PERENNIALISM

Manalaysay, E.G.
 Certain universal truths or ideas exist at all times and that the level
of existence than man attains is determined by his attention, or
inattention, to these eternal principles.
 PERENNIALISM
• The perennial philosophy goes by the names Neo-Thomism, Traditionalism, Rational Humanism,
Catholic supernaturalism.

• Perennialists believe that one should teach the things that are of everlasting pertinence to all people
everywhere, and that the emphasis should be on principles, not facts.

• Secular perennialists espouse the idea that education should focus on the historical development of
a continually developing common oriented base of human knowledge and art, the timeless value of
classic thought on central human issues by landmark thinkers, and revolutionary ideas critical to
historical changes in world views
 PHILOSOPHERS

Plato felt that people could find meaning in life if they returned to
those ideals of the Golden Age of Greece – the ultimate ideals of
justice, harmony, moderation, truth, beauty and goodness.

For additional information on Plato’s philosophy, go to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDiyQub6vpw

Plato( 428-348 BC)

Permanence and change are mingled together in every object

of our experience. Aristotle advocated a return to “good old
days” and the cultural ideal and principles at that time.

For additional information on Aristotle’s philosophy, go to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csIW4W_DYX4
Aristotle ( 384-322BC)
 PHILOSOPHERS
He developed a world view which called for men in times of
crucial crises to return to the ideals the Christian Faith had
always taught. According to him, the human mind can only
discover eternal things.

For additional information on Augustine’s philosophy, go to

Augustine( 354-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBAxUBeVfsk
430 AD)

“Any human being could have access to great truth whenever

they make use of God’s greatest gift to human being- reason”

For additional information, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJvoFf2wCBU

Aquinas ( 1225- 1274)

 He believes that education should be the same for everyone and
philosophy should be mainstreamed into the public school
curriculum. According to him, children should gain three types of
knowledge: organized knowledge, intellectual skills, and
understanding of ideas and values
Mortimer Adler ( 1225- 1274)

Knowledge is everywhere the same. To acquire knowledge is the

essence of education. Education implies teaching. Teaching implies
knowledge. Knowledge is truth. The truth is everywhere the same. Hence
education should be everywhere the same.

For further readings:

http://www.newfoundations.com/GALLERY/HutchinsII.html
Robert Hutchins ( 1899- 1977)
 PERENNIALISM

• The focus of education should be the ideas that have lasted for centuries believing the ideas
are as relevant and meaningful today as when they were written.

• Perennialists teaches concepts and focuses on knowledge and the meaning of knowledge.

• Perennialists like to teach time-honored curricula, including the classics such as Plato and
Aristotle.
 GOALS OF EDUCATION
• Develop timeless virtues (justice, temperance, fortitude, prudence)

• Develop the minds of rational beings to control our emotions

• Teach students to think rationally and develop minds that can think critically
ORIENTATION
• Self-contained knowledge--teacher is supposed to know all the answers

• Teacher is the “fountain of all knowledge.”

• Knowing the classics of the past will equip students for the future

• Basic subject matter and “great works” are at the center – not the student

• A skilled teacher would keep discussions on topic and correct errors in reasoning, but it would be the
class who would reach the conclusions

ROLE OF TEACHERS ROLE OF STUDENTS

• Instill virtues
 Develop and use virtues in life’s
• Know the subject matter decisions
• Teach the subject matter to all students  Acquire knowledge
 FOCUS OF THE CURRICULUM
• Attaining cultural literacy, stressing students’ growth in enduring disciplines.

• The loftiest accomplishments of humankind – the great works of literature and art, the laws or principles
of science.

• Search and disseminate the subjects based on universal truth.

• The curriculum is focused on fundamental subject areas, but stressing that the overall aim should be
exposure to history's finest thinkers as models for discovery.
• They would include subjects such as: Mathematics (Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry), English
literature, History, Philosophy, and Fine arts
 CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

• Assign seats in rows.

• Be strict, with punishment and reward.

• Set up classroom rules.

 PERENNIALISTS’ EVALUATION
METHODOLOGY

• Teacher-made tests

• Standardized test

• Memory work (“mind is a muscle”)

• Paper-pencil test

• Recitation
 PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS
What is real? Metaphysics is “a knowledge of being” which must be understood, first
(metaphysics) in, in the sense of the formal object of metaphysical knowledge, and
only second, in the sense of material object of that part of metaphysics
which is natural theology.”

What is true? There is an objective reality beyond experience.

(epistemology) There are 3 ways of knowing: (1) scientific or synthetic knowing; (2)
analytic or intuitive knowing, and (3) mystical or revelatory knowing.

What is good? Good is judged to be good by an act of reason. Ex: Knowing and doing
(ethics) right is good and is possible through habituation, whereas ignorance
and doing right is an accident.

What is beautiful? Man has a natural tendency toward creation of beauty.

(aesthetics)