Unit 1: Education Philosophy

Objectives
General Objective:
At the end of this session, all Participants will be able to explain about
Idealism.
Specific Objectives:
At the end of this session, all Participants will be able to;
• define idealism
• list the principle
• state chief assertion of idealism
• explain idealism in education
• explain idealism and curriculum
Contd...
• state idealism and methods of teaching
• enlist idealism and discipline
• state idealism and teacher
• enlist strength of idealism
• list weakness of idealism in education
 Idealism
Content

• Introduction
• Fundamental Principle
• Chief Assertion of Idealism
• Idealism in Education
• Idealism and Curriculum
Contd...

• Idealism and Methods of Teaching

• Idealism and Discipline
• Idealism and Teacher
• Strength of Idealism
• Weakness of Idealism in Education
Introduction
• Etymologically, the term, ‘Philosophy’ has been derived from Greek
word philosopia, which is composed of two words; Philos and Sophia.
• The word ‘philos’ means love of or search for, and the word Sophia
means knowledge or wisdom.
• Philosophy is a scientific, systemic inquiry about the ultimate reality
in the universe which is the basis for understanding of man.
 Idealism
Introduction
• The word ‘idealism’ has been derived from English words ‘ideal’ and ‘ideas’.
• Idealism is the oldest system of philosophy. Its origin goes back to ancient
India in the east, and to Plato in the west.
• Idealism is a philosophical approach that has as its central tenet that ideas are
the only reality, the only thing worth knowing.
• Idealism is based on the view that reality is a world within a person’s mind.
• Idealism recognizes ideas, feelings and ideals are more important than
material objects.
Contd...
• In the philosophic sense, idealism is a system that emphasizes the
important of mind, soul or spirit.
• Idealism is concerned with the supremacy of mind and self, and views
man and universe in term of spirit or mind.
• Its basic viewpoint stresses the human spirit as the most important
element in life.
• There are subjective, objective and personal types of idealism.
Definitions
• “Idealistic philosophy takes many and varied forms, but the postulate
underlying all this is that mind or spirit is essential world stuff, that the
true reality is of a mental character.” J.S. Ross

• “Idealism holds that ultimate reality is spiritualism.” D.M. Dutta

• “Idealism contends that the materials and physical universe known to

science is an incomplete expression of reality, that it exist but to
subserve, and requires to complement it a higher type of reality, a
spiritual universe.” Rusk
Exponents
Socrates
• Born: 470 BC
• Death: 399BC

Plato
• Born: 427BC
• Death: 347BC
• Students of Socretes
• Father of Idealism
 Fundamental Principle of Idealism
• Idealism stresses the two forms of whole world, i.e. spiritual world
and material world.
• The spiritual world is real whereas the material world is transitory and
mortal.
• Spirit and mind constitute reality.
• Ideas are more important than objects (material things).
• Man being spiritual, is a supreme creation.
Contd...

• God is the source of all knowledge.

• Value are absolute and unchanging.
• Idealism believes in unity in diversity.
• Self-realization is the prime of the personality development.
Chief Assertion of Idealism
• Idealism believes in the ‘universal mind’ or ‘God’.
• God is the source of all human values.
• The goal of all human activities is the realization of ‘universal mind’
in his own self.
• Reality is found in the mind of man and in the external world.
• Main aim of human life is to achieve spiritual values i.e. truth,
goodness and beauty (Satyam, Sivam, Sundharam).
Contd...

• God is the source of all knowledge and real knowledge is perceived in

mind.
• According to idealists, knowledge gained through mind is more
important than knowledge gained through the sense.
• The word ideas and values is more important than the word of matter.
• Idealism has full faith in eternal values which never change.
Contd...

• Man can express himself in language and communicative through

various forms of art and culture.
• Man expresses his spiritual aspirations through morality and religion.
• Idealists maintain the destructiveness and superiority of man’s nature,
not only from his spiritual capacities but also seen in his power and
control over the environment.
Contd...

• Man can change and manipulate the physical environment and shaping
it according to his needs, he has also the power of controlling the
spiritual and cultural environment and values.
• Reality is spiritual and It exists in ideas, purposes, intangible values
and eternal truths.
Idealism in Education
• Idealism has given higher place to mental and spiritual than to
physical world. Thus, the aim of education is the perfection of the
individual.
• Idealism requires that the past culture must be given its due place and
accordingly education aims at providing the means of acquainting the
student with great achievement in literature, art, mathematics and
science.
Contd...
• Idealism holds that every human being must receive a chance to be
educated and the goal of idealists is universal education.
• The most important element in social culture, according to idealism, is
moral character. Education, therefore, is to develop character of the
students. Many educationists also stress religious education for the
character training.
Contd...
• Emphasis of idealists on personality development has resulted in a
fresh look at human relations in teaching.
• Idealistic philosophy provides clear and direct guidelines for the aims
in education, curricular, teacher's role and method of teaching.
• Education according to the idealist pattern is ideal centered. Hence, the
personality of the teacher becomes the single most important influence
in the pupil's learning experiences.
Contd...

• Idealistic philosophy restores man to his proper place and educational

institutions become places for learning and creating values like truth,
goodness and beauty (Satyam, Shivam, Sundharam).
Idealism and Curriculum
• In idealism, the curriculum will be selected based upon ideas and
ideals.
• It aims to develop a true sense of appreciation of truth, goodness and
beauty by which spiritual perfection will result.
• Spiritual act consists of moral, intellectual and aesthetic events. the
three acts are inspired by the three corresponding desires of the spirit
i.e., knowledge (Gyan), feeling (Bhakti) and effort (Karma).
Contd...
• Therefore, the idealistic curriculum provides the training and
cultivation of the intellectual, moral, aesthetic acts.
• For intellectual advancement of the child, language, literature, science,
social studies and mathematics are included in the curriculum.
• For aesthetic and moral development, fine arts, poetry, music, ethics
and religion are provided.
Contd...

• Idealistic philosophy and education also insists on the creation of

sound mind in a sound body.
• Therefore, physical exercises, hygiene, gymnastic and athletics are
also included in the curriculum.
• Thus the idealistic curriculum comprises of physical and spiritual acts
which will enable a man to develop completely.
Idealism and Methods of Teaching
• Learning through reading.
• Learning through lecturing.
• Self activity, project method, plays way methods can be adopted to
gain knowledge.
• Friedrich Froebel developed kindergarten method.
• Questioning, discussion, lecture method, single and group projects,
imitations etc., also included as techniques of idealism.
Idealism and Discipline
• Idealism believes in inner discipline and strict discipline is essential
for self-realization.
• Idealism advocates cultivation of higher values of life through moral
and religious instruction.
• Teacher’s guidance is necessary at every step.
• As far as idealists are considered, freedom is not a means but it is an
end.
• It requires the teacher to present good examples because the child
considers teacher to be an ideal person to be emulated by his pupils.
Idealism and Teacher
• Idealist teacher has attained self- realization.
• He is a practical man based on ideal and various lives.
• He should live a life of contentment, consideration, poverty and
detachment.
• His personality is a source of inspiration for his pupils to follow and
learn the acts like a friend, a philosopher and guide.
Contd...
• The teacher personifies reality for the pupil.
• The student understands and learns about the universe through his
teacher.
• The teacher has to be a specialist in the knowledge in view of his
pupils.
• Good teacher commands the respect of pupils by virtue of his own,
high standards of behavior and conduct.
Contd...
• Teacher initiates the pupil into the life of the intellect, but he provides
standards of attitudes, imitation.
• The social atmosphere of the school, pattern of speech, good conduct
and appearance encouraged in the school.
Strength of Idealism
• Great concern for morality and character
development
• View of teacher for respected person central to
education process
• It stress on importance of self realization
• Stress on human personal side of life
• Individualization and technological advancement.
Weakness of Idealism in Education

• Scientific research study does not support the

idealistic view of a spiritual universe.
• The high cognitive level and bookish approach
that idealist promote.
• It concern for safeguarding and promoting
cultural and religious learning.
Contd...

• Ideals cannot be simplified.

• The social order today discourages imitation of ideas, ideals, behaviors
and the standard that governed the lives of people of the older
generation.
 Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is the father of Idealism?

A. Socrates
B. Plato
C. Guru Nanak
D. Swami Vivekananda
 Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is the father of Idealism?

A. Socrates
B. Plato
C. Guru Nanak
D. Swami Vivekananda

Ans: B
2. Idealist gives much importance on
A. Self realization
B. Self expression
C. Self concept
D. Self perception
2. Idealist gives much importance on
A. Self realization
B. Self expression
C. Self concept
D. Self perception

Ans: A
3. Educational principle of idealism emphasizes on
A. Scientific knowledge
B. Physical world
C. Understained freedom
D. Thinking and reasoning
3. Educational principle of idealism emphasizes on
A. Scientific knowledge
B. Physical world
C. Understained freedom
D. Thinking and reasoning

Ans: D
Reference

• Basavanthappa, BT. (2009). Nursing Education, 2 nd edition, Japee

brothers medical publishers, page number (127-131).
• R, Sudha. (2021). Nursing Education: Principles and Concepts, 2 nd
edition, Jaypee brothers medical publishers, page number (7-9).
• Singh, I. (2012). Essentials of Education, 5 th edition, Hisi offset
printers pvt. ltd, page number (46-50).
• https://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_idealism.html
• https://www.samareducation.com/2022/10/idealism-philosophy.html