. Reaching
an endpoint, therefore, would only mean that truth
has been realized, and new knowledge has been
acquired.
Keypoints
 A method of philosophizing is a
process of determining a truth or
conclusion from a statement
through the use of various
philosophical methods such as
Socratic, dialectic, historical, and
scientific.
Keypoints

• Socrates was a Greek philosopher

and teacher who laid the
groundwork for Western systems of
philosophy and logic.
Keypoints

• The process of deconstructing or

questioning statements to come up
with the actual truth is called the
Socratic Method.
Keypoints

• Opinion is what someone believes

or thinks. A fact is firmly planted in
the material world, while truth
extends to the spiritual realm.
Keypoints

• The Socratic method of

philosophizing leads to wisdom
and truth.