Philosophical Methodology II(PH258)
| Course Code | Course Name | Semester | Theory | Practice | Lab | Credit | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PH258 | Philosophical Methodology II | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Prerequisites | |
| Admission Requirements |
| Language of Instruction | French |
| Course Type | Compulsory |
| Course Level | Bachelor Degree |
| Course Instructor(s) | İhsan Hayri BATUR ihsanbatur@gmail.com (Email) |
| Assistant | |
| Objective |
-Develop a Philosophical Mindset: Cultivate an understanding of the cognitive frameworks that underpin philosophical inquiry, including critical thinking, argumentation, and skepticism. Students will learn to distinguish philosophy from other disciplines and explore its relation to the sciences and humanities. Recognize and Overcome Cognitive Biases: Identify key cognitive biases (such as confirmation bias, anchoring bias, and groupthink) that can distort philosophical thought and inquiry. Students will develop strategies to counteract these biases, fostering a more objective and critical approach to argumentation and analysis. Master Academic Research and Writing Skills: Acquire the technical skills required for philosophical research and writing, including formulating research questions, conducting literature reviews, structuring philosophical papers, and referencing sources. Students will also learn practical academic skills such as writing résumés, composing research proposals, and managing academic correspondence. Enhance Practical Philosophical Skills: Learn essential techniques for successful academic and professional philosophy, such as note-taking, draft-writing, and editing. Students will be trained to present original ideas and arguments clearly and coherently, with a focus on addressing research gaps and developing well-reasoned academic papers. Understand and Apply Philosophical Methodologies: Gain a thorough understanding of various philosophical methodologies, including dialectical methods, phenomenology, hermeneutics, and analytical philosophy. Students will critically evaluate these approaches and apply them effectively to their own philosophical research and inquiry. Prepare for Scholarly and Professional Success: Equip students with the intellectual and practical tools required for success in both academic and professional philosophical settings, enabling them to contribute to scholarly discourse and apply their skills in broader philosophical and practical contexts. |
| Content |
-This course offers an in-depth exploration of the processes and skills required for philosophical inquiry and writing. It is built around three core pillars: the philosophical mindset, technical academic skills, and a study of different methodologies in philosophical research. The course is designed to prepare students not only for academic research and writing but also for the intellectual rigor required in philosophical discourse, both in scholarly settings and beyond, enabling students to apply their skills in practical and philosophical contexts. The first pillar, the philosophical mindset, introduces students to the unique cognitive framework that defines philosophy. It focuses on understanding the role and purpose of philosophy as distinct from other fields, highlighting its relation to the sciences and humanities. The course explores key concepts such as the nature of questioning, critical thinking, argumentation, and philosophical skepticism. A central component of this pillar is identifying and overcoming cognitive biases that hinder philosophical thought. Students will examine biases such as confirmation bias, which leads to favoring information that supports pre-existing beliefs; availability heuristic, where the most readily available examples are mistaken for general truths; and anchoring bias, which distorts judgment by relying too heavily on an initial piece of information. These biases, along with others such as framing effects and groupthink, will be studied in detail, helping students cultivate a more objective and self-critical approach to philosophical inquiry. By recognizing these limitations in thought, students can refine their ability to assess arguments, challenge assumptions, and engage in deeper, more rigorous analysis. The second pillar covers the technical aspects of academic research and writing. Students will learn how to structure a philosophical paper, including how to formulate a research question, conduct a literature review, organize their arguments, and appropriately reference sources. Students will also learn the practical skills required for academic and professional success in philosophy, such as how to write a résumé or CV for academic scholarships or job applications, how to compose research proposals, and how to craft clear and persuasive research papers. This pillar will also cover essential skills like emailing professors, networking, and handling academic correspondence. Apart from these, a special emphasis will be placed on identifying research gaps, developing original ideas, and presenting them in a clear and coherent manner. The course also provides guidance on practical skills such as note-taking, draft-writing, and editing, enabling students to produce well-reasoned academic papers. The third pillar involves the study of various philosophical methodologies, ranging from classical to contemporary approaches. This section will provide an overview of significant methodologies, such as the dialectical method, phenomenology, hermeneutics, and analytical philosophy. By analyzing these methodologies, students will not only learn how different schools of thought approach philosophical problems but also critically assess which methods are most effective for particular research questions. The goal is to equip students with a diverse toolkit of methods that they can apply to their own philosophical inquiries. |
| Course Learning Outcomes |
Cultivate a Philosophical Mindset: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the cognitive frameworks that underpin philosophical inquiry, including the ability to question, analyze, and critically assess philosophical problems. They will also differentiate philosophy from other academic disciplines. Identify and Mitigate Cognitive Biases: Students will be able to recognize common cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and anchoring bias, that affect philosophical thought. They will apply strategies to minimize these biases in their own analysis and reasoning, leading to more objective and critical philosophical engagement. Formulate Effective Research Questions: Students will develop the ability to conceive clear, focused, and impactful research questions that guide philosophical inquiry. They will be able to differentiate between various types of research questions (conceptual, empirical, ethical) and understand their significance in academic research. Conduct a Literature Review: Students will be able to locate, evaluate, and synthesize relevant philosophical literature. They will critically engage with existing research, identifying gaps and building on prior knowledge to frame their own research. Master the Structure of Philosophical Writing: Students will demonstrate proficiency in structuring a well-organized philosophical paper, including crafting a coherent introduction, developing logical arguments, and writing clear conclusions. They will also be able to engage with counterarguments and objections in their writing. Apply Technical Academic Skills: Students will acquire and apply practical academic skills such as writing academic résumés, composing research proposals, and handling academic correspondence effectively. They will also develop note-taking, draft-writing, and editing skills to improve the clarity and quality of their academic papers. Analyze and Apply Philosophical Methodologies: Students will gain a deep understanding of various philosophical methodologies, including classical methods (e.g., dialectical method) and modern approaches (e.g., phenomenology, analytical philosophy). They will be able to apply these methodologies to their own philosophical research and critically evaluate their effectiveness for different types of inquiries. Develop Original Philosophical Ideas: Students will demonstrate the ability to identify research gaps, generate original ideas, and develop well-supported philosophical arguments. They will show creativity in approaching philosophical problems and contribute novel insights to ongoing debates. Present and Refine Research: Students will refine their ability to present their research in both written and oral formats, incorporating peer and instructor feedback. They will demonstrate improvement in the clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness of their final research papers through iterative drafts and revisions. |
| Teaching and Learning Methods |
This course employs a blend of interactive workshops, lectures, and discussions to enhance students' methodological, philosophical, and academic skills. The aim is to provide both a solid foundation in academic writing and research methods, as well as foster critical thinking and philosophical analysis. This mix of methods ensures that students not only learn theoretical concepts but also acquire practical skills that are crucial for their academic careers. The course encourages active participation, self-reflection, and collaboration, creating a learning environment that is both dynamic and supportive. 1. Interactive Workshops: Some sessions may include hands-on activities where students actively apply the methods and techniques discussed during lectures. This includes practical exercises like research proposal writing, critical analysis, and philosophical argumentation, allowing students to engage directly with the material and reinforce their understanding. 2. Lectures: Structured lectures provide theoretical grounding for various philosophical methods and academic techniques. These lectures introduce key philosophical distinctions, such as the differences between analytical, phenomenological, and genealogical approaches, while also covering essential technical skills such as research gap identification, proposal writing, and conceptual analysis. 3. Group Discussions: Class discussions are encouraged to ensure peer learning and to promote active engagement with philosophical problems. Students are given opportunities to debate, critique, and refine their ideas in dialogue with each other, helping them to develop their ability to articulate complex concepts and defend their viewpoints. 4. Case Studies and Text Analysis: Through the analysis of specific case studies and philosophical texts, students learn to apply different methods (e.g., dialectical reasoning, genealogical analysis, phenomenology) to actual philosophical problems. This provides concrete examples of the application of abstract techniques. 5. Research and Presentation Assignments: Students may be asked to complete assignments that involve independent research, critical reading, and academic writing. They might also be given the opportunity to present their work to the class, in order to develop public speaking skills, defend their ideas, and receive feedback from their peers and the instructor. 6. Feedback and Peer Review: Regular feedback sessions are conducted throughout the semester. Students are encouraged to review each other’s work in a structured peer review process, fostering a collaborative learning environment. This helps develop their ability to critique academic work constructively and engage in scholarly dialogue. 7. Philosophical Mindset Development: Emphasis is placed on cultivating a philosophical mindset that encourages open inquiry, skepticism, and logical consistency. Students are guided to distinguish between philosophy and other forms of thought (e.g., ideology, religion) and to recognize the unique contribution of philosophy to intellectual discourse. |
| References | No required textbooks or external resources are mandated for this course. Course materials will be provided primarily through detailed slides, mind maps, and in-class discussions. However, for those wishing to explore the topics further, a large online library of philosophical texts and academic resources may be made available. This library includes a wide range of foundational works, contemporary articles, and relevant case studies that complement the course content. While access to these materials is optional, they can offer valuable insights for students seeking to deepen their understanding of the philosophical methodologies discussed throughout the course. |
Theory Topics
| Week | Weekly Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Week 1: Introduction to the Course and Overview of the Pillars * Review of Philosophical Methodology 1 * Overview of the Three Pillars: Technical skills, philosophical mindset, and methods * Objectives and Expectations for the Semester * Workshop: Writing a professional email in an academic context |
| 2 | Week 2: Crafting a CV and University Resume * Technical Skills: How to write a strong academic CV and résumé * Philosophical Mindset: Reflections on “productive stupidity” * Methodology: Adapting résumés for scholarships, research positions, and job applications * Workshop: Review and critique examples of CVs |
| 3 | Week 3: Writing Research Proposals * Technical Skills: Components of a successful research proposal (title, abstract, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes) * Philosophical Mindset: How research proposals shape intellectual projects * Methodology: Common mistakes in research proposals and how to avoid them * Workshop: Drafting a proposal on a chosen philosophical topic |
| 4 | Week 4: Structuring Philosophical Papers and Analyzing Research Articles * Technical Skills: How to structure and compose a philosophical research paper * Philosophical Mindset: What differentiates philosophical writing from other academic genres * Methodology: Key tips for reading complex academic texts * Workshop: Deconstructing the structure of a selected research article |
| 5 | Week 5: Write to be Read – Workshop with an International Journalist * Technical Skills: How to write philosophical or academic texts accessible to a wider audience * Philosophical Mindset: The importance of making philosophical ideas relevant and readable to a wide audience * Methodology: Strategies to capture readers' attention and structure complex arguments in an understandable way * Workshop: Practical workshop on writing with a guest journalist, specialized in popularizing philosophical ideas |
| 6 | Week 6: The Philosophical Mindset – Philosophy vs. Religion, Ideology, and Myth * Philosophical Mindset: Distinguishing philosophical thought from religious, ideological, and mythological thinking * Methodology: Case studies of philosophical challenges to myth, religion, and ideology * Technical Skills: Writing essays that address the intersection of philosophy and other belief systems * Discussion: Can philosophy coexist with other worldviews? |
| 7 | Week 7: Developing Research Questions and Identifying Gaps * Technical Skills: How to formulate meaningful research questions in philosophy * Philosophical Mindset: The role of curiosity and inquiry in the philosophical tradition * Methodology: Identifying research gaps in existing literature * Workshop: Crafting strong research questions and identifying literature gaps |
| 8 | Week 8: Conceptual Analysis and Logical Methodology * Technical Skills: How to perform conceptual analysis and define philosophical concepts * Philosophical Mindset: The importance of precision in philosophical thinking * Methodology: Using deductive reasoning in philosophical arguments * Workshop: Analyzing a selected concept using conceptual analysis |
| 9 | Week 9: Critical Analysis, Dialectics, and Thought Experiments * Philosophical Mindset: The value of critical thinking and dialectics in philosophical discourse * Methodology: Exploring the use of thought experiments and dialectics to challenge assumptions * Technical Skills: Structuring dialectical essays and discussions * Workshop: Constructing a thought experiment and applying the dialectical method |
| 10 | Week 10: Phenomenological and Hermeneutical Methods * Philosophical Mindset: Understanding the first-person experience and text interpretation * Methodology: Phenomenology (Husserl) and hermeneutics (Gadamer) in philosophy * Technical Skills: How to apply these methods to philosophical texts * Workshop: Applying phenomenological and hermeneutical methods to a selected text |
| 11 | Week 11: Historical and Genealogical Approaches in Philosophy * Philosophical Mindset: Understanding philosophical ideas in historical context * Methodology: Genealogical analysis (e.g., Nietzsche) and tracing the development of philosophical concepts * Technical Skills: Writing a genealogical analysis * Workshop: Analyzing the historical development of a concept using genealogical methods |
| 12 | Week 12: Comparative and Pragmatic Methods * Philosophical Mindset: Comparing philosophical ideas from different traditions * Methodology: Comparative philosophy (e.g., Eastern vs. Western traditions), Pragmatism (Peirce, Dewey, Rorty) * Technical Skills: Writing comparative analyses of philosophical ideas * Workshop: Drafting a comparative analysis of two philosophical traditions |
| 13 | Week 13: Transcendental, Empirical, and Analytical vs. Continental Methods * Philosophical Mindset: Transcendental methods (e.g., Kant) and the split between analytic and continental traditions * Methodology: Empirical approaches in philosophy, contrasting analytical and continental methodologies * Technical Skills: Developing research methodologies that incorporate one or more of these approaches * Workshop: Formulating an essay methodology based on one of these approaches |
| 14 | Week 14: Metaphilosophy – Reflecting on the Nature of Philosophy * Philosophical Mindset: Questioning the nature, goals, and limits of philosophy * Methodology: Exploring metaphilosophical debates and their relevance to students' research * Technical Skills: Applying metaphilosophical insights to ongoing projects * Reflection: Which methodologies resonate most with students' philosophical work? |
Practice Topics
| Week | Weekly Contents |
|---|
Contribution to Overall Grade
| Number | Contribution | |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade | 1 | 50 |
| Contribution of final exam to overall grade | 1 | 50 |
| Toplam | 2 | 100 |
In-Term Studies
| Number | Contribution | |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 0 | 0 |
| Presentation | 0 | 0 |
| Midterm Examinations (including preparation) | 0 | 0 |
| Project | 0 | 0 |
| Laboratory | 0 | 0 |
| Other Applications | 0 | 0 |
| Quiz | 0 | 0 |
| Term Paper/ Project | 0 | 0 |
| Portfolio Study | 0 | 0 |
| Reports | 0 | 0 |
| Learning Diary | 0 | 0 |
| Thesis/ Project | 0 | 0 |
| Seminar | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 |
| Make-up | 0 | 0 |
| Toplam | 0 | 0 |
| No | Program Learning Outcomes | Contribution | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 1 | Analyze philosophical texts with analytical and critical rigor; | X | ||||
| 2 | Get an exhaustive knowledge on the history of philosophy; from antiquity to 20th century; | X | ||||
| 3 | Provide access to information and expertise in the fields of systematic philosophy, such as ethic, esthetic, history of science, philosophy of society; | |||||
| 4 | Establish the relation between philosophy and other fields of knowledge, such as, history, psychology, anthropology, sociology and other positive sciences; | X | ||||
| 5 | Learn the theories of political science and the philosophical evaluation of historical and actual events; | |||||
| 6 | Have a sufficient level of French and English in order to follow philosophical debates; | X | ||||
| 7 | Have a sufficient level of the ancient Greek, Latin and Ottoman languages for reading philosophical texts written in these; | |||||
| 8 | Develop a creative thinking and a knowledge of aesthetic theories which will allow the analysis of artworks and the history of art; | |||||
| 9 | Acquire academic research methods and writing ability as well as to develop analytical skills, interpretation and criticism. | X | ||||
| Activities | Number | Period | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Workload | 0 | ||
| Total Workload / 25 | 0.00 | ||
| Credits ECTS | 0 | ||