Chapter 9 Notes

WHAT ARE THE PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN EDUCATION?

This chapter introduces me to philosophy, one of the foundational subjects in education. Philosophy, along with history and psychology (and, to some degree, economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, and the law), forms the intellectual underpinning on which the practice of education rests.

There are 4 philosophies of education: perennialism, essentialism, romanticism, and progressivism have many practical implications for the classroom teacher. Psychological theories-and particularly constructivism-influence modern educational thought. Teachers need to have a philosophy to guide their practice. Many develop eclectic personal philosophies that incorporate elements of several major philosophical views. Discovering your personal philosophy is a lifelong process, but it should begin now.

Philosophy helps the teacher systematically reflect on issues that are central to education, including such basic concepts as learning, teaching, being educated, knowledge, and the good life.

Philosophy covers a large amount of intellectual turf. The terrain of philosophy is divided into several areas, including four that are particularly important to the teacher: metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, and logic.

Metaphysics involves the attempt to explain the nature of the real world or the nature of existence. It attempts to answer the question "What is real?"

Axiology focuses on the nature of what we value and how we value it. As human beings, we naturally search for the correct and most effective way to live. In doing so, we inevitably encounter questions of values.

Logic is the branch of philosophy that deals with reasoning. One of the fundamental qualities that distinguish human beings from animals is that a person can think. I think therefore, I am.

A primary task of the schools is to help children think clearly and communicate logically. Two types of reasoning are commonly taught in schools: deductive and inductive.

In deductive reasoning, the teacher presents a general proposition and then illustrates it with a series of particulars. Inductive reasoning works in the opposite fashion.

Of course, logic is not confined to inductive and deductive reasoning. To think logically means to think clearly, in many different ways.

For the perennialist, the purpose of education is to find the changeless "truth," which is best revealed in the enduring classics of Western culture. Essentialists believe that there exists a critical core of information and skills that an educated person must have.

The next two schools of philosophy-romanticism and progressivism look first to the learner rather than to the curriculum. Both consider the development of the learner to be the main purpose of education. A well-educated person does not necessarily have a definite body of knowledge; rather, a well-educated person is able to function well in society and life.