Philosophical school of thought and their impact on education.pptx
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This document discusses several philosophical schools of thought and their impact on education, including idealism, realism, and pragmatism. Idealism believes that ideas are the ultimate reality and truth can be found through abstract thinking. Realism asserts that objective reality exists independently of the mind and can be discovered through scientific observation. Pragmatism is a practical philosophy that assesses ideas based on their practical consequences and real-world applications. Each school of thought is associated with different views of curriculum, teaching methods, and the aims of education.
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Philosophical school of thought and their impact on education.pptx
2. Three Major Areas of Philosophy
Metaphysics - the nature of reality
Axiology - the nature of values
Epistemology - the nature of knowledge
3. Metaphysics
Related to epistemology and asks
the question “What is real?”
Are the things that are real only the
things that can be touched and
measured?
Existentialists
4. Metaphysics
Concerned with theories of the nature of
reality.
Why does the earth exist?
How did it come into being?
Is mankind free?
Is there a God?
What is real?
5. Metaphysics
Common terms used in metaphysics
are:
theodicy
creationism
evolution
spirit
free will
atheism
Metaphysics is the area many people
think of when they hear the term
6. Axiology
concerned with theories of value
Two major divisions of axiology
ethics
What is right and wrong?
What is evil and good?
aesthetics
What is beautiful and ugly?
Some common terms used that relate to
axiology are pessimism, optimism,
hedonism, egoism, and altruism.
7. From axiology, we arrive at an
understanding of “What is good?”
We get ethics from the study of axiology
8. Epistemology
Concerned with theories of
the nature of knowledge
Epistemological questions:
How do people learn?
What knowledge is of utmost value?
What are the different types of knowledge?
9. Epistemology—”How do we know what is
true?”
This is a live question today—Do we listen to
standardized test results to determine how
much students know, or read their portfolios?
12. Idealism (Idea-ism)
any of various systems of thought in
which the objects of knowledge are held
to be in some way dependent on the
activity of mind.
13. Idealism (Idea-ism)
Idealists believe that
ideas are the only true reality.
The material world is characterized by
change, instability, and uncertainty;
ideas are enduring
14. Idealism
We should be concerned primarily with
the search for truth. Since truth is
perfect and eternal, it cannot be found in
the world of matter that is both imperfect
and constantly changing.
15. The Idealist and the Chair
To an idealist, the
concept of “chair”
is important. You
could destroy all
the chairs in the
world but they
would still exist in
the mind. The
idea of a chair is
the ultimate truth.
17. Socrates
Regarded as the father of philosophy
Believed we learn through questioning
(the Socratic method)
Wrote nothing, what we know of his
views were written by his followers,
most notably Plato
18. Plato
A student of Socrates
Known as the father of idealism
Operated a school named
the “Academy”
19. Plato’s views toward education
The state must take an active role in
educational matters
The curriculum must lead bright
students from a concern with concrete
data toward abstract thinking
Students with little ability for
abstraction should go into the
military, business and industry.
20. Plato
Those who demonstrate proficiency in
the dialectic would continue their
education and become philosophers in
positions of power to lead the state
toward the highest good (the
Philosopher-King)
Believed both boys and girls
should be educated and girls
should be equals.
21. Augustine (354-430)
Born in North Africa (Roman citizen)
Mother - Christian, Father - Pagan
Attended Roman Primary School
grammar and literature emphasized
At 16 went to Carthage and studied:
rhetoric, music, geometry, grammar,
mathematics
During his younger days “He lied,
he stole, etc”
22. Augustine. . .
Became a grammaticus in his native
town
Taught rhetoric in Carthage, Rome,
Milan
While in his 30’s was converted to
Christianity, took his holy orders and
became a great evangelist and priest.
Found great favor in the church and
became a great religious leader.
23. Augustine
People do not create knowledge; God
has
already created it,
but people can discover it
through trying to find God.
24. Augustine’s Beliefs
Women were held in low regard (this
view was incorporated into the church
and held for a thousand years)
Only a few people possessed the mental
ability to quest for the truth. Therefore
most people should rely on the
church for knowledge.
25. Augustine’s Beliefs
Augustine used Greek writings but
began to have doubts how people who
did not know God could write anything
which could be of value to Christians.
In 401 the Church outlawed pagan
writings such as Plato and Aristotle
(even the church leaders were not
allowed to read the
ancient literature). This continued
for 1000 years.
26. Augustine’s Beliefs
about Teaching
Encouraged the use of summaries
Believed teachers should teach through
persuasion and by leading impeccable
lives.
Teachers should not expect to increase
their worldly stores through teaching.
The “stick and fist” were needed to
keep students in line since people
were wicked (because of Adam).
27. The Church and Idealism
Idealism has exerted a great amount of
influence on Christianity.
For centuries the Christian church was
the creator and protector of schooling.
Generations educated in these schools
were indoctrinated with the idealist
point of view (including early
American education).
28. Descartes (1596-1650)
A renowned mathematician
Wrestled with the question of what was
real. Did he really exist (perhaps he was
a dream). He finally concluded:
“I think, therefore I am”
Thinking and ideas are the
ultimate truth.
29. George Berkeley (1685-1753)
Existence is dependent upon some mind
to know it, and if there are no minds,
nothing would exist unless it is
perceived in the mind of God.
30. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
“…the greatest and most difficult
problem to which a man can devote
himself is the problem of education…”
Education should teach students how to
think according to principles -
moral laws, moral ideals and
moral imperatives
Enlightenment is the goal of
education
31. Educational Aims of Idealism
Develop the mind
Search for true ideas
Character development
Self-realization
32. Educational Aims of Idealism
True education is concerned with ideas
rather than matter.
The idealists want to give students a
broad understanding of the world in
which they live.
The aim of education is to discover and
develop each individual's abilities and
full moral excellence in order to better
serve society.
33. The Curriculum of the Idealist
The idealist concentrates on the mental
development of the learner. The
curriculum emphasizes the study of the
humanities. The proper study of
mankind, history, and
literature are the center of the idealist
curriculum.
34. The Curriculum of the Idealist
Literary pieces considered the
masterworks of humanity occupy an
important place in the ideal curriculum.
Pure mathematics is also included in
the curriculum as it is based upon
universal a priori principles and provide
methods of dealing with abstractions.
The library is the center of activity in the
idealist school.
35. The Curriculum of the Idealist
The subject matter for the school is that
which is concerned with the ideal person
and ideal society.
The curriculum does not deal
adequately with social policy.
The teacher occupies a crucial position
in the idealist school. The teacher
serves as a living example of what the
student can become intellectually,
socially, and ethically.
36. The Curriculum of the Idealist
The teacher’s role is to pass on the
knowledge of reality as he or she stands
closer to the Absolute than do the
students.
37. The Teaching Method of the Idealist
Idealists rely on lectures and
discussions.
Students also learn by imitating the
teacher or some other person who is
closely attuned with the Absolute.
Idealists also rely heavily on deductive
logic.
The idealist has little uses for field trips
and sensory data.
39. Realism
The philosophy, attitude or practice of
accepting a situation as it is and being
prepared to deal with it accordingly.
40. Realism
Reality, knowledge and value exist
independent of the human mind. Trees,
sticks and stones exist whether or not
there is a human mind to perceive them.
The ultimate reality is the world of
physical objects. The focus is on the
body/objects. Truth is objective-what can
be observed
41. Realism
Ideas must be subject to public
verification
must be proven through scientific
experimentation
“Science for the sake of science”
42. Leaders of Realism
Aristotle(384-322 BC)
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
John Locke (1632-1704)
43. Aristotle (384-322 BC)
Ideas may be important but a proper
study of matter could lead us to better
and more distinct ideas.
Aristotle is called the father of both
Realism and the scientific method. In
this metaphysical view, the aim is to
understand objective reality through "the
diligent and unsparing scrutiny of all
observable data."
44. Aristotle (384-322 BC)
Logic was for Aristotle the necessary
tool of any inquiry, and the syllogism
was the sequence that all logical thought
follows.
Aristotle also taught that knowledge of a
thing, requires an explanation of
causality , or why it is. He posited four
causes or principles of explanation: the
material cause (the substance of which
the thing is made); the formal cause (its
design); the efficient cause (its maker or
45. Aquinas (1225-1274)
God created matter; therefore it must be
ok to learn about it
This view helped lead civilization out of
the dark ages, replaced the influence of
Augustine
46. Aquinas
Truth was passed from God to Humans
by divine revelation, but God also has
endowed humans with the reasoning
ability to
seek out the truth.
47. Bacon (1561-1626)
Novum Organum - challenged
Aristotelian logic
Science must be concerned with inquiry,
pure and simple with no preconceived
notions
We need to examine all previously
accepted knowledge
48. Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Need to rid our mind of “idols”
Idol of the Den - we believe things
because of limited experience
Idol of the Tribe - we believe things
because many people believe them
Idol of the Marketplace - we are
mislead by language
Idol of the Theatre - Religion and
philosophy may prevent us from
seeing the world objectively
49. Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Known as the father of inductive reasoning
arrive at generalizations from systematic
observations of particulars
Died as a result of the only experiment he
performed - stuffed a dead chicken with snow to
see if it would preserve the flesh, caught a cold
and died
50. John Locke (1632-1704)
At birth, the mind is a blank sheet of
paper - a tabula rasa
All ideas are derived from experience by
way of sensation and reflection
51. The Realist and the Chair
To a realist, the
actuality of “chair” is
important. A realist
would measure the
chair, weight it,
examine the physical
characteristics, etc.
The fact that the
chair exists is the
ultimate truth.
52. Realism and Education
The primary aims of education are to
teach children the laws of nature and
those values that will lead to the good
life. Of course, the good life is that which
conforms to the
natural law.
53. Curriculum of the Realist
The Realist curriculum emphasizes the
subject matter of the physical world,
particularly science and mathematics.
The teacher organizes and presents
content systematically within a
discipline, demonstrating use of criteria
in making decisions
54. Curriculum should be scientifically
approached, standardized, and distinct-
discipline based.
Character is developed through training
in the rules of conduct.
55. The Method of the Realist
The method of the realist involves
teaching for the mastery of facts in order
to develop an understanding of the
natural law. This is best accomplished
by using drills and exercises.
56. Teaching methods also focus the
mastery of basic skills through
demonstration and recitation. Students
must also demonstrate the ability to
think critically and scientifically, using
observation and experimentation.
57. Learning is enhanced through direct or
indirect sensory experiences such as
field trips, the use of films, filmstrips,
records, television, radio, etc.
59. Pragmatism
It is an approach that assesses the truth
of meaning of theories or beliefs in
terms of the success of their practical
application.
60. Pragmatism
The root of the word Pragmatism is a
Greek word meaning “work”.
It is primarily a 20th century philosophy
developed by Americans.
Truth is what works in the real world. We
must keep the desired end in mind.
Ideas should be applied to solving
problems; including social problems.
61. American Pragmatists
Charles Sanders Peirce, 1839-1914
Widely acknowledged as the father of
pragmatism
Wrote an article on “How to make our
Ideas Clear” in Popular Science Monthly
that is regarded as the basis for
pragmatism.
True knowledge of anything depends
upon verification of our ideas in actual
experience.
Believed that thought must produce
62. American Pragmatists
William James, 1842-1910
The truth of an idea is its “workability”
Truth is not absolute and immutable;
rather it is made in actual, real-life
James called his philosophy “radical
empericism”
James’s 1907 book “Pragmatism”
did much to promote pragmatism.
63. American Pragmatists
John Dewey, 1859-1952
Need to concentrate on real-life problems
Sought practical solutions for practical problems
64. The Pragmatist and the Chair
To a pragmatist, the
use of the “chair” is
important. What is
the purpose of the
chair and does it
fulfill that purpose?
The “workability” of a
chair is the ultimate
truth.
65. Pragmatism: Method/Curriculum
For Pragmatists, teaching methods
focus on hands-on problem solving,
experimenting, and projects, often
having students work in groups.
Curriculum should bring the disciplines
together to focus on solving problems in
an interdisciplinary way.
66. Pragmatism: Method/Curriculum
Education should be preparation for life
Solving problems is important; therefore
use real-life situations
Teaching methods should be varied and
flexible
Education should be action oriented
67. Pragmatism: Method/Curriculum
The curriculum should be learner-
centered. Needs and interests of
students should be considered.
Curriculum changes as the needs of the
learner vary. Because reality is
constantly changing, the curriculum
should be built around natural units
which grow out of the pressing
questions and
experiences of the learner.
68. Thus, the function of the school should
be to teach students to manage change
and adapt in a healthy manner. The
process of learning is more important
than the content.
69. Rather than passing down organized
bodies of knowledge to new learners,
Pragmatists believe that learners should
apply their knowledge to real situations
through experimental inquiry. This
prepares students for citizenship, daily
living, and future careers.
71. Reconstructionism
is a philosophy that emphasizes the addressing
of social questions and a quest to create a better
society and worldwide democracy.
72. Reconstructionism
Society is in need of constant reconstruction
Such social change involves both a
reconstruction of education and the use of
education in reconstructing society
Problems are viewed holistically
Futuristic thinking (utopian thinking)
73. Reconstructionism
Do not believe preparing students for the world as
it exists today will be sufficient (too much
emphasis on the status quo)
75. Reconstructionism
The goal of education should be to emphasize
the need for change
Students should be out in the real world
“World” curriculum
Technology is valuable
in solving problems
76. Noted Reconstructionists
Those who focused on a curriculum that
highlights social reform.
George S. Counts
Theodore Brameld
Paole Freire
Karl Marx
Ivan Illich
John Dewey (he is also recognized as a
pragmatist)
77. The Reconstructionist
and the Chair
To a
reconstructionist, the
redesign of the
“chair” to better
serve the needs of
society is important.
How can the chair be
improved to prepare
society for the
future?
78. What reconstructionists believe
Reconstruction-ists
point to a time in the
past when they
believe that things
were better
They would re-create
education to be like
things were back
during that time
They cite research,
particularly historical,
to show that things
are not going well
79. What reconstructionists would teach
Reconstructionists would teach the subjects that
were taught during that “golden age.”
The subjects would be those that were taught
during that time.
If the 1960s, for instance, they would teach usage
of the slide rule.
83. Existentialism
is a philosophy concerned with finding self
and the meaning of life through free will,
choice, and personal responsibility.
84. Existentialism
The belief is that people are searching to find out
who and what they are throughout life as they
make choices based on their experiences,
beliefs, and outlook.
And personal choices become unique
without the necessity of an
objective form of truth.
85. Existentialism
Received new emphasis in the 60s and 70s
Civil rights
Women rights
Individual rights
Special needs
86. Existentialism
In education
curriculum was revamped to meet the needs (more
accurately - demands) of individuals
mainstreaming
Pass or fail grade policies
extended drop deadlines in college
elimination of core courses
decline of corporal punishment
87. Existentialism
Traditional philosophies - consider questions
about the nature of knowledge, truth and meaning
but:
Existentialists are concerned with
how these things are educationally
significant within the lived
experiences of individuals.
89. Existentialism and Schools
A good education emphasizes individuality
Students should take a positive role in shaping
their schools
90. Existentialism and Schools
Students shouldn’t have to:
attend classes
take examinations
receive grades
There is no set curriculum
91. Noted Existentialists
Those who believe that a person should be
forced to choose and be responsible without the
help of laws, ethnic rules, or traditions.
Soren Kierkegaard
Martin Heidegger
Martin Buber
Jean-Paul Sartre
92. The Existentialist and the Chair
To an existentialist, the
individuals use of “chair”
is important. Whatever
the individual wants to
do with the chair is
important. The
experience of the
individual with the chair
is the ultimate truth.
93. Existentialism
Existentialists celebrate the human existence
Very subjective
Emphasis on meaning within each individual
May doubt external reality
Emphasis on present
94. What existentialists believe
Existentialists
believe in the
consciousness of the
self
They are very
concerned with
whether students
find school to be a
satisfying experience
95. What existentialists would teach
Not the same
subjects to
everyone, since not
everyone would
enjoy the same
things
They would
emphasize self-
esteem and a
feeling of self-worth
They would include
topics such as
values clarification
and . . . .
97. Essentialism
a belief that things have a set of
characteristics which make them
what they are, and that the task of
science and philosophy is their
discovery and expression.
98. Emphasis on a traditional
education
Development of the mind
Core curriculum
Reality is based in the physical
world
Teacher-directed learning
99. Essentialism and Education
It views that all
children should
be taught on
traditional lines
the ideas and
methods
regarded as
essential to the
prevalent culture.
100. Essentialism and Education
It is the view that categories of people,
such as women and men, or
heterosexuals and homosexuals, or
members of ethnic groups, have
intrinsically different and characteristic
natures or dispositions.
“Essence precedes existence”.
101. The Essentialist and the Chair
To an essentialist, the essence
of the “chair” is important. The
“chair” has its attribute, or set of
attributes, that makes it what it
fundamentally is.
Thus, for any specific kind
of entity, there is a set
of characteristics or properties or
traits, all of which any entity of
that kind must have. A member
of a specific kind of entity may
possess other characteristics but
these
neither establish nor preclude its
membership.
109. Behaviorism
Behaviorism believes in a science of behavior
that would shape the world into a better place to
live
Behaviorists to some degree rightfully claim that
behaviorism naturally occurs in the world whether
people acknowledge it or not
110. What behaviorists believe
Behaviorists believe
in a science of
behavior
They rely heavily on
scientific studies of
behavior and how
behavior is
influenced by its
consequences
111. What behaviorists would teach
Behaviorists are at least as concerned about how
people behave as what they know
They do not tend to be big innovators in
curriculum
They will however give a fair trial to any new
curricula that someone else might write
112. Where Behaviorism shines
Special ed
situations, where
students do not pick
up on subtle cues
about learning or
behavior
Alternative and
problem schools
113. Where behaviorism will come
short
Situations where behavior is not so much the
need as the learning of academic content
Situations where students have internalized
appropriate behavior and behavior does not need
to be emphasized at the expense of scholarship.
115. Perennialism
Perennialism is a teacher-centered
educational philosophy that focuses on
everlasting ideas and universal truths.
To clarify, Perennialism suggests that
the focus of education should be the
ideas that have lasted for centuries
believing the ideas are as relevant and
meaningful today as when they were
written.
116. Perennialism
Perennialists like to
teach time-honored
curricula, including
the classics such as
Plato an Aristotle
They don’t like
change.
117. Perennialism
They would include subjects
such as:
Geometry
English literature
Geography
Algebra
Trigonometry
History
Bookkeeping
119. Classroom Management
Assign seats in rows.
Be strict, but not necessarily expert,
with punishment and reward.
Set up classroom rules.
120. Orientation Expected
Self-contained knowledge--teacher
is supposed to know all the
answers
Teacher is the “fountain of all
knowledge.”
Students are passive listeners
121. Reality Testing for Perennialists
Paper-pencil test
Recitation
Standardized test
122. Future Orientation for
Perennialists
Expect future to continue in the same vein as the
present
Belief that knowing the classics of the past will
equip students for the future
123. Where Perennialism Shines
Perennialism does help to dampen the uncertain
effects of the fads that come to education
Not every new idea is a good one, or one that will
even be effective.
Perennialism plays well to traditional communities
124. A healthy balance
Each of the
philosophies has
something to offer
The only hazard
happens when one
philosophy rules for
a long period of time