Chapter 6Philosophical
Roots of Education
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Philosophy’s Basic Questions
• Metaphysics: What is real?
• Epistemology: What is knowledge based on?
• Axiology: What is moral and right (ethics)? What is beautiful and good (aesthetics)?
• Logic: How can we reason?
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Emphases of Different Philosophies of Education
• Idealism: Great and enduring ideas
• Realism: Humanistic and scientific disciplines
• Pragmatism: Problem solving
• Existentialism: Creating a self-concept through significant choices
• Postmodernism: Democratic criticism and social change
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Connections Between Educational Theories and Philosophies
Perennialism >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>IdealismEssentialism >>>>> Realism and IdealismProgressivism >>>>>>>>>>> PragmatismHumanism>>>>>>>>>>>>>ExistentialismCritical Theory>>>>>>>>>Postmodernism
and Existentialism
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Emphases of Different Theories of Education
• Perennialism: Enduring human concerns, great works of Western culture
• Essentialism: Skills and subjects that transmit cultural heritage and contribute to socioeconomic efficiency
• Progressivism: Problem solving and group activities
• Critical Theory: Social conflicts
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Constructing Your Own Philosophy of Education
• Is knowledge based on universal and eternal truths? Is it relative to different times and places?
• What is the purpose of education? To transmit culture? To provide social and economic skills? To develop critical thinking skills? To reform society?
• What are schools for? To teach skills and subjects? To encourage personal self-definition? To develop human intelligence? To create patriotic, economically productive citizens?
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Constructing Your Own Philosophy of Education (cont.)
• What should the curriculum contain? Basic skills and subjects? Experiences and projects? Inquiry processes? Critical dialogues?
• What should the relationship be between teachers and students? Transmitting heritage? Teaching learning skills and subjects? Examining great ideas? Encouraging self-expression? Constructing knowledge? Solving problems?