Philosophy: Reflections on the Essence of Education Chapter 4 Philosophy: Reflections on the Essence of Education

Study of Philosophy Philosophy seeks to understand fundamental principles Teachers must understand underlying assumptions Philosophy provides tools to think clearly Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Philosophical Thinking Analytic thinking, questions what seems to be Prophetic thinking, addresses what ought to be Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Analytic Thinking Abstraction, discerning general, universal ideas Imagination, filling in details, connecting ideas Generalization, determines relationship emphasis Logic, movement from one argument to another Inductive logic, from specific to general Deductive logic, from general to specific Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Prophetic Thinking Discernment, capacity to develop vision based on context Connection, ability to value and develop empathy Tracking hypocrisy, ability to identify and expose gaps Hope, develop vision for brighter future Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Branches of Philosophy Metaphysics, what is the nature of reality Epistemology, what is knowledge and truth Axiology, what is good and valuable Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Metaphysics questions What is reality? What is essence? Classroom philosophy linked to metaphysical beliefs Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Epistemology What knowledge is true? How does knowledge take place? Is there a difference between knowledge and belief? Curriculum influenced by philosophy on knowledge Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Axiology What is good? What is beautiful? What values should we uphold? Deals with ethics (moral values) and aesthetics (beauty) Curriculum and classroom influenced axiological beliefs Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Schools of Philosophy Idealism, ideas and concepts are essence of knowing Realism, reality, knowledge exists outside the mind Pragmatism, universe is dynamic, ever-changing Existentialism, reality found in lived-experiences Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Idealism in the Classroom Focus on ideas, ideas are fundamental Real learning comes from within True growth must be self-initiated Study of great works Imitate great leaders Teacher is ideal model Lecture, discussion, imitation Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Contributors to Idealism Plato, truth is central reality. Knowledge is discovered not created Socrates, knowledge brought forth through questioning Teaching as process of helping students recognize Immanuel Kant, knowledge gained through reasoning Jane Roland Martin, development of intellectual, moral habits Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Socratic Dialogue Students’ beliefs challenged through questions Learners reflect, induce general principles, discover gaps and contradiction in their beliefs Useful for a variety of content areas Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Realism in the Classroom Focus on scientific research, reality can be measured Rationality through study of organized body of knowledge Teach methods to arrive at knowledge Critical reasoning through observation, experimentation Subject centered curriculum Teacher presents information in systematic way Support careful testing of students knowledge Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Contributors to Realism Aristotle, Need for cheap labor, imported African slaves European indentured servants Two primary classes, wealthy landowners, laborers Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Pragmatism in the Classroom Teacher helps students question what is Interdisciplinary approach to problem solving Knowledge subject to revision Students learn to construct, use, test knowledge claims Problem solving through interaction with environment Students learn method of scientific inquiry Teacher facilitates student investigation, collaboration Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Contributors to Pragmatism Charles Sanders Pierce, belief is a habit of actions John Dewey, individual experiences are central Richard Rorty, reality outcome of inquiry Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Existentialism in the Classroom Schools de-emphasize, objectify students Tracking, measurement stifles creativity Students, teacher discuss lives and choices Teacher facilitates Q & A, dialogs Series of self-reflective questions Pedagogy promotes self-actualization Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al

Contributors to Existentialism Jean Paul Sartre, existence before essence Friedrich Nietzsche, importance of individuality Maxine Greene, humans transcend their world Foundations of American Education, 15e Johnson, et al