Know the Basics of Philosophical Research

Initiating research in philosophy is never easy. You may have lots of ideas to start with but you may not be aware of the correct Methodology. You may also feel low when people won’t be so pleased with the wonderful topic you want to conduct research at. Before we start explaining other people- “the importance of our philosophical research”, we ourself should know its complete worth. Philosophical research is mainly theoretical and so you don’t need to conduct practical experiments and collect empirical data. All experiments are done in your mind itself. Your mind is your personal laboratory where you would be conducting your research work. 

Philosophical Research-  BASICS 

1. It doesn’t bother about ‘what is?’ and ‘what isn’t?’ rather it deals with ‘what should be?’ And therefore, it is normative in nature.
2. It is a Qualitative type of Research. You don’t need to conduct numerous surveys, long-lasting calculations and reaching the main points.
3. It is Descriptive. You don’t have to reach to some specific points rather you have to explore as many dimensions as possible of a particular topic. You also have to mention further areas of research that could arise from your research.
4. It is concerned primarily with process rather than outcomes. As described in the earlier points, philosophical research itself gives directions to other different research. Philosophical research never ends. It keeps on proceeding as long as your mind works and interests survive.
5. It is inductive in nature. The researcher builds up theory, make new concepts and develop a further hypothesis.
6. The researcher is the primary instrument for data collection and analysis.  As discussed in the introduction, the researcher mind itself works as a laboratory and the main focus is always on the relevance of research.
7. Philosophical Research is primarily interested in meaning. The method of determining the meaning of ideas and clarifying them comes under the category of Pragmatism.

So basically, philosophical research is philosophizing and achieving sound knowledge of the evolving ideas(Gilbert Ryle). It is framing your ideas with the sources available and putting forth your discovered points for the identification, verification and practicality of your research. Philosophical Research should always add something new to the pre-existing knowledge. It should be beneficial for the development of society and should not become subject to dispute.

There are lots of points to discuss in the topic ‘Philosophical Research’. This blog may give you a glimpse of the main purpose of Philosophical research. Later on, efforts would be made to bring an in-depth analysis of Philosophical Research and respective implications.