Chapter 6Philosophical

Roots of Education

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Philosophy’s Basic Questions

• Metaphysics: What is real?

• Epistemology: What is knowledge based on?

• Axiology: What is moral and right (ethics)? What is beautiful and good (aesthetics)?

• Logic: How can we reason?

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Emphases of Different Philosophies of Education

• Idealism: Great and enduring ideas

• Realism: Humanistic and scientific disciplines

• Pragmatism: Problem solving

• Existentialism: Creating a self-concept through significant choices

• Postmodernism: Democratic criticism and social change

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Connections Between Educational Theories and Philosophies

Perennialism >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>IdealismEssentialism >>>>> Realism and IdealismProgressivism >>>>>>>>>>> PragmatismHumanism>>>>>>>>>>>>>ExistentialismCritical Theory>>>>>>>>>Postmodernism

and Existentialism

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Emphases of Different Theories of Education

• Perennialism: Enduring human concerns, great works of Western culture

• Essentialism: Skills and subjects that transmit cultural heritage and contribute to socioeconomic efficiency

• Progressivism: Problem solving and group activities

• Critical Theory: Social conflicts

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Constructing Your Own Philosophy of Education

• Is knowledge based on universal and eternal truths? Is it relative to different times and places?

• What is the purpose of education? To transmit culture? To provide social and economic skills? To develop critical thinking skills? To reform society?

• What are schools for? To teach skills and subjects? To encourage personal self-definition? To develop human intelligence? To create patriotic, economically productive citizens?

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Constructing Your Own Philosophy of Education (cont.)

• What should the curriculum contain? Basic skills and subjects? Experiences and projects? Inquiry processes? Critical dialogues?

• What should the relationship be between teachers and students? Transmitting heritage? Teaching learning skills and subjects? Examining great ideas? Encouraging self-expression? Constructing knowledge? Solving problems?