UNIT I B.ed - Lecture notes 1-2-3 PDF

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PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE OF EDUCATION...

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CHAPTER 1

PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE OF EDUCATION MEANING, SCOPE & FUNCTIONS OF PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Meaning of Philosophy The word philosophy is derived from two Greek words i.e. 'phileo' (love) and 'Sophia' (wisdom), literally means love of wisdom. According to Socrates it begins with wonder but in modern times it begins with doubt. Philosophy is a comprehensive system of ideas about human nature and the nature of the reality we live in. It is a guide for living. Hence we can say that all the aspects of human life are influenced and governed by the philosophical consideration. As a field of study philosophy is one of the oldest disciplines. It is considered as a mother of all the sciences. In fact it is at the root of all knowledge. Education has also drawn its material from different philosophical bases. There are different schools of philosophy depending on the answers they seek to the question of reality. It is the search for understanding of man, nature and the universe. There are different branches of philosophy-Epistemology, Metaphysics, etc. There are different fields of philosophy such as educational philosophy, social philosophy, political philosophy, economic philosophy etc. There are also different philosophical approaches such as idealism, naturalism, pragmatism, materialism, and so on. Branches of Philosophy Philosophy of education is one of the areas of applied philosophy. There are three branches of philosophy namely 'metaphysics, epistemology and axiology. 1; Metaphysics Meta means beyond and physics means reality, it is the branch of philosophy that investigates principles of reality. Metaphysics is the study of the nature of things. Metaphysicians ask what kinds of things exist, and what they are like. Do you think human beings are basically good or evil? what is soul? What is man? 2; Axiology is the branch of philosophical enquiry that explores: Aesthetics: the study of basic philosophical questions about art and beauty. What is beauty, what is ugliness? Ethics: the study of what makes actions right or wrong, and of how theories of right action can be applied to special moral problems. What values should be taught in character education? 3; Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that study of the origin, nature and limits of human knowledge. The name is derived from the Greek words episteme (knowledge) and logos (reason). It attempts to answer the basic question: what distinguishes true knowledge from false knowledge? How do we know what a child knows? What are the sources of knowledge? Epistemology also asks questions like: "What is knowledge?", "How is knowledge acquired?", "What do people know?", "What are the necessary and sufficient conditions of knowledge?", "What is its structure, and what are its limits?", "What makes justified beliefs justified?", "How we are to understand the concept of justification?", "Is justification internal or external to one's own mind?"

Traditionally, there are two approaches to epistemology: rationalism, which says we gain knowledge through reasoning, (deductive reasoning from general to specific and inductive reasoning from specific to general) and empiricism, which says we gain knowledge through sensory experience. One another debate in epistemology is nature (we born with capabilities and potentialities) vs nurture (we influenced through environment). Major theories of epistemology are prennialism, progressivism, naturalism , essentialism etc. Meaning of Education Etymologically, the word education is derived from educare (Latin) "bring up", which is related to educere "bring out", "bring forth what is within", "bring out potential" and educere, "to lead". Education in the largest sense is any act or experience that has a positive effect on individual behaviour. In its technical sense, education is the process by which society transmits its knowledge, skills and values from one generation to another. The purpose of education is to develop the knowledge, skill, or character of students. In ancient Greece, Socrates argued that education was about drawing out what was already within the student.

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Socrates; education is the means that helps in searching the truth. Truth is hidden in the minds of human being and they should be aware of it. Plato; Education is the thing that helps in developing human being’s physical and mental qualities in such a way that his potentialities can be realized. Aristotle; education is a process necessary for the creation of a sound mind in a sound body. Pestalozzi; education is the natural, harmonious and progressive development of man’s innate power. John Dewey; education is a process of living through a continuous reconstruction of experience and it is the development of all those capacities in the individual which enable him to control his environment and fulfill his responsibilities. Rousseau; education is the development of human nature in a free environment. Imam Ghazali (RA); education is a process which enables an individual to distinguish between the true and false, the good and the bad, the right conduct and the evil doing. Types of education There are three main types of education 1; FORMAL EDUCATION; this type of education is consciously planned and imparted through the process of formal institution. 2; INFORMAL EDUCATION; if a person is unaware of what he is going to learn and if the learning does not take place in a formal institution. This type of education is received in the social and physical soundings of the person. 3. NONFORMAL EDUCATION; Positive change in behavior which is due to correspondence, messages or e. mail etc is called non formal education. Concept of Philosophy of Education it is obvious that children are born illiterate and ignorant of the norms and cultural achievements of the community or society into which they have been thrust; but with the help of professional teachers and the dedicated persons in their families and with the help of media within a few years they can read, write, calculate, and act in culturally-appropriate ways. It is not surprising that such an important social field has attracted the attention of philosophers for thousands of years, especially as there are complex issues in great quantities that have great philosophical interest. Philosophy helps teachers to reflect on key issues and concepts in education, usually through such questions as: What is being educated? What is the good life? What is knowledge? What is the nature of learning? And what is teaching? Philosophers think about the meaning of things and interpretation of that meaning. Your educational philosophy is your beliefs about why, what and how you teach, whom you teach, and about the nature of learning. It is a set of principles that guides professional action through the events and issues teachers face daily. Sources for your educational philosophy are your life experiences, your values, the environment in which you live, interactions with others and awareness of philosophical approaches. Philosophy of education plays an important role in providing direction to education on the different issues as well as providing a theory of knowledge or education to work upon. Scope and Functions of Philosophy of Education Philosophy of education performs various functions. They area discussed below: 1. Determining the aims of education Different views of educational philosopher helps in providing education according to the need of society. 2. Harmonizing old and new traditions in the field of education In the process of social development the old traditions become outdated for the people. They are replaced by the new traditions. But this process of replacement is not always smooth. It is faced with lots of opposition from certain groups of the society. At the same time it must be kept in mind that every 'old' is not outdated and every 'new' is not perfect Therefore, there is a need of co-coordinating the two in order to maintain the agreement between both. This function can be performed by philosophy of education. 3. Providing the educational planners, administrators and educators with the progressive vision to achieve educational development:-

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Spencer has rightly pointed that only a true philosopher can give a practical shape to education. Philosophy of education provides the educational planners, administrators and educators with the right vision which guides them to attain the educational goals efficiently. 4. Preparing the young generation to face the challenges of the modern time:5. Philosophy provides the teacher guideline; Philosophy guides the process of education by providing answers of the four basic questions to the teacher that guide the teaching learning process. They are: What is the nature of the learner? What is the nature of subject matter? How should one use the subject matter to guide students towards meaningful learning activities? Relationship between philosophy and education; - Gerald Gutek, in Philosophical and Ideological Perspectives on Education, writes that “theory without practice is insufficient; practice unguided by theory is aimless” The purpose of studying philosophical perspectives in education is to give aim to the numerous of “practices” that are being proposed in our current era of educational reform. When we talk about “philosophy” we are talking about how one views the world. “Education” refers to the process of transmission and preservation of culture. This Transmission and preservation happens informally in the society through the family, mosque, church, media, government, and peers. It also occurs more formally in the school setting. Therefore, philosophers have long recognized the importance of the interaction between human beings and society. Education, then, is the transmission of values. The powerful philosophies that have performed this duty will investigate how reality is taught, how truth is taught, why schools exist, what should be taught (the curriculum), the role of the teacher, the role of the student, and the school’s attitude toward change. Philosophy provides educators, teachers and curriculum makers with framework for planning, implementing and evaluating curriculum in school. It helps in answering what schools are for, what subjects are important, how students should learn and what materials and methods should be used. In decision-making, philosophy provides the starting point and will be used for the succeeding decision-making. The philosophy of education is the study of the purpose, process, nature and ideals of education. As a matter of daily practice, educators formulate goals, discuss values, and set priorities. Anyone who gets involved in dealing with goals, values and priorities soon realizes that in a modern society such as ours there are many competing choices. Some are incompatible with others. Hard decisions have to be made. Here, for example, are some everyday dilemmas that educators confront: How do we treat a specific student's needs, yet deal fairly with a class of students as a whole? When, if ever, should we bend the rules? Should a teacher ever emphasize good behavior over subject skills? It is in trying to resolve such questions that the discussion becomes philosophical, even though it may not be recognized as such. And it is philosophy that can help us make better choices among goals, values and priorities Philosophy deals with a theory of knowledge whereas education deals with transmission of that knowledge. Philosophy is a guide to educational practice. The Educator is not able to seek proper answer without philosophers’ expert view. Philosophy and Education both deals with values. There is a deep relationship between value theory and educational objectives. Socrates says that philosophy begins with wonder. Therefore philosophy is the mother of all knowledge and all sciences. Sir John Adams says, “Education is the dynamic side of philosophy”. James Ross defines the relationship between philosophy and education by saying, “philosophy and education are like two sides of a coin, the former is the contemplative side, while the latter is the active side”. it means that philosophy provides theoretical bases for education. Therefore we can say both are interdependent, practice without theory is incomplete because it will be without guideline and theory without practice is also incomplete. Major Theories of Epistemology Idealism Idealism is a philosophical approach that has as its central principle that ideas are the only true reality, the only thing worth knowing. In a search for truth, beauty, and justice that is permanent and unending. Plato, father of Idealism, presented this view about 400 years BC, in his famous book, The Republic. Plato believed that there are two worlds. The first is the spiritual or mental world, which is never-ending, permanent, orderly, regular, and universal. There is also the world of exterior, the world experienced through sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound that is changing imperfect, and disorderly. To understand truth, beauty, and justice one must pursue knowledge and identify with the Absolute Mind. Plato also believed that the soul is fully formed prior to birth and is perfect and at one with the Universal Being. The birth

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process checks this perfection, so education requires bringing hidden ideas to consciousness. Idealism believes in superior wisdom. It is based on the view that reality is a world within a person's mind. As a result, schools exist to sharpen the mind and intellectual processes. Students are taught the wisdom of past heroes. In idealism, the aim of education is to discover and develop each individual's abilities and full moral excellence in order to better serve society. The curricular emphasis is subject matter of mind: literature, history, philosophy, and religion. Teaching methods focus on handling ideas through lecture, discussion, and Socratic dialogue (a method of teaching that uses questioning to help students discover and clarify knowledge). Character is developed through imitating examples of heroes. Realism Realism believes in the world as it is. It is based on the view that reality is what we observe. It believes that truth is what we sense and observe and that goodness is found in the order of the laws of nature. The ultimate reality is the world of physical objects. The focus is on the body/objects. Truth is objective-what can be observed. Aristotle, a student of Plato who broke with his teacher’s idealist philosophy, is called the father of both Realism and the scientific method. Aristotle believed that to understand an object, its ultimate form had to be understood, which does not change. As a result, schools exist to reveal the order of the world and universe. Students are taught accurate information. The Realist curriculum emphasizes the subject matter of the physical world, particularly science and mathematics. The teacher organizes and presents content systematically. Teaching methods focus on mastery of facts and basic skills through demonstration and recitation. Students must also demonstrate the ability to think critically and scientifically, using observation and experimentation. Curriculum should be scientifically approached and standardized. Character is developed through training in the rules of conduct. Pragmatism /Empiricism (Experientialism) Pragmatism /Empiricism /Experimentalism believe that things are constantly changing. It is based on the view that reality is what you experience. It believes that truth is what works right now and that goodness comes from group decisions. As a result, schools exist to discover and expand the society we live in. Students study social experiences and solve problems. John Dewey (1859-1952) applied pragmatist philosophy in his progressive approaches. For Pragmatists, teaching methods focus on hands-on problem solving, experimenting, and projects, often having students work in groups. Pragmatists believe that learners should apply their knowledge to real situations through experimental inquiry. This prepares students for citizenship, daily living, and future careers. Existentialism The nature of reality for Existentialists is subjective, and lies within the individual. Existentialism believes in the personal interpretation of the world. It is based on the view that the individual defines reality, truth and goodness. We define ourselves in relationship to that existence by the choices we make. We should not accept anyone else's predetermined philosophical system; rather, we must take responsibility for deciding who we are. The focus is on freedom, the development of authentic individuals, as we make meaning of our lives. Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), a Danish minister and philosopher, is considered to be the founder of existentialism. Related to education, schools exist to aid children in knowing themselves and their place in society. Students learn what they want and discuss subjects freely. The subject matter of existentialist classrooms should be a matter of personal choice. Real answers come from within the individual, not from outside authority. Examining life through authentic thinking involves students in genuine learning experiences. Major Theories of Educational Philosophy Within the epistemological frame that focuses on the nature of knowledge and how we come to know, there are four major educational philosophies, each related to one or more of the general or world philosophies. These educational philosophical approaches are currently used in classrooms the world over. They are Perennialism, Essentialism, Progressivism, and Reconstructionism. These educational philosophies focus heavily on what we should teach the curriculum aspect. Perennialism Perennialism means everlasting. For Perennialists, the aim of education is to ensure that students acquire understandings about the great ideas of Western civilization. These ideas have the potential for solving problems in any era. The focus is

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to teach ideas that are unending, to seek permanent truths which are constant, not changing, as the natural and human worlds at their most essential level, do not change. Humans’ minds need to be developed. Thus, development of the mind is the highest priority in a meaningful education. This is a very old-fashioned and inflexible philosophy of education. It is based on the view that reality comes from fundamental fixed truths-especially related to God. It believes that people find truth through interpretation and revelation and that goodness is found in balanced thinking. As a result, schools exist to teach motivation and God's will. Students are taught to motivation through structured lessons and drills. Essentialism Essentialists believe that there is a common core of knowledge that needs to be transmitted to students in a systematic, disciplined way. The emphasis in this conservative perspective is on intellectual and moral standards that schools should teach. The core of the curriculum is essential knowledge and skills. Although this educational philosophy is similar in some ways to Perennialism, Essentialists accept the idea that this core curriculum may change. Schooling should be practical, preparing students to become valuable members of society. It should focus on facts training students to read, write, speak, and compute clearly and logically. Students should be taught hard work, respect for authority, and discipline. Teachers are to help students. Progressivism Progressivists believe that education should focus on the whole child, rather than on the content or the teacher. This educational philosophy stresses that students should test ideas by active experimentation. Learning is rooted in the questions of learners that arise through experiencing the world. It is active, not passive. The learner is a problem solver and thinker who make meaning through his or her individual experience in the physical and cultural context. Effective teachers provide experiences so that students can learn by doing. Curriculum content is derived from student interests and questions. The scientific method is used by Progressivists educators The Progressive education philosophy was established in America from the mid 1920s through the mid 1950s. John Dewey was its primary ...