Reading Philosophy: 

Analyzing By Asking Questions

Mr. Graves

 

Basics

 

  1. What is the subject of the author's work?

 

  1. Within that subject, what is the issue s/he addresses?

 

  1. Does s/he take a stand on that issue?  (This stand is normally the "thesis" of the essay.)  If so, what is that stand?  If not, what is the author trying to explain, demonstrate, etc?

 

  1. If the author takes a stand, what, roughly, is the overall argument for that stand?

 

  1. Is the author reacting for or against any stand(s), or any other author(s)?

 

  1. How might the structure of the author's essay be analyzed into smaller, component parts?  For each section, what is the point of that section?  Can each section be broken down further?  If so, how?  What would an outline of the work look like?

 

       Tools, Methods, Techniques

 

  1. What are the central concepts in the essay?  Does the author define them?  If so, what is the definition for each?  If not, how would you define each?

 

  1. What smaller arguments does the author offer within the larger argument for her/his thesis?  What kinds of reasoning and/or evidence is offered in each?

 

  1. Does the author offer any examples (stories, etc.) to explain or support particular points?  If so, what are they, and how do they clarify or defend?

 

10.  Does the author use or suggest any analogies, similes, metaphors, allegories, or other means of comparison?  If so, where, and for what purpose?

 

11.  Does the author offer any factual evidence (facts, statistics, etc.) to support her/his claims?  If so, what facts?  How do these facts support the claims in question?

 

12.    Does the author ask questions for you to consider or respond to?  If so, what questions?  What answers does the author expect you will give?  Do they focus or direct the discussion?  If so, how?  If not, what is the purpose of the questions?

 

13.  Does the author express an attitude about anything other than her thesis?  If so, about what; and what is her attitude toward it?

 

14.  Does the author refer to the work or idea(s) of any other philosopher we have read?  If so, what work or idea(s)?  What is the author's attitude toward it?

 

         Your Assessment

 

  1. What do you find convincing or persuasive in the author's presentation? Why?

 

16.  What do you find unconvincing or unpersuasive in the author's presentation?  Why?

 

17.  Overall, how persuaded are you by the author's presentation?

 

18.  If you were to argue on this issue, what stand would you take?  Briefly, how would you argue for your stand?  What points would you offer which the authors we've read have not discussed?