REALISM AND EDUCATION

What is realism?
 Etymologically it means “about a thing” or concerning some objects.
 In philosophical sense, is the position that the objective of our senses are real
on their own right; they exist independent of their being known to, perceived
by related to mind.
 It regards the worldly realities of every life is true.
 It look at human beings as it would look at any material object.

FORMS OF REALISM AND THEIR IMPACT ON EDUCATION

1. Humanistic Realism
Protagonist of humanistic realism firmly believed that education should be
realistic. Such an education only can promote human welfare and success.
The protagonist of humanistic realism advocated the study of Greek and
Roman literatures
The Protagonist of Humanistic Realism

a. Irasmus (1446 – 1536)

 A resident of England
 According to him, “Knowledge seems to be two kinds, that of things and that
of words, that the word comes first that of things more important.”

b. Milton (1608-1674)
 From England and he was a man of religious nature.
 He has written himself – “ A call therefore a complete and generous education
that which fits a man to perform justly, skillfully and magnanimously all offices
both private and public of peace and war.
 He advocated that education should impart knowledge about God.
 He structured curriculum for children on the age group 12 to 21 years and
included in it Language, Literature, Moral Education and Physiology,
Agriculture, Sculpture, and Physical Education.
 He opposed the education of the masses and mere academic education.

2. Social Realism

Social realism aims to make human life happy and successful by fulfilling the
needs of society. The protagonist of this form of realism were giving more importance
to society and the social environment where they emphasize the attainment of real
knowledge. They opposed on mere academic and bookish knowledge.
 The Protagonist of Social Realism

a. Lord Montaigne (1533 – 1552)

 A famous French educationist.
 According to him that the purpose of education is to develop intelligence and
self-discrimination in children so that they are able to lead their lives smoothly
and successfully.

b. John Locke (1635 – 1704)

 A famous English educationist.
 According to him, the aim of education should be inculcate in children
virtue, wisdom, breeding and capacity to learn.

According to them the curriculum should be include the following

 Geography ● Law
 History ● Diplomacy
 Arithmetic ● Warfare
 Horse-riding ● Dancing
 Gymnastics Exercises, etc.

3. Sense Realism

The protagonist of this realism uphold that knowledge primarily comes through
the senses, not from word. The teaching methods should be scientific, inductive,
based on observation, analysis, and synthesis.
The medium of education should be mother tongue or dialect used in ancient
times.

The Protagonist of Sense Realism

a. Mulcaster (1530 – 1611).
 Belonged to England.
 According to him, “the end of education and training is to help nature to her
perfection.”

b. Francis Bacon. (1562 – 1623).

 Belonged to England.
 He introduced the inductive way of teaching.
 He advocated that education which makes a child useful in the society.

c. Comenius (1592 – 1671).

 A resident of Moravia.
 He asserted that, “the ultimate end of the man is eternal happiness.”
 According to him knowledge comes not only through the senses but through
man’s intelligence and divine inspiration.
4. Neo-Realism
 It’s the acceptance of the methods and results of modern developments in
physics.
 It believes that rules and procedures of science are also changeable.

The Protagonist of Neo Realism

a. Whitehead
 According to him, the conscious-ness, and the un consciousness, the movable
and immovable are of an organism.

b. Bertrand Russell
According to him that Physics is the foremost subject of study.
 He opposed the kindling of emotional exuberance in children.

FOUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF REALISM

1. Realism believes in individual and social development.

2. It believes in the importance of material world.
3. Cause and effect relationship – Scientific principles are universal and
universally accepted.
4. Problems of real life become ideals and values.
5. Fully scientific attitude.
6. It is a pluralistic concept.
PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION
1. Education is based on science only.
2. It emphasizes on behavior and experiment.
3. Child and his present life are centers of education.
4. It opposes book learning.
5. Both the individual and the society are valued.
6. It is liable to a change according to change in life.

AIMS OF EDUCATION
1. Preparing a child for a real life.
2. Developing the physical and mental powers of a child.
3. Preparing a child for a happy life.
4. Developing and training of senses.
5. Acquiring the child with nature and social environment.
6. Imparting vocational education.
CURRICULUM
1. Realistic curriculum is developed according to utility and needs.
2. Subjects concerning day-to-day activities are include in the curriculum.
 3. Main subjects of Realistic Curriculum are: Natural sciences, Biological sciences,
Physical sciences, Health culture, Physical exercise, Maths, Geography, History,
Astronomy, Sports etc.

METHODS OF TEACHING
1. Realists emphasize scientific and objective methods of teaching.
2. It emphasizes informal methods of teaching, walking being the main.
3. Realists emphasize the following methods of teaching. Self-experience and
research, Experimental method, Heuristic method and Correlation method.

TEACHER
1. Teacher’s role is supreme because he brings the child in touch with the external
realities of life.
2. Keeping inside his own views, the teacher imparts scientific knowledge to the
child in an easy and effective way.

DISCIPLINE

1. Realism emphasizes a synthetic form of impressionistic and emancipatory

discipline according to natural and social procedures.
SCHOOL
1. According to Realism school is a socially well planned institutions.
2. It is a mirror of society.

Questions
1. What is realism?
2. What is the aim of Education and Methods of Teaching according to
realism?
3. What is the impact of “Sense Realism” on education?
4. What is the impact of “Social Realism” on education?
5. What is the impact of Realism on curriculum?

Reference:

Shrivastava. K. (2004). Philosophical foundations of education. Realism and

education. Pp. 126 – 153. New Delhi: Kanishka Publishers, Distributors.

Prepared by:
ROSE MARY A. OTAZA

Submitted to:
DR. ALAN S. COMPE