INFLUENCE OF

WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES
TO
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
AND
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
 WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY
The word philosophy itself originated from the 
Ancient Greek philosophía literally, "to love" and  sophía,
"wisdom").
Attempts to solve problems that may not be “wrong or
right”
Not scientific, but still tries to use logic to prove
arguments.
 Western Philosophy
Strongly influenced and been influenced by Western
Religion, Science, Mathematics and Politics
Compromises two schools, traditional and modern
It has roots in Athens, Rome and Judeo-Christianity
Western society strives to find and prove “the
truth”
SOCRATES 469-399 BC
He never wrote down any of his teachings, his
student, Plato did this for him.
 Socrates used a critical approach called the "
elenchus" or Socratic method to examine
people's views. He aimed to study human
things: the good life, justice, beauty, and virtue.
The Socratic method is a question and answer
technique of studying which was designed to make
people examine their beliefs.
Socrates is famous for arguing that one must know
himself, that the unexamined life is not worth
living.
Socratic dialogue / method
Clarification of questions
why are you saying that?
What does that mean?
Probing assumption
why do you assume that?
What would happen if?
Probing rationale
what is the proof?
Why?
 THE PHILOSOPHY OF SOCRATES
 was concerned with the question of ethics (moral behavior)
unlike the sophist, he believed that there was definite right or wrong.

 He believed that people could accept it and apply it into their daily lives

 he said that it was up to people (society), as a whole, to establish those things

that are right and those that are wrong.

 Dedicated his life to searching for standards by which people could live a
virtuous/ good life.
PLATO 429-347 B.C.
the Theory of Forms. Forms are universal properties
that constitute true reality and contrast with the
changeable material things he called "becoming".
 Major contribution was to the field of psychology on
the subject matter of metaphysics
 Study of the most fundamental concepts and beliefs
about them. Examples of metaphysical concepts are
Being, Existence, Purpose
Socrates believed that Philosophy:
Achieve practical results for the greater well-being of
society
Establish an ethical system based on human reason rather
than theological doctrine
Pointed out that human choice was motivated by the
desire for happiness
 Aristotle
Student of plato
Everything has a purpose and
“moves” towards that purpose.
Ex. Seeds have the purpose of
becoming a plant move toward
that.
What are the influence of Western
Philosophies in Industrial
Education?
 Industrial Education
An approach to learning from an industry
perspective where traditional subjects such as
Maths, Physics, and Science are taught in the
context of knowledge
 Influence of Western Philosophies in Industrial
Education
continuous knowledge that develops
technological products
Foundation of Industrial Revolution
Knowledge related to industries such as
manufacturing, construction, communication and
transportation
What are the influence of Western
Philosophies in Information
Technology?
 The Western term technology
comes from the Greek term techne (art, or craft
knowledge) and philosophical views on technology can
be traced to the very roots of Western philosophy. A
common theme in the Greek view of techne is that it
arises as an imitation of nature (for example, weaving
developed out of watching spiders).
 Influence of Western Philosophies in
Information Technology
Learning by doing- the relative importance of
knowledge and activity
Growth of understanding
Establish priorities in decision making and
practice
20th century to present Philosophy of Technology
Five early prominent 20th-century philosophers to
directly address the effects of modern technology on
humanity were John Dewey, Martin Heidegger, 
Herbert Marcuse, They all saw technology as central to
modern life.
Aristotle agreed that this imitation was often the case.
John Dewey (October 20, 1859 – June 1, 1952)

 Dewey's works was his profound belief in democracy.

 Dewey asserted that complete democracy was to be
obtained not just by extending voting rights but also by
ensuring that there exists a fully formed public opinion,
accomplished by communication among citizens, experts,
and politicians, with the latter being accountable for the
policies they adopt.
Martin Heidegger (September 1889 – 26 May 1976)
Contribution of existentialism
Heidegger approaches this question through an
analysis of Dasein, his term for the specific type of
being that humans possess, and which he
associates closely with his concept of "
being-in-the-world" (In-der-Welt-sein). This
conception of the human is in contrast with that of 
Rationalist thinkers like René Descartes, who had
understood human existence most basically as
thinking, as in Cogito ergo sum ('I think therefore I
am').
 Herbert Marcuse (July 19, 1898 – July 29, 1979)

 Two aspects of Marcuse's work are of particular importance,

first, his use of language more familiar from the critique of
Soviet or Nazi regimes to characterize developments in the
advanced industrial world;
 second, his grounding of critical theory in a particular use of
psychoanalytic thought.
POSTEST IN PHILO .docx