Philosophical and Psychological Foundations

Philosophical Foundations

Philosophy - The word philosophy comes from a combination of two Greek wordsphilos meaning love and sophi meaning wisdom. Etymologically, philosophy
means the love of wisdom.
1. Idealism
- Highest aim is the search for truth and values that will stand the test of time.
- Truth and values are seen as absolute, timeless, and universal.
- Curriculum is hierarchical. Concept and abstract subjects are the top subjects.
(Philosophy, theology)
- Promotes abstract thinking (Mathematics is considered important because it
cultivates the power to deal with abstract thinking)
- Language subject is important
2. Realism
- People can come to know the world through their senses and reason.
- Things happen according to purpose and in an orderly way (Natural law).
- Logic and lessons that exercise the mind and that cultivate rational thought are
stressed.
- Three Rs (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic)
- Has organized separate subjects curriculum. For example study of humankind
experience becomes history subject.
3. Pragmatism
- Referred to as experimentalism, based on change, process, and relativity.
- Construes knowledge as a process in which reality is constantly changing
- Truth is no longer absolute or universal
- Views teaching as more exploratory than explanatory
- Considers teaching and learning as process of reconstructing experience
according to scientific method
- Focuses on problems solving
4. Existentialism
- Stress in individualism and personal self-fulfillment
- Prefer to free learner to choose what to study and determine what is truth
- Consists of experiences and subjects that lend themselves to philosophical
dialogue and acts of choice making: Literature, drama, filmaking, art, etc.
- Classroom would be rich in materials.
- Stresses self-expressive activities, experimentation, and methods and media.
- Focuses on learners feelings, emotions, and insights.

5. Perennialism
Aim: To educate the rational person
Knowledge: Focus on past and permanent studies. (Preserving the past
knowledge)
Role of teacher: Helps students to think rationally. Teacher is an authority in the
field (Unquestionable)
Teaching method: Socratic method, oral exposition (lecture), explicit teaching of
traditional values
- Classic subjects: Literature, language, mathematics,
- Constant curriculum (Unchanged)
- Common curriculum for all (Little room for electives and vocational)
- Students has no freedom to choose
6. Essentialism
Aim: To promote intellectual growth and educate the competent person
Knowledge: Essential skills, master of concepts, and principles
Role of teacher: Authority in the field.
Teaching method: explicit teaching of traditional values. Tough discipline.
- Essential skills (Three Rs)
- Essential subjects: English, Science, history, math, foreign language
- Affected by the demand of the public to raise the academic standards and to
improve students work and minds
- Subjects that have contents are emphasized rather than process
- Excellence in education
7. Progressivism
Aim: To provide democratic, social living
Knowledge: Growth and development, living learning process, focus on active
and relevant learning
Role of teacher: To guide
Teaching method: Problem solving and scientific inquiry.
- Curriculum should be based on students interests. Should be applicable for
human affairs (solving problem).
- Interdisciplinary subject matter.
- Focus on activities and projects.
- Reality is changing therefore no need to focus on fixed body of knowledge.
- Process is more important than content
8. Reconstructionism
Aim: To improve and reconstruct society. Education is for change and social
reform
Knowledge: Skills and subjects that identify problems of society. Active learning
with focus of contemporary and future.
Role of teacher: Agent of change and reform (Project director)

Teaching method: Case study, involve students for social responsibilities.

Neutrality is not an option. Social analysis, interpretation, and evaluation
activities
- Emphasis on social sciences and social research methods
- Examination of social, economic and political problem
- Focus on present and future as well as local and global issues
Psychological Foundations