NEED FOR THE PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY

 Philosophy is a "search for a comprehensive view of nature, an attempt at universal

explanation of any field that falls within human experiences".
 Philosophy is a "rigorous, disciplined, guarded, analysis of some most difficult problems
which man has ever faced, not just any one's point of view".
 Philosophy means "the love of wisdom".

THE FUNCTIONS OF PHILOSOPHY

The main function of philosophy is to help man to find out answers of the
following questions:

1. Why has man come on this earth

2. What is his main purpose in life
3. What is right and wrong for man Why is a particular thing right and another wrong for him
4. How should man conduct his life in order to make it most worth-wile and satisfying
Is there any intelligent purpose behind this world and its phenomena
6. Is there any life after death
7. If so, what is its nature
8. What kind of world is this
9. Is there any one substance at the basis of all materials on this earth
10. Or, are there two or more substance
11. What is the nature of the substance or substances
12. What is the meaning of "to be"
13. Can man's mind answer these and similar other questions
14. How does man get knowledge that he has
15. What is the validity of this so called knowledge

BERTRAND RUSSELL

"Philosophy is to be studied not for the sake of any definite answers to its questions...but
rather for the sake of the questions themselves; because these questions enlarge our
conception of what is possible,... but above all because... the mind also rendered great and
becomes capable of that union with the universe which constitutes its highest good".

FEATURES OF PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy according to Experience and situation. Philosophy comes out of specific

experiences, special circumstances and situations.

Philosophy and Science. Aims pro founded by philosophy and science are the goal of
education to pursue and realize in actual human life.

NATURE OF EDUCATION

MEDIEVAL PERIOD. Education was used to serve political and religious ends.

RENNAISANCE PERIOD. Education was regarded as a means for independent personal

culture and individual development.
Seventeenth Century. The beginning of the psychological, scientific and sociological
movements in education.

MEANING OF EDUCATION

ETYMOLOGICAL MEANING OF EDUCATION

'EDUCATUM' means to train. 'E' means from inside and 'Duco' means to draw out, to lead
out or to bring up.

'EDUCARE' and 'EDUCERE' mean to bring up, to lead out and to develop.

NARROWER MEANING OF EDUCATION

S.S Mackenzi
"In narrow sense, education may be taken to mean any consciously directed effort to
develop and cultivate powers"

Prof. Drever
" Education is a process in which and by which knowledge, character and behavior of
the young are shaped"
WIDER MEANING OF EDUCATION

S.S Mackenzi
" In the wider sense, it is a process that goes on through life, and is promoted by
almost every experience in life"

M.K Gandhi
" By education, I mean the alround drawing out of the best of the child and man-
body, mind and soul"

ANALYTICAL MEANING OF EDUCATION

1. Not limited to knowledge imparted in Schools. Education cannot be confined to the

processes of giving knowledge to children in schools.

2. Education as the development of Child's Innate Power. Education is developing the

native endowment of a child rather than something forced into the mind outside.

3. Education as Dynamic Process. Education develops the child according to changing

situation and times.

4. Education as Bipolar Process. In the process of education, there is interaction between

the teacher and the child.

5. Education as Tripolar Process. In the process of education contains three poles- (1) the
teacher, (2) the child (3) the society.

SYNTHETIC DEFINITON

1. A Life-long Process. Education continues from birth to death.

2. Unfolding. Education is a gradual unfolding.

3. Based of Child Psychology. True education should be based on child psychology.

4. Individual as well as Social. True education is individual as well as social.

5. Total Development. Total development is the meaning of self-realization.

MODERN CONCEPT
OF EDUCATION

FEATURES OF
MODERN EDUCATION

1. Education to fill Mind with Knowledge. It regards mind as ignorant and empty.

2. Education a Mental Discipline. This conception is based on the wrong notion that mind
consists separate faculties such as memory, imagination and judgement.

3. The Psychological Approach. This conception shifts the balance to the normal child
development in terms of the individual's desires and demand of expressions.

4. Education as Adjustment. Man is involved in a constant struggle with physical, social

and other forces for making them minister to his comforts and safety.

5. Education as Self-Activity. Education as adjustment suggests that education is a matter

of self-activity.

INTERPEDENCE OF PHILOSHY
AND EDUCATION

Education is dependent of Philosophy due to the following reasons:

1. Philosophy Determines the Real Destination towards Which Evaluation has to

Go. Education is a conscious dynamic process which need proper guidance and supervision.

2. Philosophy Determine the Various Aspects of Education. Philosophy has been

influencing all aspects of education since the very beginning and will go on influencing
education for all times to come.

3. Great Philosophers have been Great Educationist Also. All great philosophers have
employed education as a means to translate their philosophical ideas into practice for the
people to follow and develop them.

Philosophy is dependent on education due to the following reasons:

1. Education is the dynamic side of Philosophy. Two things are essential for completing
any task- (1) Thought or plan and (2) Application or practicability.

2. Philosophy which determines the aims of life and these are divided into goals to be
achieved by the process of education.

PHILOSOPHY AND
AIMS OF EDUCATION

The aim of education is related with the aim of life, and the aim of life is always
dependent on philosophy. Thus, we cannot attain the aim of life without the basis and
guidance of a philosophical foundation of education.

PHILOSOPHY AND CURRICULUM

The problem of curriculum construction is philosophical in terms of philosophical beliefs
held by a group of people. Thus same with education, curriculum is interdependent on
philosophy.

PHILOSOPHY AND TEXTBOOKS

The choice of appropriate textbooks involves a philosophy. In fact, a textbook is an institution
which can not be demolished. In order to keep this institution healthy and serviceable there
must be a philosphy in order to determine its nature and contents.

PHILOSOPHY AND TEACHER

Philosophy has a great influence on the teacher both in the area of thinking and
behaving. A teacher himself has a philosophy of his own and he influences children
accordingly. As such, his philosophy of life should develop the individuality of children to the
fullest extent.

PHILOSOPHY AND METHODS OF TEACHING

The choice of methods of teaching depends on a philosophy. Method is a means by which
a contact is developed between the student and the subject matter. But in absence of a
definite aim of education or an adequate philosophy of life,the method of teaching employed
may repel the student from the subject.
PHILOSOPHY AND DISCIPLINE

Discipline reflects the philosophical prepossessions of an individual. Thus we see that the
problem of discipline is closely related with philosophy, and the conception of discipline as
held by teacher or educational regime will always be influenced by the philosophy believed
in.