What is a philosophy

1. What is a philosophy?
Many people ask what philosophy is but as I checked on the internet people has
different perspective on what is philosophy. My personal idea about philosophy is that
it is a set of ideas of a person in a specific field that provides the basic truth to the
person who created it and also to the people who experienced it. It more on speculating
and searching of truth . It can also be considered as a set of basic ideas that believes to
be true. But most people have its different meaning of the word philosophy. One of
these is Plato.
According to Plato,” Philosophy is the acquisition of knowledge”. It is a process of
getting information that you think beneficial in the world. After acquiring all the
knowledge and filing all the information that are similar to another then that’s the time
that the philosophy for a certain area or field is created.
Also according to Hiryana, "Philosophy is a emerged as a result of reflection over
the experiences and problems of everyday living." It is another proof that philosophy is
just a sum up of all human experiences in the past that was categorized accoding to its
function and usage in order for us people to make use of the experiences where it is
supposedly be beneficial.
2. Justify how are philosophies and education interrelated to each other from thr
premise of at least 2 authors.
Education and philosophy, the two disciplines, are very closely related and in
some areas they overlap each other. It is quite often said that, ‘Philosophy and
Education are two sides of the same coin’. ‘Education is the dynamic side of
philosophy’.
The art of education cannot be completed without philosophy and philosophy
cannot convert others to its aims and values without education. There is a close
interaction between the two; one without the other is unserviceable.
According to Sharma,” The basic relationship between philosophy and education
can be analysed as follows. It is philosophy, that provides the purpose or the aim
and it is education which makes it practical.” We can really say the the two is
interrelated because it’s the philosophy that act as the idea or the subject of
education. It gives the insight of what to follow or to deliver. It is a way of looking
one’s life providing it’s nature and truth. It also gives a set of ideals for someone to
achieve in life. In short, philosophy is the content.
Meanwhile, Education is the way or the one that makes the idea practical. They
are the one that makes idea/philosophy appliedto life by teaching them to the
learners. They focus more on real things than keeping the ideas intangible.
Philosophy and education is inseparable, it’s like the Philosophy shows the way and

education moves on in that direction. When we define education as the modification
or behaviour, the direction in which, modification to be carried out is determined by
philosophy.
According Ghosh, another author stated that these two are interrelated,
Education may, therefore, be rightly called applied philosophy. Philosophy is
wisdom; education transmits that wisdom from one generation to the other.
Philosophy is in reality the theory of education. In other words, education is the
dynamic side of philosophy, or application of the fundamental principles of
philosophy. Philosophy formulates the method and education its process.
Philosophy gives ideals, values and principles. Education works out those ideals,
values and principles.
This statement is undeniably the basis on how education and philosophy works
together to deliver common goals - to provide information and set of ideas that
educates the people. These two are partners. One cannot stand alone without the
other one on its side. Philosophy is the mastermind and education is the body that
works to execute the plan.
3. Account in detail the 3 major philosophies; Idealisms, Realism and Pragmatism.
Provide definition, implications in the educational practice and sample situations
that these philosophies can be applied in the classroom.
3.1) Idealism is a philosophical approach that has as its central tenet
that ideas are the only true reality, the only thing worth knowing. In a
search for truth, beauty, and justice that is enduring and everlasting; the
focus is on conscious reasoning in the mind.
Idealism can be divided into three categories: classical, religious,
and modern. Classical idealism, the philosophy of the Greeks Socrates and
Plato, searches for an absolute truth. Religious idealism tries to reconcile
God and humanity. Modern idealism, stemming from the ideas of
Descartes, links perception and existence.
This has also implication to education. Idealism’s aim of education
is to discover and develop each individual's abilities and full moral
excellence in order to better serve society. It also focuses on thinking skills
that pushes our mind to work and develops a good reasoning skill. The
curricular emphasis in this type of education is subject matter of mind:
literature, history, philosophy, and religion for it really gives their main
focus on the ideas.
We can observe this philosophy in the classroom when the teaching
methods focus on handling ideas through lecture, discussion, and Socratic
dialogue (a method of teaching that uses questioning to help students
discover and clarify knowledge). Introspection, intuition, insight, and
whole-part logic are used to bring to consciousness the forms or concepts

which are latent in the mind. Character is developed through imitating
examples and heroes.
Its method in teaching is more on constructive approach because it
lets the student to build their own ideas and think with their own to
develop creativity and ownership in their thoughts. They were given time
to introspect and use intuitive mind to become more conscious. The
bottom line is that this type of education requires to use more reasoning in
mind unlike any other philosophy.
3.2) In Realism, Realists believe that reality exists independent of the
human mind. The ultimate reality is the world of physical objects. The
focus is on the body/objects. They focus on something that can be seen,
touched, and observed. For them truth is objective on what they can
observed.
Aristotle, a student of Plato who broke with his mentor's idealist
philosophy, is called the father of both Realism and the scientific method.
In this metaphysical view, the aim is to understand objective reality
through "the diligent and unsparing scrutiny of all observable data
In education, The Realist curriculum emphasizes the subject matter
of the physical world, particularly science and mathematics. The teacher
organizes and presents content systematically within a discipline,
demonstrating use of criteria in making decisions. Teaching methods
focus on mastery of facts and basic skills through demonstration and
recitation. Students must also demonstrate the ability to think critically
and scientifically, using observation and experimentation. Curriculum
should be scientifically approached, standardized, and distinct-discipline
based. Character is developed through training in the rules of conduct.
You can observe it in class when a teacher ask a students to show
up what he learn in math by letting answer a mathematical problem in the
board or by enumerating facts in a science subject or by letting them solve
a situational problem for them to think critically and decide. There a
numerous way this philosophy is being applied in classroom activities. All
just it takes is to understand the whole idea for us to distinguish it.
3.3) In Pragmatism also known as Experientialism, for pragmatists,
only those things that are experienced or observed are real. In this late
19th century American philosophy, the focus is on the reality of
experience. Only those things that were personally experienced and is
part of the reality is what we considered as real.
Unlike the Realists and Rationalists, Pragmatists believe that reality
is constantly changing and that we learn best through applying our
experiences and thoughts to problems, as they arise. The universe is

dynamic and evolving, a "becoming" view of the world. There is no
absolute and unchanging truth, but rather, truth is what works. For them
truth and reality is changing and it can never become constant. If
something is beneficial and works to some things, they consider is a truth.
Pragmatism is derived from the teaching of Charles Sanders Peirce,
who believed that thought must produce action, rather than linger in the
mind and lead to indecisiveness. Therefore it was being promoted to used
whatever ideas that mind can provide, any ideas you have to create
something worthwhile. And also utilize information that might lead to
discovery or to produce tangible result. This philosophy focuses on the
product of ideas and application of experiences in real life situation.
It can also be observe in education or in classroom setting. For
Pragmatists, teaching methods focus on hands-on problem solving,
experimenting, and projects, often having students work in groups.
Curriculum should bring the disciplines together to focus on solving
problems in an interdisciplinary way. Rather than passing down
organized bodies of knowledge to new learners, Pragmatists believe that
learners should apply their knowledge to real situations through
experimental inquiry. This prepares students for citizenship, daily living,
and future careers.
4. From 16 modern philosophies, choose (5) and explain in detail each type of
philosophy.
4.1) Perennialism is the educational philosophy that the importance of
certain works transcends time. Perennial works are those considered as
important and applicable today as they were when they were written, and
are often referred to as great books. Perennialism is sometimes referred to
as “culturally conservative,” because it does not challenge gender
stereotypes, incorporate multiculturalism, or expose and advocate
technology, as would be expected of contemporary literature.
The goal of a perennialist education is to teach students to think
rationally and develop minds that can think critically. A perennialist
classroom aims to be a closely organized and well-disciplined
environment, which develops in students a lifelong quest for the truth.
For Perennialists, the aim of education is to ensure that students
acquire understandings about the great ideas of Western civilization.
These ideas have the potential for solving problems in any era. The focus
is to teach ideas that are everlasting, to seek enduring truths which are
constant, not changing, as the natural and human worlds at their most
essential level, do not change. Teaching these unchanging principles is
critical. Humans are rational beings, and their minds need to be
developed. Thus, cultivation of the intellect is the highest priority in a

worthwhile education. The demanding curriculum focuses on attaining
cultural literacy, stressing students' growth in enduring disciplines. The
loftiest accomplishments of humankind are emphasized– the great works
of literature and art, the laws or principles of science.
4.2) Existentialism is a philosophy concerned with finding self and the
meaning of life through free will, choice, and personal responsibility. The
belief is that people are searching to find out who and what they are
throughout life as they make choices based on their experiences, beliefs,
and outlook. And personal choices become unique without the necessity
of an objective form of truth. An existentialist believes that a person
should be forced to choose and be responsible without the help of laws,
ethnic rules, or traditions.
In existentialism, people were given full responsibility in their life.
What they are is just simply the result of their previous choices. They so
not believe that there is a supreme being who pre-destined them to
become someone they want, it is themselves who can help them to become
what they want to become.
In education, the curriculum focuses on helping the student
appreciate their existence. It is a child-centered thus students are given
freedom to choose what subject or field they want to learn. Teacher acts as
a facilitator to prepare a learning experience that will cater students’ needs
and interest. They are not allowed to impose values to the students
because it is personal thus they should let students form their own as it is
part of forming their essence of existence. Over all , existentialism is about
creating your own purpose in life without letting others dictate you.
4.3) Essentialism is the view that every entity has a set of attributes that
are necessary to its identity and function. In early Western thought, Plato's
idealism held that all things have such an "essence"—an "idea" or "form".
In Categories, Aristotle similarly proposed that all objects have a
substance that, as George Lakoff put it, "make the thing what it is, and
without which it would be not that kind of thing". The contrary view—
non-essentialism—denies the need to posit such an "essence'".
Essentialism has been controversial from its beginning. Plato, in the
Parmenides Dialogue, depicts Socrates questioning the notion, suggesting
that if we accept the idea that every beautiful thing or just action partakes
of an essence to be beautiful or just, we must also accept the "existence of
separate essences for hair, mud, and dirt"
Existentialism as educational philosophy believe that children
should learn the traditional basic subjects thoroughly. In this
philosophical school of thought, the aim is to instill students with the
"essentials" of academic knowledge, enacting a back-to-basics approach.

Essentialism ensures that the accumulated wisdom of our civilization as
taught in the traditional academic disciplines is passed on from teacher to
student. Such disciplines might include Reading, Writing, Literature,
Foreign Languages, History, Mathematics, Science, Art, and Music.
Moreover, this traditional approach is meant to train the mind, promote
reasoning, and ensure a common culture.
4.4) In Progressivism, Progressivists believe that education should focus
on the whole child, rather than on the content or the teacher. This
educational philosophy stresses that students should test ideas by active
experimentation. Learning is rooted in the questions of learners that arise
through experiencing the world. It is active, not passive.
The learner is a problem solver and thinker who makes meaning
through his or her individual experience in the physical and cultural
context. Effective teachers provide experiences so that students can learn
by doing. Curriculum content is derived from student interests and
questions. The scientific method is used by progressivist educators so that
students can study matter and events systematically and first hand. The
emphasis is on process-how one comes to know.
The Progressive education philosophy was established in America
from the mid 1920s through the mid 1950s. John Dewey was its foremost
proponent. One of his tenets was that the school should improve the way
of life of our citizens through experiencing freedom and democracy in
schools. Shared decision making, planning of teachers with students,
student-selected topics are all aspects. Books are tools, rather than
authority.
4.5) Idealism
Plato was the philosopher who brought about this philosophy.
People who are idealists believe that you know are born with everything
you will ever know. As you learn you bring that knowledge you didn’t
think you had before to your consciousness. They believe that person’s
soul is the element of us that allows humans to think and feel.
A teacher who uses this philosophy in his or her curriculum
teaches though modelling and makes his or her students think outside of
the box. "Thinking outside the box" is taught by using the Socratic method
by asking leading questions to make the children go more in depth in
thinking.
Idealists use macrocosm, which refers to the mind, the first cause,
creator, or God; and microcosm, which is the personal mind or spirit. This
mindset is always thinking and valuing. Some subjects that are deemed
important in this philosophy are history and literature because they teach

culture and morals, and math because it promotes abstract thinking My
reading and literature teachers I think used the "thinking outside the box"
method of this philosophy the most to get us thinking about what we read
and what hidden meanings there could be in the story
5.
6. How do you differentiate the following Eastern Philosophies?
-Hinduism –Buddhism –Taoism – Confucianism
Hinduism
Hindus believe there is one supreme unifying force that creates, protects
and preserves. There are many gods and deities in the Hindu religion, but they
are all different facets of the one being. A person must be born a Hindu, they
cannot convert. A person must live a good life and practice kindness and
charity in order to attain the ultimate reward; that is joining with the supreme
being. How one lives determines what happens to them, that is one's soul,
when one dies. Bad deeds in one life are punished in the next life. The soul is
reborn until all bad karma has been erased and it can be united with the
supreme being.
Buddhism
Buddhism is more of a life philosophy than a religion. There is no god to
be worshiped. Instead, Buddhists focus on attaining inner peace. Siddhartha
Gotama, an Indian prince, founded Buddhism to teach enlightenment. The
Buddhist philosophy teaches moral behavior, thinking before acting,
considering consequences and gaining an understanding of life. According to
Buddha, the four noble truths of life are that everyone suffers, we cause our
own suffering, we should stop doing things that make us suffer and follow an
enlightened path to end our suffering.
Confucianism
Confucianism is based on the teachings of Chinese philosopher
Confucius. Confucianism, like Buddhism, is about following teachings rather
than worshiping a deity. The teachings suppose that all humans are essentially
good and this goodness must be practiced toward fellow humans. Politeness,
virtue, righteousness, propriety and moral wisdom are essential components of
a good person. Elders and ancestors are to be held in reverence as they give
life to their children. Education and learning are also highly re garded.

Daoism
Daoism, or Taoism, is a Chinese philosophy Lao Tzu started around 500
B.C. The central theme of Daoism is balance. A person should strive to be one
with Dao, living a simple life in harmony with nature. Dao is not a being, but a
concept that is neither good nor evil. It creates the universe but does not try to
interfere with or control it. Compassion for other life, living in moderation and
having humility may lead you toward the Dao. Freeing oneself from desires
and believing in the equality of man and nature may help one lead a peaceful
and happy life.
 Buddhism is a religion- Confucianism is more of a philosophy or a way of
life.
 Buddhist believe in reincarnation which is a belief of cyclic life after death-
Taoist believe here and now more than what happen after death.
 In Confucianism, women are socially inferior than men. – In Taoism , men
and women are equal.
 The philosophy of legalism emphasize the need of order above all human
concern – Buddhism believe that their action in this life will affect their next
life (karma)
 In Confucianism, they are expected to respect superior to them- Legalism ,
state comes first.
 Hinduism belive in supreme being whwile Buddhism has no God and focus
on finding innser peace. Confucianism as well focuses on teaching rather
than worshipping a deity.
7. Give the important contribution of Thales, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
Traditionally regarded as the first Western philosopher and mathematician, Thales
of Miletus (a Greek colony on the west coast of present day Turkey) lived c. 585 BCE.
He accurately predicted the solar eclipse of May 28, 585 BCE and was known as a
skilled astronomer, geometer, statesman and sage. Thales, it is said, was the first to ask
the question, “What is the basic 'stuff' of the universe” and, according to Aristotle,
claimed the First Cause was water because, among other attributes, water could change
shape and move while still remaining unchanging in substance. There are no known
writings by Thales and all that is known of his life and work is through what we have
written about him by others.
Aristotle tells the story of how Thales proved to his contemporaries the practical use
of philosophy: And speaking of Aristotle , he is one of the great Greek philosophers in
ancient Greece. Ancient Greek philosophy arose in the 6th century BC and lasted
through the Hellenistic period (323 BC-30 BC). Greek philosophy covers an absolutely

enormous amount of topics including: political philosophy, ethics, metaphysics,
ontology (the study of the nature of being, becoming, existence, or reality), logic,
biology, rhetoric, and aesthetics (branch of philosophy dealing with art, beauty, and
taste). Greek philosophy is known for its undeniable influence on Western thought.
Although there were Greek philosophers before their respective births, Socrates, Plato,
and Aristotle are the only three worth focusing on during this period.
Socrates, born in Athens in 470 BC, is often credited as one of the founders of
Western philosophy. The cloud of mystery surrounding his life and philosophical
viewpoints propose a problem; a problem so large that it’s given a name itself: The
Socratic Problem. Since he did not write philosophical texts, all knowledge related to
him is entirely dependent on the writings of other people of the time period. Works by
Plato, Xenophon, Aristotle, and Aristophanes contain all of the knowledge known
about this enigmatic figure. His largest contribution to philosophy is the Socratic
method. The Socratic method is defined as a form of inquiry and discussion between
individuals, based on asking and answering questions to illuminate ideas. This method
is performed by asking question after question with the purpose of seeking to expose
contradictions in one’s thoughts, guiding him/her to arrive at a solid, tenable
conclusion. The principle underlying the Socratic Method is that humans learn through
the use of reasoning and logic; ultimately finding holes in their own theories and then
patching them up.
Plato, student of Socrates, also has mystery surrounding him. His birth day is
estimated to fall between 428 BC and 423 BC. He’s known for being the founder of the
Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. My
favorite of Plato’s contributions to philosophy, and the one I’m going to focus on, is the
Theory of Forms. This theory was created to solve two problems, one of ethics and one
of permanence and change. The ethical problem is: how can humans live a fulfilling life
in an ever changing world if everything that they hold close to them can be easily taken
away? The problem dealing with permanence and change is: How can the world appear
to be both permanent and changing? The world we perceive through senses seems to be
always changing–which is a pretty clear observation. The world that we perceive
through the mind, seems to be permanent and unchanging. Which world perceived is
more real? Why are we seen two different worlds?
To find a solution to these problems, Plato split the world into two: the material, or
phyiscal, realm and the transcendent, or mental, realm of forms. We have access to the
realm of forms through the mind, allowing us access to an unchanging world. This
particular world is invulnerable to the pains and changes of the material world. By
detaching our souls from the material world and our bodies and developing our ability
to concern ourselves with the forms, Plato believes this will lead to us finding a value
which is not open to change. This solves the ethical problem. Splitting existence up into
two realms also leads us to a solution to the problem of permanence and change. Our

mind perceives a different world, with different objects, than our senses do. It is the
material world, perceived through the senses, that is changing. It is the realm of forms,
perceived through the mind, that is permanent.
Aristotle, student of Plato, lived from 384 BC-322 BC. At eighteen, he joined Plato’s
Academy in Athens and remained there until the age of thirty-seven. There, he honed
his talents of understanding the world. In his understanding of the world, he wrote his
theory of the universals–which I find to be extremely intriguing. The problem of the
universals is the question of whether properties exist, and if so, what exactly are they.
To avoid confusion, a universal is a metaphysical term describing what particular
things have in common, focusing strictly characteristics or qualities. His theory states
that universals exist only where they are instantiated (the concept that it is impossible
for a property to exist which is not had by some object). In simpler terms, he believes
universals exist only in things, never apart from things–differing from his teacher, Plato,
on this. Aristotle believes that a universal is identical in each of its instances. All round
things are similar in that there is the same universal, characteristic, throughout.
These three laid the foundations of many of the believes of the rest of the Western
world. Philosophers such as John Locker and Descartes use the theories these brilliant
minds brought forth in their own works. I’m very interested to read your opinions,
specifically on the Plato theory.
8. Develop your own philosophy in teaching and explain how this philosophy can be
beneficial on the part of the studdents and on the part of the teachers.
As I observe in this modern education that we have, having a child-center education
really changes the education system that we have right now. More of children have
already the guts to express their ideas and participate in class knowing that teachers
will support them and will encourage to have a good relationship with among students
and teachers. This idea is somehow good because it unleashes the sleeping potential of
the stdnets by giving them so much opportunities to speak and express and at the same
time practice creativity.
Eracing the modern way of teaching is good but somehow I can see lapses in this
new system. The freesom that was provided was being abuse by some of the students
ending up going beyond the boundaries of their limits. I don’t say that it is not good but
too much is good and that’s what we need to modiy. Student-centered is good and is
undeniably beneficial to the side of the student but not totally to the teachers. As a 21st
century teacher, I would highly suggest a semi student-teacher centered system of
education where everything is balance. With a philosophy of of a mixed perennialism
and pragmatism.

I will highlight the quotation of “ valuing things that is classical , embracing the
things that is practical and application of experiences ” in appting this philosophy to
education. Curriculum should still include the classical ideas and great book of old
times so that students will be aware of the past teaching, teaching that endures time.
After all ,it is still beneficial to them to know the classics. But because time is changing
and we are now living in a modern world , we should adapt to changes to keep up with
things.
As we all know, in this modern world, for every seconds humanities found is new
discoveries to improve the ways of life. What we once knew is inapplicable or not
useful in a certain period of time therefore everything is changing. We should make use
of our time and not focus on the things that is not working. We should practice the habit
of pragmatism where things are meaningful if it works and if has a beneficial result. In
order for us to do that , we should use our experiences to find more practical solution to
our endeavours. Practicality and usefulness is the key.
This idea is beneficial to the students because they are practice to utilized their
experiences to solve problems. Students are given hands on activities and the only thing
that is beneficial and true is if something works. Students are given learning
experiences that is more on application on real things. This will prepare the students to
become good citizen in the future. And fo the teacher, this will help them to direct the
mind of the students and create a sense of independence to each of them.

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