Course EDUC 202: FOUNDATION OF EDUCATION
Sem/AY 1ST Semester
Topic Pragmatism
Sub topics Charles Sanders Peirce
William JAmes
John Dewey
Students’
Leah U. Mandigma
name
Instructor Mr. Jherwin P. Hermosa
The proponents of Pragmatism
Description
of the Topic
Learning Outcomes
Intended ● Understanding the Philosophy of Pragmatism
Learning
Outcomes
Targets/ ● Discuss the philosophy of pragmatism.
Objectives ● Identify different Pragmatists.
Lesson proper
Lesson
Lecture Guide
INTRODUCTION
Pragmatism
Derived from Greek word ‘pragma’ which means work, practice, action or
activity.
The philosophy that encourages people to find processes that work in order
to achieve their desired ends.
It is a philosophy that believes in change.
the student should have a choice in what they learn and that the curriculum needs to
be somewhat flexible.
Originated as a philosophical movement in the United States in the late
1800s.
Its emphasis is on action and not thoughts
Also called Instrumentalism, Experimentalism and functionalism.
Its main proponents were Charles Sanders Peirce, William James and John
Dewey.
Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914)
An American philosopher, logician, mathematician, and scientist.
“The Father of Pragmatism"
Believe that reality is constantly changing and that we learn best through applying
our experiences and thoughts to problems, as they arise.
Major Works
• ‘’Upon the Logic Of Mathematics’’
• ‘’Upon Logical Comprehension and Extension’’
• ‘’The New Elements of Mathematics’’
• ‘’Reasoning and the Logic of Things’’
• ‘’Pragmatism as a Principle and method of Right Thinking’’
Pragmatism
• For any statement to be meaningful, it must have practical bearing.
• First you infer, then you experience things.
• Making decisions based on facts, not ideals.
• Pragmatists are allowed to change their mind.
William James (1842-1910)
An American philosopher and psychologist who was also trained as a physician.
The first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States, James was one
of the leading thinkers of the late nineteenth century and is believed by many to be
one of the most influential philosophers the United States has ever produced, while
others have labelled him the "Father of American psychology".
Explained Pragmatism as the resolution of the debate between the two ways of
thinking the tough minded and tender minded.
Materialists- the world is made only of physical things
Idealists- the world is made only of mental things.
A posteriori and empirical- learn things through experience
A priori- learn things through thinking and the mind
Fatalistic and deterministic- things are determined to happen a certain way.
Libertarian- we have free will to change things.
Skeptical- something must be proven to be known
Dogmatic- beliefs are accepted without argument.
- According to James, Pragmatism can help to resolve this dilemma. For the
pragmatist we need to look at the practical consequences of belief before choosing
what to believe. We need to look at the context and what is best to believe.
- In order to illustrate the principle, James offers the following thought experiment.
Imagine a squirrel hanging from a tree, just opposite a man. The man moves around
the tree to try to catch a glimpse of the squirrel, but the squirrel is always quicker
and always keeps the tree in between it and the man.
- The question is did the man move around the squirrel or not.
- This Trivial question James point is depends on the context…
- For James, the answer becomes clear when we look at the issue pragmatically.
What, for our practical purposes do we mean by ‘go around’? if it means pass to the
west, south, east and north of then YES he has gone around, but if it means pass in
front of, to the left of, behind and to the right of then NO. Once we understand the
practical implications of each definition, the answer becomes clear.
John Dewey (1859-1942)
An American philosopher and educator who was a leading exponent of
philosophical pragmatism and rejected traditional methods of teaching by rote in
favor of a broad-based system of practical experience.
Father of Modern Experiential Education
Pragmatism is a Practical Philosophy
It aims at developing efficiency of the pupil through activities and experience.
Education should enable the child to solve his daily problems and lead a better life.
It is a work philosophy.
Activities lie at the center of all educative process.
Forms of Pragmatism
Biological Pragmatism- According to this the capacity of a human being is valuable and
important which enables him to adjust with the environment or makes him able to
change his environment according to his needs and requirements.
Humanistic Pragmatism- According to this, whatever fulfills ones purpose, satisfies
ones desire, develops ones life, and its true. It maintains what satisfies the human nature
is only true and real.
Experimental Pragmatism- According to this can be experimentally verified is true. The
principle is true which can be verified as true by experiment.
Methods of Teaching based on the Following Principles:
Principles of purposive process of learning.
Principles of Learning by doing.
Principle of integration.
School
A institution which develops in child a social sense and sense of duty towards
society and nation.
‘’ School is the embryo of community’’
‘’ School is the miniature society’’
‘’ An instrument of transmission and transformation of the culture.’’
10 questions (Essay type)
1.What is the main idea of pragmatism?
2. Is the philosophy of pragmatism applicable in todays education? How ?
3.How does the pragmatism influence education?
4. How is pragmatism relevant in today’s classroom?
Questions/ 5.How can pragmatism be used in the classroom?
Assessment 6.Which is the most accepted method of teaching according to pragmatism”?
7. How does John Dewey influence the teaching practice?
8.What are the roles of teachers in education based on pragmatism?
9.What are the contribution of pragmatism to education?
10.How does pragmatism influence the curriculum?
References https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Dewey/Instrumentalism
https://iep.utm.edu/peircepr/#:~:text=Pragmatism%20is%20a%20principle%20of,it
%20must%20have%20practical%20bearings
youtube.com/watch/v=u0EOF56roHI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJuFQjWYeEk
