CH. 4 PHILOSOPHY Reflections on the essence of education

LEARNING OUTCOMES  Define philosophy and describe methods of inquiry used by philosophers.  List major philosophical questions associated with the three major branches of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology.  Elaborate on the major tenets of idealism, realism, pragmatism, and existentialism.  Relate philosophical concepts to teaching and learning.  Compare writers from different schools of philosophy: Plato, Socrates, Kant, Martin, Aristotle, Locke, Whitehead, Peirce, Dewey, Rorty, Sartre, Nietzsche, and Greene.  Describe the characteristics of Eastern and native North American ways of knowing.

WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?  A passion to uncover and reflect on the underlying meaning of things  Greek philos and sophos, which means love of wisdom

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT FOR EDUCATORS ?  Teachers must constantly confront underlying assumptions that: Guide their conduct Determine values Influence the direction of all existence

BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY  Metaphysics  Epistemology  Axiology

METAPHYSICS  Nature of reality  Beyond the physical  What is reality?  What is existence?  Is the universe rationally designed or ultimately meaningless?  How might this affect a teacher’s classroom approach?

EPISTEMOLOGY  Examines questions about how and what we know  What knowledge is true?  How does knowledge take place?  Is there a difference between knowledge and belief?  Can people know anything beyond the objects with which their senses acquaint them?  Does knowing make any difference to the object that is known? Teachers’ knowledge of how students absolutely influences how they will teach

AXIOLOGY  Nature of values  What is good?  What is beautiful?  Ethics What is the good life? How should we behave? When does the end justify any means of achieving it?  Aesthetics Is art public and representative, or is it the product of private creative imagination?

SHOULD MORALS AND VALUES BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?  Turn and Talk - Discuss with partner Who do you think should select the values that are taught in a school district? If the majority is given this right to choose the values, then what becomes of the individual rights of minorities? Do you think it is possible to teach a value-free curriculum? Does the very act of instruction imply a certain value system expressed and upheld by the individual teacher?

SCHOOLS OF PHILOSOPHY  Idealism  Realism  Pragmatism  Existentialism

 Jigsaw activity. In groups, study your school of philosophy and report the following back to your home group: Educational implications What should we teach? How should we teach? Identify and describe at least 2 philosophers who have influenced this school of philosophy

IDEALISM  What should we teach?  How should we teach?  Influential philosophers

REALISM  What should we teach?  How should we teach?  Influential philosophers

PRAGMATISM  What should we teach?  How should we teach?  Influential philosophers

EXISTENTIALISM  What should we teach?  How should we teach?  Influential philosophers

EASTERN & NATIVE NORTH AMERICAN WAYS OF KNOWING

Native North American Ways of Knowing Navajo – harmony and inner forms Lakota – oneness with environment Hopi – journey Educational Implications- Importance of nature Study natural relationships that exist among things, animals, and humans

Eastern Ways of Knowing Indian Thought – opposites don’t need to be reconciled Chinese Thought – harmony, correct thinking Japanese Thought – respect for all nature Educational Implications – Teacher/Student Relationship Emphasis on nature and learning through wanderings