PHILOSOPHIES

OF EDUCATION
BY DR. RITA LAKHANI
OBJECTIVES
AT THE END OF THE CLASS ,
 Student will discern the relation between
philosophy and education
 Student will explain influence of philosophy on
different aspects of education.
 Student will state the philosophy of nursing
education
MEANING AND DEFINITION OF PHILOSOPHY
 Meaning:
The term “Philosophy” is derived from the
Greek word ‘Philosophia’ which is made up of two
words, which is. Phileo and Sophia.
 ‘Phileo’ means ‘Love’ and ‘Sophia’ means
‘wisdom’.
 It is concerned with search for eternal truth .

 It is the science of all sciences. It is the source

of all knowledge
DEFINITION OF PHILOSOPHY
1. Philosophy is a search for a comprehensive view
of nature , an attempt at a universal
explanation of nature of things -Henderson

2. Philosophy is an unceasing effort to discern the

general truth that lies behind the particular
facts ( i.e., the reality that lies behind the
appearances )
DEFINITION OF
EDUCATION

 Education is derived from the word ‘EDUCO’, ‘E’

means ‘out of’ while DUCO means ‘I lead’ .
 In other words ,“ I lead out of darkness into
light”.

 Education is the process of facilitating

learning or the acquisition of knowledge ,
skills , values , beliefs and habits.

 Education is the social responsibility for the

transmission of knowledge , skill and culture
values with a formally organized structure
Definition of education:
 Education is the consciously controlled process
whereby changes in behavior are produced
in the person and through the person
within the group . -Brown

 Education is the influence of the environment

on the individual with a view to producing a
permanent change in his habit , behavior
of thought and of attitude . -Thompson.

 Education is an all round drawing out of the

best in child and man-body-mind and spirit.
- M. K. Gandhi
MEANING OF PHILOSOPHY
 Philosophy refers to a certain way of thinking . It
arises out of an attempt :
a. To arrive at the solution of a problem
through the use of human reasoning and
experience.
b. To find the deeper meanings of the
problems.

 Each individual should have a philosophy

of life i.e., a set of standards , ideals which are
based on the principles that he has chosen as
being acceptable to him.
 Philosophy is the study of the general principles and
understanding all i.e., God, the world
 It is what we believe and the principle which governs
our life.
 Philosophy is the earliest and the most original
intellectual discipline.
 It is acting like a guide to have a concrete outlook on
the world, life, human conduct, and action.
DIVISON OF PHILOSOPHY
Epistemology is concerned with knowledge..
Axiology is concerned with values….
 Epistemology is the branch of philosophy
that considers how people come to learn
what they know. (tells: how to teach)
 Axiology is the branch of philosophy that
considers the study of principles and
values. (ethics)
 Logic is the branch of philosophy that
seeks to organize reasoning. (science,
maths, computers)
 Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy
that considers the physical universe
and the nature of ultimate reality.
 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
PHILOSOPHY AND EDUCATION
 Philosophy and education are like
the two sides of the coin
 All the aspects of education are
influenced by philosophy and there
is a direct bearing between
education and philosophy
 Philosophy is a systemic and
logical examination of life, so as
to frame a system of general ideas,
by which the sum total of human
experience may be evaluated in such
a manner so as to make the world
more understandable.
 PHILOSOPHY EDUCATION

1. It sets the ideals, principles , 1. Education works out those values.

goals , standards, values thus it is
in reality and truth.

2. It is the theory and speculative 2. It explains how to achieve the

(hypothetical) goals through man’s educational
efforts

3. It is the contemplative side 3. It is practice.

(thoughtful/introspective)
4. It deals with abstract ideas and 4. It is active side .
ends with the situation in process It is the applied philosophy
It deals with concrete and means

5. It is the art. 5. It is the science

6. Formulates the method 6. It deals with the process of method

PHILOSOPHY POINTS OUT THE WAY
TO BE FOLLOWED BY EDUCATION

 Education is the modification of

child’s behavior
 Philosophy shows the way to be
followed by educators in the
modification of child’s behavior.
 Education is a laboratory in which
the philosophic theories and
speculations are tested, thus
education will be said as ‘applied
philosophy’.
EDUCATION IS THE BEST MEAN FOR
THE PROPAGATION OF PHILOSOPHY

 Education becomes more prominent than

philosophy as action speaks louder than words
or beliefs.
 Beliefs (philosophy) are vital, thus it results in a
prominent education efforts
ALL GREAT PHILOSOPHERS ARE
GREAT EDUCATORS
 Philosophers reflected their view in their
educational schemes.
 When a philosopher wishes to spread his/her
ideas , beliefs, he/she formulates a scheme of
education based on his/her philosophy.
e.g. Plato, aristotle
 The great thinkers and philosophers of INDIA
are Gautama Buddha , Rabindranath Tagore
PHILOSOPHY DETERMINES THE
BROAD ASPESTS OF EDUCATION
o Philosophy provides aim of education, it
determines the curriculum, method of teaching,
school discipline, role of teacher, school problem
etc.
o Philosophy influences and determines both
the matter and the method of education.
o Philosophy contributes to the development of
the educational theory and practice.
INFLUENCE OF PHILOSOPHY ON
DIFFERENT ASPECTED OF EDUCATION
1. PHILOSOPHY AND AIM OF EDUCATION
 Philosophy is determining force in laying down
the aim of education.
 Aim of education are based on views, ideas,
beliefs, value and standards of philosopher.
 The educator selects the material for
instruction, determines the methods of
procedures for the attainment of goals
 Thus the entire educational system proceeds
with its foundation on sound philosophy
 E.g. Idealism believes in self-enhancement ,
Naturalism prefers self-preservation
2. PHILOSOPHY AND CURRICULUM

 Curriculum is the sum total of all the activities

and experiences provided by the school to
achieve the aim of education.
 Philosophy determines the content and
discipline that promote curriculum
 It is not fixed, it changes in accordance with
philosophy .
 Hence curriculum differs with different school
 The content of curriculum varies according to the
philosophy it follows.
 E.g. Idealists emphasize higher values of life and
prescribe the study of religion, ethics, logic , arts
3. PHILOSOPHY AND TEXTBOOK

 Textbooks must reflect the prevailing values of

life fixed by philosophy.
 The person who select the textbooks must have
standards of judgment, which should enable them to
select the right type of book based on standard,
supplied by philosophy .
4. PHILOSOPHY AND METHOD OF
TEACTHING
 Philosophy is a way of thinking and a way of
working.
 Method is the process of establishing and
maintaining contact between the pupil and the
subject matter.
 The choice of method is governed by philosophical
ideas and values.
 Child –centered activities such as play
techniques are favored by naturalists
e.g. idealism –advocate question , answer
lecture and discussion methods.
 5. PHILOSOPHY AND FREEDOM AND
DISCIPLINE

 Philosophy
determines the
nature and forms
of discipline.
 Discipline is
nothing but the
conduct the pupil
Whether the
school discipline
should be strict
and rigid or
flexible and free
is also based on
its philosophy.
6.PHILOSOPHY AND THE TEACHER
 Teacher is a backbone of the entire process of
education.
 Educational system is based on successful
teachers.
 The teacher’s role and his behavior depends
on the philosophical attitudes which
influence him.
 A teacher is also having his/her own ideas and
beliefs
 Teacher influences the personality of the child
and instills in a new outlook and a new way of
life.
e.g. idealistic teacher is a person of high ideals ,
ethics and morals , he/she is role-model for the
pupil
7. PHILOSOPHY AND EVALUATION

 Evaluation is the pivot of education system

 It determines the extent to which aim and
objectives are being attained ,but also help to
bring about an improvement in the techniques
and procedures of education.
 Evaluation takes into account the growth of
the learner as a person with total personality
development and his/her total enviroment.
GENERAL IMPACT OF MODERN
PHILOSOPHIES ON EDUCATION
Common elements in all modern philosophies
Education has been based on psychology, instructions
are based on learner-centered , individual differences have
been recognized.
The principles of activity i. e learning by dong is the
common watchword.
Social discipline is a patent factor of educational
development , the learner has to be trained for community
life.
Democracy has been developed and it is the guiding
factor of educational practices
There is a scientific outlook on all matters of life
The concept of discipline in education has undergone a
radical change
 PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING AND NURSING
EDUCATION
 All
education is the outgrowth of
philosophic beliefs ,a philosophy of
nursing education is the application of
these fundamental beliefs to the field of
nursing education.

 Therefore, Philosophy of nursing

education formulates the nursing
curriculum ,its nature and the end that
it seeks to achieve it.
CONT…
 This philosophy will determine the
selection of students ,the preparation
of faculty ,the development of the
curriculum ,attitude towards patient
and community and the personal life
and professional growth of every
member student body and the
faculty.
 As eg . Philosophy of Christian in
nursing school.
CONT…
 This philosophy will determine the
selection of students ,the preparation
of faculty ,the development of the
curriculum ,attitude towards patient
and community and the personal life
and professional growth of every
member student body and the
faculty.
 As eg . Philosophy of Christian in
nursing school.
CONT…
 A philosophy of nursing
education must be specific about
specialized functional roles and
responsibility of the professional nurse
within and to the society .
 A philosophy of nursing
education encompasses a philosophy of
nursing as well as philosophy of
education .
 FACTORS INFLUENCING DEVELOPMENT OF
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

 Philosophyand education are so closely

connected that one without the other is
meaningless.

 Many factors unite education and

philosophy.
 Social Factor :

“CULTURE” means refinement of

feelings .and “EDUCATION” means
knowledge of literature .
 Education is a means and culture is the end .
CONT…
 Economic factor:
Economic conditions ,economic
politics and the economic system are
important external factors that
constitute educational environment in
a country .
 Economic condition of country
determines infrastructure for schools,
colleges and universities and other
educational developmental activities .
CONT…
 Political factors :
Political environment consists of the
political system .
 The political institutions ,the political
ideologies of the parties ,strength of opposition
and political culture of parties.
 Education to all is the primary objectives of
education policies of the govt.
 Govt. provides financial and infrastructure
facilities for organizing training Programmes
to improve education and teaching skills.
 CONT…
 Geographical factors:
The geography of
any particular place is often natural
,which means that it is undefined
by man.
 By and large geography of a
particular area dictates the type of
building and equipment, means and
methods of transporting children to
school ,school going age of pupils.
CONT…
Historical factor:
 Each country of the world has
its own history that shapes the
nations aim, aspiration, activities, &
destiny.
 This is often reflected through
educational system.
CONT…
 Language factor:
Many languages spoken in our
country, but only one enjoys the status of
a national language.
 In every country national language
occupies a special place.
 Language itself is a symbol of the people,
community.
 Through the native language, the child
has the first expression of himself/herself
and the world.
CONT…

Religious factor:
Religious loyalities also
dictate aims , content and even
methods of instructions in education.
 Indeed, religion and beliefs have also
been known to influence and shape
aspects in education system.
CONT…

 Technological factors:
Technological changes cannot
also be ignored in education technology
and especially modern technology also
influence the educational system of the
country.
 Through information communication
technology home learning has been made
possible.
PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING EDUCATION

 A philosophy of nursing education

includes beliefs and values with
regard to man in general and
specifically man as the learner ,
teacher , nurse and the beliefs about
health , illness , society , nursing and
learning etc.
TRADITIONAL NURSING
EDUCATION
 Traditionally nursing education had
adopted “CHLIDERN PHILOSOPHY”.
 It was based on ‘supernaturalism’

 According to it , God is creator ,

redeemer and provider of man and the
universe.
 Every phase of nursing education will
be influenced by the philosophy upon
which it is based
VARIES PHILOSOPHIES
 Idealism
 Naturalism

 Reconstructionalism

 Existentialism

 Perennialism

 Essentialism

 Progressivism

 Realism

 pragmatism