Philosophical Foundations of Education

Education- process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge and of developing the power of reasoning and sound
judgment should be based and supported with strong foundations characterized with tested theories, principles,
doctrines and fundamental laws.

- These foundations should be firm, strong, resilient and sustainable that can withstand odds and the test of time.

Aspects of Foundation of Education

1. Historical Foundations
2. Anthropological Foundations
3. Philosophical Foundations
4. Psychological Foundations
5. Sociological Foundations
6. Legal Foundations

Philosophical Foundations

Philosophy

- Philo- Love
- Sophia- Wisdom

Role and Importance

- To provide the student the ability to synthesize, criticize, assimilate, and evaluate a various and huge mass of
knowledge.
- Provide opportunities for him to lead a life worthy of man’s dignity as an individual and as a member of society.
- Provide a strong foundation in meeting the demands of his profession and in coping with the problems brought
about by multi-various activities of man.

Philosophy contrasted with Education

EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY

- Practical - theoretical

- The actual process of educating - asks questions, examines facts of reality

is a matter of actively dealing with & experience, many of which are
those factors such as teaching, involved in the educative process
organizing programs, building curricula.

- The experience of the educator in nurturing - Philosophy yields a comprehensive

the young places him in phases of reality understanding of reality, a world view
which applied to educational practices
- While philosophy is a guide to
educational practice, education as
a field of investigation yields certain
data as a basis of philosophical judgments.
 Major Fields of Philosophy

1. Epistemology
- Was first used by Scottish Philosopher, James Frederick Ferrier in 1854
- Greek word= episteme means “knowledge”; logos means “study of”
- Deals with the study of origin, structures, methods, nature of human knowledge
2. Metaphysics
- From Greek word= meta means “beyond” ; Physics means “ nature
- Deals with questions of reality, meaning of existence
3. Axiology
- Greek word Axios means worth or value
- What makes an individual or thing place valuable or desirable

Educational Implications of Philosophy

1. It guides the individual in coming up with the right decision from a broader perspective because philosophy
provides him the wholistic view that undoubtedly be an integral part of his development
2. The individual cannot be intimidated by dogmatic statements, and he is prepared to strive and challenge those
who would attempt to control his thoughts
3. It serves as a bulwark against mental servitude and provides a framework within which the individual can think
and act intelligently.
4. It will always be an important feature of human experience and its importance in the development of the
complete social being ready to take on the responsibility in this rapidly changing world.
5. It can provide some insights which an individual can see his role in a civilized society and determine if it has
some significance.

THE EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES OF THE WORLDS GREATEST PHILOSOPHERS

1. Plato
-Ancient Greek Philosopher, He was the student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle
- Best known as the author of philosophical works of unparalleled influence.
 Every individual should devote his life to what is best fitted for him to do.
 Poor leadership will lead to wrong decisions
 An individual who should lead society should be endowed with superior intelligence and possessed
impeccable integrity

2. Aristotle

- Make contributions to logic, mathematics, physics, biology, botany, agriculture, dance and theatre.

 The end of education is not knowledge alone. It is the union of the innate intellect of the individual and his will.
It is knowledge expressed in action
 Virtue which is moral excellence, goodness and righteousness is not possession of knowledge. It is the state of
the will.
 Vices are irrational habits or practices because they often stem from passion which often goes beyond reason.

3. Socrates

- The First Moral Philosopher

 The unexamined life is not worth living.

 Knowledge is virtue and ignorance is vice.

4. Confucius
- was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese History

- Founder of Confucianism

Confucianism- known as Ruism, is described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic religion, a way of
governing or simply a way of life.

Virtues of Confucius- Respect, Loyalty, Honesty, Hard work, Politeness & Generosity

-Main Interests: Moral philosophy, Social Philosophy, Ethics

 Development of moral and ethical principles to promote peace and order and to preserve human dignity
 The family should serve as model for correct relations among men.
 Order and harmony should begin in the inner nature of man.
 Postulated the golden rule “Treat others as you wish them to treat you”

5. Lao-Tze

- Chinese Philosopher who founded the system of Taoism

Taoism also known as Daoism, is a religious of philosophical tradition of Chinese origin which emphasizes living in
harmony.

 He emphasized the virtue of passivity, humility and frugality

 To achieve happiness is: “Be yourself, be natural; live in accordance with your true, good and best nature

6. John Comenius
- Moravian teacher, bishop and writer in the 17th century
- The father of modern education because he advocated universal education in his book “The Great Didactic”
 Development of the whole man before he becomes professional
 Both boys and girls should be included in education regardless of their socio-economic status
 Advocated the use of visual aids in classroom teaching
7. John Locke
- English philosopher and physician. Father of “Liberalism”- A political philosophy founded on ideas of liberty and
equality
 “ Tabular Rasa” or “blank State” theory
 Education can help shape the pupil according to the disposition of the teacher
 Methods of instruction should consider habit formation through drill and exercise, memorization and reasoning.
8. Jean Jacques Rousseau
- French philosopher and writer of the Age of Enlightenment
 Man is by nature good and virtuous
 Development of the child according to his inherent endowments
9. Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
- Swiss social reformer and educator
 Believed in the ability of every individual to learn and in the right of every individual to education.
 Lessons were to be learned through direct experience with objects and places through observation, enquiry
and reasoning
10. Friedrich Froebel
- German educationalist
- Founder of Kindergarten.
 Stresses the respect with which the individuality and ability of each child should be treated; the importance
of creating a happy, harmonious environment where they can grow
 Self-activity and play to promote self-realization
11. Johann Friedrich Herbart
- German philosopher and educator
- Founder of Pedagogy as an academic discipline. It’s a method and practice of teaching.
 The curriculum should include wide range of subjects
  Preparation- recall of old ideas in the learner’s experience to which the new instruction can be related
 Application- putting the new idea to work
12. Herbert Spencer
- English Philosopher, biologist. Anthropologist, sociologist
 Knowledge acquired that is best use in life is also the best for the development of power
 Opposed to free public education; those who really want an education should work hard to acquire the
means to attain it
13. John Dewey
- American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer
- Founder of Instrumentalism or Pragmatism- says that education should be about life and growth
 Learning by doing
 Education is life, and not a preparation for life
 The school is primarily a social institution

Philosophical Thoughts of Great Thinkers in Education

Education is a Necessity of Life

- Education makes possible continuance/ renewal of social life

- Education is a communication making experience.
- Education is a shared possession

Education as a Social Function

- Provides the social environment that leads to the development of attitudes necessary for a continuous and
progressive life.

Education as Growth

- Education is all one with life; life is growth and therefore, education has no end beyond growth.
- Growth in education is not physical but growth in insight and understanding of relationship between various
experiences and learning episodes.

Education as Preparation

- It’s preparation when it:

a. Progressively realizes present possibilities, thus, making the individual better fitted to cope with later
requirements
b. Makes the present rich and significant, thus merging in the future

Education as Unfolding

- Unfolding when it draws out from the learner what is desired through suggestive questioning

Education as Recapitulation and Retrospection

- Education is not “repeating” the past but utilizing it as a resource in developing the future.
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