Philosophical Perspectives in Education

During the first week, my first reading assignment for this class was “Philosophical Perspectives in Education” by LeoNora M. Cohen, OSU - School of Education, 1999.  It focuses on four main philosophies of education: Idealism, Realism, Pragmatism and Existentialism.

It explains that idealism and realism came from the Plato and Aristotle, and pragmatism and existentialism are more modern theories. 

Idealism sees reality in spiritual way; in non-material terms.  Learning is achieved by imitation. Idealists focus learning in reading, conversation and discussion. 

Realism sees reality as an objective order.  They focus on the physical world.  Learning is attained by experimentation and observation.  Human rationality is supported to reach education.

Pragmatism, also called Experientialism, sees reality through experience.  Reality is always changing and people have to understand this idea of change by observing the environment.  Learning is achieved by solving problems by ‘hands-on’.  It concentrates in experimenting and working in groups.

Existentialism sees reality through the individual.  It focuses in the person’s purpose to attain their goal.  Each person should have their own choices.  It promotes independence, and growth of realistic human beings.  Learning is done by inquiring and seeing everyone’s purpose in life. 

From these four theories, I have confidence in two of them put together:  realism and existentialism.  With these two theories mixed, learning could be done by experimenting and learning while doing it.  Also I agree with the idea of see reality through experience and that our environment is in constant change.