What is Philosophy?

• The investigation of causes and laws

underlying reality
• Inquiry into the nature of things
based on logical reasoning rather than
empirical methods
• A system of values by which one lives
Philosophy and Teacher Professionalism
•All professions have philosophical underpinnings.

•Educational philosophy is one important aspect of

teacher’s professional knowledge.
Educational Philosophy
•A philosophy about education requires
systematic, critical thinking about
educational practice.
•A teacher’s educational philosophy
helps the educator interpret, find
meaning, and direct the daily work of
the classroom
Activity: Let us see your
educational philosophy!
Direction: I am going to present 20 philosophical views. Rate them
according to your personal beliefs. Use the following likert scale rating
below.

5 Strongly Agree SA
4 Agree A
3 Neutral N
2 Disagree D
1 Strongly Disagree SD
1. There is no substitute for concrete
experience in learning.
2. The focus of education should be the ideas
that are as relevant today as when they
were first conceived.
3. Teachers must not force their students to
learn the subject matter if it does not
interest them. 6r.ureta (2018)
4. Schools’ must develop students’ capacity
to reason by stressing on the humanities.

5. In the classroom, students must be

encouraged to interact with one another to
develop social virtues such as cooperation
and respect.
6. Students should read and analyze the
Great Books, the creative works of
history’s finest thinkers and writers.
7. Help students expand their
knowledge by helping them apply their
previous experiences in solving new
problems.
8. Our course of study should be
general, not specialized; liberal, not
vocational; humanistic, not technical.
9. There is no universal inborn human
nature. We are born and exist and then
we ourselves freely determine our
essence.
10. Human beings are shaped by
their environment.
11. Schools should stress on the
teaching of the basic skills.
12. Change of environment can
change a person.
13. Curriculum should emphasize on the
traditional disciplines such as math, science,
history, grammar, literature.
14. Something beautiful for one may not be
beautiful for you.
15. Schools should help individuals accept
themselves as unique and accept
responsibility for their thoughts, feelings and
actions.
16. A scientifically developed code is
preferred over one that is derived from
the history and culture of particular
groups.
17. For the learner to acquire the basic
skills, s/he must go through the rigor
and discipline of serious study.
18. The teacher and the school head must
prescribe what is most important for the
students to learn.
19. An individual is what s/he chooses to
become not dictated by his/her
environment.
20. A learner must be allowed to learn at
his/her own pace.
Your Educational Philosophy
•1, 3, 5, 7--- progressivist
•2, 4, 6, 8--- perennialist
•9, 15, 19, 20— existentialist
•10, 12, 14, 16— behaviorist
•11, 13, 17, 18–- essentialist
Traditional Schools of Philosophy
Educational Philosophies have roots in these schools
Idealism
• Asserts that because the physical world is always changing, ideas are the
only reliable form of reality
Realism
• The features of the universe exist whether or not a human being is there
to perceive them.
Pragmatism
• Rejects the idea of absolute, unchanging truth, instead asserting that
truth is “what works”
Existentialism
• humanity isn’t part of an orderly universe; rather individuals create their
own realities.
Basic Philosophies of Education
•Perennialism
•Essentialism
•Behaviorism
•Progressivism
•Existentialism
•Postmodernism (Critical Theory)
Perennialism
One should teach things that one deems to
be of everlasting importance to all people
everywhere
•An educational philosophy suggesting that
nature, including human nature, is constant.
•Roots in both Idealism and Realism
•Rigorous intellectual curriculum for all
students, classic works
Essentialism
Children should learn the traditional basic
subjects and these should be learned
thoroughly and rigorously.
•An educational philosophy suggesting that
a critical core of knowledge and skills exists
that all people should possess
•Roots in Idealism and Realism
•Back to basics movements •Standards,
testing, cultural literacy
•What is essential can change
Behaviorism
•Behaviorism is a theory of animal and
human learning that only focuses on
objectively observable behaviors and
discounts mental activities. Behavior
theorists define learning as nothing more
than the acquisition of new behavior.
•Used by teachers when they reward
(reinforce) or punish behaviors
Progressivism
• An educational philosophy
emphasizing curricula that focus on
real-world problem solving and
individual development.
• Roots in Pragmatism
• Constructivism
• John Dewey
Existentialism
• A educational philosophy built on a viewpoint in
which school curriculum and instruction should
encourage deep personal reflection on one’s
identity, commitments, and choices.
• Focuses on the existence of the individual and
individual responsibility • People are responsible
for defining themselves through their choices
• Education’s most important goal is to awaken
human consciousness
• Education should focus on both cognitive and
affective dimensions
Postmodernism (Critical Theory)
• An educational philosophy contending that
many of the institutions in our society,
including schools, are used by those in
power to marginalize those who lack power.
• Roots in Existentialism
• History / Classics examined for power
issues, struggles of marginalized groups
• Criticized for using schools for political
purposes
EDUCATIONAL VIEW AS A TEACHER
Importance of Philosophy of Education to
the Teacher
*Provides the teacher with basis for making
his decision concerning his work.

*Help the teacher develop a wide range of

interest, attitudes, and values concomitant
to his professional life as teacher.
EDUCATIONAL VIEW AS A TEACHER

*Makes a teacher more aware of his own life and

work, and makes him more dynamic,
discriminating, critical and mentally alert.

* Philosophy of education saves time,money and

effort.