As a practical discipline, philosophy of education is an attempt to find the most rationally defensible reasons for doing education one

way rather than some other. Foster Mc Murray Concepts of Mind & Intelligence in Educational Theory

Focus Questions
What

is the nature of philosophy? Why is philosophy important to teachers? What determines your educational philosophy?

Focus Questions
What

are the six branches of philosophy? What are six philosophical orientations to teaching? How does one build an educational philosophy?

Questions..
What

should the purpose(s) of education be? What is the nature of knowledge? Are students inherently good or evil or somewhere in between? What knowledge is of most worth? How should learning be evaluated?

What is the nature of philosophy?

Concerned

with identifying the basic truths about being, knowledge, and conduct

Why is philosophy important to teachers?

Reveals

principles that may be used as guide for professional action

set of beliefs about human beings learn and grow and what one should learn in order to live a good life

Why is philosophy important to schools?

Public

statement of what a school values, a description of educational goals it seek to attain

What determines your educational philosophy?

Lays

down a plan for what is considered to be the best education Give direction with respect to the kind of education that is best in a certain political, social & economic context

What determines your educational philosophy?

Correct

violations of educational principle & policy Centers attention on issues in educational policy & practice that require resolution either by empirical research or rational examination

Beliefs about teaching & learning Beliefs about students

Beliefs about knowledge Beliefs about what is worth knowing Personal Beliefs in Philosophical areas Philosophy of Education Teaching Behavior

There is a strong connection between your behavior as a teacher and your beliefs about teaching and learning, students, knowledge, and what is worth knowing

Beliefs about Teaching & Learning

What

is the teachers primary

role?
subject matter expert?

Skilled technician?
Art? Student experience & cognition or

students behavior

Beliefs about Students

An

image of our student like

their dispositions, skills, motivation level & experiences

All children can learn?

Beliefs about knowledge

A sum/total

of small bits of subject matter or discrete facts? A big idea that enable us to understand & influence our environment

Beliefs about what is worth knowing

rs? Classics? Reason, communicate effectively & solve problems? Develop the whole child
3

a. Practical preparation for life and work

b. The fostering of curiosity & creativity c. The teaching of cognitive & critical thinking skills d. Self-actualization of the whole person

e. The teaching of basic communication skills

f. Behavior modification g. Moral education h. Exposure to great ideas & enduring truths

i. j. k.
l.

Preparation of whatever the future holds The search for truth The teaching of problem solving skills
Exposure to great works in humanities

m. Fostering of positive values & citizenship

n. o.
p.

Mastery of facts & scientific information Transmission of common core of knowledge

Cultivation of the intellect

q. r. s. t. u.

Development of rational , well-rounded individuals The search for personal meaning Development of rational, well rounded individuals The search for personal meaning Values clarification

v.

The global improvement of the quality of life

Branches of Philosophy
Metaphysics

Epistemology Branches of Philosophy

Axiology

Logic

What is philosophy?
The derivation of the word "philosophy" from the Greek is suggested by the following words and word-fragments.
philolove of, affinity for, liking of philanderto engage in love affairs

frivolously philanthropylove of mankind in general philatelypostage stamps hobby

The derivation of the word "philosophy" from the Greek is suggested by the following words and word-fragments.
phile(as in "anglophile") one having a love

for philologyhaving a liking for words sophoswisdom sophistlit. one who loves knowledge sophomorewise and moron foolish; i.e. one who thinks he knows many things sophisticatedone who is knowledgeable

Philosophy
is

the systematic inquiry into the principles and presuppositions of any field of study.

London Times in an article dealing with

the 20th World Congress of Philosophy:
"The

great virtue of philosophy is that it teaches not what to think, but how to think. It is the study of meaning, of the principles underlying conduct, thought and knowledge

London Times in an article dealing with

the 20th World Congress of Philosophy:
The

skills it hones are the ability to analyse, to question orthodoxies and to express things clearly. However arcane some philosophical texts may be the ability to formulate questions and follow arguments is the essence of education.

Metaphysics or Ontology
Metaphysics is the study of reality. More specifically it is the study of reality that is beyond the scientific or mathematical realms. The term metaphysics itself literally means beyond the physical. The metaphysical issues most discussed are the existence of God, the soul, and the afterlife.

metaphysics
the study of what is really real. Metaphysics deals with the so-called first principles of the natural order and "the ultimate generalizations available to the human intellect. Specifically, ontology seeks to indentify and establish the relationships between the categories, if any, of the types of existent things.

Ontology
onto to be and ology the study of Concerned of with the nature of being and explores questions such as

What does it mean to exist?

What is human kinds place in the scheme of

things.

Ontological questions
What is reality? What is the world made of? What is the meaning of life? Do events in the universe occur randomly or according to a purpose? Is our behavior determined or the result of our free will?

Implications for education

School curriculum is based on what we know about reality

Epistemological questions
What

knowledge is true? How does knowing take place? How do we know that we know? How do we decide between opposing views of knowledge? Is truth constant? What knowledge is most worth?

Epistemology
The

study of knowledge In particular, epistemology is the study of the nature, scope, and limits of human knowledge. Investigates the origin, structure, methods & integrity of knowledge

Consider the degree of truth of the statement, "The earth is round. "The earth is spherical. The earth is oblate spheroid. Does its truth depend upon the context in which the statement is uttered?

Within epistemology there are two important categoriesrationalism and empiricism.

Rationalism stresses reason as the most important element in knowing. Rationalism holds that knowledge is gained primarily through the mind. It also asserts that we are born with innate ideas that precede any experiences we may have with our physical senses. Empiricism, on the other hand, asserts that all our knowledge comes from our five senses. To use the terminology of the empiricist, John Locke, our minds are a blank slate at birth. Thus knowledge comes from our experiences.

Implications for education

Present knowledge of the world to students How is it that students come to know Determine the truth of the content you will teach, then decide on the most appropriate means of conveying this content to students

Ways of knowing.based on
Authority Divine revelation Empiricism Knowledge acquire through the

senses
Rationalism Logical analysis Intuition

Axiology
What values should teachers encourage students to adopt? What values raise the human race to its highest level of humaness? What values does a truly educated person hold? How do we define quality of life? What curricular experiences contribute most to that quality of life?

Axiology
study

of values the study of the nature, types, and governing criteria of values and value judgments

Implications for education

What curricular experiences contribute to the quality of life?

Ethics
Ethics

is the study of moral value, right and wrong. Ethics is involved with placing value to personal actions, decisions, and relations. Important ethical issues today include abortion, sexual morality, the death penalty, euthanasia, pornography, and the environment.

example
Plagiarism Is an elementary teacher justified in trying to increase achievement of the whole class by separating two disruptive girls and placing one in Mathematics group beneath her level? Ethical thinking and decision making are not just following the rules

Aesthetics

Aesthetics is the study of art and beauty. It attempts to address such issues as:
What is art? What is the relationship between beauty

and art? Are there objective standards by which art can be judged? Is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

Implications for education

Helps teacher increase his/her effectiveness Teaching is an artistic expression Can be judged according to artistic standards of beauty and quality

Logic
Logic

is the study of right reasoning. It is the tool philosophers use to study other philosophical categories. Good logic includes the use of good thinking skills and the avoidance of logic fallacies.

Implications for education

Present ideas to students in sequential and well-organized manner Employs logic as a tool for problem solving and decision making Provide feedback to students who use fallacious reasoning therefore arrive at erroneous conclusion Evaluate validity of new method, materials & subject matter Use hypothetical thinking to explore probable outcomes of new approaches

Six Philosophical Orientations to Teaching

Focus on Subject Focus on Self & Society

PERENNIALISM
ESSENTIALISM BEHAVIORISM

RECONSTRUCTIONISM
EXISTENTIALISM PROGRESSIVISM A Continuum

Perennialism
Views

truth as constant or permanent Ensure that students acquire these knowledge of these unchanging principles or great ideas Natural world & human nature have remained unchanged for centuries

Perennialism
Emphasizes

cultivation of the

intellect Stress students intellectual growth in arts & sciences Advocates: Robert Maynard Hutchins & Mortimer Adler Western World Curriculum

Perennialism
Developed

Great Books of the Western World Curriculum

The study of over 100 enduring

classics form Plato to Einstein Focuses on the enduring disciplines of knowledge rather than on current events or student interest

Perennialism
Stresses

the humanities and literature the best education for the best is the best education for all

PROGRESSIVISM
Differs

with essentialism for it begins with the child rather than the subject matter Greatly influenced by John Deweys writings in the 20s

assumptions
Content

of curriculum should be derived from students interest rather tan academic discipline Effective teaching takes into account the whole child, his her interests & needs in regard to cognitive, affective & psychomotor areas.

assumptions
Learning

is essentially active rather than passive The aim of education is to teach students to think rationally so that they may become intelligent, contributing members of the society

assumptions
At school, students learn personal as well as social values Humankind is in a constant state of change and education makes possible a future that is better than the past

Progressive strategies
Equip

students with problem solving strategies

To cope with new challenges in

life Discover truths relevant to the present(self-analysis & relection)

Progressive strategies
And

may be trusted human beings are basically good

Begin with where the students

are, through the daily give & take of the classroom

Progressive strategies
Teachers

serve as guide or resource persons; his/her primary responsibility is to facilitate student learning Provide experiences that replicate everyday life

ESSENTIALISM
A conservative

philosophy of education in response to progressive trends in school Founded by William C. Bagley (1974-1946) ; founded Essentialist Education Society & the educational journal, School & Society

ESSENTIALISM

Emphasizes Essential Culture has a a set of core common knowledge external knowledge & skills truths

ESSENTIALISM
Schooling
Schools

should be practical

should not influence or set social policies

Indoctrination & rule out possiblity of change

Run counter to the expected standards & the need for order

The Back-to-Basics Movement

Began

in mid-seventies movement Contends that schools must train students to communicate clearly & logically Core skills in the curriculum should be reading, writing & speaking

The Back-to-Basics Movement

Critical

of any innovations Provide special programs for talented youth whose needs are not met by the curricula Emphasizes teaching of facts Frowns upon indirect, introspective approaches

The Back-to-Basics Movement

Hard

sciences, technical & vocational education are the true essentials Children need to be actively & vigorously taught the value of discipline, hard work & respect for authority

EXISTENTIALISM
Focuses

on the experience of the individual Emphasizes creative choice & the subjectivity of human experience & concrete human acts of human existence over any rational scheme for human nature or reality

EXISTENTIALISM
Jean-Paul

Sartre a French philosopher responsible for the spread of existential ideas Soren Kierkegaard

EXISTENTIALISM
Jean-Paul

Sartre a French philosopher responsible for the spread of existential ideas Soren Kierkegaard

Danish philosopher whose concern with individual existence, choice and commitment profoundly influenced modern theology and Existentialism

according to Sartre
Every

individual first exist and then he or she must decide what that existence is to mean The task of assigning meaning to that existence is the individuals alone; no preformulated belief system

according to Sartre
Existence

precedes essence First of all man exists, turns up, appears on the scene, and, only afterwards, defines himself.

 teachers

must allow students freedom of choice & provide them with experiences that will help

them find meaning to our lives

BEHAVIORISM
Give me a dozen infants, well-formed,

and my own specifies world to bring them up in, and Ill guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select-doctor, lawyer, artist, merchantchief, and, yes, even beggar-man & thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, & race of his ancestors.

BEHAVIORISM
Human

behavior can be a product of design, rather than accident It is an illusion that man have free will Our behavior is determined by the forces in the environment that shape our behavior

BEHAVIORISM
John

B. Watson originator of Behaviorism B. F. Skinner the best known promoter behavioral engineering (novel Walden Two in 1962) would lead to the creation of a utopian society

All learning is conditioning

a. b.

c. d.

Identify desired behaviors in concrete terms Establish procedure for recording specific behavior & counting frequencies Identify appropriate reinforcer Ensure that students receive reinforcer as soon as possible after displaying a desired behavior

RECONSTRUCTIONISM
Theodore

Brameld acknowledged founder of Reconstructionism

We live in a period of great crisis Humankind has the intellectual,

technological and moral potential to create a world of abundance, health & humane capacity.

RECONSTRUCTIONISM
Schools are the primary agent for planning & directing social change Transmit and reconstruct

Attach importance of experiences Oppurtunities to interact reconstructionism Progressivism beyond the four walls of the classroom