Philosophy of Education

My Own Philosophy of
Education
Abstract: Humanism believes in the concept of the inner reality of the students, within this reality
of the students we can find the thoughts, emotions and the feelings thus allowing us to understand
the importance and relationship of human development to education (introduced by the ideas of
Rogers, Maslow and Erikson). With this key ideas education shift from traditional teaching to
humanistic teaching, allowing us to refined the method and roles of teachers in education. This
paper will introduced the main principles, features and application of Humanism to education and
as well as to teachers.
The main principle of Humanism is to guide teachers in order for them to approach students
in way that will promote the process of continual improvement of cognitive skills, formation of
personality and as well as their power of sense which can lead to students fully knowing themselves
according to Firdaus (2017). Although it will diminish the importance of textbooks and the
importance of Teachers as the body of knowledge and excessively be oblivious of this approach
in the quality of education. However, Humanistic approach is more on student – centered focus
rather than passive learning method when it comes to developing the knowledge gathered in
experience, Humanistic approach is the fusion of both Psychoanalysis (Introduce by Sigmund
Freud) and Behaviorism (Introduced by John Watson) and establishing awareness when it comes
to the impact of human needs to human growth and behavior.
Humanism provide teachers a more innovative approach in education, Humanism is more

on student – centered in which Carl Rogers believes that the main task of the teacher is to motivate
the students in reaching self – actualization according to Du (2012). It allows teachers to
understand and be more mindful in the students’ behavior and at the same time developing there
cognitive skills because according to Carl Rogers Humanistic approach is corelated to the student’s
behavior inside the classroom, it is connected to their inner feelings or emotions. In his own point
of view a teacher must not offer the learning or knowledge simply to students rather they must
offer learning method because to establish good learning atmosphere the students must not be a
passive learners rather they must formulate new learnings/meaning in that learning method through
applying their own critical thinking skills.
According to Firdaus (2017) that the concept in psychoanalysis can be found in Humanism,
which is to develop, new profound ideas, methods, and both of them are more focus on the
subjectivity (emotions) and to observe the self – efficacy of the student. However Psychoanalysis
is more focus on how unconscious state influence the behavior or emotions of the students while
Humanism is more focus on the conscious state and the self – development, same believe that can
be found in Behaviorism because both of them focuses on the behavior of the individual. Both
Humanism and Behaviorism concentrate on the individual’s mind in conscious state, they both
believe that behavior of an individual was the result of what the individual did, felt and even
believed at. That is the reason why Abraham Maslow believes that Humanism is the fusion of
Psychoanalysis and Behaviorism. Humanism believes that a teacher must possess the behavior of
expressing sincere emotion, understanding and care in the students’ development both in cognitive,
critical thinking and in emotional aspect. A teacher and students must form a strong relationship
bonded by the emotional communication. This will help the student’s desire for imagination,
creation and self – esteem.
Humanism approach open the concept of gaining critical awareness through the means of
self-exploration of students it is believed that education is always been an important part of society
in which students practice their freedom and the aim of the education is for the students to achieve
self – actualization. Al – Khalidi (2015) stated that teachers must not only know how to teach
rather must possess a deep awareness on how important human needs is on human growth.
Abraham Maslow believes that a human being are influenced or motivated by their needs. The
needs influence the behavior until that “need” is satisfied (e.g. a student who does not have his/her
breakfast yet will have a hard time focusing or the students having a problem or not content in
his/her security aspect will have hard time putting his/her focus on school related works). Abraham
Maslow also believes that once we satisfied a level of needs we will try to fulfill the needs that are
included in the next level. Within that context, a teacher who are practicing the application of
humanism in education, must always remember the Hierarchy of Needs of Abraham Maslow when
interacting with students and use that to make students appreciate learning and at the same time
expound the understanding for his/her students.
Humanism in the field of education allows teachers and students to have mutual respect
and understanding with each other thus creating a humane environment where students can
practice their creative outlook of the society, ethical, values and morale which is a vital factor in
reaching self – actualization (the prime goal of education). With this vital factor in reaching self –
actualization, the teachers will be able to formulate innovative learning method where students are
expose in social issues and at the same time developing the appreciation of the students when it
comes to education. In addition, humanism in education also denies the analogous fashion of
education where it is believed that students must be passive learners, where in the humanism in
education embrace the concept of “know thyself” of the Socratic tradition whereas it believes in
the transformation of knowledge in reaching self – discovery.
Humanism approach in education gives students the chance to grow and choose through
the means of self – development, students can form new meaning through the learnings that he/she
acquired through the learning method provided by the Teacher (Facilitator) which resulted to
freedom of ideas and developing of self - esteem.. Nevertheless, Humanism approach offers
teachers to be awaken in the possibility that teachers can enhance and create new interest, in
addition teachers must possess skills and competences that is needed for students to be more
critical thinkers and more engage in learning through the means of sharing the responsibility of
forming new knowledge and creating an environment that will stimulate the growth of the students.

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My Own Philosophy of

Humanism provide teachers a more innovative approach in education, Humanism is more

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