0STUDY GUIDECHAPTER 9: WHAT ARE THE PHILOSOPHICAL

FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN EDUCATION?

Completing this study guide will help you prepare for the major topic areas on an exam; however, it does
not cover every piece of information found in the chapter or the test questions.0
00. Define the word philosophy.

the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when
considered as an academic discipline.

00. List and define the four branches of philosophical study.

00. Compare and contrast inductive and deductive reasoning.

Inductive- logical process
Deductive-using a valid argument and reaching a conclusion

00. List and describe the characteristics of the four educational philosophies described in your text. Be
able to recognize examples of each (goals, methods, teacher role, student role, key ideas, and so
forth).

Perennialism:

Views nature and human nature as constant unchanging.

Purpose of like is to search for constant changeless truth.

Education develops mental discipline needed to search for eternal truths.

Curriculum is based on timeless classics in Western culture, such as great books.

Essentialism:

Views the mind as the central element of reality.

Learning happens through contact with the physical world and reasoning from
observations.

Curriculum base on a core of essential knowledge for living a productive life.

Romanticism:

Nature and human nature are preferable to the evils of organized society.

Needs and interests of the individual student are more important that those of society.

Learning is self-guided and self-placed.

Curriculum is led by childs curiosity rather than set by teachers.

Progressivism:

Views nature as ever-changing.

Knowledge must be constantly redefined and rediscovered to keep up with constant

change in the world.

Purpose of education is to learn to solve problems and discover knowledge.

Curriculum based on problems to solve, either created by teacher or discovered by

students.

School should be democratic to provide practice for participation in democratic

government.

00. Describe the fields of aesthetics and ethics.

00. Who is John Dewey, and with which educational philosophy is he most closely associated?

Education is a continuous reconstruction of experience.

Should teach not what to think but how to think.

He is the most influential figure in the history of American Educational thought.

00. What is an eclectic philosophy and what are the hazards associated with holding such a position?

The teacher selects what he or she believes to be the most attractive

features of several philosophies