Realism

AGENDA CHAPTER 3 Defining Realism Situating Realism Why Study Realism? Realism as a Philosophy of Education Metaphysics Epistemology Axiology Logic Realism’s Educational Implications

Defining Realism In defining Realism, we begin with its root, real. To be real means to have an actual physical existence that is not a product of the human intellect or imagination. Realism means having a practical understanding and acceptance of the world, rather than an idealized or romanticized version of it. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Situating Realism Realism’s origin, like those of Idealism, go back to ancient Greece. Realism founded by Plato’s student Aristotle. Aristotle defined humans as rational beings, who, when they act according to reason, exemplify the highest quality of human nature. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Why Study Realism? There are at least three reasons for studying Realism: For its historical significance. For its popularity as a commonsense or naïve way of knowing. For its educational importance. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Realism as a Philosophy of Education Metaphysics – For Realists, the basic question about reality is that there is a “real” world of objects that exists independently of us but that we can acquire knowledge about it. Human beings possess the power to sense objects – they can see, hear, feel, smell and taste them. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Realism as a Philosophy of Education Epistemology – Realist philosophy emphasizes the cultivation and exercise of rationality as education’s primary function. Human being possess sensory organs: eyes which have the power to see; the ears to hear; the nose to smell; the tongue and mouth to taste; and the fingers to feel. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Realism as a Philosophy of Education Axiology – Realism’s ethical and moral principles are based on the belief that all human beings participate in a general human nature. All people, regardless of when and where they live, have the same general needs, hopes, fears, and desires. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Realism as a Philosophy of Education Logic – For the Realist, logic involves a two-fold process of induction and deduction. Inductive Phase. Deductive Logic. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Realism’s Educational Implications According to Realism, the purpose of education is to cultivate and develop the power of reasoning so that individuals can acquire knowledge and learn how to use it in framing and making choices. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

SUMMARY CHAPTER 3 Defining Realism Situating Realism Why Study Realism? Realism as a Philosophy of Education Metaphysics Epistemology Axiology Logic Realism’s Educational Implications