What is Philosophy?

 Philosophy can be defined as “a set of

ideas that answers question about the
nature of reality and about the meaning
of life.”
Some important questions that are
commonly asked are:
 What is knowledge?
 What is worth striving for?
 What is just, good, right or beautiful?

These are philosophical questions that

maybe important in teacher’s lives.
Philosophy originated with the ancient
Greek word Philo which means love and
Sophie which means wisdom.
Philosophy is therefore the LOVE OF
WISDOM.
Greek thinkers divided Philosophy
into three branches: Metaphysics,
Epistemology, and Axiology.
Metaphysics

Metaphysics addresses reality. It is divided into

two categories:

 Ontology examines issues related to nature,

existence or being.
 Cosmology is related with the nature and origin of
the Universe (the cosmos).
Epistemology

Epistemology is concerned with the nature of

knowledge-how we come to know about
things, or how we acquire knowledge through
senses, intuition, observation and logic, and
use of scientific method.
Axiology

Axiology and its corollaries relate to

value.

 Ethics relate to issues in morality and conduct

 Aesthetics is concerned with beauty

What is Philosophy of Education?

 Philosophy of Education is a set of related

beliefs that influences what and how the
students are taught.
 Teachers’ philosophy of education guides
their behavior or performances in the
classroom.
 The philosophy statement reflects their
personality and values
Formulating your own philosophy may not be easy since
you are just a beginning, but here are some questions you
may consider in framing your philosophical statement

 What is the purpose of Education?

 What content and skills should schools develop?
 How should schools teach the content of the
curriculum?
 What are the roles of the students and teachers in the
teaching learning process?
 How should learning be assessed?
In Education, metaphysics refers to the
knowledge of most worth which is the
curriculum. The subjects in the curriculum
contain or describe the knowledge which
teaches should impart to the learners.
Epistemology is concerned with the
methods of teaching or how teaching and
learning are to be delivered. Axiology
relates to the behavior, civility, appreciation,
and expression.
PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS OF
EDUCATION

Philosophies present generalized views of

reality. Three major philosophies are
presented in this chapter to help you
formulate your own philosophy. Compare the
elements or features of each philosophy and
decide which element you would include in
your philosophy of education.
1. Idealism

 Idealism contends that reality lies in our

consciousness or our intellect. Idealists
believe that perfect knowledge of the ideal
resided outside humans as an Absolute or as
God.
 They believe that the spiritual essence or
soul is the permanent element of human
nature that gives them the power to think and
feel.
 They believe that the ideas that make-up
reality have already existed in the mind of the
Absolute or as God so that when we know
something, it means we have reached our
conscious understanding of these ideas
 Idealism envisions schools that are
intellectual centers of teaching and learning,
where teachers guide the students to realize
their intellectual potential and appreciate the
finest and enduring achievements of culture.
Idealist Teachers:

1.1 Believe that the schools are the repositories of

eternal truth which have organized the hierarchical
curriculum in education.
1.2 Believe that on top of this hierarchy are the most
important subjects that cultivate abstract thinking-
Philosophy, Theology and Mathematics
1.3 Believe in the use of Socratic method- asking
probing questions to stimulate consciousness of
the students in discovering knowledge
1.4 Believe that thinking and learning are the
processes of bringing latent ideas to
consciousness and logic is encouraged in
organizing their lessons.
1.5 Believe that teachers should lead
exemplary lives and be models for students
to imitate
1.6 Believe that the Internet can make the great
book accessible to all, but they insist that
technology should be the means rather than
the end in transmitting knowledge
 Reflect:
As you prepare to develop your own philosophy
of education, consider these questions:
•What elements of idealism do you
agree with?
•Which of these elements would
you incorporate into your own
Philosophy?
2. Realism
 Realism advocates that reality is outside of
our minds. They are internal to our mind as
idealist claim.
 Realists believe that the objects we perceive
exist independently of the mind; that whether
or not we perceived these objects, they really
exist in the world.
 Realists assert that the human mind can
know about the real world and that
knowledge is reliable guide to our behavior.
  For the realists, the purpose of
education is to teach students about the
world in which they live. That the most
accurate and efficient way of learning is
through the curriculum of organized and
classified subject-matter discipline.
Realist Teachers:

2.1 Believe that teachers should be equipped

repertoire of methods in teaching to achieve
their goals
2.2 Believe that their primary responsibility is to
bring students’ ideas about the world into
reality
2.3 Believe that deductive and inductive logic,
and the scientific method are reliable means
to discover knowledge.
2.4 Believe that the inclusion of non-
academic activities interferes with the
schools’ primary purpose as a center of
disciplined academic inquiry
2.5 Believe in the use of technology as an
aid in learning; they recommend
computer program to be as “realistic”
and effective as possible
 Reflect:
As you prepare to develop your own philosophy
of education, consider these questions:
•What elements of realism do you
agree with?
•Which of these elements would
you incorporate into your own
Philosophy?
3. Pragmatism
 Pragmatism evaluates the truth and meaning
of ideas according to their physical
consequences and practical value.
 It emphasizes the need to test the validity of
these ideas by acting on them. The best way
to validate ideas empirically is by using the
scientific method.
 For Pragmatists, if something works, it is true.
 John Dewey, a pragmatist, related education
as preparation for life. He believed that the
function of education was to enhance human
potential to be able to adapt to a constantly
changing world. Students should be trained
to construct knowledge as they interact in the
world. Pragmatists believe that students be
encouraged to do researches and apply them
to the solution of a problem.
Pragmatist Teachers:

3.1 Believe that education is an

experimental process- a method of
solving problems that challenges people
as they interact with the world
3.2 Believe that children should learn how
to make difficult decisions by
considering the consequences of their
actions on others
3.3 Believe that education should focus in real-
life problems to be prepared to live fully and
effectively in society
3.4 Believe that students should learn the
process of problem-solving rather than by
being passive learners as knowledge is being
transmitted to them
3.5 Believe in collaborative learning where
students share their interest and
problems
3.6 Believe that interdisciplinary education is
better than departmentalized curriculum in
education
3.7 Believe in taking risk in education to
achieve their goal
3.8 Believe in values-clarification rather than
blindly accepting inherited values
3.9 Believe that communication technologies
such as e-mail and internet provide
opportunities to share ideas, insights, and
experiences
 Reflect:
As you prepare to develop your own philosophy
of education, consider these questions:
•What elements of pragmatism do you
agree with?
•Which of these elements would
you incorporate into your own
Philosophy?
OTHER PHILOSOPHIES AND
THEORIES RELATED TO EDUCATION

Educational theories are rooted from Philosophies.

They examine the roles and functions of schools,
curriculum, teaching, and learning. Five educational
theories are presented on the slides that follow for
you to analyze and consider in developing your own
philosophy. Select the elements or features in these
theories that you agree with and include in your own
philosophy.
1. Perennialism
 Perennialists assert the primary purpose of
education is to bring students in contract with
the truth by cultivating their intellect and
sense of rationality or reasoning power. They
contend that there are principles that
students need to learn like the universality of
truth, the importance of rationality and the
power of aesthetics. They also propose the
study of religion to encourage ethical
behavior.
 Perennialists urge that students read the
Great Books- works by history’s finest
thinkers and writers and develop their
understanding of the concepts about human
knowledge. They oppose the inclusion of
non-academic subjects in the curriculum
because they defeat the primary purpose of
the school which is to develop students
intellectually. They endorse subject-manner
curriculum loaded with cognitive subjects that
develop rationality and morality
Perennialist Teachers:
1.1 Believe that teachers are the intellectual
mentors and models for their students
1.2 Believe that fundamental skills such as
reading, writing, computation and research
be developed starting the elementary grades
to prepare them for lifelong learning.
1.3 Believe that subjects with human concern
like history, literature, drama, and art should
be included in the secondary school
curriculum.
1.4 Believe that their role is to sharpen the
students’ intellectual powers and enhance
their moral qualities
1.5 Believe that electronic version of great
books and other classics maybe viewed by
larger audience but this could not be a
substitute for reading the classics
 Reflect:
As you reflect on creating your own
philosophy, are there elements of perennialism
that you would like to include in your philosophy
of education? What are these?
2. Essentialism
Essentialism is a teacher-centered philosophy that
adheres to the belief that the basic skills of literacy
(reading and writing) and numeracy (arithmetic) as
well as subject-matter knowledge should be
developed in schools. Subjects such as history,
mathematics, science, languages, and literature are
essential subjects for secondary education. They
believe that these basic essential subject-matter
need to be mastered to be able to function
effectively in society. These skills will prepare them
to be competent and skilled individuals for the
competitive global village.
 Essentialists argue that schools and teachers
must be committed to their primary academic
function-to teach students with knowledge
and skills that will prepare them to function
effectively and efficiently in a democratic
society.
 Essentialists favor a subject-matter
curriculum which should be cumulative and
sequentially arranged, starting with low order
thinking skills to more complex higher order
level.
 Essentialists do not favor innovative or
process-learning approaches like
constructivism, which allows students to
construct knowledge based on past
knowledge/experiences. They adhere more
on teacher-directed instruction because they
believe teachers are trained professionals
who should guide and direct the learning of
students.
Essentialists Teachers:

2.1 Believe that teachers have authority to

discipline students
2.2 Believe that teachers should have mastery
of the knowledge and skills they teach
2.3 Believe in the use of deductive method of
teaching
2.4 Believe that students should learn the
“essentials”
2.5 Believe that only when the students have
mastered the required competencies can
they he promoted to the higher level
2.6 Believe that test scores are the basis for
evaluating students’ progress
 Reflect:
As you reflect on creating your own
philosophy, are there elements of essentialism
that you would like to include in your philosophy
of education? What are these?
3. Progressivism
 Progressivist belong to a reform movement
that opposed the traditional education. They
were against: 1) authoritarian teachers, 2)
book-based instruction, 3) rote
memorization, and 4) authoritarian
classroom management.
 Progressivist contend that although
knowledge may come from varied sources,
the best way to learn is by actively exploring/
or by engaging in direct experiences.
 They believe that the school should be a
laboratory for experimentation. They organize
schools around the corners, curiosity and
real-world experiences of the learners. They
advocate using the project method and
problem-solving which promotes democratic
learning communities in the classroom.
Progressivist Teachers:

3.1 Believe that teachers should possess a

repertoire of learning activities to be used in
the teaching-learning process like problem-
solving, filed trips, creative artistic expression
and projects
3.2 Believe that the child should be free to
develop naturally
3.3 Believe that interest motivated by direct
experience stimulates learning.
3.4 Believe that the teacher is a facilitator of
learning
3.5 Believe that there should be close
cooperation between the home and the
school
3.6 Believe that students’ needs, interest, and
readiness should be considered in
constructing the curriculum
 Reflect:
As you reflect on creating your own
philosophy, are there elements of progressivism
that you would like to include in your philosophy
of education? What are these?
4. Social Reconstructionism

 This theory rooted on progressivism. In fact,

social reconstructionists were considered as
the more socially-oriented progressivists.
They sought to make schools the center of
larger social reforms. They contended that
schools need to investigate and work to solve
social, political, and economic problems and
eventually create a new society.
 Social reconstructionists believe that people
are responsible for their social conditions.
They have the power to take control of their
lives, improve their human conditions, and
build a just and good society. Education,
therefore, should prepare the students to
meet the demands of society
Social Reconstructionists Teachers:

4.1 Believe that the school is the ideal place to begin

alleviating social problems
4.2 Believe in using project method and problem-
solving method in teaching
4.3 Believe that research is an effective means in
solving problems of society
4.4 Believe that the intellectual, emotional, and
personal needs of the students should be
considered in the learning process
4.5 Believe that teachers must model democratic
principles
 Reflect:
As you reflect on creating your own
philosophy, are there elements of
Social Reconstructionism
that you would like to include in your philosophy
of education? What are these?
5. Existentialism

 Existentialism is a philosophy that

emphasizes the subjectivity of human
experience. It is more a process of
philosophizing than it is a philosophy.
 Existentialism asserts that the purpose of
education is to help students find meaning
and directions in their lives.
 Existentialist author, Jean-Paul Sartre often
quoted the phrases “Existence precedes
essence,” meaning, we owe our existence to
nature but we define ourselves though our
actions. We create our own essence by
making our personal choices. When we are
thrust into choice-making situations, we are
what we choose to be. We must take
responsibility for our choices.
 Existentialists
Existentialist Teachers:

5.1 Believe that the purpose of education is to

awaken our consciousness about freedom to
choose and to create our own self-awareness
that contributes to our identity
5.2 Believe that students should be trained to
philosophize, to question, and to participate
in dialogues about the meaning of life
5.3 Believe that self-expression, creativity, self-
awareness, and self-responsibility should be
developed in the students
5.4 Believe that open classrooms maximize
freedom of choice
5.5 Believe in self-directed instruction
5.6 Believe that students should decide what
they want to learn and when to learn it
 Reflect:
As you reflect on creating your own
philosophy, are there elements of
Existentialism
that you would like to include in your philosophy
of education? What are these?