Philosophies of Education

INTRODUCTION

It is a scientific, systemic inquiry about the ultimate reality in the universe; it is the
basis for understanding man. Etymologically, the term, 'Philosophy' ha$ been
derived from two Greek words: Philos means love, Sophia means wisdom. It is the
loving and searching for wisdom and truth. · Philosophy is the science of
knowledge. -Fitche

 Philosophy is the science of all sciences.

- Coleridge
 Philosophy is the mother of all arts.
-Cicero.

Definitions

1. Philosophy is a search for a comprehensive view of nature, an attempt at a

universal explanation of nature of things. - Henderson.
2. Philosophy is an unceasing effort to discern the general truth that lies behind
the particular facts (i.e., the reality that lies behind the appearances).

Meaning of Philosophy

 It is a search for a comprehensive view of nature, an attempt at a

universal explanation of nature of things.
 It is a living force, a way of life, an attitude towards life and a search for
truth and reality.
 It is a speculation about the nature and value of things. It is a search for
deeper and finer values of life.
 Philosophy refers to a certain way of thinking. It arises out of an attempt:
 a) To arrive at the solution of a problem through the use of human
reasoning and experience.
b) To find the deeper meanings of the problems.
 Each individual should have a philosophy of life i.e., a set of standards,
ideals which are based on the principles that he has chosen as being
acceptable to him.
 Philosophy is the study of the general principles and understanding all
i.e., God, the world, and man himself, of origin, nature and the activities
that come in the range of human experience. It is a comprehensive view
of nature. Through philosophy man tries to understand himself and the
world in which he lives. It answers the inevitable questions.
 It is an inquiry into the wholesome of things. · It is what we believe and
the principle which governs our life.
 It is acting like a guide to have a concrete outlook on the world, life,
human conduct, and actions.
 Philosophy is the earliest and the most original intellectual discipline.
 Plato said, 'he who has a taste for every sort of knowledge and who is
curious to learn and never satisfied' may be just termed as philosopher.
 Questions of philosophical enquiry:
o What is life?
o What is man?
o What is man's origin?
o What is man's destiny or goal?
 Philosophers try to answer these questions according to their own mature
reflection and thinking.
 These difference answers lead to different philosophies lives of grate men
prove that philosophy results in a certain way of life, beliefs, values and ideals
formulated in terms of experiences and background of the person, who expresses
them.

It is mostly an idea of what is possible and not a record of accomplished

facts. Hence, it is hypothetical (it mayor may not be proved true). There is no
finality, it defines the difficulties and suggesting ways and means of dealing with
them. Thus philosophy is described as generalised thinking'.

Philosophy influences the Daily life of every individual, it is particular way

of looking at things, e.g. everybody will have their own philosophy of life I.e.,
some are pessimists, some are optimists, me are realists, some are materialists,
some believe in destiny; some are atheists don't believe in God and so on.

Major Branches of Philosophy

 Metaphysics or discussion about the reality and the cosmos.

 Epistemology or the theory of knowledge.
 Ethics or the theory of morality.
 Aesthetics or the discussion of beauty.
 Logic or the study of ideal method of thought and reasoning.

A well-marked attitude takes the shape of a particular school of philosophy or

an 'ism'. There are different philosophical approaches, e.g. idealism, pragmatism,
naturalism, realism, humanism etc.

Philosophy, life and education are intimately linked with one another. Infact
philosophy and education are like the two sides of the coin. While philosophy is
the contemplative side, education represents the dynamic side.
 All philosophers were also great educators. Thus philosophy is a major
concern of education and there is, infact, an intimate relationship between
philosophy and education. The truths and principles established by philosophy are
applied in education. The arch of education will never attain complete clearness
without philosophy. All the aspects of education are influenced by philosophy and
there is a direct bearing between education and philosophy.

Philosophy Points out the Way to be Followed by Education

Education is the modification of child's behaviour, whereas philosophy

shows the way to be followed by educators in the modification of child's
behaviour. Education is a laboratory in which the philosophic theories and
speculations are tested, thus education will be said as, 'applied philosophy'.
Philosophy is wisdom, education transmits wisdom from one generation to the
another.

Education is the Best Mean for the Propagation of Philosophy

A philosopher arrives at the truth after a great deal of contemplation on the

real nature of the universe, man, his destiny and lays down aims,

Relationship between Philosophy and Education

Relationship between Philosophy and Education

Philosophy
1. It sets the ideals, principles, goals,
standards, values thus it is in reality
and truth.
2. It is the theory and speculative.
3. It is the contemplative side.
4. It deals with abstract ideas and ends
the situations process.
5. It is the art.
6. Philosophy formulates the method.
Education
1. Education works out those values.
2. It explains how to achieve the goals
through man's educational efforts.
3. It is the practice.
4. It is the active side (dynamic)
It is the applied philosophy.
It deals with concrete and means.
5. It is the science.
6. It deals with the process of method.

ideals and values and then he tries to live in accordance with them. He wants
others to be converted his beliefs and live according to them, thus it can be
achieved through education, which is the best mean for the propagation of his
philosophy. Education becomes more prominent than philosophy as action speaks
louder than words or beliefs. Beliefs (philosophy) are vital, thus it results in a
prominent educational efforts.

All Great Philosophers are Great. Educators

Philosophers reflected their views in their educational schemes. Most of the

educational movements of the world own their origin to the philosophical schools
of different philosophers. When a philosopher wishes to spread his ideals, beliefs,
he formulates a scheme of education based on his philosophy, e.g. Socrates, Plato,
Aristotle, etc., European philosophers like Locke, Rousseau, Spencer etc., were
great educators. The great thinkers and philosophers of India are Buddha, Tagore
and Gandhi.
Philosophy Determines the Broad Aspects of Education

Philosophy provides aims of education, it determines the curriculum (course

of study) methods of teaching, school discipline, role of teacher, school problems
etc., philosophy will continuously influences and determines both the matter and
the method of education. Thus philosophy contributes to the development of the
educational theory and practice.

INFLUENCE OF PHILOSOPHY ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF

EDUCATION

Philosophy and Aims of Education

Philosophy is the determining force in laying down the aims of education.

Aims of education (moral, vocational, intellectual and spiritual) are based on views
and ideals, beliefs, values, standards of philosopher. The philosopher struggles
hard with the mysteries of life and arrives at his solution after mature reflection
and thinking. He will suggest the ways and means of dealing with them through
educational efforts. The educator selects the material for instruction, determines
the methods of procedures for the attainment of goals. Thus the entire educational
system proceeds with its foundation on sound philosophy, e.g.

 Idealism believes in self-enhancement.

 Naturalism prefers self-preservation.

Philosophy and Curriculum

Curriculum is the sum total of all the activities and experiences provided by the
school to its pupil to achieve the aims of education. The philosophy determines the
content and discipline that subject will promote curriculum. It is not fixed at all
times, it changes in accordance with philosophy. Thus curriculum differs with
different schools of philosophy according to their own beliefs. Thus education
needs leaders, who hold a sound comprehensive philosophy through which they
can convince others and who can direct its consistent application to the formation
to the function of appropriate curriculum.

The content of curriculum varies according to the philosophy it follows, e.g.:

Idealists emphasise higher values of life and prescribe the study of religion, ethics,
logic, literature, arts and humanities.

Pragmatists advocate the study of functional subjects and social sciences,

practical arithmetic, arts and crafts in their curriculum. .

Naturalists are mainly concerned with physical sciences and direct

experiences. The subjects are selected according to the aptitude and ability of the
child.

Philosophy and Textbooks

The textbooks must reflect the prevailing values of life fixed by philosophy,
an appropriate textbook must be in accordance with norms of knowledge which the
children are expected to know and accepted ideals of the society and the prevailing
philosophy of education and the nation as a whole. Then only it will serve the
desired purpose. The persons who select the textbooks must have standard of
judgment, which should enable them to select the right type of books based on
standard, supplied by philosophy. Through textbooks the aims of education are
realised. It will meet needs of ideals and principles.

Philosophy and Method of Teaching

Philosophy is a way of thinking and a way of working. Method is the

process of establishing and maintaining contact between the pupil and the subject
matter. Every system of education has its own method of teaching based on its own
philosophical background. Method is the procedure through which aims of
education are realised. Thus different schools of philosophy have laid down their
own methods of teaching, e.g.

 Idealism: advocates question, answer, lecture and discussion methods.

 Naturalism: emphasises child-centred methods of learning by doing and
direct experience.
 Pragmatism: recommends project methods, problem-solving method and
socialized techniques.

Philosophy and Discipline

Philosophy determines the nature and forms of discipline. Discipline is

nothing but the conduct of the pupil. Internal discipline concerned with inner code
of conduct of the individuals sustain a nation. Philosophy and education are
inseparably linked, they exist together, philosophy leads and education follows the
path shown by philosophy. Discipline is mainly governed by the aim of education.

Spare the rod and spoil the child' was the maxim for the guidance of
teachers. In the past, perfect order and silence 'prevailed in the educational
institutions, now we insist on self government of students and free discipline.

Philosophy and the Teacher

Teacher is the backbone of the entire process of education. Philosophy of life

should be in perfect consonance with the philosophy; the educational system is
based on successful teachers. A teacher needs the study of philosophy as a person
and as a teacher. A teacher is also having his/her own ideas and beliefs. Teacher
influences the personality of the child and instills in him a new outlook and a new
way of life, e.g.

 Idealistic teacher is a person of high ideals, ethics and morals, he is role-

model for the pupil.
 Naturalism sees the teacher as the stagesetter and works behind the screen.
 In pragmatism teacher is a friend and guide of the pupil, facilitating the
process of the growth of individual.

Philosophy and Evaluation

Evaluation is the pivot of education system. It determines the extent to

which aims and objectives are being attained, but also helps to bring about an
improvement in the techniques and procedures of education. There is a close
relationship between objectives, learning experiences and evaluation. It is therefore
legitimate to ascertain how far our evaluation programme is in conformity with the
philosophy that has determined the aims and objectives of education, its
curriculum and its methodology. Evaluation takes into account the growth of the
child as a whole individual and in his total environment. Philosophical analysis,
which is responsible for the movement of objectivity in the field of relationship
between philosophy and environment.

General Impact of Modern Philosophies on Education

Common elements in all modern philosophies:

 Education has been psychologised, instructions are based on child centred,

individual differences have been recognized.
 The principle of activity i.e., learning by doing is the common watchword.
 Social discipline is a patent factor of educational development, the child is
to be trained for community life.
  Democracy has been developed and it is the guiding factor of educational
practices.
 There is a scientific outlook on all matters of life.
 The concept of discipline in education has undergone a radical change.

Importance of Educational Philosophy to a Teacher

 To understand and accept the prevailing values of the society.

 It results in intellectual development of the teacher.
 It helps to improve the standard of his/her life.
 It guides and improves the state properly.
 It helps to bring about changes in various aspects of education.
 It reforms the society.

Reference:

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