Philosophical Background:
Teachers are heirs to a rich philosophical heritage. Passed on to us are a
number of philosophies of various thinkers who believed before us. These
thinkers reflected on life in this planet. They occupied themselves by
searching for answers to questions about human existence.
Five Main Philosophies of
Education
1.
Essentialism: Main
proponent-William Bagley
2.
Progressivism: ―Education
is nor preparation for life‖ Main proponent-John Dewey
3.
Perennialism:
Main proponent- Robert Hutchins
4.
Existentialism:
Existence precede essence‖ Main proponent- Jean Paul
Sarte
5.
Behaviorism:
Main proponent-John Watson
Man by nature is curious. He
wants to know the ―whatness, whyness, and howness‖ of
the things around him. It is in the exploring of things that he finds
fulfillment for the numerous complexities that confront him. The eagerness to
look for more answers or find solution to manifolds problems that beset him
leads him to the unending journey of seeking for truth. Truly, this manifests
the true desire of man which is to know. It affirms not only his essence, his
rationality. It is also a fulfillment of his purpose to keep the truth and pass
it from one generation to another so as to preserve humanity. Ideas flow from
the human mind eternally. It is in the ideas that the truth lies. Unending as
the ideas are, the more the need for a man to harness and cultivates it to
perfection. Ideas that are not nourished and protected will not just prevent
man in possessing the truth but it will also deprive him a taste of his
rationality. Hence , ideas must and should be at all times shine in luster of
naturalness, profound by simplicity and contain true and real meaning.
The truth in the ideas must
be preserved in as much as man wants to preserve the gift of knowledge and
wisdom that it brings. And delicate as it is, it should be protected from all
forms of deterioration and artificialities. Presented it maybe in various ways,
the real meaning must be conveyed at all times. It is philosophizing that the
ideas can be best presented and conveyed. This can be best enhanced through
proper education. Since then philosophy and education complement and work
hand-in-hand in the acquisition of knowledge and the preservation of Truth.
True enough, one can say then that Philosophy is knowledge and Education is the
most essential tool of philosophy in the search for wisdom and truth.
Man and Philosophy: The
ultimate aim of man is to possess for the Truth. The process ends not in the
search but in the possession of the truth. It is in his capacity to think, to
rationalize that the responsibility of philosophizing is realized. It is but proper
then to have a closer look on the man and a glimpse of what philosophy is, so
that we can fully understand the meaning of our search for the truth and the
desire to possess it.
Definition of Man: The
quest for the truth is the ultimate goal of man. There is no way but up, the
goal is to achieve it. Thus, man is defined vertically as Rational Animal.
Innate in man is
the desire to be with his fellow beings. It is in his relationship with others
that fulfillment of another dimension of his rationality is achieved. Time and
time, it has been proven that man cannot live by himself alone. The need to
share himself with others-share his innermost thoughts, feelings, experiences
and unravel the kind of person he is-is a must fully realize the aspect of
being political animal. Hence, the aim to develop a relationship not only with
him spreads to other beings. Here he develops friendship, camaraderie,
companionship with other fellow beings. He grows and finds fulfillment with
them. This, man is defined horizontally as a SOCIAL or POLITICAL
ANIMAL.
Being rational and social or
political animal are not enough to realize the value of man. Another aspect
must also be present, functionality. Man is created for a certain reason or
purpose. He has a role to perform in order to preserve him and all other
beings. He is the steward of the world. In this regard, man should work. Hence
man is defines as a Working Animal.
Relationship of Philosophy
and Education: While philosophy establishes
the fundamental principles (concepts, theories, learning). It is Education that
carries out these principle. Furthermore, it is Philosophy that provides the
goal or aims while Education is the instrument in realizing thesegoals.
Philosophy and Education complement each other. Both of them spouse theory and
practice. The absence of one of the one will make a man insufficient and
aimless.