Philosophies of Education

Introduction to Philosophy

• Philosophy comes from the Greek words "philo" meaning love or fondness
• Philosophy also comes from the Greek word "sophia" meaning knowledge or wisdom.
• Philosophy is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions.
• Philosophy concerns topics like existence, reason, knowledge, value, mind, and language.

Naturalism

• Naturalism is rooted in the ideas of Ancient Philosophers like Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes.
• Naturalism denies supernatural significance and accounts for everything by scientific laws.
• Naturalism preserves the natural goodness of man.
• Truth can only be found through nature, according to Naturalism
• J.J. Rousseau, John Locke, Montaigne, and Emile Zola are proponents of Naturalism.

Naturalism on Education

• Naturalism advocates for a democratic and universal way to educate everyone in the same manner.
• Education aligns with human development and growth
• Emphasis is placed on physical development, informal exercise, and hygiene rather than the 4Rs (Reading, Writing, aRithmetic and Right conduct).
• Naturalism places the child at the center of education, preparing them to experience life as it is.

Idealism

• Ideas are the only true reality
• Ultimate truths for matter are a mere representation of ideas
• Emphasis is given on knowledge obtained by speculations and reasoning

Idealism Core Belief

• Ideas are the only thing worth knowing
• Focus is on conscious reasoning of the mind to attain truth, including introspection, intuition, and logic.
• Socrates and Plato are proponents of Idealism.

Idealism on Education

• The aim is to discover and cultivate the child's full potential to prepare them for a better position in society.
• Emphasis is placed on subjects like Philosophy, Politics, Literature, Religion, and History to develop the mind.
• Methods used in teaching include lecture, discussion, and the Socratic dialogue.
• Character development is achieved through emulation of examples and heroes.

Realism

• Realism concerns the actualities of life and what is real
• Ultimate reality is the world of physical objects, independent of the human mind.
• Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Jonathan Herbart are proponents of Realism.

Realism on Education

• The most effective way to find reality is to study it through organized, separate, and systematically arranged matter.
• There is an emphasis on subject matter concerning Science and Mathematics
• Methods used in teaching include recitation, experimentation, and demonstration.
• Character development is through training in the rules of conduct.

Existentialism

• Existentialism is rooted in the dehumanization of man by technology and reaction to the traditional Philosophy of Kant and Hegel
• A defining feature of Existentialism is “existence precedes essence".
• Existentialism is known as the Philosophy of Subjectivity
• It proclaims man's freedom in the accomplishment of his destiny.
• There is an emphasis on knowledge about realities of human life and the choices each person has to make
• Soren Kierkegaard – Father of Existentialism and Jean-Paul Sartre are proponents of Existentialism.

Existentialism, Central Concept

• Man has freedom and independence in the accomplishment of his own destiny
• Choice and freedom helps people live life the way they want.

Existentialism on Education

• Subject matter is a personal choice
• Learning is based on the willingness of students to choose and give meaning to the subject Emphasis is given on the students rather than on curriculum content Methods are geared on giving opportunities for students for self-actualization and self-direction Character development is through the responsibility of every individual in making a decision.

Essentialism

• Essentialism is rooted in idealism and realism and arose in response to progressive education according to the text.
• Essentialism defining feature is "essence precedes existence".
• Essentialsm refers to the traditional or back to the basic approach in education according to the text.
• Essentialism concerns with the fundamental of education skills and knowledge.
• William Bagley, James Koerner, H.C. Rickover, and Paul Copperman are proponents of Essentialism according to the text.

Essentialism on Education

• Schooling is practical and prepares students to be competent and valuable members of the society
• There is a focus on the "basics" - the 4Rs - Reading, Writing, aRithmetic and Right conduct according to the text.
• Subjects given emphasis include Geography, Grammar, Reading, History, Mathematics, Art, and Hygiene.
• Students should be taught to think logically and systematically, grasping not just the parts but the whole (entirety).
• Methods of teaching centers on giving regular assignments, drills, recitation, frequent testing, and evaluations.

Pragmatism

• Pragmatism is synonymous to usefulness, applicability, functionality and practicality.
• Pragmatism focues more on "praxis."
• What is experienced and observed is true U=T
• Thought must produce action rather than lying in the mind
• Charles Sanders Peirce and John Dewey (Father of Pragmatism) are proponents of pragmatism.

Pragmatism on Education

• Pragmatism involves students working in groups.
• Practical ideas should be accepted.
• Methods of teaching include experimentation, project-making, and problem-solving.
• The approach stresses the application of what has been learned over the transfer of the body of knowledge.

Perennialism

• The meaning of Perennialism is "eternal", "ageless, “everlasting", "unchanged."
• Perennialism is influenced by the philosophy of Realism.
• Its truth is universal and does not depend on where one is, the time, or the person experiencing it.
• Learning means acquiring understanding of the great works of civilizations.
• Greeks, Robert Hutchins, and Mortimer Adler are proponents of Perennialism

Perennialism on Education

• Some of the ideas still taught today have always been significant
• Curriculum should cultivate rationality, morality, aesthetics, and religious tenets through cognitive subjects.
• Such cognitive subjects include History, Language, Literature, Mathematics, Logic, Humanities, and Science
• Teachers must have mastery of the subject matter and authority in teaching it.
• Curriculum must be based on recurrent themes of human life

Humanism

• Humanism rooted in the economic and political changes during the Rennaisance Period.
• There are three main lines of growth for Humanism: Intellectual, Aesthetics, Scientific
• The two Divisions are Individualistic and Social

Humanism Subdivision

• Individual Happiness makes the most out of one's life, living life to the fullest.
• Furthermore, it stresses individual freedom, culture, and development
• Social Humanism includes social reforms and improvement of social relationships, and aims for social over the individual

Humanism Proponents

• Da feltre, Erasmus, Confucius, Pestalozzi, Petrarch(father of humanism)

Humanism on Education

• Education is a process and should not be taken abruptly, the unfolding happens naturally
• Focus is given to theme writing over things such as drills
• The curriculum includes subjects like literary appreciation, PE, social training in manners and development

Progressivism

• Progressivism is a contrast to perennialism and essentialism, which are more traditional approaches.
• The focus is on growths, changes, and innovations
• Emphasis is put on interplay with others, as humans are social creatures
• Teaching is based on one's worldly experiences, "I hear and I forgot. I see and I remember. I do and I learn" – tenet.
• John Dewey is the proponent and Father of Progressivism

Education

• Education is experiential, student-centered, and rooted in questions and interests rather than a set curriculum

Education Continued

• Emphasis is given on ideas based on the student
• Teaching includes interactions through discussion and group dynamics rather than the bookish method, and no punishment

Nationalism

• Nationalism rapidly rose in the 18th century.
• Central is the concept of national sovereignty, aiming for glory and preservation of the State.
• Emphasis is placed on citizenship, development of patriotism, and national feeling
• Jonathan Herbart, Johan Heinrich Pestalozzi, and Jose Rizal are adherents

Continued

• Nationalism caused language, and helped educate its followers.
• Democracy, the development of state, and state matters such as public knowledge are a large part of the teachings
• The knowledge also uses nature for physical interaction and play

Constructivism

• This says that knowledge comes from reflection and individual learning rather than the state
• Learning comes from the process of experience
• Prominent people include John Dewey, Jean Piaget, and Jerome Bruner

Reconstructionism

• Also called Social Reconstructionism, this awakens the consciousness of individuals on problems and issues to try and solve those with outside efforts
• Includes group interactions with dialogues

Recontructionism on Education

• Schools originate policies and progress to encourage and lead teachers to provide social reforms
• Such teachers should put emphasis on curricula of this type
• Students that take up the problem oriented view will be able to discuss and inquire the world

Behaviorism

• Believes human nature isn't good or bad but that actions shape it, found by John and Ivan, Russian psychologists
• BF Skinner and John Watson are proponents.

Utilitarianism

• Belief that things are geared to achieve happiness through ones own actions
• Proponents of this theory are John Stuart and Jeremy

Rationalism

• Knowledge comes from senses and mind
• Proponents are spinoza, who helped write it , and renae dscartes, the rationalist father

Empiricism

• Knowledge is derived with sense based experimentation
• Founded by John Locke and Francis bacon

Experimentalism

• Using empiricism to create scientific experiments
• Named by John

Electicism

• Choice
• Fusion of knowledge from all sources.
• Proponents:

1. Cicero – Father of Eclecticism.

2. Victor Cousin

Stockisism

• Education is divided into Physics Logics Theirs
• Fate
• Zeno

Hedonism

• Focuses on self pleasure
• Pleasure drives life
• Fred and shara

Eurcarinism

• pleasure is only a tranquil peace of life
• Eat now, drink now, drink now
• All in moderation
• Eprcius and Rose