PHILOSOPHY OF

JOHN LOCKE ON
EDUCATION
 John Locke
 English philosopher and political theorists
 Born on August 29, 1632 in England
 Died on October 28, 1704 in High Laver,
Essex
 recognized as the founder of British
empiricism
 Famous for the following:
- An Essay Concerning Human
 Locke’s Philosophy on Education
 He believed that the purpose of education was to bring
children up to be virtuous, using the power of reason to
overcome desire.
 Believed that human mind at first is a blank slate, so-called
“tabula rasa” which means “empty of ideas”
 Senses are the gateways to acquiring knowledge. We learn...
1.0 percent through taste
1.5 percent through touch
3.5 percent through smell
11.0 percent through hearing
 Locke proposes 4 main ideas to help
raise a virtuous child
1.Tabula rasa- All knowledge comes from our
perception which then leave imprints on that blank
slate.
2.Nurture child’s physical needs as much as his mental
one’s with a plain and simple diet,
3.Learning should be pleasant
4.Parents should help their children establish clear
 To produce a child with a sound mind in a
sound body as how Locked believes the
purpose of education is, childen should
 Fresh air
have...
 Plenty of Sleep
 Eat nourishing and plain food
 Bathe frequently
 Exercise regularly
 Have time for recreation and play
 Locke’s Idea Impacts on Todays
Education
 Locke suggest that when students do learn
a foreign language, it should be through
practical conversation rather than through
formal redaing and writing.
 Locke believed that children learn best
when subject materials interests them. This
idea is utilized today when teachers lets
 Locke’s Idea Impacts on Todays
Education
 Locke believed that students should know how to
reason. This is a central goal of educators today. It is
the reaon why critical thinking and problem-solving
skills are so heavily emphasized in the classroom
today.
 Locke believed that the mind is a blank slate, it was
the teacher’s job to shape that mind. This is still a
major goal of contemporary educators. Through