Concepts of

Philosophy of
education

Philosophia

Philo: love
Sophia: knowledge
Philosophy: love for
knowledge or
wisdom

ETYMOLOGY (LANGUAGE)

Philosophers: those
who have a love for
knowledge

 knowledge which
encompasses truth.
contains metaphysics,
logic, rhetoric, ethics,
economics, politics and
aesthetics.

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only through
knowledge can
man attain the real
truth.

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AlFarabi

knowledge
about the
physical
universe.

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Thinking
thoroughly

Free from
the bonds of
tradition

PRACTICA
LITY
Characteristi
cs:
systematic,
rational,
universal

Example 1
If the sky is overcast, it is very likely that
it will rain. If that is so, then it is not
advisable to hang out the clothes. When
it rains, there will be nobody to take the
clothes in.

Example 2
A Mathematics teacher discovers that there is a pupil
in his class who often skips lessons. He not only refers
this particular pupil to the discipline teacher, but he
takes the trouble to find out from the pupil himself the
reasons for his behaviour. He even goes to the extent
of visiting the pupils home to find out the exact
condition of his family and surroundings. If necessary,
he refers this case to the relevant authorities, for
instance, the Social Welfare Department, and so on.

Example 3
The street light in front of the house has not
been

working

for

the

past

week.

Before

reporting to the relevant authorities, perhaps it

would be a good idea to check if there are other
street lamps with the same condition. Such an
act goes a long way to ensure the safety of the
residents in the same housing area.

Russel (1946)
Philosophy is situated between

theology and science.

Theology - knowledge about the attributes
and religion
Science physical science and humanities

Schofield (1972)
Question

Answer

Can we say all questions

are philosophical
questions?

No.

What is classified as
philosophy?

All kinds of knowledge

including science and
theology.

Who philosophises?

Man.

Is there a difference
between a common man
who philosophises and a
philosopher?

Yes.

What is the difference?

Philosophers usually
formulate wholesome ideas
based on logic and
consistencies before
disseminating these ideas

Concept of Philosophy

Branches of
Philosophy

Metaphysics
(Ontology)
Branch

of

philosophy
which
examines things such as reality,
what exists in this world, and how it is
arranged.
Speculative
Focuses on cause-and-effect

relationship of things and

phenomena.

For example,
What is truth?
What is mankind?
Is this world make up of matter only?
Does man possess a mind? What is the

relationship between the mind and body?

Axiology
The branch of philosophy that questions

good or bad, true or false,

beautiful or ugly.
2 types:
Ethics
Aesthetic

Ethics
Focuses on

MORAL and BEHAVIOUR of

mankind

WHY???
Investigates the goodness of a person, society

and life.
TYPES OF ETHICS:
Meta ethics
Normative ethics
Applied ethics

Aesthetics
Refers to the criteria for beauty in the arts,

environment and life.

Focuses more on taste and sentiments
QUESTIONS:
What is beauty?
How can we appreciate beauty in our natural

environment?

Epistemology
Philosophy that studies about

KNOWLEDGE and BELIEFS

Focuses on the analysis and generation

of knowledge the pursuit of knowledge

Logic
Explains the relationship between ideas

besides giving reasons for the proposed

answer
Attempts to differentiate between what

is right and what is confusing

2 types of logic:
Inductive Logic
Deductive Logic

Concept of
Philosophy of
Education

What is
EDUCATION??
?

Education is a process to elevate

mans status. School is seen as a

special environment which is the
same as the social environment.
John Dewey

Education

encompasses
our
whole
being

physically,
emotionally,
spiritually
and
intellectually. Its purpose is to
prepare man to face the world
which is continually faced with
good and bad, sweetness and
bitterness.
Dr. Yusuf al-

Qardawi (1980)

Definition of
education
Western, Eastern and Islamic
philosophies

Types of
philosop
hies

Definition of
education

Philosopher

Western

The purpose of education is to

live a honest, pure and
respectful life.

Friedrich
Froebel (1782
1852)

Eastern

Education
nurtures
good Confucius (551
behaviour in man through the
following
practices:
good 479 BC)
manner,
consideration,
respect for our elders, love of
those younger than us as well
as loyalty to and love for King
and country.

Islamic

Education encompasses the

intellect and physical domain
as well as character formation
characterized by bravery and
respect for others.

Al- Ghazali
(1058 1111
C.B. )

Philosophy of
education
A form of analytical thought that is used to

explain the basic concepts related to

education
Helps teachers to understand theoretical
foundations related to education
Influencing his or her practices as a teacher

Function of Education

Examples
If the teacher believes the child is a

receptacle to be filled like a bucket, by

reading or listening, that will lead to
a didactic kind of teaching.
If

the teacher believes the child

constructs his or her own meanings
from
experience
and
social
interaction, that will lead to an
inquiry approach to teaching, one that
is more hands-on than "telling."