PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATIONNATURALISM

Mamata Manandhar

M.Sc. Nursing,1st Year(2011)

BPKIHS

CONTENTS
Introduction of Naturalism  Definition of Naturalism  Meaning of Naturalism  Different forms of Naturalism  Principals of Naturalism  Educational Implications of Naturalism  Contribution of Naturalism  Weakness of Naturalism in Education  Conclusion


INTRODUCTION OF NATURALISM

Naturalism, commonly known as materialism, is a philosophical paradigm whereby everything can be explained in terms of natural causes.

INTRODUCTION CONT..


It is a philosophical position adopted by naturalist, who approaches philosophy from purely scientific point of view. They believe that reality and nature are identical and beyond nature there is no reality.

INTRODUCTION CONT..


Its current usage derives from debates in America in the first half of last century. The self proclaimed naturalist from that period included John Dewey, Ernest Nagel, Sidney Hook and Roy Wood Sellers.

INTRODUCTION CONT


These philosophers aimed to ally philosophy more closely with science. They urged that reality is exhausted by nature, containing nothing supernatural and that the scientific method should be used to investigate all areas of reality, including the human spirit(Krikorian 1944,Kim 2003)

DEFINITION


According to Hayward Joyee, naturalism is a system of which the salient feature is the exclusion of whatever is spiritual or indeed, whatever is transcendental of experience. This definition straightway denies whatever is spiritual and supernatural.

DEFINITION CONT


As per Ralph Barton Perry, Naturalism is a philosophical generalization of science; the applications of theories of science to the problems of philosophy.

CHIEF EXPONENTS


Bacon, Comenius, Herbert Spencer, Bernard Shaw, Ralph Barton Perry, Darwin, Tagore are few of them.

MEANING OF NATURALISM


Naturalism is a doctrine that separate nature from God. According to naturalist human life is a part of nature, it is a self-sufficient entity having its own natural matter, natural force and natural laws. It emphasize on matter and the physical world.

DIFFERENT FORMS


Physical Naturalism believes that laws of physical nature govern the law of human life and adherence to natural laws is essential for human existence. Biological Naturalism strongly agrees with the theory of evolution and according to this philosophy, man being the descendent of ape possess animal nature and is devoid of any element of spiritualism. Mechanical naturalism view man as a mere machine devoid of spirit and soul and aims at training man as a good machine.

PRINCIPLES OF NATURALISM

1. Child centered education:  In naturalistic point of view, prime importance has to be given to the child.  This is the major contribution of naturalism to the education system.  Today teachers role is limited to a facilitator of learning.

PRINCIPLES CONT..
2. Education as the natural development of the childs power and capacities:  Education pattern should coincide with the natural development and learning capacity of the child.  To achieve this, education has to be planned according to the laws of growth and development. 3.Negative education in early childhood:  In early life of a child, simple persuasion is enough to initiate learning instead of forcing the child to learn.

PRINCIPLES CONT
4.Education should be based on childs psychology:  This principle advocates the need for considering individual difference among students. Individual difference in intelligence, temperament and emotions among students should be identified and taken into account while implementing the educative process.  This principle is very much appreciated by the modern educationists.

PRINCIPLES CONT
5.The role of teacher should be that of a guide:  Instead of passively transferring of knowledge the teacher has to arrange an environment with necessary opportunities and materials required for the personal development of the child and guide child as and when needed.  Qualities like love, sympathy and understanding for the child are essential for good teaching.  In short, child takes a center stage in teaching/learning process.

EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS
Applied to education, naturalism considers child as a gift of nature with potentialities for natural growth according to the laws of nature.  The aim of education is to develop a child as a healthy and active personality in a natural setting.  The curriculum should provide concrete and real experiences in a natural context.  Morality and character are learned indirectly with the help of natural consequences of behaviour.


CONTD.
Discipline is developed as a result of consequences of behaviour of the child.  The teacher play role of guide to child in learning process.  Importance is given to the development of individuality and sense of freedom.


NATURALISM & AIMS OF EDUCATION



Self expression: -Naturalist believes that the children should be provided with the opportunity to express their ideas and talents. Self-preservation: -In naturalistic point of view, self-preservation or self security is an unavoidable aspect of life . Self-preservation is the power to be our self, self respect and values. It provides a definite direction in life. Redirection of human instincts: -Instincts are the guiding force behind all human conduct. Hence through education the human instinct have to be redirected for achieving socially desirable results.

CONTD


Struggle for existence: -Physical world is full of pain and suffering. Hence children has to be educated in such a way that they will be able to struggle for their existence and able to adjust themselves with the environment. Education according to nature: -While educating the child, his whole nature, i.e. tendencies, developmental status, capacities, instincts, likes and dislikes should be considered. Perfect development of individuality: -Education should aim at developing the child into joyous, rational, balanced, useful and matured person.

NATURALISM & CURRICULUM

As per naturalism, there is no need for a rigid curriculum and consider nature as a grand book from where children can learn everything.  Naturalist believes that the subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, botany, zoology, geography, history and mathematics should be taught with special importance to experience.  These subjects should be correlated with the life around the child so that he/she can acquire most from the natural setting itself.


NATURALISM &METHODS OF TEACHING

Learning by doing: - Naturalism appreciates direct experience and believes in the principle of learning by doing.  Play way method: -Play way method is the brain-child of Caldwellcook. He recognized that good learning is more often the result of spontaneous effort and free interest rather than compulsion and forced application. -This approach enhances the quality of teaching by offering elements of freedom, interest, reality and spontaneity.


CONT


Observation and experimentation: -Observation is regarded as the direct experience and a productive method when employed by a talented teacher. -Observation simplifies the learning process and helps the student in retaining the learned skills and facts. -As naturalism believe in conducting experiments, children have to be provided with practical experience.

CONT
Self-education or self-effort:  This is a classical contribution of naturalism.  The concept of self education has motivated the modern educationists to consider education as a lifelong process.  Thus naturalism recommends different kinds of assignments and activities for attending all-round development through self-education.


NATURALISM & DISCIPLINE

Naturalism favours total freedom and oppose punishment or extreme discipline.  Rousseau believes that child should be allowed to face the natural consequences of his actions and this exposure will naturally result in the development of self-discipline.  For regulating the conduct of students, naturalists have evolved the concept of student selfgovernment in tune with the demand of a democratic society.


NATURALISM & TEACHER

In naturalism, teachers place is behind the scene.  He is a spectator or an observer of the childs development.  The teacher has to arrange an environment or stage with necessary opportunities and materials required for the personal development of the child.  Teacher guide the child as and when needed by adopting the role of a facilitator.


CONTRIBUTION OF NATURALISM TO EDUCATION Naturalism has given the importance & recognition to the child in the education process.  Naturalism advocates that education should be a pleasurable activity for children & child's interest & readiness to learning is given due importance.  Naturalism emphasizes on the spontaneous self activity of the child.


CONT
Naturalism draws our attention to the aesthetic aspect of surroundings, i.e., natural location.  New schools & new movements came into being as a result of naturalism. Froebel's Kindergarten, the Montessori method, Tagore's Shantiniketan, AS Neil's Summerhill are representatives of the movement.


WEAKNESS OF NATURALISM IN EDUCATION  The simplicity of naturalistic educational practice may not be possible in urban areas.


Higher order of discipline may not be possible as textbooks and teachers are not playing crucial role. Nature alone cannot find beauty and peace, there is something higher, which can direct mans purposes towards positive ends.

CONT

Lack ideas, no place for spiritual values. No constructive suggestions to offer regarding a goal for educative effort thus does not point to higher end in educational process.

CONCLUSION
Education is based on psychology of the child and in accordance with his nature.  Naturalist keeps the child in the forefront in the entire process of education. The teacher, school, curriculum, methods of trainings are not so important as the child, who is to be educated.  Naturalists want the school, to provide an environment, which is conducive to the free development of the growing child.


REFERENCES
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Neerja, KP.Textbook of Nursing Education.Jaypee,2003;pg 19-23 Basavantappa,BT.Nursing Education.Jaypee.2009;pg 131-133 Singh, Indira.Essentials of Education. kathmandu: Hisi printers.2006,pg 38-41. Sankarnarayan B. & Sindu B. Learning and Teaching Nursing. Manglore: Branifill. 2003. Websites: http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/naturalism.htm

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