EDU 211 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

 EDU 211 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

                      Introduction.

Philosophy is a concept that has several definition as there are several p Philosophers all over the worlds. There are Greek Philosopher’s eg Aristotle, Plato, Chinese Philosophers e.g Confucius, Indian philosopher’s e.g Sonkara, Arab Philosophers. e.g Ibn Sinna and Abu Rasheed. In Africa Philosophy is with cultural traditional practices and belief -system. Modern African Philosophy. änd Philosophers are categorized into four Philosophical beliefs namely, political, religion, educational and- like, Tal Solarin, Aliyu Babatunde, Fafunwa, Jibril Aminu and Obafemi Awolowo.

What is Philosophy?

The world *Philosophy is defined from two Greek words, "Pholos? Meaning. "Love and. “Sophia" meaning "Wisdom". Put together: "pholosophia" means the love of wisdom. The philosophers Philosophy meant the totality of knowledge in all sciences as well as in all social sciences' which made Philosophy to be referred to as the mother of all disciplines, concerned with their findings. That is philosophy: is not interested in things that can be proved in labs, but is interested in those things that can be proved by reason alone, Philosophy examine the nature of the world and the reasons behind many things happening in it. E,g the mystery of man existence. 

Nature of scope of Philosophy 

These include critism, analysis, classification, history of ideas and conceptual analysis.

1. Criticism: Philosophy includes digging up and criticizing one's beliefs, one's experiences, and one's judgment in all the main fields of human projects.

2. Analysis: Philosophy is concerned with questions about the analysis of ideas, beliefs, and actions to get their actual meaning.

3. Classification: Philosophy is an activity of critism and classification of ideas. From another time to modern time Philosophy is classified into three categories branch

1. Metaphysics: is branch of Philosophy that deals with things that are real, but which we cannot see physically e.g death, life, time etc

2. Epistemology: is the study of the origin nature, and limitation of human knowledge

3. Axiology: is the branch of philosophy concern with ideas of values that underline the choice we make, which affect our desires, interests, performance and also moral values good, bad responsibility etc.

PRAGMATISM

Philosophers that view education in this school are Dewey, William James etc. They derives the name from Greek word, meaning to do, to make and to accomplish. They believe nothings is fixed in advance that everything is changing. They don't believe in the past or future. They are concern with only the present and knowledge is a result of man's interaction with his environment, the activity of the individual is the knowledge.

Pragmatism Fundamental Principles

1. Man is an active being

2. Truth is that which is practical in nature

3. Actions are real, while ideas are tools

4. Child is the cerntre of educational activities

Objectives of Education According to Pragmatism

1. Education should be based on flexibility of the changing environment

2. Acquisition of vocational skills

3. Lifelong education

4. Development of self-reliance

Pragmatism Curriculum

1. Pragmatism stresses experienced based curriculum

2. Pragmatism assigns peace to the interests of the child

3. Pragmatism emphasizes on subjects like physical training, hygiene, Social studies, Mathematics and Sciences

4. Pragmatism provides for problem solving activities.

Methods of Teaching According to Pragmatism

I. Leaning through experience should be incorporated

2. Project method is compulsory for successful method in. teaching learning activities.

3. Curriculum of creative activities in the teaching learning process.

Teachers. Role According to Pragmatism

l. Teacher is regarded as a helper and guide to pupils.

2. Teacher should be an arranger of experience

Contribution of Pragmatism to Education

l. Pragmatism makes child the centre of the educative process.

2. Pragmatism emphasizes the need for education to serve as making the child to live as a useful member of the society

3. Education is not bound to tradition, but everything should be test through our own experiences.

4. The teacher has a challenging role in the educative process as he has to be alert and weitehful.

Contribution of Pragmatism on Nigerian Education

1. The Nigerian curriculum is similar to the curriculum of pragmatism

2. Nigerian education system has the goal of meeting the need of the society.

3. Education has been a lifelong process which also the basis of Nigerian education process.

EXISTENTIALISM

Philosophers that view education in this' school are Camus, Satie, Kier Kegard. This is the youngest among the schools of thought. This schoolfocuses its attention on the state of human existence. This philosophers are not interested in understanding the physical world or the spiritual world, rather they are interested in the actual problems facing man in his existence, and in those things that are directly relevant to is life. 

Existentialism Fundamental Principle

1. Man is responsible for, creating his interest and value.

2. Man is faced with many choices in his environment.

3. Man is capable of shaping his own life and chooses his own destiny.

Objectives of Education According to Existentialism

1. To build the child to life and make decision about what he will do and be.

2. To develop the spirit of uniqueness in the individual.

3. To help the individual to cultivate positive valve.

Existentialism Curriculum

1. The curriculum should be based on the social and cultural background of the child.

2. The curriculum should consider individual differences.

3. The curriculum should be emphasis on history, literature and arts as they relate to the nature of man and the conflict of existence.

4. The curriculum should also provide social science and technology for survival.

5. Curriculum should be based on experiences.

Role of the Teacher According to Existentialism

1. Should know every child

2. The teacher should give individual attention

3. The teacher should encourage student to challenge and criticize

4. The teacher should encourage student to avoid imitation and embrace originality.

Influence of Existentialism on Nigerian Education

1. Regard for individual development

2. Freedom to make choice

3. Establishment of guidance and counselling officers to assist student to make career choice.

4. Nigerian educational system has the value of democracy in education.

IDEALISM

Philosophers that view education on this school are Plato, Thomas Aquinas and Hegel. They considered human personality as of supreme value and is considered spiritual. Things exists as an idea in the mind rather than in the material nature. Idealism shifts the emphasis from natural or scientific facts of life. Like naturalism to the spiritual aspects experience.

Idealism Fundamental Principles

Among some of their principles are:

1. God is the source of all knowledge

2. Human spirit and mind constitute reality.

3. Values are absolute and unchanging

4. Man is not creator of values

Objectives of Education According to Idealism

1. Education should aim of perfection of the individual.

2. Education should aim at considering moralities.

Idealist Curriculum

1. It emphasizes on the nature of the child.

2. It stress on value e.g honesty and truth etc

3. Religion and moral training should be given on important place.

Method of teaching According to Idealism

1. Leaning through imitation

2. Learning through lecturing

3. Learning through memorization and discussion

Teacher’s role According to Idealism

1. Teacher is regarded as an ideal person.

2. It regards the teacher as a spiritual guide for the child it hold teachers as a friend and guide

Contribution of Idealism to Education

1. It gives higher place to mental and spiritual aspect than to environment.

2. Culture should be given this due place

3. Every human being must be given chance to education

4. Idealism stresses the need for human relations in teaching

5. Teacher’s personality is very importation learning processes.

Influence of Idealism on Nigeria Education

Idealism has contributed in some ways Nigerian education among

1. Inculcation of the right types of values through Nigerian system of education

2. Student are given the freedom to choose subject of their interest.

3. Physical aspect of education is also being taught in Nigerian education

4. Freedoms of learners are also restricted to become self-dependent in nature.

RELEVANCE OF PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION THE STUDENT TEACHER

Concept of Education

Definitions of education are many, among castle e.b (1973) defined education as "what happen to us from the day we are born to the day, we die, it is a preparation for life. Peter, (1975) defined education, "all round development of a person physical, intellectually, morally and spiritually". 

Philosophy of Education

Philosophy of education is the application of general methods of enquiry to guide our educational decisions. Since philosophy is about thestudy of human being and human knowledge, and the main aim of knowledge is to lead man to good life then philosophy guide our educational decision by:-

1. The nature of good life to which education should lead

2. The nature of man because it is man we are educating

3. The nature of society because education is a social process

4. The nature of the ultimate reality which all knowledge seeks to establish.

Relevance of Philosophy to the Student Teachers

The teachers studying philosophy of education stands to benefits from it in the following ways.

1. To help student teacher thinks more logically clearly and reasonably about educational issues.

2. It helps to establish the correct meaning of concept by emphasizing clarity and precision in the use of terms applied to education.

3. It helps student teachers to identify the objectives of education and how to achieve them.

4. It helps student teachers in the selections of content and method of teaching.

5. It helps student’s teachers to clarify their own thinking and believe about education.

6. It helps student teachers and educationists to build their own opinion and view point about education.

Approaches to Studying Philosophy of Education

Approaches to studying are:

1. Analytic approach: this involved the clarification: of what constitute educational .concept like. Goals, aims, objectives, methodology, curriculum etc.

2. Prescription approach: this approach seeks to establish standards assessing values, judging conducts,

3. Speculators approach: this is speculation about such things what is life? And what should. Education aim at? Should education aim at preparation for life here or life after?

4. Historical approach: this approach is interested in the development of ideas overtime and to examine the logical relationship, of ideas and the thinking behind ideas expressed.

REALISM

Philosophers that view educations on this school are Aristotle, Frederick Herbert, John lock, David Hume, J.S Mill etc. They viewed the true existence of material world, and the reality f mid. They hold the view that the object of knowledge is true and existing, whether such knowledge is known of unknown but quiet independent of kurman knowledge.

Realism Fundamental Principles

Among some of their principles are:

1. Realism is concerned with. The study of the world we live in.

2. Realism believes that all knowledge is derived from experiences.

3. Realism beliers that the real world is the world of nature.

4. The realist tries to discover truth with help of scientific methods.

5. The realist believe that religion is man-madeand there is no god.

Objectives of Education According to Realism

1. Educating student to understanding and mastering their physical environment.

2. Educating students to adjust themselves to the realities of physical world and to adjust with adult approved behaviour.

3. The realist is concerned with organization of teacher and learning.

4. Scientific evaluation is the most important contribution made by realism in the field of education.

The Role of the Teacher

1. Realism does not attach much importance to the personality of the teachers.

2. The realist also does not give an importance to the opinion of the teachers.

Realism and Curriculum

The realist gives a high priority to subjects like physical sciences and mathematics.

Curriculum of Realism

1. They concentrate purely on experienced knowledge by neglecting book knowledge.

2. Scientific realist dispute issues relating to spiritualism.

3. Realism dose not accord any important position for the teacher in teaching learning processes.

4. Moral religious and other aspects of art subjects are neglected by realist.

Contribution of Realism to Education

1. Realism stresses the need for test and continuous assessment, so also in the Nigerian system of education.

2. Realism is also concerned with organization of teaching and learning so also Nigerian system f education.

3. Sciences areas are among the most important contribution of realism to sciences, so also is being accepted in the Nigerian curriculum of education.

SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT IS PHILOSOPHY by philosophers representing

A school of thought is an idea accepted the nature of reality acquiring knowledge and resolving problems. Right from ancient time philosophers tried to provide answers to issues arising, and in doing so come out with different views and this led to many schools of philosophy called schools of thought". These schools are: Naturalism, idealism, Realism, Pragmatism, Existentialism and Africanism. 

Naturalism

Philosophers that view education on this school are jean jacks Rousseau, Herert Spencer, Pestalozzi, etc. They view everything in the world and life to be based on natural caused and lows, and not on spiritual or supernatural causes. They derived their name from nature.

Naturalism Fundamental Principles

Among some of their principles are, there is no possibility of any supernatural being, nature along is the source of all knowledge, and - material world is the real world.

Aims of Education According to Naturalism

1. Autonomous development of individual

2. Preparation for the struggle of life.

Method of Teaching

1. Leaning by doing

2. Learning through experiences

Curriculum

1: Childs interest.

2. Physical and health education

Contribution of Naturalism Education

1. It has brought the important of the child to forefront.

2. It promotes education o be a pleasurable activity for the child.

3. Naturalism in education recommends schools to be in natural surroundings, in the open.

The Influence of Naturalism on Nigerian Education

1. The curriculum is organized following the principle of readiness and maturation.

2. The Nigerian school curriculum is geared towards including practical survival skills, just like the principles of naturalism.

AFRICANISM

Philosophers that view education on his school are Tai Solarin, Aliyu Babatunde Fanfuwa, Wazir Junaidu, Jibril Aminu and Obefemi Awolowo. Their philosophy is embedded in culture, norms, customş, ethics beliefs and practices.

Aims of Africanism Education

1. Characters development

2. Intellectual development

3. Perfection of the individual

4. The acquisition of appropriate skills

5. To develop sense of belonging and to participate actively in family and community affairs.

Method of Africanism Teaching

1. Play way method and learning by doing

2. Learning through observation and imitation

3. Learning reading

4. Curriculum should advocate purposeful activities

5. Lecture method

Curriculum of Africanism

1. Ethic religion and arts are given an important place in the curriculum

2. Stresses the use of standardized test

3. Recommended broad curriculum to cater for varying interest and needs

4. Places high priority on the humanities sciences and social sciences

5. Vocational education.

Contribution of Africanism to Education

1. Every child must have change to education

2. Child interest and readiness are important in education

3. Education should engage self-activities to give, good result

4. The important of physical environment in teaching and learning.

The Influence of Africanism to Nigerian Education

1. Regard for individual development

2. Freedom to make choice

3. Guidance and counselling assign to assist students to make appropriate career choice.

4. Curriculum is organized following child readiness and maturation.

5. Nigerian education is embedded in culture, norms, customs, ethnics, belief and practices just like Africanism education where the task of the African schools, school be the production for good and united citizenry comprising of people who think first as African before – they think of themselves as belonging to any region.

Philosophy of Nigerian Education

The analysis of the concepts "philosophy" and "philosophy of education": shows that the function of philosophy of education is the analysis of education from philosophical viewpoints. It's meaning purposes, goals, methods and strategies.

Educational Judgment

This is educational decision which we must take to ensure that our education meets our need for it decision based on choices and alternatives open to us such. Decisions- cold' be rationales or irrationals. Rationales decisions are- choices made out of intelligent assessment of the situation, such as moral consideration and non-morals. Rational decision is a choice we make in ignorance and unintelligently. In Nigerian context, rational decision about educational judgment should be guided by the intelligent assessment of the Nigerian background. i.e life, traditions customs, .resources, institutions, and culture. Generally. Nigerian education aim at achieving set f goals, aim and objectives that need to identify them, know their capabilities and understand their implication on the general development of Nigeria for the purpose of producing responsible and self-reliant citizenry.

Goals of Nigerian Education

All Nigerian educational system whether traditional or modern have same set of aims and objectives to achieving self-reliance. Essentially system is centered around the national policy on education. To understand the goals, aims and objectives of the Nigerian gain knowledge or insight or develops attitudes and skills. It is a process by which knowledge and life's experiences including moral, cultural, economics etc are transmitted to or invicted in individuals or groups.

Here, education is seen as having the function of meeting the economic development needs of the society. Through it, societal values are to be accomplished through the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Such societal values are determined through national goals which in the case of Nigeria are stated in the second national development plan (1974-1979) and adopted by the national policy on education (2004) as to involved he building of a Nigerian state which is:-

1. A fee and democratic society

2. A just and egalitarian society

3. A united string and self -reliant nation

4. A great and dynamic economy

5. A land full of bright opportunities or all citizens

The aims and objectives of Nigerian system of education are reflected in the objectives of Nigerian traditional system of education. To realize Nigeria's national development goal, the country has designed its educational system, which start from primary to tertiary levels. In each level there is a specific objectives to be achieved.

PHILOSOPHY OF NIGERIAN EDUCATION

Education in Nigerian is an instrument for effecting national development as spelt out in the national policy on Education (2004) A Nation's philosophy of education is determined by her objectives and philosophy. The philosophy of Nigerian education is based on the fire man national goals of Nigeria which are:

1. A free and Democratic Society: one of the national goals which form the basis of the Nigerian philosophy of education is attain a free and democratic society. That is, the individual is nor presented from doing what he wants to do. But this does not mean that the individual can do' whatever he likes, Rather it simply means the individual is allowed to enjoy his rights as provided by the laws of the land. That task of education in this regard is to make the individual appreciate the legimmate demands of freedom of opinion, association and religion, one must do within the confines of the law. In many societies, there are laws which tend -to limit individual's freedom to ensure more freedom.

2. A just and Egalitarian Society: A just and egalitarian society means that all persons should be considered equal and treated fairly. This is a principal a justice and fairness to all at all times. No one is above law individual differences are recognized and proportionately catered for.

3. A great and Dynamic Economy: Building a great and dynamic economy is one of the intentions in the Nigerian Philosophy of education. A Nigeria government is to user in economic prosperity for all her citizens using education as a tool. An economy that is diversified and dominated by production where agriculture and other sectors others than oil are explored, encouraged and supported, an economy that will creates opportunities for employment for the citizens.

4. A Strongly, United and Self-Reliant Nation: Another aspect of the Nigeria philosophy of education about a united, strong and self-reliant nation. The country should able to defend its territory, defend the rights of her people, provided basic amenities and social security, and upholds the integrity of her citizens. This desire has been expressed in such slogans as "one nation, one people, one culture" and even in the national anthem where Nigerian are emphatically reminded of the need to live together in peace and unity. Thus, education has been assigned the special role of helping to bring about a united Nigeria where every Nigeria where very Nigerian would be his brother's keeper irrespectively of religion, ethnicity or social cultural background.

5. A Land Full of Bright Opportunities for all Citizens: this aspect of the Nigerian philosophy of education appears to be the target of the Nigeria government. This is a country that is free, democratic just, egalitarian, united, self-reliant great and dynamic economically is bound to be full of bright opportunities for all her citizens. That is, a Country that offers the right type of citizens to work, live in peace, develop themselves, be educated and be self-reliant.

i. Are we there already?

ii. What is your take on this?

PHILOSOPHICAL EXAMINATION OF SOME CONCEPTS AS SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE

Rationality

According to this view rationality means ability to thinks or reason correctly. As reason is the principal source of knowledge. It is knowledge derived not by observing, but by judging new knowledge from what we know already.

In promoting rationality in the learner, education has important role to play. A learner has to be taught to be attentive and to be responsible for his actions. Education should aim at promoting in children a respect of good reasoning to be source of knowledge. Abnormal thinking is often referred to as irrational behaviour. When a person does not reason logically or correctly he is said to behave irrationally and the choice you make out of intelligent assessment of the situation.

Responsibility

Responsibility is having a duty to must be a clear knowledge of what to be responsible for and must be real in nature and should be acceptable by the person to shoulder it as one must be acquainted with the type of job to look after or be responsible for. The job should be accepted and justified and should include physical ability.

Creativity

Creativity is the ability or the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. There is natural creativity which is the work of nature and there is artificial creativity which is the' producer of man's; ability to use his intelligence imagination, sills or tools to bring into being something's ne or to improve upon, the existing one made by other people and this type of creativity is the major concern and one of the most important aims or goals of education to promote creativity in schools, both the learning environment and the teaching method have to be given special consideration. The use of excursion, drama, practical’s: in the laboratory, are crucial in promoting learners creativity.

Lifelong

Lifelong education is education containing or lasting through a person life. Education should be a continuous, process in one's life as seen as lifelong process for reform, and the development of the individuals since education is a continuous process throughout life, learning is therefore not limited to age and time. Cover the life of a person. This types of education is not necessarily through the formal system of education.