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Lesson 5 - Methods of Philosophizing

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Lesson 5 - Methods of Philosophizing

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ranz paul
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Lesson 5: Methods of Philosophizing

Philosophizing means to think or express oneself in a philosophical manner.

Methods of Philosophizing are various ways of attaining truth or wisdom. Hence, the
meaning of Philosophy is “love of wisdom” or search for truth.

1. Socratic Method (named after Socrates) refers to a process of asking open-ended


questions that are committed to finding the truth. It usually takes the form of a
dialogue in which people discuss and analyze a specific subject matter. It is like a
cross-examination. It is also a strategy of teaching any subject matter between a
teacher and a student.
 Summarizing a case
A law professor may ask a student to summarize a court case, then ask if they agree with the
court's decision and why. The professor may then change some facts in the case and ask the
student to explain if their position changes.
 Summarizing an article
A social work professor may ask a student to summarize an article about substance abuse,
then ask about the topic's importance. The professor may also ask if the article changed the
student's views.
 Defining a concept
A teacher may ask a student to define love, and the student might respond with something
like, "Love is a combination of feelings and actions that show appreciation for another
person".
 Sharing life experiences
A facilitator may ask a question like, "What is sadness?" and then invite participants to share
their experiences with sadness.
 Asking clarifying questions
A teacher may ask questions like, "What do you mean when you say X?" or "Could you
explain that point further?".
 Challenging assumptions
A teacher may ask questions like, "Is there a different point of view?" or "What assumptions
are we making here?".
The Socratic method encourages students to explore topics on their own, so teachers often keep their
lessons brief and focus on student engagement.
The Socratic method of teaching has several advantages and disadvantages,
including:

Advantages
 Critical thinking: Students can develop critical thinking skills by analyzing
information and reaching their own conclusions.
 Engagement: Students are actively involved in the conversation, sharing their
experiences and opinions.
 Active learning: Students can learn how to listen and learn actively.
 Challenging assumptions: Students can learn to be challenged and what to do
when they are.

 Exploring issues: Students can learn how to examine issues in-depth.

Disadvantages
 Handling diverse responses: It can be difficult to handle the variety of responses
students may give to questions.
 Not ideal for every discipline or classroom: The Socratic method may not be ideal
for every discipline or classroom.
 Emotional manipulation: Socratic classrooms can become overly intellectual, which
can lead to emotional damage.
 Lack of evidence-based research: There is a lack of evidence-based research on the
use of the Socratic method in formal educational programs.
 Relies on clear articulation: The Socratic method relies on people being able to
clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings.
 Feeling attacked: Questions can be too probing and make people feel attacked.

Example of Socratic Method Conversation

Preacher: An atheist cannot be a moral person. Without faith in God, no human being can be moral
at all. You must first have faith in God in order to have any capacity for morality. Faith in God is the
only true basis of morality.

Socrates: It sounds like being an atheist is an unfortunate state of being.

Preacher: The atheists are most unfortunate Socrates.

Socrates: Sadly, I am more unfortunate than the atheists. I do not even understand the nature of
morality. Thus, I could not tell you whether or not you need to first believe in the gods in order to be
moral. So I ask you to help me and teach me something important.

Preacher: Of course, Socrates. That is why I am here.

Socrates: Thank you my good friend. I would like you to answer a question. What is morality?

Preacher: Morality is the expression of human behavior that is based on the knowledge of right and
wrong.

Socrates: And one must believe in the gods in order to know what is right and wrong?

Preacher: Exactly. It is the knowledge of God, which comes through faith that gives us the ability to
know right and wrong. And Socrates, there are no gods. There is only the one almighty God who
created all things and redeems us through his son Jesus Christ.
Socrates: I am afraid I have never been very good at understanding all the amazing stories about all
the different gods. I must admit that I am very excited about the idea that knowing your God will also
give me the knowledge of right and wrong. But there is just one thing I would like to understand, if you
could instruct me.

Preacher: What is your question?

Socrates: You say that knowing God will give me the knowledge of right and wrong.

Preacher: Yes.

Socrates: In what area of life will the believer know right and wrong.

Preacher:The knowledge of God permeates our whole being in every aspect of our lives.

Socrates: By the gods, dear preacher! I declare that nothing could be more useful than to learn right
and wrong from a deity who knows! Will the knowledge of God help me know right and wrong
pertaining to the calculation of the sums of numbers?

Preacher: No.

Socrates: Will the knowledge of God give me the knowledge of right and wrong with regard to the
practice of medicine?

Preacher: No.

Socrates: How about right and wrong regarding the architectural design of buildings?

Preacher: No. Morality is not about this kind of right and wrong.

Socrates: Then the knowledge of God does not give us the knowledge of all right and wrong. It just
gives us the knowledge of a particular kind of right and wrong that you refer to as moral.

Preacher: That is correct.

Socrates: It seems that we have not defined morality yet and I need to ask my first question again.
What is morality? Please have mercy on my stubborn ignorance and define it in a way that does not
exceed the scope of its application.

Preacher: Morality is about right and wrong regarding the treatment of other human beings.

Socrates: And does this moral and right treatment serve to benefit a person or does it hurt them?

Preacher: Moral behavior always serves to the benefit of humanity.

Socrates: Then this moral knowledge from God is expressed in behavior that benefits people?

Preacher: Yes.

Socrates: Who would know more about the beneficial treatment of people who need a cure for their
sickness? Is it the believer in God or a doctor?
Preacher: A doctor, although healing is sometimes possible through prayer.

Performance Task Number 4.

Make your own dialogue about a Socratic Method dialogue. You can choose any
settings such as in a classroom or in a court hearing or trial where there is an open
ended questions between the two personnel engaging in a conversation.

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