The Modern Age of Philosophy of Education

Reported by: Edlyn L. Balat

What is Philosophy of Education?

 All teachers have a personal philosophy that colors the way they teach
 Engaging in philosophy helps clarify what they do or intend to do, justify or
explain why they do what they do in a logical, systematic manner

The meaning of Philosophical Inquiry

 “Whatever people choose to embrace, if their choices are made in a logical,

rational manner, they are engaged in the process of ‘doing philosophy.’”
 Three specific areas of philosophical inquiry: metaphysics concerned with
questions about the nature of reality; epistemology concerned with the nature of
knowledge; axiology concerned with the nature of values

Classical Realism
 Aristotle was the leading proponent of realism, started the Lyceum, the first
philosopher to develop a systematic theory of logic
 Generic Notions…only through studying the material world is it possible to clarify
or develop ideas…matter is real independent of ideas
Aristotle’s Ontology

 Prime Matter
Principle of Potentiality
 Pure Form
Principle of Actuality

• FORM and MATTER are separate concepts, but they are never found alone, but
matter is prior to form.
Aristotle’s Epistemology
• The Universe is one of orderly design
• All things exist according to a rational design
• All things have a rational function or purpose.
– Acorns become Oak trees, not Elm trees
• Man’s defining characteristic is Rationality.
– Homo Sapiens- the rational animal.
• Syllogistic Logic
-All men are mortal
-Socrates is a man
-Therefore, Socrates is Mortal

Aristotle’s Axiology

 The Golden Mean is described as "the smaller is to the larger, what the larger is
to the whole.“
 It's also known as the Golden Section or the Divine Proportion. It divides a line in
such a way as to create an ideal relationship between the parts.
 Man’s purpose is to lead a rational life of moderation.
 The “Good” life is one of avoiding extremes
Modern Realism
Ontology
Argued against Syllogistic logic. Deductive A priori reasoning is flawed because
you have TRUTH in hand before you begin.
Truth is arrived at through reason (inductive reasoning).
The Material world exists independent of human minds
Epistomology
The scientific (inductive)method

 Hypothesis
 Gather evidence
 Formulate Theory
Axiology

 The good life is attained through scientific skepticism.

 Examine all previously accepted knowledge.

Realism as a Philosophy of Education

 Absolutist- Education should focus on the truth of the natural and physical world
 Empiricist- Teach students the scientific method of problem solving by exploring
the material world
 Objectivist- Emphasize basic skills and basic facts- “3Rs” There are objective
skills and facts that all students should learn.
 Character Development:
– Establish high standards and increased rigor and hold students
accountable
– Emphasize practical knowledge that will prepare students for the world of
work
Direct teaching techniques are preferable. Students should be presented
information in an organized, efficient and logical format.
Given the “information overload” in today’s society, it is important that “non-
essential” learning should be eliminated.
Students should be taught based upon their strengths and abilities.
Scientific testing should be used to diagnose and place students in settings most
appropriate to their needs.
Technology should be utilized whenever appropriate in schools
 A Realist teacher should be a subject matter expert.
 A Realist teachers should be able to present material in an organized and
systematic way.
 A Realist teacher should be able to explain the lesson objectives in a way that is
understandable to the learner.
 A Realist teacher should be able to effectively assess students in such a way that
all students are challenged and motivated to learn.
 A Realist teacher should understand current research and technology and be
able to utilize it in the classroom.
What is Idealism???

 Some philosophers hold that if we push our investigation of matter far enough,
we end up with only a mental world. Such philosophers are called idealists
 Idealism- the belief that reality is essentially idea and mind rather than matter
 Idealism emphasizes the mental and spiritual, NOT the material
George Berkeley, the Idealist

 Berkeley is the founder of modern Idealism. He reacted against materialist

philosophers like Hobbes.
 Berkeley claimed that only the conscious minds and ideas/perceptions are reality
 The world is not external to or independent of the mind
 The external world is a collection of perceptions we mistakenly call physical
reality

Berkeley Idealism
Berkeley’s Idealism included two elements: objective and subjective
 Subjective- all we know are our own ideas
 Objective- Independent of our perceptions; ideals exist in an objective state
Berkeley said we find out about things of the world through experience
For Berkeley, all the things we perceive around us are nothing more than bundles of
our perceptions
Berkeley and Perception
Berkeley argued: If we carefully examine the knowledge we have of objects
around us, we see that the only knowledge we have of such objects consists of
the perception/sensation we have of them in our minds
Idealism As A Philosophy of Education

 Absolutist- The search for “TRUTH”- True Ideas

 Rationalist- The search for truth is a rational process. Thus, to be educated, is to
reason effectively.
 Subjectivist- Individuals should strive for self-realization
Character Development
-Wisdom
-Moral conviction
-Good will
-Loyalty

 Socrates might serve as the prototype

 Socratic questioning
 Teachers serve as role models
-Intellectual
-Moral
 An Idealist teacher tends to see teaching as a calling- more than just an
occupation

Source: Immanuel Kant, Education, translated by Annette Charton. Ann Arbor:

University of Michigan Press, 1960, pp. 83–94.
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