Some Reflections on Research Methodology in Philosophy

Mohammad Mozammel Hoque
Asst. Professor of Philosophy
University of Chittagong.

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Abstract: In this paper, the author intends to distinguish the discipline of Philosophy in research from all other disciplines, even form the 'subjects' of arts category. For this purpose he wants to take part in opposition of accommodating any applied aspect in Philosophy. The author is, obviously, aware about such a radical (or even dangerous?) view about Philosophy. He just held the view that research may be done by any 'philosopher' in any discipline other than Philosophy, even with the issues of Philosophy, in the form of applied research. Applied research, we know, is quiet distinct from the kind of basic research. Philosophical research in applied approaches is considered by the author as something like research with Philosophy. So, only the kind of basic research would have recognition as research in Philosophy. Research techniques, such as, how to read and write, take notes, design materials, how to give references etc. is not included in this paper. A standard format of research is mentioned in the last portion of this article.

Introduction: Research- According to Marry E. Macdonald 'research may be defined as systematic investigation intended to add to available knowledge in a form that is communicable and verifiable'.[I] Green considers research as the 'use of standerize procedures in the search for knowledge.[II]

Research Issues: Applied and Conceptual- There are so many issues and ways to write a research paper. Topic of the paper, specially, the very discipline of research is most important in me writing-pattern of a research paper. Scholarly discussions and presenting papers based on experimental or empirical findings or on the collected data are much more different than the papers that are purely theoretical (or conceptual). It will come to anyone's plain observation that the 'books' that are available on Research Methodology are basically concerned with researches which are greatly concerned and dependent on experimental or field data as in Social (including
business related subjects) and Scientific disciplines.

Philosophy: As the Original and Final Discipline- We know. Philosophy is such an extraordinary subject, which is purely conceptual, contemplative in nature. It is generally considered as the father (actually it should be the 'mother') of all the subjects. Whenever something (any scholarly academic) produces sufficient pragmatic or practical solutions or operational findings may be of political, social, economic, religious aspects, then that kind of intellectual attainment is  considered as a different and independent school or branch (other than 'Philosophy'). What I want to clarify that Philosophy is always a different and unique sort of discipline, though all the academic disciplines were derived and developed from this original discipline. Obviously, all the disciplines including Philosophy itself, returns necessarily, in their own ways to such issues which are undoubtedly philosophical. Though all the major disciplines were originally developed from Philosophy and at the upper level ends with philosophical issues, still Philosophy remains as a different discipline.

Philosophy: As a Purely Conceptual Discipline- As I have conceived it, Philosophy is such a subject, which is from the very beginning merely conceptual. So, a philosopher need not go to the 'market' or in the lab. or to the 'society'. His thinking alone is all. His instruments and field-workers are his arguments. His method is proper reasoning. He starts with arguments, need not use anything than the arguments, and concludes his research with arguments). Simply, a philosophical research is for or against any argument(s) on basis of consistency-judgement. Philosophical research is 'subjective' unlike empirical studies of the non-philosophical research. Obviously, Philosophy deals with the 'real' world, but not in that 'empirical' way, where the researcher, if he is honest, have to consider the findings impartially and objectively.

Research Methodology in Philosophy- With the above discussion I do not intend to say that philosophical research need no 'Research Methodology'. Instead, my point is that the kind of research methodology in Philosophy is distinct from any other discipline. In fact. Philosophy is the only subject, which have no field-data other than arguments and reasoning. So, 'Philosophical Research Methodology' need not accommodate topics like sampling, data collection and processing, statistical and mathematical tools to verify hypothesis. But the basic things in research methodology are all the same both in philosophical and non-philosophical research. These include methods and steps in research, formulation of research problem, interpretation of
research and subject matter of a research paper or writing.

Philosophy for life: The Way- In the above line of considerations, it is implied that. Philosophy is such a discipline-, which has no aspect that, is 'applied'. The good-hearing branch of Philosophy: "Philosophy of Life" is interesting, but ambiguous. Philosophy as I recognise it is like a sorting-machine that detects the arguments)  which are in favour and which are against of any argument or proposition. Philosophy is always basic, aims only to increase our knowledge. It can attempt to show the way(s) of right thinking, not for the field solution of any problem of our usual practical life. Philosophy can enlighten a person to take a proper decision in practical life, but can't produce, (but pretend to produce) a practical solution. We can use Philosophy, though Philosophy itself remains indifferent about the concern 'practical solution'.

About the Practical Claims: Here, two points are to be noted. (A) One can observe any Philosophy or a particular philosopher to claim for any particular philosophical theory which is nothing but a proposal of a line of actions. We can't but say that, this is a manipulation of Philosophic-trend of research. It may happen that a philosopher may act in a non-philosophical manner same as a scientist may behave unscientifically and may be unscientific in mind. To be a scientist, we know, and to be scientific-minded are not the same-things. So in the same way a philosopher may
unacceptably claim for the status of philosophical soundness for any theory in which he has actually gone beyond the neutral position of philosophical intellectualism.

About the 'Applied' Works with Philosophy- (B) One can also find that many of the researchers, comprising men of Philosophy in profession, have indirectly or directly accomplished their researches related to applied aspects in approaches like historical, descriptive or expository etc. It is possible. Because an 'expert' need not remain all time only in one discipline or field. So, a 'Philosopher' (in profession) can very much accomplish his research in non-philosophical or empirical fields. But, sometimes the philosophers do research in Philosophy on basis of field
data. It seems to turn on my earlier reflections on 'Research Methodology in Philosophy'. But I don't think so. Actually, it is not unlikely for the philosophers to research in matters that are related to philosophical aspects, which we can be marked as 'second-order' or 'sub-stream' form of Philosophy. Works of this kind are actually works 'with the matters of Philosophy'. The matters related to Philosophy may be explored in research in the form of applied research such as historical, descriptive or expository research as well as the issues of any non-philosophical discipline may be inquired in the philosophical (i.e. purely analytical or critical) approach. Issues like 'Sufism in Bengal', 'Development of Boul Mysticism', 'Philosophical Works in Bangladesh', 'Life and Works of G.C. Dev', 'Aaras Alt Matubbar's Thoughts on Religion' etc. are some examples of this kind of research in, what I intend to call, 'sub-stream Philosophy'. Translation of any philosophical works with explanations and interpretation; or exposition of any school of thought is included with this very kind. This pattern of researches often includes a section, which is critical and evaluative. Still, to my consideration, this is not research in Philosophy, but 'research with Philosophy'. This article is concerned with only the first one, i.e. the main stream Philosophy.

Research in non-philosophical disciplines or in the related matters with Philosophy by the professionals in Philosophy is important and necessary. Because, to know a subject, it should be focussed from the related 'point of views'. Related matters are helping and even necessary too, to launch a vigorous study.

On the Claim of Empirical Aspects in Philosophy- It is claimed from general view that all disciplines have two aspects: theoretical and applied. From this point of view. Philosophy should have its own kind of applied aspects. 'Practical Ethics' is one of the branches in this proposed aspect of Philosophy. Actually, this propose d aspect in necessary, but for its contents and limitations, is considered in this article holding the status of second-order or sub-stream form of
Philosophy. In the example of 'Applied Ethics', this weakness is in its claiming of any specific action as 'ethical' or 'not ethical'. In this sorts of claim's it is of the record considered that the basic criterion of ethics is pre-settled. Ethics is not something that is already there and me Practical Ethicists are just to compile any practical action with the determined standard of the norms (of Ethics). Is any norm or value or ethical finding is already settled in Philosophy  undisputed? Someone can take and argue for any idea; and in his way can consider and claim that idea or concept as the concern real answer. Even, in absence of any further reasonable alternative, an Ethicist (or a Philosopher) has to give his verdict in favour of a better theory. This is the perennial problem and intrinsic characteristic of Philosophy as a whole. Anything like Applied Ethics is possible in this way; Obviously, necessary too, which are always dependent ultimately on the unsolved origins.

About Logic- The most important point that I have to clarify is the case of Logic. Though it is a must yet I do not intend to identify Philosophy with Logic. Logic too, is dependent, originated from and ends in Philosophy. The nature and realities of logical grounds and formulas lose their status of certainty in Philosophy as they enjoy in Logic. I mean, the logical scales do come under measurement in Philosophy. My defense of Philosophy as distinct from Logic, is - (a) that. Logic is a tool of Philosophy, not the end and all of it; (b) that Logic too, is a subject and a kind of issues of Philosophical exercise. At best. Logic is the form, not the content of Philosophy.

The Case of Metaphysics- As my reflections on research methodology in Philosophy is mainly based on my concept of Philosophy itself, so the place of metaphysics in Philosophy is very much relevant here. The trend of Analytic Philosophy and the claim of the Logical Positivists as marking Philosophy without Metaphysics, was initiated in the early twentieth century, is now a days facing strong objections and almost foiled. Even their claimed foundations are seriously challenged
both in Philosophy and Science. In this paper the author's issue is not to show the detail arguments to disprove the Logical Positivists. Instead, I want to recognize that metaphysics is one of the main areas of Philosophy. So, necessarily it is clear that considering only 'placing arguments for or against' as the way of research methodology in Philosophy; I am not identifying Philosophy with Metaphysics too.

Somehow, I have mentioned above that the basics, i.e., major steps and format of research in both philosophical and non-philosophical disciplines are same. These are pointed-out next.

General Format of Research[III]: Selecting the Research Topic: Whatever arouses our interests, prompts our curiosity and raises questions for which as yet answers exist but where dispute arises as to their validity - that is a fertile ground for the discovering of a research topic. Outlining the topic is however the most critical task of an inquiry. The research problem has to be stated clearly and explicitly. The identified research topic must have specific objective(s).

Formulation of Research Topic: The selected research topic has to be stated in complete grammatical sentences with as great an economy of words as possible. The problem should be so clearly placed that anyone could understand it no matter he agrees or disagrees, without the physical presence of the researcher. At this stage the researcher should maintain three steps: originating the question, rationale the question and specify the question in research.

Identification of Sub-problems: Most problems are too large to be stated without sub-dividing them. A sub-problem should constitute a logical sub-area of the larger research undertaking and the interpretation should be clearly interrelated. At last sub-problems must be added-up to the totality of the problem.

Feasibility Consideration: The research topic must be such that it can be satisfactorily completed within the limits of ones available resources. It could be futile to start with a topic of such a large scope that could not be properly investigated within the period of time allowed for the study and with the funds.

Intimate Acquaintance with the Research Problem: Intimate acquaintance with the research problem can be gained by reading the available literature on the topic, exchanging views with the concern experts. Review of literature broadens the ideas of the researcher with new dimensions and different approaches may be generated with the same problem.

Hypothesis and Assumptions: The researcher formulates hypothesis in order to construct an assertion about an unknown phenomenon. He attempts to establish a pattern of relationship of two or more variables, the validity of which is to be tested in the course of the research. In the formulation of the hypothesis certain assumptions have to be made. Assumptions are the statements that are taken to be true without verification of the study in which it is made. At this stage choice of empirical variable(s) is needed.

Choice of Research Method: Choice of particular research method depends primarily on the nature of the research topic. It also depends on several other factors like research period, physical and financial resources, level of accuracy anticipated, and degree of sample error to be tolerated. In order to ensure methodological soundness, the researcher can combine few methods together and devise an inclusive research style.

Collection of Data: It is the most important phase of non-philosophical research. Data can be collected from documentary sources as books, published official records, survey reports, memoirs, travelogues, historical institutions, unpublished documents and from field sources as direct survey or observation, information, questionnaires etc. Field workers or lab-assistants must know what to do at all times, and should have access to proper direction and advice in the event that they run into difficulties.

Analysis and Interpretation: Analysis and interpretation of the collected data(s) have to be done in the light ofobjective(s) and hypothesis of the study. At this stage, the researcher uses different types of statistical tests and mathematical models to confirm and reject his hypothesis(s).

Conclusions and Recommendations: The conclusion is a statement of the unique contribution of the research to the development of knowledge in the concern area. Suggestions for further investigations in the same field are expected from the researcher. Here he is likely to mention also the dimensions of the problem, which he has not covered in his study. In general, conclusions should adequately be supported with empirical evidences and data in non-philosophical studies and should be consistent to the general theoretical and analytical framework of the study in both
Philosophical and non-philosophical research.

Reporting, the 'Research': Research report should be written in an objective and straightforward manner. Following format can be followed to write a research paper or report.

1. Title page,

2. Preface or acknowledgements,

3. summary or abstract,

4. Research problem,

5. limitations of the study,

6. Methodology,

7. Data and findings,

8. Conclusions and recommendations,

9. Appendix,

10.Bibliography or references.

Conclusion: My reflections on 'Research Methodology in Philosophy' is greatly influenced by my conception of Philosophy as purely conceptual analysis. It is non-applied in the main stream of its kind. As a distinct discipline it has its own way of research, which is not quantitative. It is also different from other subjects of humanities. We know. Philosophy has no other topic than the issues left by any discipline at the 'beginning' and at the 'end', which are considered as variables (or factors) in the concern non-philosophical research. Philosophy deals with these 'initial points' (assumptions) that are accepted as facts (in non-philosophical approach) and the left-out problems that are yet to be answered. We know. Philosophy is always as 'Philosophy of something". It is an approach to a subject. In this very way. Philosophy can initiate an issue and, at last attempts to answer the 'left-out' questions. This very nature of philosophical issues determines the basic pattern of its research methodology.