1. What is the philosophy of education determined by?

What factors currently

shape theories describing the role of modern education?

First and foremost, it is necessary to define first what philosophy of education is. Siegel
(2018) defines Philosophy of education as the branch of philosophy that addresses
philosophical questions concerning the nature, aims, and problems of education. As a
branch of practical philosophy, its practitioners look both inward to the parent discipline
of philosophy and outward to educational practice, as well as to development
psychology, cognitive science more generally, sociology, and other relevant disciplines.
Scotts College thought of philosophy of education as a more-or-less organised body of
knowledge and opinion on education, both as it is conceptualised and as it is practiced.

Philosophy of education is determined by beliefs, values and understanding of an

individual or group with respect to education. One’s understanding of philosophy of
education is determined by how one is brought up not only by his family but as well as
his surroundings.

The factors that currently shape theories describing the role of modern education

3. Do you know any theories or directions of philosophical thought that inspire

you to carry out scientific research/study?

I would consider Existentialism as the theory or direction of philosophical thought that

inspire me to carry out scientific research study in the future. According to Drew (2020),
existentialism is a philosophy developed by Jean-Paul Sartre, Kierkegaard and others.
At its core it is about rejection of the idea that there is a higher power or god controlling
our destiny. With this knowledge we are liberated to make decisions for ourselves.
Existentialism in education is a teaching and learning philosophy that focuses on the
student’s freedom and agency to choose their future. Existentialist educators believe
there is no god or higher power guiding their students. Thus, they encourage all
students to exercise personal agency and create their own meaning for life.
Related to education, the subject matter of existentialist classrooms should be a matter
of personal choice. Teachers view the individual as an entity within a social context in
which the learner must confront others' views to clarify his or her own. Character
development emphasizes individual responsibility for decisions. Real answers come
from within the individual, not from outside authority. Examining life through authentic
thinking involves students in genuine learning experiences. Existentialists are opposed
to thinking about students as objects to be measured, tracked, or standardized. Such
educators want the educational experience to focus on creating opportunities for self-
direction and self actualization. They start with the student, rather than on curriculum
content.

In my own understanding, while existentialism philosophical thought has been

incorporated in the modern education today, however, I may say that it might only be in
paper not in practice per se. Some teachers are too traditional that still they consider
students as an object to be measured by giving or focusing most of the time in the
standardized paper and pencil test. This idea has thought me to develop a research
study in the future on how existentialism is being practice in the field of education.