PHILOSOPHIES OF EDUCATION

MEANING OF PHILOSOPHY:
The word philosophy is derived from two Greek words i.e. 'PHILEO' means "To love"
and 'SOPHIA' means "Wisdom".
*Thus it means philosophy is "love of wisdom", "searching the wisdom "or" passion
of learning". It is the loving and searching care for the wisdom and truth.
DEFINITIONS OF PHILOSOPHY:
Philosophy is the science of knowledge. by-Fitch
Philosophy is the mother of all arts and the true medicine of mind. by-Cicero
Philosophy is critical reviewing of just those familiar things. by-John Dewey
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
* A set of values and beliefs about education that guide the professional behavior of
educator.
It asks- What is the purpose of education?
* It may be defined as the application of the fundamental principles of a philosophy of
life to the work of education.
* It offers a definite set of aims and definite set of objectives.
PHILOSOPHY, EDUCATION AND THEIR INTERDEPENDENCE:
* Philosophy and education are closely interrelated. Education is application of
philosophy or philosophy of education is applied philosophy. It is the application of
philosophy to study of the problems of education that is known as philosophy of
education. Education is the strongest instrument for the realization of the ideals of
life and a civilized attempt to bring about the desired development of human
personality.
This indicates the fact that plant of education draws its nourishment from the soil of
philosophy. Philosophy answers all the ultimate questions of education.
* Philosophy and education are interdependent in nature. As ROSS stated that
philosophy is the contemplative side while education is the active side. It can be
concluded that philosophy is theory while education is the practice. Practice
unguided by theory is aimless and inconsistent just as theory cannot be translated
into practice is useless and confusing.
* The chief task of philosophy is to state the aspects of good life whereas for
education the chief task is how to make life worth living. So, philosophy and
education are mutually reconstructive, ie. they function with a mutual give or take.
* Philosophy handles goals while education provides the means to achieve these
goals. In this sense, philosophy of education is a distinet but not a separate
discipline. The process of philosophizing about education requires an understanding
of education of education and its problems.

FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY:

Philosophy of education performs various functions.
A] Determining the aspects of education:
1. Aims of education
2. Curriculum
3. Methods of teaching
4. Discipline
5. Teacher & Student
6. Administration
B] Harmonizing old and new traditions in the field of education.
C] Providing the educational planners, administrators and educators with the
progressive vision to achieve educational development
D] Preparing the young generation to face the challenges of the modern time

DETERMINING THE ASPECTS OF EDUCATION

Aims of education:
* Philosophy of education provides original ideas regarding all aspects of education
particularly educational aims, method of teaching, curriculum, teacher, students etc.
* It guides the process of education by suggesting suitable aims from the diversities
of life and selecting the means accordingly.
Curriculum:
* It helps curriculum designer to construct curriculum according to the need, ability
and interest of the learner.
Methods of teaching:
* Educational philosophy is very much helpful to adopt suitable methods of teaching.
* We get the knowledge of different methods of teaching, ie. 'Learning by doing' in
naturalism, 'lecture method' in idealism and 'experimental method' in pragmatism.
* It helps us to choose the suitable methods of teaching according to the nature of
the subject and school environment.
Discipline:
* Discipline reflects the philosophy of life.
* Idealism advocates street discipline and self-control whereas naturalism emphasis
freedom and natural discipline, and pragmatism stressed social discipline.
* These disciplines are known from the study of different educational philosophies.
* The knowledge of educational philosophy is essential to follow a desirable
discipline.
Teacher & Student:
* Educational philosophy determines the role and quality of teacher as well as the
student in diversified society.
* With the help of educational philosophy, we get knowledge pertaining to the role of
the teacher as well as student in the school and relationship with each other.
USES OF PHILOSOPHY AND EDUCATION:
 As a resources- person in curriculum development in particular subjects.
 As a inter disciplinarian- the philosopher of education is concerned not only
with the relationship of all fields of education with one another but also with
the relationships of these fields to the wider world of arts, science, religion,
polities and society.
 As co - researcher- the educational philosopher collates and synthesizes the
findings of various projects in different fields which convergent answer a
single, fundamental question.

CLSSIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES

MODERN CONTEMPORARY
TRADITIONAL PHILOSOPHIES
PHILOSOPHIES

PERENNIALISM
NATURALISM

IDEALISM
ESSENTIALISM

PRAGMATISM EXISTENTIALISM

REALISM RECONSTRUCTIONISM

PROGRESSIVISM
TRADITIONAL PHILOSOPHIES OF EDUCATION :
 NATURALISM
 IDEALISM
 PRAGMATISM
 REALISM

NATURALISM
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND ITS CHIEF PROPONENTS
* Rabindranath
Tagore
* Jean Jacques
Rousseau
* Johann
Heinrich
* Pestalozzi
* Herbert
Spencer
CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY
Education the human generations about and in the nature rather than artificial
environment by keeping in mind the individuality of each child.
ORGANIZATION AND AIMS OF EDUCATION
Nature is considered classroom. Emphasis on open air schools to teach through
direct experience with nature.
CURRICULUM
Bass of curriculum development was child's nature, interest and needs.
Stressed on subjects dealing with nature such as physics, chemistry, biology,
language and mathematics. Tagore also stressed on teaching spiritual values of
nature.
METHODS OF EDUCATION
As natural as possible considering individual differences. Noble eflorts for planned
living. Direct experence of nature through observation, excursion, expermentation
and play-way.
ROLE OF TEACHER
Teacher is an observer and facilitator of the child to develop in nature: teacher
facilitates best possible natural environment for prompt leamng
DISCIPLINE
No emphasis on external rigid discipline: recommended free discipline to child in
nature for optimum desired learning
IDEALISM
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND ITS CHIEF PROPONENTS
* Dr. Radhakrishnan
* Sir Aurobindo
* Plato
* Ross
* Socrates
CONCEOT OF PHILOSOPHY
It believes that the act of knowing takes place within the mind for three values, ie.
intellectual, aesthetic and moral values and the purpose of education is the
development of the student's mind and self.
ORGANIZATION AND AIMS OF EDUCATION
Well planned formal classrooms or formal place of teaching-learning activity is
recommended.
CURRICULUM
Basis of curriculum is inculcating intellectual, aesthetic and moral values or
discipline. The intellectual value is represented by subjects such as language,
literature, science, Mathematics, history and geography: aesthetic through arts and
poetry and moral through religion ethics and metaphysics. Art also physical
education
METHODS OF EDUCATION
Formal classroom teaching methods such as lecture, discussion, presentation and
group interaction. Knowledge is transferred from the more mature person (teacher)
to the pupil through formal and well-planned teaching-learning methods.
ROLE OF TEACHER
Teacher is considered center of education .Teacher must be the ideal and a role
model for the child both intellectually and morally. The teacher should be creative to
provide opportunity to child's mind to discover, analyze, unify, synthesize and
creative application of knowledge to Life.
DISCIPLINE
Idealism believes in interconnection of discipline and interest. Advocates discipline
for self-realization of individual It does not favorrigad discipline but advocates
spontaneous and self-discipline.
PRAGMATISM
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND ITS CHIEF PROPONENTS
William
James
* John Dewey
* Charles
Sanders
Pierce
* S Kill Patrick
* Margaret H
CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY
It considers self. activity as the basis of all teaching-learning processes m context of
cooperative activity. Education should be according to child's aptitudes and abilities,
where he a respected and educations planned to cater to His inclinations and
сарасities; however he develops in social context.
METHOD OF EDUCATION
Teaching- learning process is a social process where the sharing of experiences
between the teacher and the student takes place.
Preferred methods are project method and activity-oriented learning.
ROLE OF TEACHER
Role of teacher is not that of a dictator or a task master but as a leader of group
activities. Teacher acts as catalyst where he suggests a problem to students and
stimulates them to find a solution Teacher is a mentor with resources to guide the
students.
DISCIPLINE
Pragmatism does not believe in traditional firm discipline, however it advocates for
freedom of self-discipline in a free and conducive teaching-learning environment.
REALISM
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND ITS CHIEF PROPONENTS
* Aristotle
* Johann
Friedrich
Herbart
* Herbert
Spencer
* John Locke
* Franklin
Bobbitt
CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY
Realism makes the human being understand and enjoy society in the true sense by
getting the multidimensional real joy of life in reality. It also aims for education to
make the life of man useful, where a man can enjoy his activities and comfort in
realities.
ORGANIZATION AND AIMS OF EDUCATION
Realism emphasizes on scientific attitude based on realistic principles, where the
child cam extends his knowledge, which he learns through books. It has given due
emphass on formal schools, which provides adequate opportunity for learners to
leam the vocational skills through, observation. expermentatiots and examinations.
CURRICULUM
Selection of curriculum for the students must be based on their abilities, interest and
capabilties so that education helps the students to adjust to changing circumstances
of society. It also emphasizes on subject matters of real-life use such as science.
mathematics, hygiene and vocational content.
METHODS OF EDUCATION
Realism believes in objectivity, knowledge of scientific evidences and reality. Method
of teaching should be according to needs, interests and capabilities of students.
Vocational education should equip the individual with capacities to earn livelihood
such as experimentation, examination and observation.
ROLE OF TEACHER
Teachers must focus on the development of vocational skills in the learners, so that
they can be equipped with the qualities of race preservation and vocational
behaviour activities. Teacher acts as a mentor, and must be a role model and skilled
to demonstrate vocational skills to the learners.
DISCIPLINE
Realism believes in an optimum level of discipline without imposing undue stress on
the learners.
MODERN CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHIES OF EDUCATION :
Modern philosophies are also known as normative philosophies. These are actually
the theories of education that are based on the results of philosophical thoughts and
of factual inquiries about human beings and psychology of learning.
Each one philosophy has its own contributions and limitations, no one philosophy is
complete in itself and can be applied successfully in all situations.
Some of the modern educational philosophies are discussed below:
 PERENNIALISM
 EXISTENTIALISM
 PROGRESSIVISM
 ESSENTIALISM
 RECONSTRUCTIONALISM
PERENNIALISM
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND ITS CHIEF PROPONENTS
* Thomas
Aquinas
* Robert
Hutchins
* Mortimer
Adler
CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY
Education ensures that students acquire an understanding about the great ideas of
civilization. These ideas have the potential for solving problems in any era. The focus
is to teach ideas that are everlasting, to seck enduring truths which are constant, as
the natural and human work is at their most essential level.
ORGANIZATION AND AIMS OF EDUCATION
The aim of education is to develop the rational person, who has intellectual abilities
to uncover universal truth. Character training is abo important for moral and spiritual
development of an individual.
CURRICULUM
Accepts little flexibility in the curriculum that emphasizes on language,literature,
mathematics, arts and sciences.
Common curriculum for all the students with minimal opportunities for elective
subjects.
Teaching-learning process must create liberalism. tolerance and discretion among
learners.
METHODS OF EDUCATION
Perennialism portages for the educational methods, which promotes constant
teacher-taught interaction such as oral exposition, lecture and explication.
Emphasis is placed on teacher-guided seminars, where students and teachers
engage in mutual inquiry sessions.
Students may also learn directly from reading and analysing, the great books.
ROLE OF TEACHER
Teacher must be competent and master of his subject so that he can help their
students to develop the power to think deeply, analytically, flexibly and imaginatively.
Teacher is also authoritative and a guide of the students.
DISCIPLINE
Education should be organized and conducted in a manner that problem of
indiscipline does not arise at all.
EXISTENTIALISM
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND ITS CHIEF PROPONENTS
CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY
William
Bagley
* Arthur
Bestor
* Admiral
Hyman
Rickover2
* James D.Koemer
* Paul
Copperman
* Theodore
Sizer
ORGANIZATION AND AIMS OF EDUCATION
Essentialists believe that there is a common core of knowledge that needs to be
transmitted to students in a systematic, disciplined way.
The emphasis placed on intellectual and moral standards that schools should teach
and preparing students to become valuable members of society.
CURRICULUM
The philosophy recommended intellectual content with quality and capacity of the
learner. The recommended subjects are English, mathematics, natural science,
history and foreign languages.
METHODS OF EDUCATION
Essentialism recommended formal and well-planned classroom teaching methods
such as lectures, discussions. presentations and group interaction.
ROLE OF TEACHER
Teacher must be a master of subject matter and role model for learners with high
level of authority and control over teaching-learning process and learner.
DISCIPLINE
Essentialism believes in rigid discipline and devoted hard work of leamers in his
studies.
PROGRESSIVISM
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND ITS CHIEF PROPNENTS
Horace Mann
* Henry
Barnard
* Johan Dewey
CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY
Progressivism believe that learning must be through problem solving and scientific
inquiry in a cooperative and self-discipline way. which promote the democratic living
and transmits the culture of society while preparing students to adapt n changing
world.
ORGANIZATION AND AIMS OF EDUCATION
Progressivism recommended democratic school procedures, which promote the
community and social reforms. The aims of education are to promote the democratic
social living .
CURRICULUM
Progressivism recommended curriculum, which is interdisciplinary in nature, which
promotes written textbooks and subject content that are the part and process of
learning rather than ultimate source of knowledge.
Further, curculum is based on child's interest, problems and life affairs.
METHODS OF EDUCATION
Child is considered as learner rather than subject, who primarily lamed through
cooperative group activities and experiences.
ROLE OF TEACHER
Teacher must act as guide for problem solving, leader for group activities and partner
in planning the leaming activities.
DISCIPLINE
Has not recommended any sort of specifies formal discipline.
ESSENTIALISM
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND ITS CHIEF PROPNENTS
William
Bagley
* Arthur
Bestor
* Admiral
Hyman
Rickover
* James D.
Koemer
* Paul
Copperman
* Theodore
Sizer
CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY
Essentialists believe that there is a common core of knowledge that needs to be
transmitted to students in a systematic, disciplined way.
The emphasis placed on intellectual and moral standards that schools shouid teach
and preparing students to become valuable members of society.
ORGANIZATION AND AIMS OF EDUCATION
Essentialism has recommended for the formal schools or teaching-learning places.
The aims of education is to promote intellectual growth and academic
competitiveness of the individual to become a model Citizen .
CURRICULUM
The philosophy recommended intellectual content with quality and capacity of the
learner. The recommended subjects are English, mathematics, natural science,
history and foregn languages.
METHODS OF EDUCATION
Essentialism recommended formal and well-planned classroom teaching methods
such as lectures, discussions. presentations and group interaction
ROLE OF TEACHER
Teacher must be a master of subject matter and role model for learners with high
level of authority and control over teaching-learning process and learner.
DISCIPLINE
Essentialism believes in rigid discipline and devoted hard work of leamers in his
studies.
RECONSTRUCTIONALISM
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND ITS CHIEF PROPNENTS
Theodore
Brameld
* George
Counts
* Paulo Freire
CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY
This philosophy of education believes on reorganizing and restructuring the process
of education to being about social and cultural contrastive changes in community,
society and country, where emphasis is placed on cultural pluralism, equality,
futurism, national interest-oriented education.
ORGANIZATION AND AIMS OF EDUCATION
Reconstructionism recommends for formal as well as informal ways of organizing the
education so that desired am of education can be achieved to bring the
reconstruction of the society
CURRICULUM
Curriculum should be conceived with a new socIo economic and political interest.
Therefore, the subject content must be oriented towards aspects of new changes
expected social, economic and political discipline such as sociology. economics and
science and technology.
METHODS OF EDUCATION
The philosophy of education believes that teaching methods must be organized in
manner that student become self-reliant, education must be activity onented to
develop necessary activities and abilities.
ROLE OF TEACHER
The role of teacher is to take the social responsibilities and along with students must
become the agent to improve society.
DISCIPLINE
This philosophy of education propagates about optimum level of discipline but not a
rigid discipline.

SUMMARY
Philosophy means "love of wisdom." It is made up of two Greek words, Philo,
meaning love, and Sophos, meaning wisdom. Philosophy and education are closely
interrelated. Education is application of philosophy or philosophy of education is
applied philosophy. It is the application of philosophy to study of the problems of
education that is known as philosophy of education. Philosophies of education, both
traditional and modern, are studied in several aspects as aims of education,
curriculum, methods of education, role of teacher and disciplines.

CONCLUSION
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.
The philosophy of education may be either the philosophy of the process of
education or the philosophy of the discipline of education. That is, it may be part of
the discipline in the sense of being concerned with the aims, forms, methods, or
results of the process of educating or being educated.

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