Educ 104 Advanced Philosophy of Education

Answer the following questions:

1. What is Is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence,
Philosophy? especially when considered as an academic discipline.
A particular system of philosophical thought.

the study of the theoretical basis of a particular branch of knowledge or

experience.

Synonyms: thinking, thought, reasoning

"the philosophy of Aristotle"

2. Define Philosophy of
Education
3. ?
Behind every school and every teacher is a set of related beliefs--a philosophy of education--that
influences what and how students are taught. A philosophy of education represents answers to
questions about the purpose of schooling, a teacher's role, and what should be taught and by what
methods.

3. Importance of Philosophy
of Education

Eleven Reasons Why Philosophy is Important

1. Philosophy helps us be reasonable. Learning to be reasonable is of utmost importance because we

all have to make choices and accomplish goals. Being reasonable enables us make good choices,
accomplish our goals, live a better life, and become better people. Just about everyone knows that
other people are often unreasonable and could benefit from taking classes that specialize in
reasoning, like logic; but almost everyone is biased about their own reasonableness. We can often
see the shortcomings of others, but not of ourselves. If “everyone else” should learn to be more
reasonable, than so should we.

2. It helps us be moral. Morality is of the utmost importance because our decisions can have a
powerful impact on ourselves and others. Our decisions can help or hurt people. We want fewer
criminals, more people to help the poor, fewer CEOs who dump toxic waste in third world
countries, more people to demand that the government stop handing out billions of dollars to oil
companies in “subsidies,” fewer corrupt cops and politicians, fewer judges who accept bribes, and
so on.

3. 3. It offers us knowledge. Philosophy has offered us the knowledge necessary to understand formal
logic, develop natural science, discover highly plausible beliefs concerning being reasonable, highly
plausible beliefs concerning morality, and more. Even the highly speculative areas of philosophy
involving the nature of reality, mental causation, the nature of mathematics, the nature of
morality, and controversial applied ethics involves a great deal of knowledge. In particular, we can
realize that certain hypotheses are untenable even when we have no way of knowing the absolute
truth once and for all. This is not much different from how natural scientists develop scientific
 theories. Sometimes we simply can't prove which theory is “best” even though the experts know
much more than the rest of us.

4. It is enjoyable. Why is philosophical knowledge so important? Again, it is important to be a

reasonable and moral person. However, the knowledge we attain through philosophy is also
enjoyable and perhaps even “good for its own sake.” It might be worthy of learning just because
it's a good kind of knowledge to have, even when it's not used for anything.

5. It helps lead to many of the greatest achievements. Philosophy itself is often the greatest human
achievement in itself because human beings using their minds to reason well about complected
issues includes some of the greatest work we've ever done. When we look at ou

6. It satisfies our sense of being a human being in a unique way. There is a sense of being a human
being beyond our jobs, beyond our family, beyond our own benefit. There is a thirst for
knowledge of the most difficult issues—reality, reasonableness, and ethics. We want to know how
to make the world a better place and prioritize our lives in the best way possible. We want to
know more about what it means to be a human being and to contemplate the majesty of our
existence. history and other cultures, their philosophy is a reflection of the greatness of their entire
civilization. However, the practical implications of philosophy are also of the utmost importance—
the creation of logic, computers, and natural science.

7. It helps us live a better life. Philosophy can help us live a better life in at least two ways. One, a
“good life” can be, in part, a philosophical life. Two, it can help us decide how our lives can be
improved.

8. A philosophical life might be a better life.

People used to want to seek enlightenment because enlightenment itself was one of the best things
we could do. Philosophy offers the greatest kind of enlightenment that I know of. Not only could
the knowledge of philosophy be good in itself, but a philosophical life (to try to live in accordance
with philosophical knowledge) could also be good in itself. To become philosophical was once
seen as to become a better sort of being. To become more “godly.” Someone who studied
philosophy might even hope to become a god. (This was even agreed upon by some Christian
philosophers, such as Boethius.) I doubt that we can become gods, but I suspect that philosophy
can help us become better people. Nietzsche thought that becoming godlike was asking for too
much, so he just hoped to become an overman, a better kind of person. That might be the right
kind of attitude to have. A philosophical life can help us achieve our goals. –

Philosophy offers us a path to improve our critical thinking skills far beyond anything else I know
of. These skills are holistic and can be applied in every domain of our life. To learn to “make
sense” means we can “make sense” in our personal life and figure out what mistakes we have been
making day to day. We can use philosophy to help us figure out how to improve the world,
improve ourselves, and have better relationships.

Philosophy offers one of the best sorts of “self improvement” that self-help gurus tend to be too
impatient to really learn about. This sort of “self-help” requires “too much thinking” and “too
much work” when people want a “quick fix.” The best way to improve our lives isn’t to take a pill
or to try to “get rich quick.” It’s to work on improving ourselves a little at a time. To learn about
philosophy is to learn about the world, improve our critical thinking, and to use our philosophical
knowledge and skills in everyday life.

9. It helps us identify deception. We know many religions are wrong and use manipulative
techniques similar to cults. We know advertising agencies, propaganda, and politicians try to
 deceive people because they are often successful at doing so. We know that there is bad science
that can't be trusted. There is good reasoning and bad reasoning and it's possible to learn more
about the difference between the two. Once we learn the difference, we will be able to identify
deception, avoid deception, and help others learn about it. Fighting against deception is part of
making the world a better place. Those using deception to attain more money and power often
hurt people in the process.

10. It helps us understand the history of thought. Philosophy can teach you the history that is often
taken out of history books—the history of worldviews and thought itself. You can't know how we
have “progressed” and attained the wonders of science and technology without knowing the
history of philosophy.

11. It helps us be more creative. Philosophy can help us learn how to think more creatively. Learning
about the answers people have thought of to life's greatest questions opens possibilities that you
would have a very difficult time to realize on your own. Philosophers often contribute to the
world by thinking in entirely new ways and offering entirely new answers—and you can learn to
do so as well through example. You might think you are creative now, but odds are that many of
your ideas are the same as someone else's. Would you rather know what ideas are already thought
of so you can make sure your own ideas are unique or do you want to end up developing the
same ideas that many others have come up with?

Philosophy can help make the world a better place. I think philosophy is of the utmost
importance. The horrors of the world can often be attributable to a defect of the culture rather
than just an isolated case of immorality. Our lack of reasonableness and a lack of moral knowledge
is part of our culture. If philosophy becomes widespread and valued in enough people's lives, then
our entire culture will be improved and the behavior of people within the culture will be
improved. This is a holistic way to make the world a better place.

4. What do teacher-centered
philosophies of education
differ from student-centered
philosophies of education?
Teacher-centered philosophies tend to be more authoritarian and conservative, and emphasize the
values and knowledge that have survived through time. The major teacher-centered philosophies of
education are essentialism and perennialism.

Student-centered philosophies are more focused on individual needs, contemporary relevance, and
preparing students for a changing future. School is seen as an institution that works with youth to improve
society or help students realize their individuality. Progressivism, social reconstructionism, and
existentialism place the learner at the center of the educational process: Students and teachers work
together on determining what should be learned and how best to learn it.
5. What are the major philosophies
of education in the phil. today?
differ from student-centered
philosophies of education?

Essentialism focuses on teaching the essential elements of academic and moral knowledge. Essentialists
urge that schools get back to the basics; they believe in a strong core curriculum
and high academic standards.

Perennialism focuses on the universal truths that have withstood the test of time. Perennialists urge that
students read the Great Books and develop their understanding of the philosophical concepts that underlie
human knowledge.

Progressivism is based largely on the belief that lessons must be relevant to the students in order for
them to learn. The curriculum of a progressivist school is built around the personal experiences, interests,
and needs of the students.

Socialreconstructionists separated from progressivism because they desired more direct and immediate
attention to societal ills. They are interested in combining study and social action, and believe that
education can and should go hand in hand with ameliorating social problems.

Existentialism is derived from a powerful belief in human free will, and the need for individuals to shape
their own futures. Students in existentialist classrooms control their own education. Students are
encouraged to understand and appreciate their uniqueness and to assume responsibility for their actions.

6.What are the branches of

Philosophy?

What are the five branches of philosophy?

Metaphysics Study of Existence What's out there?

Epistemology Study of Knowledge How do I know about it?
Ethics Study of Action What should I do?
Politics Study of Force What actions are permissible?
Esthetics Study of Art What can life be like?

7.Which branch of hilosophy

would you want to
emphasize in your
classroom?
Essentialism and perennialism give teachers the power to choose the curriculum, organize the school
day, and construct classroom activities. The curriculum reinforces a predominantly Western heritage while
viewing the students as vessels to be filled and disciplined in the proven strategies of the past. Essentialists
focus on cultural literacy, while perennialists work from the Great Books.

Progressivism, social reconstructionism, and existentialism view the learner as the central focus of
classroom activities. Working with student interests and needs, teachers serve as guides and facilitators in
assisting students to reach their goals. The emphasis is on the future, and on preparing students to be
independent-thinking adults. Progressivists strive for relevant, hands-on learning. Social
reconstructionistswant students to actively work to improve society. Existentialists give students complete
freedom, and complete responsibility, with regard to their education.

8.Which general or worldview

philosophy best fits with your
own views of reality?
to emphasize in your classroom?
Absurdism

‘’In philosophy, The Absurd refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek inherent value and
meaning in life and the human inability to find any’’

There is no meaning in this life, the universe just is. This gives you the freedom to create your
own meaning, whatever that may be.

We do not know anything for certain, and never will, therefore why not live life the way you want, and
do what makes you happy. This belief helps me to forget about the insignificant problems that should not
consume my thoughts, and focus on what I really value ex. Love, family, human connections, the beauty
found in the everyday moments, etc.

9. What have you learned from the

history of education that is related to
metaphysical philosophiesto
emphasize in your classroom?

Commit to spending your entire life trying to become a deeper person. …

You must first recognize that there is no end to acquiring depth.

There is no magic threshold you cross where you are suddenly a deep person. Seeking wisdom is a lifelong
undertaking. The decision is all that matters here, and you have already taken the first and most important
step. In every moment in your life, you have a choice of how to act and what to take away from that
experience. If you want to add depth to your life, you need to take the attitude of never being complete,
always exploring uncharted territories, and integrating every piece of information reality presents
to you. You must be committed to truth, not matter where it takes you. Only with this attitude
can you sustain lifelong inquiry.
 10. Why study of philosophy be
particularly important to
educators?

This is important because as teaching constantly evolves, it is important for teachers to stay
grounded in a single philosophy, the goal of letting students learn, and not be swept away by new
ideas claiming to make students learn more. That is not to say that teachers shouldn’t be innovative,
but they should be careful, to learn and remember the goal of their profession.

I have a science teacher, who doesn’t teach, and if she does, teaches us the wrong information. She
has tried all of these different techniques to encourage us to learn, but because she has forgotten the
philosophy of education, she is swept away and no longer providing us with what we come to school
to do; to learn. It is essentially a waste of time.

Anyhow, the point is that teachers need to have something to hold on to, as the education world
constantly evolves.

11. Discuss the philosophical context

with Plato, Rousseau, Aristotle, Kant
and Dewey.

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are the three most legendary ancient Greek philosophers. Socrates is hailed
today as the personification of wisdom and the philosophical life. He gave rise to what is now called the
Socratic method, in which the teacher repeatedly questions students to help them clarify their own deepest
thoughts.

Plato, Socrates's pupil, crafted eloquent dialogues that present different philosophical positions on a
number of profound questions. Plato believed that a realm of externally existing"ideas," or"forms,"
underlies the physical world.

Aristotle, Plato's pupil, was remarkable for the breadth as well as the depth of his knowledge. He
provided a synthesis of Plato's belief in the universal, spiritual forms and a scientist's belief in the physical
world we observe through our senses. He taught that the virtuous life consists of controlling desires by
reason and by choosing the moderate path between extremes.

12. Meaning, scope &

functions of philosophy
of education.

Functions of Philosophy of Education.

Philosophy of education is a field of applied philosophy, drawing from the traditional fields of
philosophy (ontology, ethics, epistemology, etc.) and its approaches (speculative philosophy, prescriptive,
and/or analytic) to address questions regarding education policy, human development, and curriculum
theory, to name a few. Put another way, philosophy of education is the philosophical study of the
purpose, process, nature and ideals of education. For example, it might study what constitutes upbringing
and education, the values and norms revealed through upbringing and educational practices, the
limits and
The Scope of philosophy of education

is unlimited. The formulation of aims and the objectives of education is the main responsibility of
educational philosophy. For achieving the set objectives, specific curriculum and specific methods are
needed. For example, if the object of education is the development of the personality of the learner, such
methods should be applied which help in the attainment of this goal. If it is agreed that the aim of
education is 'the progress in agriculture and industry', courses related to these fields must be included in the
curriculum. Thus the plans and policies of education, the choice of subjects for a suitable curriculum, the
textbooks the employment of methods of teaching, and the tone of discipline required are all influenced
by the philosophy of education. Philosophy of education occupies a central place in the philosophical
thoughts.

The Meaning of philosophy of education

Remigilda D. Gallardo, EdD.

Graduate School Professor
RMC, Davao City