MPFP1023 PHILOSOPHICAL IDEAs

IN EDUCATION
DR. SUBADRAH MADHAWA NAIR
Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies
City University
Petaling Jaya
LECTURE 1
 WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?
The Western philosophical tradition
began in ancient Greece, and philosophy
of education began with it. The major
historical figures developed philosophical
views of education that were embedded
in their broader metaphysical,
epistemological, ethical, and political
theories. 
Socrates
The introduction by Socrates of the
“Socratic method” of questioning (see 
dialectic) began a tradition in which 
reasoning and the search for reasons that
might justify beliefs, judgments, and
actions was (and remains) fundamental;
such questioning in turn eventually gave
rise to the view that education should
encourage in all students and persons, to
the greatest extent possible, the pursuit
of the life of reason. 
 PHILOSOPHY OF
EDUCATION
Education and philosophy, the two
disciplines, are very closely related and
in some areas they overlap each other.
It is quite often said that, 'Philosophy
and Education are two sides of
the same coin'. 'Education is the dynamic
side of philosophy'. Education is practical
in nature and philosophy is theory.
 Reconstructionism/
Critical Theory
 
Social reconstructionism is a philosophy that
emphasizes the addressing of social questions
and a quest to create a better society and
worldwide democracy. Reconstructionist
educators focus on a curriculum that highlights
social reform as the aim of education. 
 Reconstructionism/
Critical Theory
 
. Critical theorists, like social reconstructionist,
believe that systems must be changed to
overcome oppression and improve human
conditions.
 National Education
Philosophy

Education in Malaysia is an on-going

effort towards further developing the
potential of individuals in a holistic and
integrated manner, so as to produce
individuals who are intellectually,
spiritually, emotionally and physically
balanced and harmonious, based on a
firm belief in and devotion to God.
 National Education
Philosophy
Such an effort is designed to produce
Malaysian citizens who are
knowledgeable and competent, who
possess high moral standards, and who
are responsible and capable of achieving
high level of personal well-being as well
as being able to contribute to the
harmony and betterment of the family,
the society and the nation at large.
What is Education?/ Definition of
Education
 Education is to produce citizens who are
knowledgeable and competent, who
possess high moral standards.
What is Education? ?/ Definition of
Education
 Tocontribute to the harmony and
betterment of the family, the society and
the nation.
 Theprinciple goal of education in the
schools should be creating men and women
who are capable of doing new things, not
simply repeating what other generations
have done.
 WHAT IS EDUCATION?
The object of education is to teach us to
love beauty. -- Plato, 424 – 348 BC,
philosopher mathematician
 WHAT IS EDUCATION?
The principle goal of education in the
schools should be creating men and
women who are capable of doing new
things, not simply repeating what other
generations have done. -- Jean
Piaget, 1896-1980, Swiss developmental
psychologist, philosopher
 WHAT IS EDUCATION?
Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world. 
-- Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013, South
African President, philanthropist
 WHAT IS EDUCATION?
The function of education is to teach one
to think intensively and to think
critically. Intelligence plus character -
that is the goal of true education
-- Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968,
pastor, activist, humanitarian
 WHAT IS EDUCATION?
Education is a gradual process which
brings positive changes in the human life
and behavior. We can also define
education as “a process of acquiring
knowledge through study or imparting
the knowledge by way of instructions or
some other practical procedure”.
 TYPES OF EDUCATION
• Formal
• Informal
• Non-Formal
 TYPES OF EDUCATION
Formal

School/institutions involved
Has hierarchical structure
Uniform, full time and…
Subject oriented
Certification/degree
 FORMAL EDUCATION
Formal education is structured
hierarchically.
It is planned and deliberate.
Scheduled fees are paid regularly.
It has a chronological grading system.
 FORMAL EDUCATION
It has a syllabus and subject oriented.
The syllabus has to be covered within a
specific time period.
The child is taught by the teachers
 TYPES OF EDUCATION
Informal
Practical adult learning
Diversity in methods and content
Mobilize local resources
Built on learner’s participation
Real life examples of learning
INFORMAL

It is independent of boundary walls.

It has no definite syllabus.
It is not pre-planned and has no
timetable.
No fees are required as we get the
informal education through daily
experience and by learning new things.
INFORMAL

 It is a lifelong process in a natural way.

 The certificates/degrees are not involved
and one has no stress for learning the new
things.
 You can get from any source such as media,
life experiences, friends, family etc.
 TYPES OF EDUCATION
Non-formal
Very long process
Learning from experience home
Learning from home
Learning from environment
Learning from work
 Non-formal
Home education, individualized
instruction (such as programmed
learning), distance learning and
computer-assisted instruction are other
possibilities. Non-formal education is
imparted consciously and deliberately
and systematically implemented. 
 Non-formal
The non-formal education is planned and
takes place apart from the school
system.
The timetable and syllabus can be
adjustable.
Unlike the theoretical formal education,
it is practical and vocational education.
Non-formal education has no age limit.
 Non-formal
Fees are certificates may or may not be
necessary.
It may be full time or part-time learning
and one can earn and learn together.
It involves learning of professional skills.