THE PHILISOPHY OF EDUCATION

REALISM

IDEALISM
 It views education as a journey of self-discovery and moral
development. It also believes in a well-rounded education that
addresses the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs of the
individual.

 Ideas, Values, Principles, Consciousness

 The proponent of this philosophy is Plato who is Considered the father

of idealism, Plato believed in the existence of a world of perfect
Forms that represent the true essence of things. He argued that
education should help individuals access these Forms through reason
and contemplation.

Examples:
1. Idealist educators believe that education should not only aim at
imparting knowledge and skills but also developing students' moral
and ethical character
2. It promotes the development of individual talents and creativity.
3. Shows values of the study that refers to timeless ideas and the pursuit
of knowledge for its own sake.
4. Recognizes the importance of education in shaping ethical citizens and
contributing to a better society.
5. It encourages active learning and the development of intellectual
independence.

PRAGMATISM
 World is an ever-changing entity; teaching what is practical; education
should apply to the real world.
 Use, apply, everchanging, practice makes perfect.
 John Dewey
 1. In Ms. Patel's art class, Lily is working on her pottery project, shaping
and reshaping her clay until she achieves the perfect form, embodying
the pragmatist belief that practice makes perfect.
2. As they rehearse their lines for the school play, Jacob and Emma run
through their scenes multiple times, refining their expressions and
gestures to deliver a more authentic performance, illustrating the
pragmatist emphasis on iterative improvement.
3. During a math lesson, Ms. Patel encourages the students to solve
problems in different ways, allowing them to discover the most
efficient methods through repeated practice and experimentation.
4. In the school's robotics club, Aiden and Sofia spend extra hours after
school programming their robot, testing and tweaking their code to
ensure it performs flawlessly in the upcoming competition, reflecting
the pragmatist principle of learning through repeated trials.
5. For their science fair project, Mia and Lucas conduct numerous
experiments to gather accurate data, understanding that consistent
practice and refinement are key to achieving reliable results and
deepening their understanding.

Naturalism
 a philosophical approach that views nature as the ultimate reality
and emphasizes learning through direct experience
 Nurture, senses, child development, goals, pedocentrism,
pleasurable learning, freedom, insticts, learning by doing, adapting
content
 Jean-Jacques Rousseau is considered the father of naturalism and
a leading proponent of naturalism in education

Example sentences:
1. In a naturalistic classroom, the teacher serves as a facilitator, guiding
students to lexplore and understand the world around them through direct
interaction with nature and real-life experiences.
2. The students actively engage in hands-on learning, observing plants,
animals, and natural processes, with the teacher encouraging them to ask
questions and make connections to their personal experiences.
3. By allowing students to learn at their own pace, the teacher recognizes
that each child develops a unique understanding of the natural world based
on their individual interests and observations.
4. The teacher encourages critical thinking by providing open-ended
problems related to nature, allowing students to experiment, hypothesize,
and draw conclusions from their own investigations.
5. Through field trips and outdoor activities, the teacher helps students
experience nature firsthand, fostering a sense of responsibility and
appreciation for the environment as an essential part of their education.

PERENNIALISM
-focuses on teaching ideas that are timeless and relevant across
generations. PERENNIALISTS -believe that the goal of education is to develop
students' critical thinking skills.
• constant, unchanging, forever, humanities, tested by time, rational
thinking, tried & proven, and great books(Bible/Qur'an)
• Robert Hutchins

Example sentences:
1. Students might study classic works of literature, such as Shakespeare's
plays or Plato's The Republic, to explore enduring ideas and principles.
2.Teachers might use historical texts instead of history textbooks, or use
religious texts to discuss historical time periods.
3.Teachers might encourage students to think critically by posing questions
and facilitating discussions.
4. Teachers might focus on teaching basic skills like reading, writing, and
mathematics, and applying them to the study of classical works.
5.Teachers might encourage students to develop self-understanding and
moral integrity.
ESSENTIALISM

 It is a teacher-centered educational philosophy that emphasizes

learning skills through traditional subjects like reading, writing, math,
and science; the 3Rs (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic).
 Basics; Extremely important; traditional; common body of knowledge.
 William Bagley introduced the philosophy of Essentialism.

Examples:
 1. In the essentialist system, students are required to master a set body
of information and basic techniques for their grade level before they
are promoted to the next higher grade.
2. It is a teacher-centered instruction; therefore, teachers or
administrators decide what is most important for the students to learn
with little regard to the student interests.
3. The students learn passively by sitting in their desks and listening to
the teacher.
4. In essentialism, lecture-based introduction classes taught at
universities is a great example.
5. Students sit and take notes in a classroom while the teacher discusses.

Progressivism is a social and political movement that advocates for

reforms to address social injustices, economic inequalities, and other societal
problems. It emphasizes progress through government action, education,
and innovation to improve conditions for all members of society.

 Here are some keywords related to progressivism in the context of

truth, beauty, goodness, and ideas:

 Truth: Inquiry, Evidence-based, Rationality, Pragmatism, Empirical,

Dynamic, Progressive knowledge

 Beauty: Innovation, Diversity, Creativity, Inclusive aesthetics,

Modernity, Evolution of art
 Goodness: Social justice, Equity, Welfare, Human rights,
Compassion, Ethical reform
 Ideas: Reform, Experimentation, Education, Idealism,
Enlightenment, Intellectual growth

 The philosopher often regarded as the father of progressivism is

John Dewey (1859–1952), an American philosopher, psychologist, and
educational reformer. Dewey was a leading advocate of pragmatism
and is best known for his work in progressive education,
emphasizing experiential learning, critical thinking, and the idea that
education should prepare individuals to be active participants in a
democratic society.

Dewey's philosophy of progressivism revolved around:

 Truth: Viewed as evolving and shaped by experience and inquiry.

  Education: Focused on learning through doing and fostering creativity
and problem-solving skills.
 Social reform: Advocated for education as a means of promoting
equality and democracy.

He laid the intellectual foundation for many progressive movements in

education and social policy.

 EXAMPLE SENTENCES:
1. Progressivism emphasizes reforms aimed at reducing social inequalities
and improving living conditions for marginalized groups.

2. The principles of progressivism drove early 20th-century efforts to

regulate labor laws and ensure workplace safety.

3. In education, progressivism advocates for experiential learning and

critical thinking over rote memorization.

4. Many environmental policies today are inspired by the progressive

belief in sustainable development and stewardship of natural resources.
5. Progressivism supports the use of science and innovation to solve
societal challenges and foster human advancement.

Existentialism
 emphasizes the importance of individual choice, authenticity, and
personal experience.
 choices; will; self-responsibility; unique individual; freedom
 Soren Kierkegaard

Examples
1. Ms. Ana emphasize freedom of expression among his/her students
2. Teacher Cassandra asks one of her students, “What do you want to
become when you grow up”?
3. Principal C share his thought with his teachers: Subject matter should
help students understand and appreciate themselves as unique
individuals who accept complete responsibility for their thoughts,
feelings, and actions.
 4. In his class, Teacher M always presents principles and values so as to
encourage his students to examine them and decide for themselves
whether to accept them or not.
5. Ms. Dela Cruz allows her students to choose topics of interest for their
projects, promoting personal growth and self-direction in learning

Social Reconstructionism
 Social Reconstructionism is a sociopolitical movement that aims to
change society via the educational system. Social Reconstructionism’s
main goal is to transform society in a way that enhances everyone’s
quality of life with a focus on assisting the underprivileged.

 Reconstruct (rebuild, renovate, recreate, recondition, reestablish, Make

over,)
Society (public/people, community, nation, Human groups, culture,
alliance)

 Theodore Brameld (1904 – 1987), the founder of Social

Reconstructionism, believes that public education system that
perceived behavioral sciences can bring about fundamental changes in
the social economic structure of society.

Examples:
Role of Teachers
1. An educator who is also social activist.
2. Sees education as a tool for solving the problems of society.
3. Can suggest what one can do about these problems.

Role of Students
4. Students should learn how to make society a better place to live
and solve the global issues.
 5. Students should work with each other and try to come up with a
way to help society to become better.
BEHAVIORISM

 A philosophy that focuses on how people learn through their

interactions with the environment.
 Stimulus, Response, Reinforcement, Classical Conditioning, Operant
Conditioning, Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement,
Shaping, Extinction, Reward, Punishment, Observable Behavior, And
Environmental Influence.
 Ivan Pavlov (Classical Conditioning) and B.F. Skinner (Operant
Conditioning)

Example Sentences:
1. A teacher rewards their class or certain students with a party or special
treat at the end of the week for good behavior throughout the week.
(Operant)
2. A teacher drills the lesson to the students after the discussion.
(Classical)
3. A teacher provided a set of instructions to be followed in an activity.
The teacher also said that there will be rewards that will be given to
the students that performs best in the activity, as well as the
punishment that will be given to those who will not follow the
instruction. (Operant)
4. The bell rings at noon which signals lunch break, the students
automatically get their lunch boxes and proceed to eat at the cafeteria.
(Classical)
5. Giving stars to pre-school students whenever they answered or
participated in a class activity. (Operant)

CONNECTIONISM

COGNITIVISM
  Refers to the role of the learner's cognitive functions, such as
perception, attention, memory, and problem-solving, in understanding
how learning occurs.

 Schema, Metacognition, Social Cognition.

 Jean Piaget is the proponent of this philosophy which outlines stages of

cognitive growth from infancy to adulthood, is foundational to
cognitivism. He emphasized the importance of active exploration and
interaction with the environment in shaping cognitive structures.

EXAMPLES
1. Mind mapping encourages learners to visually represent their
understanding of relationships between concepts, promoting active
processing and deeper understanding.

2. Elaborative rehearsal involves actively connecting new information to

existing knowledge, making it more meaningful and easier to
remember.

3. Mnemonics devices helps learners to encode and retrieve information

more effectively.

4. Scaffolding provides support and guidance to learners as they progress

through a task, gradually reducing assistance as they develop their
skills

5. Chunking information refers to breaking down complex information into

smaller, more manageable units, making it easier for learners to
process and retain.

CONSTRUCTIVISM

 People construct their own knowledge and understanding of the world

 Prior knowledge, schema
 Jean Piaget

1. In Mr. Johnson's history class, Sarah draws on her prior knowledge of

ancient civilizations to connect the rise of the Roman Empire to the
 cultural influences of Greece, demonstrating constructivist learning
through the integration of existing knowledge.
2. During a science experiment, Emma uses her understanding of basic
chemical reactions to hypothesize how different substances will
interact, showcasing the constructivist approach of building new
knowledge on a foundation of prior experiences.
3. In a literature discussion, Jacob relates the themes of "To Kill a
Mockingbird" to his own experiences with empathy and justice,
illustrating how constructivism encourages students to connect new
information to their personal lives.
4. While learning about ecosystems, Aiden applies his prior knowledge of
food chains to understand the complex interactions within a rainforest,
highlighting the constructivist principle of using existing knowledge to
construct new understanding.
5. In a math lesson on fractions, Mia uses her previous experience with
division to grasp the concept of dividing whole numbers into equal
parts, exemplifying the constructivist idea that learning is a process of
building on what is already known.

Empiricism
 Empiricism is the idea that all learning comes from only
experience and observations.
 Experience-based Learning, Observation, Sensory data,
Evidence-based Teaching, Data-Driven Decision Making, Real-
World Application, Concrete Learning, Hands-on Learning,
Practical Knowledge, Reflective Practice.
 Empiricism is the belief that knowledge is based on experience.
The most well-known of these empiricist philosophers is John
Locke.

Sample sentences:
1. Empiricism in education emphasizes that knowledge is derived
from sensory experiences, where students learn through
observation and hands-on activities.
2. Teachers facilitate this process by creating learning
environments that encourage exploration, experimentation, and
real-world application of concepts.
 3. Through empirical methods, teachers guide students to test
their ideas, observe results, and adjust their understanding
based on evidence.
4. Students actively engage in the learning process by forming
hypotheses, conducting experiments, and reflecting on their
experiences to deepen their understanding.
5. This approach fosters a collaborative environment where both
teachers and students continuously seek and evaluate evidence
to improve learning outcomes.
HEDONISM
-philosophical theory that states that pleasure is the only intrinsic good
and pain is the only intrinsic bad -pleasure of the body
•material things, pleasure is the highest good, selfish
•Epicurus

Example Sentences:
1.Students may spend a lot of time outside the home, studying in the
university area, shopping, and going to cafes.
2.Students may be interested in technology and fashion, and may compete
to buy the latest smartphones.
3. The student always buys chocolate to reward himself because he always
attends school.
4. Sky, Rain, and Gab always eat at Jollibee after class to get rid of their
fatigue from studying.
5. Teacher A, passed her students even though she didn't teach a lesson to
her class because she doesn't want to be tired and have a hard time at work.

. ALTRUISM
  A philosophy of education that involves focusing on the well-being of
others, rather than one's own self-interest. It can be applied in
education by teachers prioritizing the well-being of their students over
their own.
 Selfless.
 The term “altruism” was coined by French sociologist Auguste
Comte (1858) in a description of his ethical doctrine indicating that
individuals had a moral obligation to renounce self-interest and love for
all others.

Examples:
1. Doing something to help another person with no expectation of
reward.
2. Forgoing things that may bring personal benefits if they create costs
for others.
3. Helping someone despite personal costs or risks.
4. Sharing resources even in the face of scarcity.
5. Showing concern for someone else's well-being.

Utilitarianism - is an ethical theory that evaluates actions based on their

consequences, advocating that the best action is the one that maximizes
overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people.

 Here are keywords related to utilitarianism in the context of truth,

beauty, goodness, and ideas:

 Truth: Consequences, Practicality, Outcomes, Empirical evidence,

Rationality, Utility
 Beauty: Harmony, Simplicity, Functional aesthetics, Value, Beneficial
design
 Goodness: Happiness, Well-being, Greatest good, Moral balance,
Pleasure, Minimized suffering
 Ideas: Pragmatism, Ethical calculus, Consequentialism, Maximization,
Social benefit, Collective welfare

 The philosopher regarded as the father of utilitarianism is Jeremy

Bentham (1748–1832). Bentham developed the foundational
principles of utilitarianism, emphasizing that actions are morally right if
they promote "the greatest happiness of the greatest number."
  Bentham introduced the principle of utility, which measures morality
based on the balance of pleasure over pain. He also proposed the
hedonic calculus, a method for quantifying happiness to guide
decision-making.

 John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), a later philosopher, refined and

expanded Bentham's ideas, introducing considerations of higher and
lower pleasures, thus further shaping the utilitarian tradition.

EXAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. Utilitarianism holds that the morally right action is the one that
produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
2. In making public policy decisions, leaders often apply utilitarian
principles to weigh the overall benefits and harms to society.
3. Jeremy Bentham's hedonic calculus is a method for evaluating the
pleasure and pain resulting from various actions, central to
utilitarianism.
4. Critics argue that utilitarianism may sacrifice individual rights for
the sake of maximizing overall well-being.

5. John Stuart Mill refined utilitarianism by distinguishing between

higher and lower pleasures, emphasizing intellectual and moral
happiness.