The Perennialism Philosophy of Education

Perennialism in Education: Emphasizing Universal Truths and Intellectual Development

• Perennialism draws from both idealism and realism in its educational philosophy.
• Perennialists believe that education should be the same for everyone, based on the common nature of man.
• The philosophy of perennialism assumes the existence of permanent studies and universal knowledge.
• Perennial truths, which are absolute and universal, should be pursued in education.
• The great books are seen as a valuable source of perennial truths and should be taught to all students.
• Reasoning and intellectual development are highly emphasized in perennialism.
• The curriculum should consist of separate subjects taught in their traditional forms, such as History, Geography, and Civics.
• The combination of subjects under a broader category like "Social Studies" is discouraged.
• Literature, Philosophy, and Theology are also important subjects in perennialism, as they are believed to sharpen the mind.
• Perennialism focuses on the significance of reasoning and intellectual growth in education.
• The philosophy assumes that there are timeless truths that can be discovered and understood by all.
• Perennialism advocates for a curriculum that prioritizes the teaching of important subjects in their distinct forms.