PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Philosophy of education is the cornerstone of the foundation of education. It provides direction
to education by assigning certain guidelines. Education is a dynamic and life-long process.
Hence, the responsibilities of the teacher have increased further. The system of education also
has to be changed in accordance with the hanging environment of the society. Therefore, the
knowledge of educational philosophy has become more important in these days.
Educational philosophy is very important to adopt suitable methods to teaching and make
classrooms teaching effective and attractive. We get the knowledge of different method of
teaching that is, ‘learning by doing’. In naturalism, lecture method in idealism and experimental
method in pragmatism. With the help of educational philosophy we can chose suitable methods
of teaching according to the nature of subjects and school environment. The above statement
can be supported by Mangal S.K. (2012:268).
According to Samuel Ravi, S. (2011:101),
“The role of students in the educational process is
determined by educational philosophy. With the help of
educational philosophy, we get knowledge pertaining to
the role of students in the schools. Students get secondary
importance in naturalism.”
We cannot fail to talk about philosophy in general when dealing with philosophy of education.
Philosophy has been defined in a number of ways by different scholars. According to Cicero,
philosophy has been defined as love of wisdom, knowledge, virtue and truth. Philosophy is the
mother of all arts and the true medicine of the mind.
This essay will discuss the relevance of studying philosophy of education in teacher educational
colleges. It will start first by defining philosophy of education and further discuss the relevance
of studying it. Brickman (1969), defined philosophy of education as principles, ideas, or theories
which guide the policy and practice of education in a distinctly geographical unit, that is, the
policy and practice of education in a country.
On the other hand Carter (1995) points out that philosophy of education is a careful, critical and
systematic
Educational philosophy is important to get the knowledge of the objectives of human life.
Everybody wants he or she should do something in life. He gets such knowledge or aim through
the medium of educational philosophy. in this regard, educational philosophy helps him to
achieve the objects of his life.
Educational problems and solutions: we are facing new problems every day. They are even
more in the educational field. This is because of the advancement of science and technology.
Now new visual aids, communication etc. are utilized in the society, which have a great impact
on educational practices. Thus, educational philosophy helps us to solve the growing problems
by using new ideology according to the nature of environment.
Aims of educational philosophy are more important to determine the aims of education. It gives
guidelines to change the aim of education during different periods. Self-expression is the aim of
education under naturalism, whereas it is self-realization in idealism and social efficiency in
pragmatism.
Educational philosophy provides knowledge to the teacher to know the criterion that he should
use to apply to evaluate the growth and performance of the students. He can adopt any criteria
to measure or evaluate the student’s physical, intellectual, spiritual, social and moral
development with the help of educational philosophy.
The knowledge of what kind of school administration we should adopt is determined by
educational philosophy. educational philosophy helps to establish a school in democratic or
totalitarian system. In these days, the school administration is done in a democratic setup. This
is based on educational philosophy.
According to Samuel Ravi, S. (2011:100),
“It is necessary to get knowledge about the personality or
quality that a teacher should process. It is educational
philosophy that considers the teacher as a friend,
philosophy guide, and social engineer. It is also determines
the importance of his role in the modern world”.
We get knowledge about formulating curriculum through the study of educational philosophy.
with the help of educational philosophy, a teacher comes to know why idealism give
importance to religious subjects. Thus, education philosophy is important to construct a
curriculum based on the needs of society.
Idealism advocates strict discipline and self-control whereas naturalism emphasizes freedom
and natural discipline. These disciplines are known from the study of different philosophies.
Hence, knowledge of educational philosophy is essential to follow on desirable discipline.
According to Muzumara (2008:32) he says, “Any teaching necessarily involves the act of asking
questions and responding to these questions. In this way, it is not practicable to separate
answering from questioning, both go side by side.” Consequently, questioning-answering as a
teaching strategy refers to an art and skill of managing the task of putting questions and
receiving answers to these questions in the teaching-learning process. These questions can be
asked by the teachers and students both depending upon the requirement and similarity
response can be required from both of them. A teacher, in this way must learn to use the art of
asking questions from his students, encouraging his students to ask questions from him and
providing satisfactory answers to these questions and queries.
In conclusion, the aims of educational philosophy are more important to determine the aims of
education. It gives guidelines to change the aims of education during different periods. Self-
expression is the aim of education under naturalism, whereas it is self-realization in idealism
and social efficiency in pragmatism.
REFERENCES
Samuel Ravi, S. (2011). A Comprehensive Study of Education.
New Delhi: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
Julian, M. (1967). History of Philosophy.
New York: Dover Publications Inc.
Hospers, J. (1968). Readings in Introductory Philosphical Analysis.
London: Rontledge and Keygan Paul Ltd.
Muzumara, P.M. (2008). Becoming Effective Science Teacher. New Delhi: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
