4 MAJOR PHILOSOPHIES

Idealism
Realism
Pragmatism
Existentialism

IDEALISM

Is a philosophical approach that beliefs that – ideas are the only

true reality, the only thing worth knowing - It focuses mainly on
the conscious reasoning in the mind
Emphasises the moral and the spiritual reality as the chief
explanation of the world.
Truth and values are seen as absolute, timeless and universal
Within the world of the mind, ideas are permanent, regular and
orderly, it represents a perfect order i.e. eternal ideas are
unalterable and timeless
Knowing involves the latent ideas already present in the mind. As
a teacher therefore one has to bring this latent knowledge into
consciousness.
Learning involves recalling and working with ideas; education is
properly concerned with conceptual matters.

AIMS OF IDEALISM

The underlying principle of idealism is that reality is largely an

extension of mental processes, which are the true reality. Idealism
 proposes that ideas are universal and eternal, unlike physical
objects, which are subject to the alteration of the forces of nature.

PRINCIPLES OG IDEALISM

1. Spirit and mind constitute reality: the physical world is of less importance
than the world of the mind, ideas and experiences. Realty exists in the mind
of man and not in the physical world. The physical and material world is not
the complete expression of reality.
2. Man being spiritual is the supreme creation: idealists maintain the
distinctiveness and superiority of man’s nature which is apparent not only
from his spiritual capacities denied to animals but also seen in his power and
control over the environment. He also has the power of controlling the
spiritual and cultural environment and values.
3. God is all source of knowledge: revealed knowledge is supposed to be the
worlds of God and is the only reliable source of knowledge.
4. Values are absolutely and unchanging: Truth, beauty and goodness are the
spiritual values which are underlying and permanent. Realisation of these
values is the realization of God. For achievement of these values all the
capacities of the man are to be harnessed to the full.
5. Man is not the creator of values: man cannot create values. The
philosophy believes that ideals are not made by man rather they already exist
in the world. Man only discovers through his efforts.
6. Idealists provide full support to the principle of unity in diversity.
CURRICULUM

Education aims to discover and develop each individual’s abilities

and full moral excellence in order to better serve the society.
The idealist teacher/educator prefers the order and the pattern of a
subject matter curriculum relates ideas and concepts to each other.
The most important subjects and highest form of knowledge
recognizes relationships and integrate concepts to each other. In
this manner curriculum becomes hierarchical and constitutes the
cultural heritage of humankind, and it is based on learned
disciplines.
The idealism curricular emphasis the subject matter of mind:
literature, history, philosophy and religion.

FOR INSTANCE;

Top of the hierarchy are abstract subjects

Philosophy and Theology cut across time, place and
circumstances
Mathematics cultivates the power to deal with abstract
thinking

History and Literature are the sources of moral and cultural

models
 Lower in rank are the natural and physical sciences
Language is important because it is necessary for
communication and facilitates conception of thought
Teaching methods focus on ideas through lecture, discussion
and Socratic
Dialogue (a method that uses questioning to help students
discover and clarify knowledge).
Character is developed through imitating examples and
heroes

IDEALISM AND TEACHER

Idealism assigns a special role to the teacher. It considers teacher as a
spiritual guide for the child.

The teacher serves as a living model for the student. He sets the
environment in which education takes place. He carries the child from
darkness to light. He is to guide the student towards utmost possible
perfection

Idealism regards the teacher as the priest of man’s spiritual heritage. He

is a co-worker with God in perfecting man. An idealist teacher is a
philosopher, friend and guide. According to Gentle- A teacher is “a
spiritual symbol of right conduct.” He is thus, an indispensable
necessity.

According to Froebel, the school is a garden, the teacher is a cautious

gardener and the child is a tender plant. The plant can grow, no doubt,
without help but the good gardener sees that the plant grows to the finest
possible perfection. Through teacher’s guidance the child can make his
natural development into a process leading to perfection and beauty.

The ideal personality is exclusively the product of teacher’s efforts. The

educator constitutes the special environmental factors whose function is
to lead the child in nearer reality, to guide him towards his utmost
possible function.

- The wise direction on the part of the teacher is essential. It includes

guidance, control and creating stimulating environment
- Must be an ideal person to influence the personality of the
students.

REALISM

PRAGMATISM

Also referred to as Experimentalism

Based on change, process and relativity
 Pragmatism construes knowledge as a process in which
knowledge is constantly changing.
Learning occurs as the person engages in problem solving
situations.
Knowledge is considered a transaction between a learner and
the environment. The learner and the environment are
constantly changing so are the transactions and or the
experiences.
Pragmatists view everything intelligently in relation to a
pattern.
The ideal teaching method is more exploratory than
explanatory. The method is more important than the subject
matter. The method is one that deals with change and
scientific investigation in an intelligent manner.
The truth is no longer absolute or universal but rather it has
to be proven in relation to facts, experience and /or
behaviour.

CURRICULUM

Curriculum is based on the child’s experiences and interests

and prepares him/her life affairs and for the future.
 Subject matter is interdisciplinary rather than located within a
single group of disciplines.
The stress is on problem solving not mastering organised
subject matter and using the scientific.
Teaching and learning become a process of reconstructing
experiences according to the scientific method.
Learning takes place in an active ways as learners solve
problems. Problems and the subject matter vary in response
to the changing world therefore it is important for the learner
to acquire the method of solving problems as an intelligent
manner.

EXISTENTIALISM

Existentialists stress individualism and personal self-fulfillment.

According to existentialist philosophy people are given a number
of choice making situations and continually make choices and
thereby define themselves.
We are what we choose to be; in doing so we make our own
essence or self-identity. However the essence we create is a
product of our choices and it varies among individuals.
 Learners are free to choose what to study and determine what is
true.
Learners choose how and what knowledge they wish to possess.
The most important kind of knowledge is about human condition.
Existentialism recognizes few standards, customs or traditions or
eternal truths and so it is odds with the ideas of idealism.

CURRICULUM

Curriculum consists of experiences and subjects that lend

themselves to individual freedom and acts of choice making. For
instance, the arts would be stressed because they cultivate self -
expression and portray the human condition and situations
involving choices. .
Because the choice is personal and subjective, subjects that are
emotional, aesthetic and philosophical are important.
Literature, drama, film making, art, etc. are important because they
portray the human condition and choice making conditions.
The curriculum would stress self-expressive activities,
experimentation and methods and media that illustrate emotions,
feelings and insights.

Criticisms levelled against Existentialism

Schooling is process that limit students’ freedom.
Schooling is based on adult authority and on the norms and beliefs
of the mass or common culture.
Free choice would be too unsystematic and laissez-faire especially
at the elementary school level.