This document outlines several major philosophies of education: essentialism, progressivism, perennialism, existentialism, and behaviorism. It describes the key questions each philosophy addresses: why teach, what to teach, and how to teach. Essentialism focuses on basic skills and disciplines. Progressivism aims to develop citizens and uses experiential learning. Perennialism cultivates rational thinking through great books. Existentialism helps students understand themselves and offers creative options. Behaviorism arranges environments to shape responses to stimuli. The document also briefly mentions other philosophies and calls the reader to reflect on the philosophies that influence their own educational system.

1. Philosophiesof
Education

2. Existential
Questions
🞄Whatis life?
🞄Whoam I?
🞄Whyam I here?
🞄Whatam I living for?
🞄Whatis reality?
🞄Isthe universe real?
🞄Whatis good to do?
🞄Howshould I live life meaningfully?

3. In theschool
context…
🞄Whydo I teach?
🞄Whatshould I teach?
🞄Howshould I teach?
🞄Whatis the nature of the learner?
🞄Howdo we learn?

4. Five Major
Philosophies of
Education
(Bilbao, et al)
🞄Essentialism
🞄Progressivism
🞄Perennialism
🞄Existentialism
🞄Behaviorism

5. Essentialism
🞄Whyteach?
🞄Thisphilosophycontends that
teachers teach for learners to
acquire basic knowledge, skills,
and values.

6. Essentialism
🞄Whatto teach?
🞄Basicskills or the fundamental R’s --
reading, ‘riting, ‘rithmetic, right
conduct-- as these are essential to
the acquisition of higher or more
complex skills needed in
preparation for adult life.
🞄Curriculum includes the traditional
disciplines such as math, natural
sciences, history, foreign language,
and literature.

7. Essentialism
🞄Howto teach?
🞄Essentialist teachers emphasize
mastery of subject matter.They
are expected to be intellectual
and moral models of their
students.

8. Progressivism
(Pragmatism or
Experimentalism)
🞄Whyteach?
🞄Progressivist teachers teach to develop
learners into becoming enlightened and
intelligent citizens of a democratic
society.They teach learners so they may
live fully NOW not to prepare them for
adult life.

9. Progressivism
🞄What to teach?
🞄Need-based and relevant curriculum.This is
a curriculum that “responds to students’
needs and that relates to students’ personal
lives and experiences.”
🞄
More concerned with teaching the learners
the skills to cope change. Change is the only
thing that does not change.
🞄Natural and social sciences.Teachers expose
students to many new scientific,
technological, and social developments,
reflecting the progressivist notion that
progress and change are fundamental.

10. Progressivism
🞄Howto teach?
🞄
Progressivists teachers employ experiential
methods.They believe that one learns by
doing. (John Dewey)
🞄
Problem-solving method makes use of the
scientific method.
🞄
“Hands-on-minds-on” teaching
methodology (e.g., field trips during which
students interact with nature or society).
Teachers also stimulate students through
thought-provoking games and puzzles.

11. Perennialism
(Rational
Humanism)
🞄Whyteach?
🞄Todevelop the students’ rational and
moral powers.
🞄Beliefin the primacy of reason and in the
human’s ability to make rational
judgments about the goodness of things
(Adler & Hutchins).

12. Perennialism
🞄Whatto teach?
🞄Theperennialist curriculum is a universal
one on the view that all human beings
possess the same essential nature.
🞄Heavyon humanities and general
education.
🞄GreatBooks.

13. Perennialism
🞄Howto teach?
🞄Theperennialist classrooms are “centred
around teachers”.The teachers do not
allow the students’ interests or experiences
to substantially dictate what they teach.
They apply whatever creative techniques
and other tried and true methods which are
believed to be most
conducive to disciplining the students’
minds.

14. Existentialism
🞄Whyteach?
🞄Tohelp students understand and
appreciate themselves as unique
individuals who accept complete
responsibility for their thoughts, feelings,
and actions.
🞄Existence precedes essence.
🞄Education of the whole person, not just
the mind.

15. Existentialism
🞄Whatto teach?
🞄Givesa wide variety of options from
which to choose.
🞄Emphasis on the humanities.
🞄Vocational education to teach children
about themselves and their potentials.
🞄Inthe arts, students are encouraged to
practice individual creativity and
imagination.

16. Existentialism
🞄Howto teach?
🞄Focuseson the individual.
🞄Learningis self-paced, self-directed.
🞄Individualcontact with the teacher.
🞄Teachers remain non-judgmental and
take care not to impose their values on
the students; since values are personal.

17. Behaviorism
🞄Whyteach?
🞄Student’s behavior is a product of his
environment.

18. Behaviorism
🞄Whatto teach?
🞄Teachstudents to respond favorably
to various stimuli in the
environment.

19. Behaviorism
🞄Howto teach?
🞄Arranges environmental conditions
so that students can make the
responses to stimuli.
🞄e.g.,well-managed classroom, use
of attention catchers and incentives.

20. Summary

21. Other
Philosophies
(accdg.to
Eisner)
🞄Reconstructionism/Critical Theory
🞄ReligiousOrthodoxy
🞄Reconceptualism
🞄Cognitive Pluralism

22. Reflection
🞄Whatphilosophies of education
do our schools adhere to?
🞄Inthe historical perspectives of
our educational system?

23. Thankyou!
There are as many worlds as there
are ways to describe them.
NELSONGOODMAN