PHILOSOPHY AND EDUCATION

MEANING OF PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly

speculative rather than observational means. Philosophy in Sanskrit is a ‘Darshan’ which means
knowledge of the truth. The word ‘philosophy’ is a combined form of two Latin words ‘Philos’
and ‘Sophia’. ‘Philos’ means love and ‘Sophia’ means wisdom or knowledge. Thus philosophy
means love for knowledge or passion for learning.

DEFINITIONS OF PHILOSOPHY

According to Plato, Knowledge of the eternal nature of things, which in fact, knowledge
of the true nature of different things is Philosophy.

Aristotle defined Philosophy as a science which discovers the real nature of supernatural
things.

According to Fichte, Philosophy is a science of knowledge.

Russell called Philosophy a logical knowledge of basic principles of different sciences.

MEANING OF EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Educational Philosophy can refer either to the application of philosophy to the problem
of education, examining the definition, goals and meaning of education, or to any particular
vision of or approach to education. Philosophy of education is "the philosophical study
of education and its problems...its central subject matter is education, and its methods are
those of philosophy".
SCOPE OF PHILOSOPHY OF EDUACTION
 Aims and ideals of education.
 Interpretation of human nature.
 Educational values.
 Theory of knowledge.
 Relationship of education and various area of national life and various components of
the system of education.

ROLE OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUACTION

 Determining the aims of education.
 Harmonizing old and new traditions in the field of education.
 Understanding and deciding the nature of subject matter.

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  Providing the educational planners, administrators and educators with the progressive
vision to achieve educational development.
 Preparing the young generation to face the challenges of modern time.
 Understanding the nature of learner.
 Influences teaching methods and techniques.
 Explains how subject matter guides students learning activities should.
 Finding out behavior trend in order to carry out one’s philosophical position.
In brief, it is a philosophical process of solving educational problems through philosophical
method, from a philosophical attitude to arrive at philosophical conclusions and results. Thus, it
aims at achieving general as well as comprehensive results.

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