Perennialism philosophy. Aims, curriculum,method,role of teacher & students, limitations.

1. Perennialism
Philosophy

2. We shall discuss
 Exponents of Perennialism
 Some important points about Perennialism philosophy of
Education
 Perennialism and aim of Education
 Perennialism and Curriculum
 Role of teacher & Discipline in Perennialism
 Criticism on Perennialism

3. Major Exponents
 Robert Hutchins 1899-1977
An American Professor and Philosopher
 Mortimer Adler1902-2001
An American Professor and Philosopher
 St. Thomas Aquinas
An Italian Catholic priest, an influential
philosopher of thirteen century.

4. Main points
 A teacher –centered philosophical school of thoughts.
 Perennial mean lasting for many years ,ever lasting,
permanent ,immortal .Thus perennial focus on things that
lasts for many years.
 Perennialism follows Idealism and Realism to some
extent.
 A conservative philosophy

5. Main points(continue)
 It places its emphasis on the past and old traditional
concepts.
 This philosophy is against the progressive school of
thought.
 They believe in trial and tested .
 Truth and reality cannot be changed.
 Human nature does not change, its permanent and
unchangeable.
 Sound thinking & reasoning( Rationality) is important
and with the help of this thinking man can face the
challenges of life.

6. Main points(continue)
 Perennialism (two branches)
a. Religious Perennialism focus on moral & religious
development relies on revelation.
b. Lay Perennialism focus on intellectual development &
relies on reasons.

7. Perennialism and aim of Education
 Basic thing is to develop intellect of the students.
 It is concerned to teach students to think rationally and
develop minds to think critically.
 Development of leadership qualities and self control.
 Focus of education should be the ideas that have lasted
for centuries.

8. Perennialism and aim of Education
 To teach students that human nature is same everywhere
so education should also be the same every where.
 Education leads man to Eternal truth.
 Able the students to differentiate between good and evil,
good and bad.

9. Perennialism and Curriculum
 Universal curriculum
 Focus on Great Books.
 Teaching Everlasting and enduring things.
 Core curriculum consists of language, history,
mathematics, arts and music etc.
 Vocational and industrial types of education may be
included .

10. Role of teacher
 Teachers is prominent and dominant throughout the
class room.
 Teacher is authority and source of knowledge because of
knowledge, experience and trainng.
 Teacher is an Encylopeadia
 Teacher is a role model.
 Benevolent task master.

11. Role of Students
 The role of the students is to understand the pre-
established law and order.
 Students learn reasoning.
 Teacher pushes up students for learning.
 Students must be hardworking, dutiful, obedient and
interested.
 Character building of students.
 All student learn in the same way so there is no need of
varying methods and content.

12. Discipline
 Discipline plays a pivotal role in the class.
 Very strict discipline
 Harsh
 Noisy class is unacceptable.
 Respect for authority

13. Teaching methods
 Socratic method (in which dialogue method is used as an
approach of teaching).
 Students participate in the discussion but finally it will be
concluded by the teacher.
 Diagnostic approach.
 Drill, memorization and repetition for learning the
knowledge in the great books.

14. Criticism
 Focus on the past.
 It is called backward looking approach.
 Ignores contemporary Realities.
 Just focus on Great books. Greatness varies from nation
to nation, culture to culture and person to person.
 Specific subject centered.
 Not prepare the students for the future.