The Major Philosophies

Foundations of American Education, 6th EditionWebb, Metha, & Jordan

© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.All rights reserved.

CHAPTER 3

The Major Philosophies

Foundations of American Education, 6th EditionWebb/Metha/Jordan

© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.All Rights Reserved.2

Overview of Chapter 3 Defining philosophy Three branches of philosophy

Metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology Traditional philosophies

Idealism, realism, and neo-theism Contemporary philosophies

Pragmatism and existentialism Analytic Philosophy



Defining Philosophy “Study of the fundamental nature of

knowledge, reality, and existence” New Oxford American Dictionary, 2005

Helps us better understand who we are, why we are here, and where we are going.

Educational philosophy helps define views about learners, teachers, and schools.

Major philosophies include idealism, realism, and theistic realism



Branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics – What is the nature of reality?

Epistemology – What is the nature of knowledge?

Axiology – What is the nature of values?



Metaphysics

One of the key concepts in understanding philosophies

Concerned with reality and existence Asks: What is the nature of reality? Subdivided into two categories

Ontology: what is the nature of existence Cosmology: origin and organization of the

universe



Epistemology

Raises questions about the nature of knowledge

Logic is a key dimension to epistemology Deductive logic: from general to specific Inductive logic: from specific facts to

generalization



Axiology

Explores the nature of values

Ethics: study of human conduct and examines moral values

Aesthetics: values beauty, nature, and aesthetic experience (often associated with music, art, literature, dance, theater, and other fine arts)



Major Traditional Philosophy:IdealismConsidered oldest philosophy of Western cultureThe world of mind, ideas and reason is primary

Metaphysics- stresses mind over matter (nothing is real except for an idea in the mind)

Epistemology- all knowledge includes a mental grasp of ideas and concepts

Axiology- values are rooted in realityIdealists believe that values can be classified and ordered into a hierarchy



Leading proponents of Idealism

Plato- Greek philosopher Considered father of idealism “Allegory of the Cave” from The Republic

Augustine- theologian of 4th & 5th centuries Applied Plato’s assumptions to Christian thought

Descartes, Kant & Hegel Descarte: “I think, therefore I am” Kant: certain universal moral laws- categorical

imperitives Hegel: approached reality as “contest of opposites”



Major Traditional Philosophy:Realism

The antithesis of IdealismUniverse exists whether mind perceives it or not

Metaphysics- reality composed of matter (body) and form (mind)

Epistemology- sense realism (knowledge comes through senses)

Axiology- values derived from nature



Leading proponents of Realism

Aristotle- father of realism Student of Plato Argued that knowledge can be acquired through

senses

Francis Bacon Advanced a rigorous form of inductive reason

John Locke Theory of tabula rasa (no such thing as innate ideas)

Comenius, Rousseau, and Pestalozzi



Major Traditional Philosophy:Neo-Thomism

Dates to the time of Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Also known as theistic realism“God exists and can be known through faith and

reason”

Metaphysics- God gives meaning to universe Epistemology- hierarchy of knowing God Axiology- unchanging moral laws



Contemporary Philosophies: PragmatismAlso known as experimentalism- experience or

things that workPhilosophy of 20th century developed by John

Dewey

Metaphysics- regard reality as an event or process. Meaning is derived from experience in environment.

Epistemology- truth is not absolute but determined by consequences. Arrived at by inquiry, testing, questioning, retesting, ect.

Axiology- primarily focused on values. Determined by own experiences



Leading Proponents of PragmatismAuguste Comte Suggested science could solve social problems Problem solving was key

Charles Darwin Theory of natural selection implied reality was open

ended, not fixed

Americans: Charles Pierce, William James and John Dewey



Contemporary Philosophies: Existentialism

Appeared as a revolt against the mathematical, scientific philosophies that preceded it.

Focused on personal and subjective existence

Metaphysics- no purpose or meaning to universe. No world order or natural scheme of things

Epistemology- we come to know truth by choice. The authority is found in self.

Axiology- choice to determine value.



Leading Proponents of Existentialism Soren Kierkegaard

Danish philosopher/ theologian Father of existentialism Rejected scientific objectivity for subjectivity and

choice Martin Buber

Jewish philosopher/ theologian “I/Thou” relationship- divine and human are related

Husserl and Heidegger Jean- Paul Sartre

We construct our own existence



Other Proponents of Existentialism

Siberman & Kozol Supporters of open schools, free

schools, and alternative schools of 1960’s

Neill- Summerhill school Nel Noddings

Educational model that includes caring



Analytic Philosophy Sought out to clarify, and define

philosophies Began in post WWI era- Vienna Circle

Studied the alienation between philosophy and science

Established the concept of logical positivism: there are logical and empirical types of scientific expression

Shifted to Analytic philosophy in 1950’s Analytic philosophy has recently focused on

political philosophy, ethics and philosophy of human sciences



Review Questions for Chapter 3 What is a philosophy and why is it important

for teachers? Define the three branches of philosophy. What is idealism and name a proponent of it? What is realism and someone who supports it? What is neo-Thomism and who is it named

after? What are two contemporary philosophies? What are some key differences between the

two contemporary philosophies? Explain philosophic analysis.

The Major Philosophies

Education

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