Activity 1 (Educ 123)

The 6 Philosophical Thoughts in Education as regards to its focus, similarities and differences. With brief
discussion and elaboration. (50 points)

Philosophical Thoughts Focus Similarities (if there Differences

are any)
John Locke- Empirical The focus of John His thoughts shared the Among others, he
Education Locke’s philosophical biggest similarity to believed in the
thought on education is John Dewey’s thought inductive method, in
“empirical”. It means which said that which knowledge
that for him, education immersion of students becomes a source of
is better attained by to the real deeper understanding
experience and world/environment of other things.
observation. will greatly affect their
learning process in a
positive way.
Herbert Spencer- There are two main Just like most of the His philosophical
Utilitarian Education points in Herbert philosophers, he also thought is unique as it
Spencer’s philosophical believed that it is more is the only one who
thought on education. beneficial if the things viewed competition as
First, the “survival of taught on schools are a mean for students to
the fittest”. For him, those that involves real improve. He is also the
those who have the life skills. only one who focused
ability to adopt in their on the benefits of
learning environments specialized education.
have the better chance
of succeeding in life. He
also emphasized that
competition among
learners is actually
good as it leads to
social progress. And
second, he is in favor of
‘specialized’ education.
In which he believes
that education or
mastery of specific
things will be more
beneficial to us
humans.
John Dewey- Learning He believed that Just like John Locke, he His beliefs include the
Through Experience education is a social believed that it is use of former
process in which actually better for knowledge in problem
students are brought to students to learn solving different from
participate in the through experience. Locke’s thought which
society. And, he also uses knowledge to
believes that “students generalize.
 must have a genuine
situation of
experience” as it would
lead them to think
more critically on
finding the solution in
the problem.
George Counts- His belief regarding on Similar to John Dewey, Among the six, he is the
Building a new social education greatly he also believed that only one to give utter
order focuses on the role of problem solving is a importance and
schools and teachers good way to learn. described the
as agents of ‘positive’ difference between the
change and as technological progress
promoters of social and the progress of
progress among ethical values of
students. humans.
Theodore Brameld- The focus of his Similar to John Dewey Rather than to change
Social philosophical thought is and George Counts, he the society, he believed
Reconstructionism about the rebuilding or also believed that in “creating a new
the reformation of the problem solving is a society”.
society. In education, it good way to learn.
means that schools His beliefs also share
must be a medium of similarities to John
solving the real Locke’s, specifically on
problems of the the part that education
society. should be for everyone
rather than only for the
privileged.
Paulo Freire- Critical He believed in the Just like the other He is the only one who
Pedagogy “process of inquiry” in philosophers, he also greatly opposed the
which, students are believed that banking system.
encouraged to ask education is a medium
questions rather than of social change.
to constantly receive
information through
the “banking system”.