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CHAPTER 6: Philosophical Roots of Education
Figure 6.1
Differences between “Philosophies” and “Theories” of Education
GENERAL
SPECIFIC
Philosophies
Theories
Wide-ranging, systematic, complete, global Components related to metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, and logic Insights derived from the general philosophical system
metaphysics The area of philosophy that examines issues of a speculative nature dealing with ultimate reality.
epistemology The area of philosophy that examines knowing and theories of knowledge.
Focused on education; no complete philosophical system offered Components related to specifics of education, such as curriculum, teaching, and learning Insights derived from more general philosophies or from school contexts
Metaphysics considers questions about ultimate reality. What is ultimately real or not real? Is there a spiritual realm of existence separate from the material world? Idealists, for example, see reality primarily in nonmaterial intellectual, conceptual, or spiritual terms. Realists see it as an objective order that exists independently of humankind. The subjects taught in schools represent how curriculum designers, teachers, and textbook authors describe their beliefs about “reality” to students. Epistemology, which deals with knowledge and knowing, influences methods of teaching and learning. It asks, “On what do we base our knowledge of the world and our understanding of truth? Does our knowledge derive from divine revelation, from ideas latent in our own minds, from empirical evidence, or from something else?” Teachers who believe that the universe exists as an orderly structure will emphasize the systematic and
Figure 6.2
Philosophy’s Relationships to Education
SUBDIVISION OF PHILOSOPHY
RELATED EDUCATIONAL CONCERNS
Metaphysics: What is real?
Knowledge of most worth: The curriculum
Epistemology: What is knowledge based on?
How we teach and learn: Methods of instruction
Axiology: What is moral and right? (ethics) What is beautiful and good? (aesthetics)
Behavior, character, civility, and appreciation and expression
Logic: How can we reason?
How we organize and structure courses, lessons, and units
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