Philosophical Foundations of

Education
Naturalism
 Introduction to Naturalism
• In education Philosophy of naturalism was
a revolt against the stereotyped education
system and against the artificiality of life.
• Proponents of naturalism believes that it is
a self-sufficient entity. According to them:
• Nature is the ultimate reality
• Natural world is the real world
• Nature alone consists of the answer to all
philosophical problems.
• Back to nature is the phrase to watch with
naturalism philosophy.
• Naturalism believes that nature and reality
are identical and there is no reality without
nature.
• It does not believe in spiritualism and
supernaturalism.
• Material world is the real world.
 What is Naturalism?
• philosophical doctrine which holds the
belief that: MATTER is the ultimate reality
• The material world is the only real world
and that, "it is governed by natural laws"
• the philosophical belief that everything
arises from natural properties and causes,
and supernatural or spiritual explanations
are excluded or discounted.
 Forms of naturalism
Physical Naturalism
• Studies the external nature
• It explains human activities and
experiences in terms of material objects
and natural laws.
• Lays more stress on external phenomenon
then conscious human beings
• Nature has a complete hold on the life of
human beings.
 Mechanical Naturalism

• regards man as machines

• believes in behavioristic psychology
• believes man as well as mind is matter
• science is only a dependable form of matter.
 Biological naturalism
• Based on the notion of evolution.
• Darwin believed in the “survival of the fittest” in
the evolution.
• believes that life is ever-changing dynamic and
always developing.
• our survival depends on adjustments.
• three principles according to biological
naturalism are
1. Adaptation of environment
2. Struggle for existence
3. Survival of the fittest
 Naturalism in Education
• Naturalism has a great impact on theory
as well as the practice of education.
• In systems of educations with naturalistic
philosophy, there is no place for
classrooms, textbooks, time-table, formal
exams, etc.
• It stands against the present system of
teaching.
 Main tents of naturalism
• Reality and nature are identical. Nature is
the ultimate reality of the world.
• Have no belief in the spiritual world
• Regards scientific knowledge as the
highest value.
• Values are subjective and relative. One
has to live in harmony with nature. Values
are created in terms of the need and
purpose of life.
• They advocate the inductive method where
knowledge is gained through observation for the
acquisition of knowledge.
• Knowledge is comprehended through senses.
• Laws of nature are unchangeable and the whole
universe is governed by them.
• Man is an offspring of nature not a segment of
society.
• Nature grows and evolves with the passage of
time
 Important characteristics of
naturalistic education
• believes that education should be in a
strict agreement with the nature of the
child.
• Regards education as a natural necessity.
• Whole of the learning comes from the
experience of the child. An important place
is given to the concept of freedom to live in
nature without control.
• Advocate school education and is against
bookish knowledge.
• Sensors are the gateway to knowledge.
The child should be trained to function his
senses effectively.
• Believes in progressive education.
Aims of Naturalism in education
1. Self-expression
2. Struggle for existence
• Education ensures survival
• Enable children to adjust themselves to the
environment
3. Development of individuality
• Education should aim to develop the
individuality of children without any
interference in society.
4. Education for adjustment
• Education helps children in physical and
mental adjustment.
• Education is regarded as a process of
adjustment to the environment
5. Education according to the nature of the
child.
6. Education to achieve present and future
happiness.
• Education should help to cultivate self-
restraint and values in children.
7. Education should develop the child into a
joyous, rational, and mature child.
 Naturalism and curriculum
• Does not believe in a rigid and fixed
curriculum.
• Believes in inborn ability and instincts of
the child.
• Child learns best in a natural setting.
 Features of naturalistic
curriculum
• Curriculum based on psychology and inborn
instinct of child.
• Believes in the study of science subjects. Due
importance is given to mathematics and
languages.
• Study of past experiences is given due
importance in the curriculum. This because our
present is defined by our past. They believe that
history and social studies should be included in
the curriculum.
• Naturalism advocates the inclusion of
subjects in the curriculum that promotes
self-preservation.
• There is no place for moral religious and
spiritual education.
 Methods of teaching and
Naturalism in education
• It rejects
 rigid teaching methods
 uniform
 traditional methods of teaching
• It does not favor classroom teaching
• “Give your pupils no verbal lesson, they should
be taught by their experiences alone” is what
Rousseau said.
• It lays emphasis on learning by doing
• Naturalists believe that children should be
encouraged to discover things on their own.
• They are advocates of the play-way
method of teaching. The Montessori
method is one such method of teaching.
Teaching should be a joyous, creative, and
spontaneous activity.
• According to naturalists observation and
experiments in the laboratory should be
important factors of teaching methodology.
 Naturalism and Teacher
• Teacher plays the role of the observer in a
naturalistic education scheme.
• Teacher facilitates the learning of the child.
• Teachers should be able to understand the
child and help in the growth and
development of the child.
• Teacher’s role should be that of a stage
setter. He should be able to provide
material and environment to facilitate the
development and learning of the child.
 Naturalism and School

• school should be a natural and spontaneous

field of free activities for children
• so it should be flexible, based on liberal and free
atmosphere
• a place of democratic values
• the social environment should be based on the
principles of liberty, equality and fraternity
• the students should themselves govern the
school
 Merits and demerits of
Naturalism in education
Merits
• It provides presents a refreshing and humanistic
attitude towards teaching and learning.
• Here children are treated as equals by adults. Their
personality and individuality is respected.
• Discipline comes in the self-imposed form rather
than by constant correction or harsh attitudes by
adult interference.
• Children share freedom as well as the responsibility
with adults.
Demerits
• It ignores the spiritual and moral side of human
nature.
• Its tents are applicable to all the children irrespective
of their individual differences. Sometimes it is not
practical to apply principles of the naturalistic
approach to education in practical situations.
• Naturalistic education practices are hard to follow in
urban areas. This is because schools in urban areas
are crowded, noisy, and are located in densely
populated localities.
• This approach is not suitable for a vast amount of
learning which is needed in a short span of time.
Sometimes it is not practical to approach learning at
a leisurely pace through experience and unaided by
books.
 Conclusion of naturalism in
education
• Philosophy of Naturalism in education has
its own merits and demerits. It provides
the freedom to the learner which is unique.
This approach has affected modern
education and methods of teaching an
inconsiderable way. It aims to make
teaching real, interesting, and meaningful.
It also does good to society by rejecting
superstitions.
• Regardless of all its merits there exist
certain demerits and some of its
suggestions might not be practical to apply.
It tends to ignore the ideals and purpose of
life. It brings everything to materialism and
gives no place to spiritual values.
 References
• https://www.philosophybasics.com/branch
_naturalism.html
• https://slideplayer.com/slide/13041692/ –
Visit for further information on naturalism
in reference to education.
• https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/naturalis
m/ – Learn in detail about Naturalism
philosophy.