Lesson 2: Method of Philosophizing

Philosophizing

To think or express oneself in a philosophical manner.

Truth

Knowledge that is validated and based on facts of reality.

Opinion

A statement that reflects personal interpretation of facts; often shows bias.

Correspondence Theory of Truth

A statement is true if it matches reality or facts.

Coherence Theory of Truth

A statement is true if it fits within a consistent system of beliefs or ideas.

Pragmatist Theory of Truth

A statement is true if it is useful or works effectively in real-world practice.

Phenomenology

A method of philosophizing focusing on consciousness, founded by Edmund Husserl.

Existentialism

A philosophical focus on personal choice and individual freedom, emphasizing that existence precedes essence.

Postmodernism

A school of thought that questions all absolute truths; believes truths vary per person and culture.

Analytic Tradition

Also known as linguistic philosophy; focuses on meanings of words, concepts, and logical analysis.

Logic

The science and art of correct reasoning.

Critical Thinking

The process of distinguishing facts from opinions and analyzing arguments.

Inductive Reasoning

Reasoning that moves from specific observations to generalizations.

Deductive Reasoning

Reasoning that moves from a general principle to specific conclusions.

Fallacy

An error in reasoning that leads to false conclusions.

Appeal to Pity

A fallacy that uses emotion or sympathy to persuade.

Appeal to Ignorance

A fallacy that assumes something is true just because it hasn’t been proven false.

Equivocation

A fallacy that uses a word with different meanings in the same argument.

Composition

A fallacy that assumes what’s true of a part is true for the whole.

Division

A fallacy that assumes what’s true of the whole is true for its parts.

Argumentum ad hominem

A fallacy that attacks the person rather than the argument.

Ad Baculum

A fallacy that uses threats or force to justify a conclusion.

Ad Populum

A fallacy that appeals to popularity or emotions.

False Cause

A fallacy that mistakes correlation for causation.

Hasty Generalization

A fallacy that makes a broad claim with little evidence.

Begging the Question

A fallacy that assumes what it should be proving.

Basis of Truth in Phenomenology

Based on consciousness and personal experience.

Basis of Truth in Existentialism

Based on freedom and exercising personal choice.

Basis of Truth in Postmodernism

Truth is relative, not absolute.

Basis of Truth in Analytic Tradition

Based on meanings of words and logical structure.

Basis of Truth in Logic and Critical Thinking

Based on reasoning and logical analysis.

Basis of Truth in Fallacies

Based on identifying mistakes in reasoning.