CLASSICAL AND

CONTEMPORARY
PHILOSOPHIES
IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF
EDUCATION:
HUMANISM
DEMOCRACY
Introduction
“When we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenge to change ourselves.”
- Victor E. Frankl
The above quotation emphasizes the importance of oneself in making a situation better. No one
has the power to change a situation but everyone has the power to change himself. This was the point of
view of humanism which will be furtherly discussed in this lesson.
Also, half of this material focused on another classical philosophy which is democracy. It is
expected that after the lesson, the learners will be able to meet the objectives below.

Objectives
At the end of the lessons, the learners must be able to:
1. Discuss and compare the key concepts of humanism and democracy
2. Identify some educational practices in the Philippines that show the influence of humanism and
democracy
3. Appreciate the importance of humanism and democracy in the Philippine education

Discussion
The roots of humanistic approach are existential philosophy and the clinical experiences of Carl
Rogers and Abraham Maslow. These two were the foundation of humanism. Existential philosophy which
believes on one’s existence make way to humanism. On the other hand, the experiences of Carl Rogers
and Abraham Maslow who were both therapists support the concept of humanism wherein it’s the client
who provides direction on how the therapist will work. In relation to educational setting, the teachers are
all knowing but it is the students who provide direction to learning.
Humanism emphasizes the importance of the inner world of the human being and places the
individual’s thoughts, feelings and emotions at the forefront of all human developments. This philosophy
believes in individual and potential of humans. It embraces VIRTÚ - the quality of being a man as a
creation who excel in all pursuits. This largely rejects scholasticism and focuses on the study of ancient
languages, grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, politics, moral philosophy and revival of antiquity. Also,
humanism is more secular and lay dominated. This prepare the learners to be a future leader.
The key proponents of humanism as a philosophy were Petrarch, Leonard Bruni, Carl Rogers,
Abraham Maslow and Eric Erikson. Petrarch is the father of humanism. Leonard Bruni was the first
person to use the term humanism. Carl Rogers supported that human beings have a natural potential for
learning but this will take place only when learning is relevant to individual. Abraham Maslow proposed
the famous hierarchy of needs which proved the capacity of an individual to achieve self-actualization.
And, Eric Erikson saw that humans psychological development depends not only on the way in which
individuals pass through predetermined maturational stages but on the challenges that are set by society at
particular times in their lives.
The key elements of humanistic perspective are the emphasis on personal responsibility,
emphasis on personal growth, acknowledging the phenomenology of the individual, and emphasis on
functioning in the “here and now”. Since humanism develops the inner self, personal responsibility is
expected to be honed among the learners. Thus, personal growth will be observed with respect to the
phenomenology of the individual. Bear in mind that the present is more important than the past and the
future. For this reason, the teachers must be able to deal at the present condition of the learners.
In humanistic approach, learning process is conducive to personal change and growth and can
facilitate learning provided that the student participates completely in the learning process and has control
over its nature and direction. Through this, the teachers see individuals as different from each other in
terms of psychological and social side. Indeed, it is a constructivist approach. Its principles are the
development of human values, growth in self-awareness and in the understanding of others,
sensitivity to human feelings and emotions, and active student involvement in learning and in the
way learning takes place.
Students learn best in a non-threatening environment. Affective humanistic approach sees human
being as a whole person. Feelings are as important as facts. The content is decided by the students
because they will learn best what they want and need to know. The information and learning that takes
place appeals to what the students hope to gain and learn. Thus, self-evaluation is the only meaningful
evaluation of a student's work. It depends less on materials techniques and subject analyses, and more on
what goes on inside and between people in the classroom. Knowing how to learn is more important than
acquiring a lot of knowledge.
Since what mention above are the characteristics of humanistic approach, humanistic teachers
must allow the student to have a choice in the selection of tasks and activities whenever possible. They
help students learn to set realistic goals. They let students participate in group work, especially
cooperative learning, in order to develop social and affective skills. They act as a facilitator for group
discussions when appropriate. They are role models for the attitudes, beliefs and habits they wish to foster
to their students. They constantly work on becoming a better person and then share themselves with your
students. On the other hand, humanistic learners are autonomous. They learn what they want. And, they
are director as they shape their activities and group works.
This philosophy has advantages and disadvantages. Its advantages are it improves
cooperativeness, creativity and independence, it increases positive attitudes towards teacher and school, it
develops stress free environment, it reflects a holistic affective and student centered view of learning, it
promotes self confidence, and, teachers can use music, art and action to make the class interesting and
lively. Its disadvantages are humanistic teachers aim for good things but these are not clearly defined,
humanistic approach is highly dependent upon the capabilities of the teacher.. Teachers should be viewed
as facilitators and counselors, it requires careful preparation of materials and some members dominate ,
others are ignored.
Another classical philosophy in education is democracy. The famous person behind democracy
in education is John Dewey. According to him, “A society of free individuals in which all, doing each of
his own work, contribute to the liberation and enrichment of the lives of others is the only environment
for the normal growth to full stature.” It is clear that freedom of students to learn is needed to meet their
own potentials.
For education to be most successful, it is necessary that people participate in democratic forms of
life. There should be democracy in all aspects of life, not just in politics, but in every part of life.
Institutions need to contribute to the all-round growth of every member of society. The schools are the
key social institutions. They are laboratories for democracy. They are the place to experiment democracy
through election of classroom and other school officers. Teachers are not the bosses but they listen to the
voices of the masses – the learners. Schools need to develop programs and teaching approaches based on
the special nature of the children.
The role of the schools in democratic education are for growth, optimism, experience and
cooperation among students. Schools bring each person to an ever widening set of experiences in a
positive direction. They have faith in the possibilities of democratic society and faith in ordinary people.
They link thinking and doing, thought and feeling, reason and imagination which leads to cooperative use
of intelligence. Schools educate individuals for a changing future.
Democratic education is social. It encourages students to cooperate to each other and interact for
their betterment. It emphasized experiences. This kind of education boosts freedom. This can be seen on
the students’ performances in individual or group activities. Teaching approaches are non-authoritarian.
Since it encourages liberty, students are expected to have autonomy and self-discipline. Active learning is
visible. Also, it touches all aspects of life, including their community. It truly connects to life.

Conclusion and Application

As the Bible says, “God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So . . . if you
are a teacher, do a good job of teaching” (Romans 12:6-7). Events in the classrooms today are the seeds
of world events tomorrow. Humanism and democracy in education both believe in the capacity of the
individual to learn. Learners are truly capable of developing their inner selves – body, soul and spirit.
Upon developing themselves, they will be able to socialize to other students and exercise their freedom
with the responsibility of self-discipline and personal growth. These two should always be observed in the
classroom. Assigning student to be a prayer leader is an example of applying this philosophy. Through
this task, student is able to gain self-confidence and direction for the whole day. A self-made prayer gives
them freedom to ask the Lord for what his heart is longing to. That’s the reason why I asked my students
to lead the class in prayer using their self-made prayers.
Also, these philosophies can be observed in group activities. They have the freedom to present
their output the way they wanted to present it. Through this activity, students are able to develop
themselves to the fullest.
References
http: //www.powershow.com/view/b11-ZGY5Y/
https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/claudineaireen/humanism-powerpoint
https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/tintojohnsvazhupadickal/education-and-democracy
www.courses.education.illionois.edu
www.educationrevolution.org
www.rhinelander.k12.wi.us

Bautista, Cherie Belle, Cerda

Presenter