RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION
AND PHILOSOPHY
Education and Philosophy are
closer and inseparable. Education is more concerned with application and
philosophy is concerned with framing theory and principles. Without philosophy,
education would be a blind effort and without education, philosophy would be a
cripple.
The
relationship between philosophy and education is explained as:
1.
Philosophy assists man in
understanding man, his life, his actions, ideals and problems.
2.
Philosophy and education are like
the two sides of the same coin present different views of the same thing, and
that one is implied by the other and which cannot be separated from the other.
3.
Philosophy determines the real
destination towards which education has to go – Education is conscious dynamic
process which needs proper guidance and supervision. Philosophy determines the
goal of life and provides suitable and effective guidance and supervision for
education to achieve that goal.
4.
Education is the dynamic side of
philosophy. Two things are essential for completing any task.
5.
Philosophy is the thought or plan
side and education is the application or practical side. Thus Adams has rightly said “Education is
the dynamic side of philosophy”.
6.
The aim of education is the
modification of behavior. The direction in which modification is to be carried
out can be determined by philosophy.
7.
Philosophy deals with the end and
education deals with the means.
8.
According to Ross, “Education is the active aspect of philosophical belief, the
practical means of realizing ideals of life”.
9.
Fichte rightly observed, “The art
of education will never attain complete clearness without philosophy.
10. John
Dewey said, “Philosophy is the theory of education is its most general phrase.
Education is a laboratory in which philosophical directions become concrete and
are tested”.
11. Almost
all great philosophers are great educators and great educators as great
philosophers. Example – Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Plato, Rousseau, Froebel,
Dewey, Swami Dayananda, Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Dr. Sarvepally
Radhakrishnan, Gandhiji etc.
12. Philosophy and aims of
education: Philosophy helps in curriculum
construction. Philosophy considers the interest, abilities and aspirations of
students and helps in the construction of curriculum. Gandhi’s scheme of basic education was an expression of his
philosophy. The National Policy on Education 1986 lays stress on a Core
Curriculum keeping in view the needs of emotional and national integration.
Idealism focused on Humanities, religion, arts, music etc. Naturalism denied
any fixed curriculum. Pragmatism focused on practical subjects such as social
sciences and natural sciences.
13. Philosophy and Textbooks:
The contents of the textbooks must mirror of the philosophy or way of life of
the people. In a socialist society textbooks emphasize socialist philosophy.
14. Philosophy and Methods of
Teaching: Philosophy always helps I development of
various methods of teaching. Every school of philosophy suggests its own method
of teaching such as question and answer method, problem solving method,
inductive & deductive method, synthetic method, dialectical method etc. Philosophy
helps in selection of appropriate method of teaching with that effective
teaching-learning process will be continued.
15. Philosophy and the Teacher:
A teacher is said to play an important role in shaping and molding the ideas,
habits, manners, tastes and ways of life and above all the character and
personality of the students. Every philosophy discussed about role of teacher
in the educational process. Idealism proposed teacher ought to be played ideal
and active role. Naturalism proposed teacher role should be behind the screen
and help the children. Pragmatism speaks teacher should be a friend,
philosopher and guide for students. Existentialism says teacher should help the
children in understanding the future problems and mould accordingly. It is
opinion of almost all the philosophies and philosophers that there should be
closer relationship between teacher and student.
16. Philosophy and Discipline:
Philosophy determines the form and nature of discipline. Each philosophy
emphasized discipline in their own way. Idealistic philosophy emphasized
disciplines as must and compulsion. Where the naturalistic philosophy
emphasized on freedom and they denied the discipline of the student.
Pragmatists view; self accepted discipline should be accepted by students.
17. Philosophy and Educational
Organization: Democratic philosophy lays
emphasis on the participation of the staffs and students in running various
programmes of the educational institutions.
Based on above
discussions it is understood that there is a close and inseparable relationship between
education and philosophies.
