REALISM

WHAT IS REALISM? It is an attitude of mind, a mode of thinking and an attempt to explain the nature of things (Dhiman, 2008). Represents the theory that particular things exist independently of our perception. The doctrine that universals have a real objective existence.

FOUR FORMS OF REALISM

REALISM APPEARED IN FOUR FORMS NAMELY: SCHOLASTIC REALISM HUMANISTIC/LITERARY REALISM SOCIAL REALISM SENSE REALISM

SCHOLASTIC REALISM The educational philosophy of scholastic realism is essentially dualistic. DUALISTIC – means recognizes both natural and supernatural. The primary function of the mind in the world is that of cognition. Scholastic Realists believed that change is not completely ruled out from scholastic system. Goodness is commended to children as a divine command.

HUMANISTIC/LITERARY REALISM Also called as “Verbal Realism” This form of realism believed that a complete knowledge of man, nature, and society is needed to fit the individual for the realities of life. Humanistic realists believed that education is gained through books and they should have actual use in one’s life. Its purpose is to master man’s own environing life, natural and social through knowledge of broader life of ancients.

SOCIAL REALISM It criticizes bookish knowledge because it believes that practical knowledge can be obtain through travel than books. (excursions, observations and experimentations) The content of book is insufficient as a preparation for social life and to make judgement of the problems of society. Social realism explains that education should equip learners for a happy and successful life as a man of the world.

SENSE REALISM Also called as “Scientific Realism” where its exponents are called “Innovators”. Scientific Realism – reality is based on what our senses can perceive. Sense Realists believed that knowledge can be gain through our senses. Instruction should follow inductive method. The ultimate purpose of education is still HAPPINESS WITH GOD.

CHIEF EXPONENTS OF REALISM

Aristotle (384-322 B.C .) First prominent Realist philosopher Father of Realism A student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. Known to modern world through his lecture notes • Aristotle’s Organon is his contribution to logic and reasoning - consisting of six books.

Aristotle believed in the direct observation of nature, and in science he taught that theory must follow fact. Logic was for Aristotle the necessary tool of any inquiry, and the syllogism was the sequence that all logical thought follows .

Aristotle explained that “A tree can exist without matter, but no matter can exist without form .” Q: How can a tree exist without a matter-how is that possible? A: Before they were made, they started as an idea in someone's head and it did not exist by its own. Aristotle also explained that each object “had its own ‘soul’ that directs it in the right way.” Statement: A kitten is a kitten. A kitten will grow into a cat but it will never become a tree. Principle: Design and order are present in the universe.

Aristotle also taught that knowledge of a thing, beyond its classification and description, requires an explanation of causality. He posited four causes or principles of explanation.

Four causes or principles of explanation. Material Cause: the matter from which something is made. Example: wood, bricks, and nails Formal Cause: the design that shapes the material object (design) Example: the sketch or blueprint Efficient Cause: the agent that produces the object (maker/builder) Example: the carpenter who builds it Final Cause: the direction toward which the object is tending (purpose/function) Example: is that it is a place in which to live; a house

The logical method he developed was the syllogism , which was his method for testing the truth of statements such as : 1. Deductive All men are mortal. Socrates is a man Therefore, Socrates is mortal. 2. Inductive Dr. Avila is mortal. Dr. Ogayon is mortal. Dr . Villaseñor is mortal. All three are men. Men are mortal.

St. Thomas Aquinas ( 1225-1274) Born in 1225 at Aquino, Italy Priest of the Roman Catholic Church in the Dominican Order from Italy • Died in 1274 in Italy Aquinas was an empiricist Aquinas epitomized the scholasticism of the Middle Ages Scholasticism is an approach that emphasized the human’s eternal soul and salvation.

He incorporated Greek ideas into Christianity by showing Aristotle's thought to be compatible with church doctrine. He accepted Aristotle's view that a human has matter and a mind or a body and a soul . Aristotle believed that our highest good comes through thinking. Aquinas took this to mean that because we are children of God, our best thinking should agree with Christian tenets

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) Modern Realists In Novum Organum , he challenged Aristotelian logic. He believed that science was 'delayed' by Aristotelian thinking Past thinking flawed due to theological dogmatism and prior assumptions which led to false deductions. Science is a tool for creating new knowledge. Originator of the expression “Knowledge is a Power”

He believed we should analyze all previously accepted knowledge and we should rid ourselves of the four idols that we 'bow down' before: Idol of the Den (beliefs due to limited experience) Idol of the Tribe (believing because most people believe) Idol of the Market place (beliefs due to misuse of words) Idol of the Theatre (subjective beliefs colored by religion and personal philosophy)

John Locke (1632-1704) The first philosopher to define the self through a continuity of "consciousness". He also postulated that the mind was a "blank slate" or "tabula rasa" As an empiricist, he believed we gain knowledge from what we experience.

His Philosophy of Realism Realist Principles: 1. There are no innate ideas in the mind. All of our knowledge comes to us by way of experience. 2. Primary qualities exist in the external world just as we experience them. 3. Secondary qualities are different in our experience from what they are in their potential forms in the object; they are yet caused in us by the external world. 4. The external world makes its impression upon our minds by somehow setting impulses in motion which reach our minds through the gateway of the senses.

Implications of realism in education Realism stresses out that education should address itself immediately to the realities of life. Education is expected to provide adequate training for practical living to meet successfully the vicissitudes of life. Use of objects in education. – Maria Montessori

Learning is based on facts – analysis – questioning. Education should proceed from simple to complex and from concrete to abstract.

Realism believes that education should: Transmit culture. Develop human nature. Provide man with the basic education needed for his survival.