Applied Philosophical

Research
Roland Theuas Pada
01
Applying theory into a
problem requires careful
considerations in choosing
the theory for the problem.
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Likewise, choosing the The practice of philosophy is In other words, philosophical
problem requires you to not always limited to theory, research is a practice of
either be exhaustive or in fact, the theory itself could theory.
specific in presenting the be the problem. Hence,
problem as an actual philosophical research is
problem. often a theory in practice
because the theory itself is
the practice of philosophy.
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Problem Evidence Theory Discussion
• I will divide the discussion into four parts, the problem, evidence,
theory, and some sample topics that I have encountered or worked
with in research.
• Reading Marx’s 11th thesis for example, is not really a big issue if you
consider the relationship between theory and practice.
• While philosophy is often concerned with describing the world, it is
describing the world in the perspective of a problem.
• Thus, philosophy is a discipline that is always engaged in a problem.
• Read from “Normativity, Social Critique, Social Pathologies, and
Marx’s 11th Thesis.”
The Problem
Problem
• List down specifics.
• A problem can be broad, you should always approach it piece by
piece.
• Being specific allows you to avoid the charge of creating a straw man.
• This does not mean that you are limited to a broad problem (for
example, democracy in general, capitalism, Marxism, Socialism, Fake
News, etc.), you can still use them, but…
• Broad topics require exhaustive studies and references. Hence, it is
always discouraged in areas such as theses and paper requirements.
Evidence
• Is the problem documented?
• This is to warrant the retrievability of evidence.
• Does it come from a reputable source? Is the source permanent
enough for the readers or other researchers to retrieve?
• Does anyone have access to it?
• Is it satirical in nature?
Theory
• A philosophical paper works on the capacity to draw from a cache of theories in
the philosophical tradition.
• These theories are not exactly designed to solve your problem, rather, they are
constructed to solve the author’s problem.
• That is why the researcher will have to align his or her problem to the design of
the theory. Thus, the theory and the problem has to find proper alignment in
order for the proposal/paper sketch to work.
What to look for in a theory
1. Draws clearly from the tradition of philosophy
2. Articulate the problem clearly as a problem
3. It should convince people or the research community as a problem.
4. The test should revolve around the possibility of talking about the problem
without resorting to convoluted jargon. (it should pass the acid test of theory:
can you talk about your work with a non-philosopher?)
What to look for in a theory
5. Does the theory offer a solution? Could it lead you to a possible solution?
Remember your solution does not have to save the world or change it with one
paper.
6. Is philosophy the right discipline to deal with the problem?
Sample Cases
• Critique of philosophy curriculum in the Philippines
• Methodological Problems of Filipino Philosophy
• The Problem of Logocentrism in Jacques Derrida’s Deconstruction
• The Problem of Freedom and Normativity in Axel Honneth’s
Recognition Theory
• Critique of Philippine Music