Topic: Naturalism in Education
Subject: Educ 200 (Philosophy in Education)
Student: RAYMART N. NAAG
Professor: LLENARESAS, ALLAN O.,MAEd
NATURALISM IN EDUCATION
MEANING BY PROPONENT
Naturalism as philosophy of education was developed in the 18 th century. It is a
philosophical doctrine concerned with the “natural or real self” which contends that the
ultimate reality is the matter, not mind or spirit. It does not believe in spiritualism.
For naturalist, nature is everything, they believe that everything comes from
nature and returns from it. They didn’t believe in good or evil, to them, instincts are
responsible for all our activities. Man is born irrational that he has the innate capacity for
morality. The values of life are created by human needs. He create it as he interact or
respond to his environment, thus, he need to adapt to it. To naturalist, mind is not a
source of knowledge, rather it is acquired from the senses which are its gateway and
exploration is the method that helps in studying nature.
Jean Jacques Rousseau- naturalism rooted man in nature than in society. To
him, an individual is not a man unless he is tree, if he is bondage he is less than
a man.
Herbert Spencer- all creatures adapt biologically to their environment.
William McDougall- He regards that instinct of man are the real guiding force
which forms the basis of conduct.
AIMS OF EDUCATION UNDER NATURALISM
In naturalism effects are made to develop personality of a child in order to make
him a natural man. In short, the aims of education as advocated by different naturalist,
may be stated as under.
1. Self-Expression (Naturalistic School of Philosophy)
Education should acquaint a person with laws of health, enable him to earn a
living and train him to preserve and maintain life.
2. Redirection and Sublimation of Instincts (McDougall)
Fulfillment of individual and social needs through nature is the main aim of
education.
3. Struggle for Existence (Darwinian Schools of Naturalist)
Education should equip the individual to struggle for existence and ensure his
survival. It should help children to adjust themselves, physically and mentally
to their environment and to the changing circumstances of life.
4. Education according to Nature (Jean Jacques Rousseau)
Education and school aim at providing full opportunity for the development of
the natural endowments of the child. Education should not be only according
to physical nature but also in accordance with the nature of the child.
5. Perfect Development of Individuality (T.P. Nunu)
Education aim at developing the child into a joyous, rational, balanced useful
and mature person.
6. Self-Preservation and Self Satisfaction (Herbert Spencer)
Constitute the highest good in life and, hence, the primitive instincts and the
natural impulses should be used in such a way that this highest good can be
achieved.
METHODS OF TEACHING
Naturalisms is against the traditional, old bookish system of education.
Direct expensive with the nature.
Child teaching methods are supported.
Learning takes place by doing.
Teaching method are chosen according to age and intelligence of
students.
The naturalist advocate that the child is expensed to acquire
information and knowledge by himself.
Education through senses.
Play way method
Heuristic Method
Observation Method
Experimentation
IV. CURRICULUM:
a. DESIGN
Since Naturalism is a child-centered education meaning the
curriculum is framed according to the need, interest, and aptitude of the
students. It is flexible and activity based.
b. SUBJECT AND COURSES
Strongly advocated the conclusion of natural sciences take physics,
chemistry, zoology, botany in the curriculum.
They want that the pupil should be plunged into poetry and
literature.
They are also in favour of inclusion of history in the curriculum as if
deals with the cultural heritage of the race.
Some courses are related to biology, botany, earth science ecology
and the likes.
V. CONCLUSION:
After having this report about Naturalism, I can say that this kind of
approach is near the reality. This philosophy of education plays a great role of
our educational system now. Their arms of educating the child holistically is in
lined with what the Department of Education aim. Putting the child as the center
of the educative process is naturalistic, teacher as a facilitator of learning is
naturalistic, learning by doing is naturalistic even the kind of punishment we had
now is so naturalistic. Child given the freedom to do what he likes best is more
likely to learn because he is enjoying what he is doing this was applied when we
as their teacher gives them activities that addresses their multiple intelligences.
The strength and flaws of this philosophy couldn’t surmount the reality that
education should adapt in an ever changing world. It is very timely especially now
that the world is facing the threat of the Covid-19. This pandemic causes much
changes and education was not an exemption. Yes the virus was there, but the
departments’ imitative to formulate different kinds of learning modalities is for me
a part of Naturalism which says that we must enable the individual to adjust
himself to the environment and circumstances both physically and mentally.
To sum it up, let me quote this from the naturalist motto “Let then be fully
children first, before they grow into full men and women.”
VI. REFERENCES:
www.youtubearticelibrary.com
www.vkmaheswari.com
www.pakphilosophy.com
www.vocabulary.com
