Social and Cultural Foundations of American Education/Chapter 1/What are Philosophies? 3
From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
Educational Philosophies
By Rochelle Thompson
There are many different ways to approach the topic "What are philosophies?" One possibility is to study the philosophers who forged them. Another is to look at some of the first philosophies and how these philosophies have changed and shaped future philosophies. I plan to focus on both of these subjects in order to answer the question “What are philosophies?”
Contents |
[edit] Philosophers
There are many philosophers who have, over time, talked about the subject of education. Many philosophers were teachers themselves. Horace Mann, John Dewey, and Jacques Maritain are three philosophers from the 19th and 20th centuries who shaped modern educational philosophy. Each of these men held different views on what education was and should cover, but each of their views had an impact on modern education.
[edit] Horace Mann
Horace Mann was one of the first people to fight for public education. He is often called the “father of public education.” (Baines, 2006). In 1837, he was elected to the Massachusetts Board of Education. He then began to lobby for public education. Mann believed that local taxes should fund basic education for every child. Mann defined education as “a basic level of literacy and the inculcation of public ideals." Mann also believed that education led to both political stability and social harmony. He was one of the first advocates for developing training schools for teachers and believed that teaching was a profession. Above all, Mann was dedicated to creating a system of universal education in the United States.
[edit] John Dewey
John Dewey began his career as a psychologist and then became interested in philosophy. He is credited with creating Progressive education - one of the main philosophies in education. Dewey believed that education should be student oriented instead of focusing on subjects. Dewey’s Progressivism focuses on the idea of learning by doing.
| "Education is a social process ... Education is growth.... Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself."-John Dewey |
Dewey opposed the idea that the main purpose of education was to transmit traditional knowledge. Instead, Dewey strongly believed that education should facilitate creative intelligence and prepare students to live their lives effectively. (Hergenhahn, 2005).
[edit] Jacques Maritain
Jacques Maritain was another philosopher who focused on social rights, and therefore education. In the late 1920s Maritain turned his attention to the defense of natural rights. Maritain moved to the United States to lecture and stayed in the country when World War Two began. During this time he lectured on many subjects including the philosophy of education. (Jacques Maritain). Maritain's view of education coincided with the Perennialist’s theory of education. Maritain believed that all humans have the power of intellect, the ability to learn, and the potential of rationality. Maritain also believed that in order for education to be complete it must be religiously oriented. In keeping with the Perennialist philosophy of education, Maritain believed that all humans have the potential to know and an inclination to discover the truth. Maritain believed that the main purpose of education was to “bring each generation in contact with truth by exercising and cultivation the intelligence and rationality each person possesses” (Gutek, 2005). In Maritain’s opinion the goal of education is to discover and enjoy both the truth and the beauty of the subject matter instead of simply mastering the content (Gutek, 2005).
These are only three of the many people who impacted the philosophy of education.
[edit] Educational Philosophies
There are many different schools of educational philosophy. Over the years several different schools of thought have emerged. Many of these ideas began as philosophical theories and were later applied to schools and education. There are eight main philosophies that have greatly impacted the current educational system.
[edit] Idealism
Idealism was the first classical philosophy. Socrates and Plato were the thinkers behind this philosophy. Idealism maintains that reality is spiritual, mental, and unchanging. Epistemology is the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity. The epistemology of Idealism is gained by rethinking ideas that are tried and true. Axiology is the study of the nature, types, and criteria of values and of value judgments especially in ethics. In Idealism axiology is considered absolute, everlasting, and past our reach as humans. (Arif, 2005).
[edit] Realism
Realism is the second classical philosophy and it began with Aristotle. Aristotle proposed that reality was an objective thing, instead of a spiritual experience. Realism is founded on the belief that humanity can learn about the real world and comprehend what is learned. The idea of knowledge existing as the basis for an individual's growth and maturity emerges as another key concept for the theory of realism. From Realism grew the philosophical ideas of Perennialism and Essentialism. (Arif, 2005).
[edit] Perennialism
Perennialism began in the 1930s and focuses on molding students into rational human beings through education. The curriculum for Perennialist educators were time honored texts such as The Book of Virtues. There was also the belief that there were certain people and events that a student must learn in order to be considered educated. Essentialism also began in the 1930s; however, it differed quite a bit from Perennialism. Essentialists believed that students didn’t need to rely on specific texts in order to gain knowledge. Instead, Essentialists strove to discover new ways for people to acquire helpful job skills. The main goal of Essentialism was to teach students how to cope in real-life settings. (Arif, 2005).
[edit] Pragmatism
Pragmatism is the only classical philosophy that was developed in the United States. It was created using a combination of Darwin’s evolution treatise, the scientific method, and psychology. The main theory of Pragmatism states that if there was a profitable end, then the means it took to reach that end was justified. Pragmatists as the question, "How will this benefit me?" Progressivism was developed by John Dewey and grew from Pragmatism.
| "I thought the purpose of education was to learn to think for yourself."-Dead Poets Society |
Progressivism is based on the belief that it is the educator’s duty to teach to the students' intellect, interests, and personal needs. Progressivists believe that the curriculum should fit the students, not that the students should fit a specific curriculum. Progressivists also believe that the best way to teach is by assigning projects and activities that interest the students in a classroom. (Arif, 2005).
[edit] Existentialism
The last classical philosophy is Existentialism. Existentialism was born from Sartre’s idea that humans may not have any choice about how or when they enter the world, but they do have the ability to find their own answer for the meaning of life. This philosophy is based on a persons search for his or her identity. For Existentialists, reality is a subjective matter, epistemology is a personal search for choices, and axiology is the definitive expression of free will. From Existentialism grows Social Reconstuctionism. This is truly a teaching philosophy. It was developed by educational and social reformists, William Counts and Theodore Brameld. The theory promotes the students rights for individual education formats. A major belief of this theory is that the main focus of education should be the “betterment of local, regional, national, and international relations.” (Arif, 2005). This theory mandated that a proper course of study is one that focuses on social concerns as well as academic growth. (Arif, 2005).
Essay Question How do John Dewey and Jacques Maritain's philosophy of education differ? Do you think that any of their beliefs are still apparent in education today?
Multiple Choice Questions
Which of the following philosophies was developed in the United States?
a. Idealism
b. Essentialism
c. Progressivism
d. Perennialism
Who was fought for training schools for teachers?
a. Theodore Brameld
b. John Dewey
c. Aristotle
d. Horace Mann
Who is credited with creating Progressive Education?
a. John Dewey
b. Plato
c. Horace Mann
d. Jacques Maritain
Jaques Maritain lived in the United States during which war?
a. War of 1812
b. World War II
c. The War of the Roses
d. World War I
Which philosopy is considered truely a teaching philosophy?
a. Realism
b. Progressivism
c. Essentialism
d. Social Reconstructionism
References
Arif, M, Smiley, F.M., Kulonda, D.J. (2005, Summer). Business and Education As Push-Pull Processes: An Alliance of Philosophy and Practice. Education, 125, 602-614.
Baines, L. (2006, Summer). Does Horace Mann Still Matter? Educational Horizons, 84, 268-273.
Gutek, G.L. (2005, Summer). Jacques Maritain and John Dewey on Education: A Reconsideration. Educational Horizons, 83, 247-263.
Haft, S. (Producer), Witt, P.J. (Producer), Thomas, T. (Producer), Weir, P. (Director). (1997). Dead Poets Society [Motion Picture]. Untied States: Touchtone Pictures.
Hergenhahn, B.R. (2005). Functionalism. In An Introduction of the History of Psychology (pp. 332-333). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
http://www.worldofquotes.com/author/John-Dewey/1/index.html
PBS. Only a Teacher, Schoolhouse Pioneers: Horace Mann. (September 20, 2006). http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/horace.html
The Window Philosophers on the Internet. Jacques Maritain. (September 20, 2006). http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/phil/philo/phils/maritain.html
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions
1 c. Progressivism
2 d. Horrace Mann
3 a. John Dewey
4 b. World War II
5 d. Social Reconstructionism
