Issues and Alternatives in Educational Philosophy Philosophic Issues in Education

Axiology answers the question, “What is value?”

Axiology Cont. What has value depends on people’s preferences. Our system of value is not agreed upon by everyone. Yet, students assimilate their teacher’s value structure. Pause to answer this question, “What do you really value—what you say or what you do?”

Axiology has 2 main branches Axiology Cont. Axiology has 2 main branches Ethics – the study of moral values and conduct. Aesthetics – deals with the theoretical aspects of art.

Axiology Branch 1 Ethics *Ethical theory is concerned with providing right values as the foundation for right actions. *It is impossible to escape the teaching of ethical concepts in school. *Science and technology are neutral but how and when we choose to use them involve ethical consideration.

Axiology Branch 2 Aesthetics *Aesthetics relates closely with imagination and creativity. *It is part of your daily experiences. *Aesthetics helps us move beyond limits imposed by rational thought. *Aesthetic belief is directly related to aspects of their philosophy.

Aesthetic Questions

Axiology and Education Educators must consider how axiology concerns influence our choices in education in the twentieth century.

Philosophic Issues and Educational Goals and Practices We must have a re-emphasis of axiological concerns in educational practices or education will be part a destructive force in society rather than a constructive resource.

Figure 3: The figure below shows the relationship between philosophic beliefs and educational practices. It is important for educators to choose, select, and develop practices that are in harmony with their beliefs.

Philosophic Issues and Educational Goals and Practices These factors impact educational practices.

Perspective “Philosophy has been set forth as a threefold entity (an activity, an attitude, and a body of content) that gives direction to education, since educational goals have a relationship to the metaphysical, epistemological, and axiological content of one’s philosophy.”

Points to Ponder Just what is it that makes metaphysics so important to education? Evaluate the various sources of knowing. As you examine your thinking, do you find an epistemological hierarchy? What does the answer to that question tell you about your personal philosophic position? Which is more important—epistemology or metaphysics? Why? 4 What is it about the field of axiology that makes it explosive in the schools? What are some of the present-day axiological issues that are at the forefront of educational discussions?