Philosophy of REALISM in Education

QUOTE
“Knowing one’s self is the beginning of all wisdom.”
-Aristotle

WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF REALISM?

Dictionary:
• the doctrine that universals have a real objective existence
• represents the theory that particular things exist independently of our
perception
Books:
It is an attitude of mind, a mode of thinking and an attempt to explain the
nature of things (Dhiman. 2008)
• Matter has its own existence independently of our mind.

Definition of Realism
The term realism comes from the Latin "realists" who is to be really, really
real. Realism is a philosophy that assumes that there is a real external world
can be recognized. Therefore, realism holds that sensory perception and
sense objects really exist, regardless of the senses and the mind that it was
him because the object can be investigated, analyzed, studied by science,
nature discovered by science and philosophy.

Father of Realism

THE PHILOSOPHICAL POSITION OF REALISM HOLDS THAT:

• External world is the reality.
• Man will discover reality with the use of science and common sense
through education or learning.
• Mind is functioning & is geared towards creativity.
• Reality can be proved by observation, experience, experiment and scientific
reasoning.
• Values must be studied to be applied in the actual setting.

FORMS OF REALISM

SCHOLASTIC REALISM
• It started when medieval thinkers wanted to bring together a relation
between faith (Christian theology) and reason (Classical Philosophy).
•Characteristics: Relied on authorities from the past; Synthesizing of
knowledge; Deductive approach to reasoning; Use of syllogistic logic
• Scholastic schools had two methods of teaching:
1."lectio" (the simple reading of a text by a teacher/ no questions were
permitted);
2. "disputatio" (where question to be disputed was announced beforehand)
• Education is the process by which he lifts himself up to the eternal.
HUMANISTIC REALISM
• Reaction against the emphasis on form and style of the old classical
literature. Humanist realist emphasized content and ideas.
• Aim: To acquire meaning & spirit of the classics
• Purpose: to master his own environing life, natural & social thru knowledge
of broader life of ancients
• The study of old literature (Literature of the Greeks & Roman) is a means to
understand the practical life.
• Humanists believed that classical literature should be studied for the
information and the knowledge of the facts of the pasts so that such
knowledge could be used for the preparation for practical living (answer to
any problem that man might need).
•Basic concerns in education: Physical, moral and social development

SOCIAL REALISM
• Reaction against a type of education that produces scholars and
professional men to the neglect of the man of practice
• Aim: To train a “gentleman” for active participation in social life and social
judgment and to prepare the practical man of the world
• Social realists follow the method of travel of journey method.
• Direct contact with things, people & social conditions thru travel rather than
books.
• Study of gymnastics, sports, riding, modern languages, customs of other
countries
• Study of one’s self but also others
• Social realism explains that education should equip learners for a happy
and successful life as a man of the world.

SENSE-REALISM
•Emphasizes the training of the senses: Senses = gateways of knowledge;
Learning takes place = operation of the senses.
• Sense-realism attached more importance to the study of natural sciences
and contemporary social life.
• Aim: To develop a natural society by working in accord with the laws of
nature
• Purpose: Happiness with God
• Thru education, man can still know laws of nature and thereby control
nature.
•2 characteristics of representatives:
• formulation of basic assumptions
•formulation of new curriculum based on natural sciences & contemporary
life

IMPLICATIONS OF REALISM IN EDUCATION

AIMS OF REALIST EDUCATION

• Understanding the material world through inquiry
• A study of science and the scientific method
• A need to know the world in order to ensure survival and good life
• Basic, essential knowledge with a no-nonsense approach
• Transmit culture and develop human nature

THE REALIST CURRICULUM

• Problem-centered (subject-centered)
•Developed according to Utility and Needs
• Practical and useful
• Highly organized and systematic
• Physical activity has educational value (Locke)
• Extensive use of pictures (Comenius)
• Attention to the complete person (Locke)
• Use of objects in education (Maria Montessori)
•Highly organized, separate and systematically arranged (Science, Social
Sciences and Mathematics)

REALIST METHODS OF TEACHING

• Emphasis on critical reasoning through observation
• Supports accountability and performance-based teaching
• Scientific research and development
• Mastery of facts: Recitation, experimentation, demonstration, drills,
exercises
• Education should proceed from simple to complex and from concrete to
abstract.
• Enhanced learning thru direct or indirect experiences: Field trips, lectures,
films, TV, audio-visual aids, computer technology & library.
• Learning is based on facts – analysis – questioning.
• Vernacular to be the medium of instruction.
• Precision and order: ringing bells, time periods, daily lesson plans, pre-
packaged curriculum materials
• Children should be given positive rewards

REALISM AND THE TEACHER

• A teacher should be educated and well versed with the customs of belief
and rights and duties of people, and the trends.
• He must have full mastery of the knowledge of present life.
• He must be able to expose and guide the student towards the hard realities
of life. (neither pessimist, nor optimist)
• He must be able to co-relate between utility in daily life and education.
• He should define simple rules.
• He should teach subjects in proper order.
• He needs to find out the interest of the child and to teach accordingly.

SCHOOL ORGANIZATION INFLUENCED BY REALISM

1) School organization would be based on the real needs of society. (not due
to politics)
2) The opening of science classes in every school is a must.
3) Co-education is a natural happening so it cannot be rejected.
4) School is the mirror of the society. It is a miniature form of society and it
presents the real picture of the society.
CONCLUSION

 The world is what it is. Nothing beyond material.

 No life after death, no reality/ idea outside material things
 Values is indefinable element. No absolute value. "It depends on
situation/ reality.
 Realism is a subject matter
 It concentrates on the humanistic and scientific principles
 Its values is based on universal laws
 Realist teachers should be experts in their subject matter
 Focus on the physical world, arguing that reality, knowledge and value
exist independent of the mind.

References:

https://www.slideshare.net/writemind/realism-and-its-role-in-education?next_slideshow=1
https://www.slideshare.net/annvitug/philosophy-of-realism-in-education?next_slideshow=2
https://www.slideshare.net/jazzmichelepasaribu/realism-philosophy?
next_slideshow=3
https://www.slideshare.net/BhawanaJoshi2/realism-in-education

QUIZ

1. “Knowing one’s self is the beginning of all ___________”?

a. Whisper b. Wisdom c. Western
2. Who is the Father of Realism?
a. Aristotle b. Plato c. Apollo
3. Latin word of Realism?
a. Real b. Reality c. Realists
4. Which of the following is NOT a Form of Realism?
a. Scholastic b. Sociology c. Social
5. It is the simple reading of a text by a teacher/ no questions were
permitted?
a. Lecture b. Lesson c. Lectio

THANK YOU and GOD BLESS...

MALABANAN, KARLA S.
I-13