The document discusses existentialism, highlighting it as a philosophy that centers on human existence and individual freedom while rejecting traditional philosophical concepts. It delves into the implications of existentialism for education, advocating for self-realization and child-centered approaches, where teachers facilitate personal growth and creativity. However, it also notes limitations of existentialism in terms of clarity, practical application, and its narrow focus on humanities at the expense of vocational education.

1. Existentialism
By
M.VIJAYALAKSHMI
Assistant Professor

2. • Modern youngest philosophy
• Modern twentieth century philosophy
• Main exponents:
• Soren Kierkegnard the Danish Philosopher
(1813-1835) ( “to be that which one truly is”)
• Jean Paul Sartre, a French Writer
• Karl Jaspess, a German Philosopher
• Reinholf Niebuhr, a leading protestant
theologian

3. What is Existentialism?
•Dr.S. Radhakrishnan –
Existentialism is a new
name for an ancient
method

4. Meaning
• An antiphilosophy
• Against the principles of traditional
philosophy
• Rationalism, Absolutism, Universalism are all
opposed by Existentialists
• According to them objects are simply present
and man interprets them
• Man makes them man
• Man is the total sum of his actions

5. Underlying Assumptions of Existentialism
• The centre of existence is man rather than
truth, laws, principles or essence
• This notion of the uniqueness mystery of
man implies that previous definitions of man
have been completely unsatisfactory
• Man is not alone in the world
• Existentialism propounds the belief that man
cannot accept the ready-made concepts of
existence forced upon him

6. • Man’s Existence
• Self-knowledge
• Freedom and Responsibility
• Man is not complete
• No acceptance of readymade
concepts

7. Existential Philosophy of Education
• Self Realisation Aim of Education
• Child-centred Education
• Inversion of Realistic Curriculum
• Self Realised Teacher

8. Aims of Education
• Free individuality
• They have no confidence in Team spirit
• Any of the child may join the group without
any compulsion
• Education should help the individual to make
him human
• Development of introspective powers – self
observation

9. • Scale of values consistent with his absolute
freedom
• Develop the effective side of life – the
emotional and esthetic side of man
• Foster the growth of uniqueness in man
• Aware of the infinite possibilities of his
freedom and the responsibilities he must
discharge in life
• Foster the capacity for self-direction

10. Curriculum
• Provide scope for the exercise of free choice
• The child should know his own self
• History from the present predictment,
Humanities, Fine arts are all to be included in
Vocationalisation
• Problem-solving situations should not be
there
• Knowledge should bring freedom

11. Methods of Teaching
• Scientific Method
• Question-Answer Method
• Case study Method
• Against the group method

12. • Knowledge through intimate personal
contacts
• Individual attention to every individual
• No indoctrination
• Home education
• Education for creativity

13. Discipline
• Individual is responsible for the
consequences of his choices
• Adolescent must be punished, if he is found
rebellious in the class
• Teacher encourage – student to work hard –
till he knows the subject matter well
• Has to assist and guide each of his student
• Responsible for the freedom of his students

14. Educational Implications of Existentialism
• Becoming of a human person as one who
lives and makes decisions about what he will
do and be
• Provide an atmosphere where the individuals
develop in a healthy way, find security,
encouragement and acceptance by teachers
• Any subject in school can present existential
situations for teaching, and the development
of human beings

15. • The teacher is in a position to foster
individual growth
• Facilitate development or originality and
creativity by providing necessary
material and equipment
• The teacher is very active and welcomes
challenges to his ideas from the
students
• The teacher is in the foreground and is
the centre of attention

16. • Democratic ideals should provide the
school
• Mechanization and impersonality
should be counteracted in school
• Concern and respect for the individual
student should be the main concern of
the school

17. Contribution of Existentialism
• Aimed at Total Development
• Emphasis on Subjective
Knowledge
• Emphasis on Importance of
Environment

18. Limitations
• Requires a good deal of time and effort on
the part of teacher to develop individual
relationship with the students for having a
closer understanding of their personalities
• Terminology used in existentialism is not very
clear. Concepts like “Being”, “Meaning”,
“Person” and “Existence are ambiguous
• Educational methods – impractical and
inapplicable in an industrial society

19. • Existential aim of education is as much
one-sided as that of any other ‘ism’
• Exclusive emphasis on humanities, art
and literature
• Forget – very important aim of
education is earning a living
• Method of teaching – useful for moral
and religious education. Not work in the
teaching of science and technology