Classical Realism• Aristotle

– 384-322 B.C.• He was a student at

Plato’s Academy• He opened his own

school, The Lyceum.

Aristotle’s Ontology• Prime Matter

– Principle of Potentiality• Pure Form

– Principle of Actuality• FORM and MATTER are

separate concepts, but they are never found alone, but matter is prior to form.

PURE FORMActuality

Mind Rationality Law

PURE MATTERPotentiality

Body MaterialityExamples

of behavior

=

Aristotle’s Epistemology

• The Universe is one of orderly design

• All things exist according to a rational design

• All things have a rational function or purpose.

– Acorns become Oak trees, not Elm trees

• Man’s defining characteristic is Rationality.

– Homo Sapiens- the rational animal.

• Syllogistic Logic– All men are mortal– Socrates is a man– Therefore, Socrates is Mortal

Aristotle’s Epistemology

Material Matter Wood,nails

Formal Design Blueprint

Efficient Agent Carpenter

Final Purpose House

THEORY OF CASUATION

Aristotle’s Axiology• The Golden Mean is described as "the smaller is to the larger, what the larger is to the whole.“

• It's also known as the Golden Section or the Divine Proportion. It divides a line in such a way as to create an ideal relationship between the parts.

• Man’s purpose is to lead a rational life of moderation.

• The “Good” life is one of avoiding extremes

Modern RealismOntologyArgued against Syllogistic logic. Deductive A priori reasoning is flawed because you have TRUTH in hand before you begin.

Truth is arrived at through reason (inductive reasoning).

The Material world exists independent of human minds

Francis Bacon

Modern RealismEpistomology

The scientific (inductive)method• Hypothesis• Gather evidence• Formulate Theory

Axiology• The good life is attained through

scientific skepticism. – Examine all previously accepted

knowledge.

Francis Bacon

The IDOL of the DEN Limited experience

The IDOL of the TRIBE Follow the Majority

The IDOL of the MARKETPLACE

Current (faddish) language

The IDOL of the THEATER

Emotion

The Four Idols

Idealism As APhilosophy of Education

• Absolutist- The search for “TRUTH”- True Ideas• Rationalist- The search for truth is a rational process. Thus,

to be educated, is to reason effectively.• Subjectivist- Individuals should strive for self-realization• Character Development

– Wisdom– Moral conviction– Good will– Loyalty

AIMS of EDUCATION

Idealism As APhilosophy of Education

• Depth over breadth • Concepts over specific facts• Confront problems that arise from the “human condition.” • “Self-Directed” learning• Lecture to stimulate thought, not to convey information

METHOD of EDUCATION

Idealism As APhilosophy of Education

• Materials that promote “critical thinking.”• Focus on reading and writing.• Reading materials should foster discussion of “big ideas.”• Classic works are favored because they have passed the

test of time.• Student writing should emphasize both personal

expression and clear reasoning.

CURRICULUM

• Socrates might serve as the prototype– Socratic questioning

• Teachers serve as role models– Intellectual– Moral

• An Idealist teacher tends to see teaching as a calling- more than just an occupation

Idealism As APhilosophy of Education

ROLE OF THE TEACHER

Realism as a Philosophy of Education• Absolutist- Education should focus on the truth of the

natural and physical world• Empiricist- Teach students the scientific method of

problem solving by exploring the material world• Objectivist- Emphasize basic skills and basic facts-

“3Rs” There are objective skills and facts that all students should learn.

• Character Development:– Establish high standards and increased rigor and hold

students accountable– Emphasize practical knowledge that will prepare students for

the world of work

Aims of Educatio

n

Realism as a Philosophy of Education

Methods of Education

• Direct teaching techniques are preferable. • Students should be presented information in an

organized, efficient and logical format.• Given the “information overload” in today’s society, it is

important that “non-essential” learning should be eliminated.

• Students should be taught based upon their strengths and abilities.

• Scientific testing should be used to diagnose and place students in settings most appropriate to their needs

• Technology should be utilized whenever appropriate in schools

Realism as a Philosophy of Education

Curriculum

• Curricula should be practical and useful• Curricula should concentrate on the “Basics” and avoid

fads and frills.• Curricula should be highly organized, correlated and

aligned throughout the scope and sequence offered by schools

• Curricula should be based upon pre-established standards and criteria.

• Curricula should be “experiential” whenever possible

Realism as a Philosophy of Education

Role of the Teacher

• A Realist teacher should be a subject matter expert.• A Realist teachers should be able to present material in

an organized and systematic way.• A Realist teacher should be able to explain the lesson

objectives in a way that is understandable to the learner.• A Realist teacher should be able to effectively assess

students in such a way that all students are challenged and motivated to learn.

• A Realist teacher should understand current research and technology and be able to utilize it in the classroom.

Pragmatism• A 20th Century Philosophy• Often considered to be the “American”

philosophy– William James– George Herbert Mead– John Dewey

William James- Percepts & Concepts

William James- Percepts & Concepts

William James- Percepts & Concepts

William James- Percepts & Concepts

William James- Percepts & Concepts

William James- Concepts

William James- Percepts

William James- Making Meaning

John Dewey – Experience and

Education

John Dewey – Experience and

Education

John Dewey – Experience and

Education

John Dewey – Experience and

Educationp. 19

The either/or of the two positions

Traditional Progressive

1 imposition from above

expression andcultivation ofindividuality

2 external discipline free activity

3 learning from text/teachers

learning throughexperience

4 acquire them as means ofby drill

attaining ends which makedirect vital appeal

5 prepare for remote future

make most of present opportunities

6 static aims and materials

awareness of changing world

Ontology

• “What is real?” This is not a useful question.Human beings process perceptions through our senses and construct concepts or ideas. Reality is being constantly constructed through our experiences.

Epistemology

• Truth is relative to a particular time, culture, place. We learn by making meaning of our experiences. We learn by solving meaningful problems.

Axiology

• We derive our moral sense through the social consciousness of the human race. Through personal experience we form habits, beliefs, feelings and emotions. These are always shaped by our social world.

Aims

• Education is a social process and school is a form of community life. School should promote personal growth on the part of every child.

Methods

• Methods should emerge from an understanding of a child’s powers and interests. A teacher should guide a child towards educative experiences that connect personal growth within community.

Curriculum

• Curriculum should grow out of life experiences. It should be centered in authentic problem solving and inquiry.

Role of the Teacher

• The teacher should be a guide, not a dispensor of information. Teachers should know their students and their subjects equally well so they can direct students towards educative experiences