s.n Time Objective Content Teaching A.v.

aids Evaluati
o and
learning
Activity
1 To tell about Meaning-The term philosophy has a Greek Lecture and What d
the meaning origin,i.e philosophia,which is made of two word ,viz. discussion you me
of phileo and Sophia .phileo means “love” and Sophia by
Philosophy means “wisdom”.The literal meaning of philosophy is philosop
of “love of knowledge and wisdom”A philosopher is a
education. lower of wisdom .

2 To define Definition- Philosophy has been defined by various

the scholars from various angles. Explaination Define t
philosophy. 1.Philosophy is the science of sciences. and philosop
_Coleridge listening.
2.Philosophy is the science of knowledge.
_Fitche.
3.Philosophy is the mother of all arts and the true
medicine of mind.
_Cisero.
4.Philosophy is the ability to feel at ease any society.
_Aristippus.
5.Philosophy is critical reviewing of just those familiar
things.
_John dewey.
6.philosophy is the critical science of universal value.
_Windleband.
7.Philosophy is concerned with everything as a
universal science .
_Herbert spencer

3. To tell about
The main division in philosophy are: Lecture and What ar
*Metaphysics
division in discussion the mai
*Epistemology
philosophy. division
*Axiology
philosop
METAPHYSICS-Metaphysics is the record of the
exploration of the human mind in to the ultimate
nature of man and of the world .philosopher s give
equal status to the body and mind of man .Naturalists
look upon the mind as a by product of matter and
give primacy to the body.
Thus ,metaphysic s begins where positive
empirical science ends. Metaphysics is concerned
with the hidden assumptions benind the
scientist”work.

EPISTEMOLOGY- Where as metaphysics is conrerned

with the nature of reality ,as much epistemology
focuses on our knowledge of this reality, The
epistemologist tries to answer questions like `what is
difference between knowing and believing ?”,what is
the guarantee that what we know is true?”

AXIOLOGY- Axiology is the branch of philosophy

concerned with the general problem of values, i.e.
the nature ,origin and performance of
values .axiology has two mojor subdivision
,Ethics,and Asthetics.
Ethics-the branch of philosophy that is concerned
with morals- good and bad ,right and wrong ,approval
and disapproval.
Asthetics-is the branch of science that is concerned
with the problems of beauty and art. A well rounded
system of philosophy integrates
metaphysics,epistemology,and axiology.

metaphysics

s
P
sssssssss

Epistemology Axiology

Significance of Philosophy of Education-

The philosophical Implication on education are as
follows:
*Aims of education
*Curiculum
*Methods of teaching
*Concepts of Freedom and discipline
*Philosophy and textbooks
*Role of the teacher.
Aims of Education-Rusks says ,”Philosophy
formulates what it conceives to be the end of life;
education offers suggestions how this end to be
achieved “Different Philosophical schools have
prescribed different aims of education .

Curriculum- By means of curriculum ,described

behavioural changes to be achieved to attain the goal
of life determined by a particular philosophy.the
content of education is determined by the objectives
of life .thus philosophy is the force that shapes the
type of curriculum.
Methods of teaching-method is a means by
which a contact is developed between the students
and the subject matter. the choice of method is
governed by the philosophical ideas and value.child
centered activities such as play techniques are
favored by naturalism.
Concept of freedom and discipline-
Philosophy determined the nature and form of
discipline .Whether the school discipline should be
strict and rigid or flexible and free is also a
philosophical problem. Regarding freedom and
discipline ,while naturalism stresses free
activity ,idealism stresses discipline to raise the
individual above”self”
Philosophy and textbook-To achieve aims of
life and education ,textbooks are of great importance
and value .As curriculum is powerfully influenced by
the philosophy of times, so also the textbook are
affected by the prevailing philosophy of day .since
textbooks contain the matter which reflects the
ideology. ideal and values of society ,the government
should keep an eye on the production of desirable
books for children.
Role of the teacher-The teachers role and his
behaviour depend on the philosophical attitudes
which influence him .pregmatism feels that the
teacher is a consultant ,coordinator and research
director stimulating the pupils in group thinking and
group situation.To conclude that ,philosophy remains
as the foundation for education .
Important and major philosophy of education-
There are various schools of educational philosophies
.some of the main traditional and modern
contemporary educational philosophies are discussed
below-
1.Traditional educational philosophies
 Naturalism
 Idealism
 Pregmatism
 Realism
2.Modern contemporary educational philosophies
 Prennialism
 Essentialism
 Existentialism
 Reconstructionism
 Progressivism
Traditional Educational Philosophy-
In this chapter ,the main educational
philosophies are discussed .There are naturalism,
idealism ,pragmatism and realism.
o NATURALISM-
“we cannot commond nature except by opening
her”.
-francis bacon
Naturalism is the oldest philosophy in the western
world. Accordingly ,many educators prefer the term
naturalistic tendencies in education . good education
can be possible only through a direct contact with
nature..
In the words of Ralph Barton Berry,” Naturalism is a
philosophical generalization of science –the
implication of the problems of philosophy.
Principles of naturalism –
 The universe is a huge machine and man is
also a part of this machine.
 The present life is the real life .there is no
other world beyond it.
 The changes in the life of man and his
physical condition are due to scientific
discoveries and invention.
 The ultimate reality is of
matter,god,soul,mind,heaven,moral values
and and prayers are all illusion.
Chief proponent of naturalism-
There are many great names associated with
naturalism but the eminent ones are as follows-
*Jean Jacques Rousseau
*Herbert spencer
*Rabindranath tagore
Characteristics of naturalistic education-
*Back to nature-the best teacher of child is nature.
*Opposition is bookies knowledge
*Education should be progressive
*Negative education-to protect from error.
*Training of senses is mandatory.
Educational Implication of naturalism-
Naturalism and aims of education-The main aims
of education according to naturalism are given below;
1. Development of self realization, self
expression and self preservation in children.
2. Cultivating self restrain and a sense of moral
value.
3. Making a child adjust himself both physically
and psychologically to his immeadiate
environmentand to the challenging
surrounding in his life.
4. Promoting better humanity through the
transmission of not only physical
characteristics but also moral value.
Curriculum-This is based on the needs ,interest and
abilities of the child in relation to its level of
development .The experience of the child should
form the central core of the curriculum.
Method of teaching –Play is the natural mode of
self expression, play way is stressed .learning by
doing and learning by experience are also advocated.
learning should be through the joyous ,spontaneous,
creative, activity of play. the method of discovery is
stressed.
Teacher-the teacher should remain in the
background .the childs naturals development shold
be stimulated .in fact the teacher should remove
himself from the scene ,since nature is the best
educator.
Discipline-freedom is means to discipline .the child
should be controlled only by his own learning and
experienced. Discipline by natural consequences
what they believe in. self government by the students
is advocated.
Naturalism and the school-the school
environment should be completely free ,flexible and
without any rigidity .Nature will do all the planning
and processing for the natural development of the
child.
 o IDEALISM-
“All truths are easy to understand once they
are discovered :the point is to discover them”.
-Galileo
Meaning of idealism-
The word “Idealism “may be derived from
‘ideals ‘or ideas .so according to idealism ,idealism or
higher value are much more to explain man and
universe in terms of spirit or mind.Idealism idolies
“mind and self”. An idealist ,therefore shifts the
emphasis from the natural or specific facts of life to
the spiritual aspects of human experience.Idealism is
the oldest system of philosophy known to man.
Upanishads provide the fundamental theme
of Indian idealistic thought –the divinity of man and
the spiritual principle governing cosmos.
Upanishad’s idealism –
Asato ma sad gamaya
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya
Mrtyor ma amartam gamaya,
(Lead me from unreal to the real, Lead me from
darkness to light ,Lead me from death to immorality)
_Brihadaranyak
Upanishad.
Fundamental principal of idealism-
 Idealism stresses the two forms of whole
world ,i.e .spiritual mind and material mind.
 The spiritual world is real where as the
material world is transitory and mortal.

 Ideas are more important than
objects(material things).
 Idealism believes in unity in diversity.
Chief proponents of idealism-
There are number of great names associated with
idealism ,a few important ones are as follows-
 Plato
 Guru nanak dev ji
 Rabindranath tigore
 Mahatma Gandhi
 Dayanand saraswati

Educational implications of modern

idealism-
Aims of education-The purpose of education is to
contribute to the development of the mind and self
of the pupil.the aims of education according to
idealism are;
 Self realization
 Spiritual development
 Cultivation of truth,beauty and goodness
 Preparation for a holy life.
 Development of intelligence and rationality.
Curriculum-
1-The curriculum is based upon the idea or
assumption of the spiritual nature of man.
2-in preserving the subject matter content ,which is
essential for the development of the individual mind,
the curriculum must include those subject essential
for the realization of mental and moral development.
Idealism and teacher-
1.Idealists have high expectation on the teacher .
2.The teacher must be excellent ,both
intellectually and morally.
3.The teacher must also exercise great creative
skill in providing opportunities for the pupil mind
to discover ,analyze ,synthesize and create
application of knowledge to life and behaviour.
Method of teaching-
1.The classroom structure and atmosphere should
provide the pupil with opportunities to think,
2.The teaching methods must encourage the
acquisition of fact as well as skill in reflecting on these
facts.
3.provide opportunities to apply knowledge to moral
and social problem, stimulate interest in the subject
content.
Idealism and discipline-
1.Idealists attach impressionistic discipline in
comparision with expressionistic discipline.
2.The teacher should impress the students by his
affectionate and sympathetic behavior.
3.They should make the child to realize that self
discipline is for his own good and development.
Idealism and school-
School is a place where the mental power and other
spiritual ideals of the child are developed by the
teacher.

Weaknesses and limitations of idealism in

education-
1.idealism may be considered to be outmoded in the
prevailing scientific world view.
2.idealistic concepts like ‘spirit’, ’mind’,’ soul’ the
‘cosmos’ have little relevance in classroom teaching.
3.Too much emphasis on good manners and modesty
may be mistaken for diffidence.
4.Emphasis on gaining knowledge is likely to turn
educational institution as information-mongers
workshop.
 PREGMATISM
“Good judgement comes from experience ,and often
experience comes from bad judgement.”
-Rita mae brown.
The basic concept of pragmatism areas follows;
 Pragmatism popularly regarded as an
indigenous American philosophy. but its
roots can be traced to ancient Greek
philosophy.
 The term pragmatism is derived from the
greek word pragma which means “work”.
 Individuals must be respected and
education should be planned to cater to
their inclinations and capacities.
Individual development ,however ,myst
take place in a social context.
 According to pragmatism ,the aim of
education is to teach individuals how to
think so they can adjust to an ever
changing society.
 Knowledge which is helpful in solving
present day problem is most preferred.
Pragmatism emphasize on functional
knowledge and understanding.
Pragmatism does not believe in
standard ,permanent and eternal value.
Principles of pragmatism;
1. changes is the essence of this
universe .nothing is permanent or final.
2. Reality is what one experience .there is no
absolute reality.
3. There is no absolute truth. truth always
changes according to time ,place, and person
4. Man is a biological organism getting a social
stimulation .
5. The present is stressed ,neither the past nor
 the future.
6. What is good is what work ;what work for all.
7. Critical intelligence is of great value,
8. democracy is a way of life.
Chief proponents of pragmatism-
Many great names are associated with pragmatism
but the important ones are as follws-
-Williams james
-John dewey
-Margaret H.
-S.kil patric
Educational implications of pragmatism-
Aims of education-
1-There is no final aims as there is no finality about
life. Education becomes the laboratory of life.
2-Education is a continuous reconstruction of
experience.
3-it must be a social process.
4-Problem solving is the attitude to be developed
both as ends and means.