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Issues and Alternatives in

Educational PhilosophyPhilosophic Issues in

EducationChapter 2


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Metaphysics

What is ultimately real?

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Metaphysics Cont.What is real depends on the viewersperspective. What is real to one, might

be viewed differently to others.

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Metaphysics Cont. Ex: A table might be describe as being

made of wood, is the color brown, and

has 4 legs. To a physicist, its reality is its made of

atoms and molecules.

Who would be correct???????


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Metaphysics Cont.

Metaphysical questioning subsets:

*cosmology: study of theories about nature and thedevelopment of the universe

*theology:religious theory dealing with conceptions about God

*anthropology:the study of human beings

*ontology:the study of nature of existence


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Metaphysics and

Education

One might wonder what does studyingmetaphysics have to do with education?

Metaphysical decision making occurs dailyand depending on a persons sense ofthe ultimate reality their decisions are

metaphysically based dealing withnature and functions of humanity.


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Metaphysics and

EducationIts central to any concept of education

because it is important that theeducational programs of the school bebased upon fact and reality rather than

fancy, illusion, or imagination.


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Metaphysics and

EducationDue to varying beliefs, this leads to differing

educational methods causing someseparation of systems in education.

Private vs. public education

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Metaphysics and

Education (pg. 19) The anthropological aspect of

metaphysics is especially important for

educatorsthey are dealing withmalleable human beings at one of themost impressionable stages of their

lives. Views on the nature and potentialof students lie at the very foundation ofthe educational process.


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Metaphysics and

Education

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Epistemology

Branch of philosophy

Studies nature, sources, and validity of

knowledge

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EpistemologyDimensions of Knowledge

Can reality be known?Gorgias, Greek Sophist, expressed that nothing exists, skepticism. This is related to

agnosticism meaning a profession of ignorance.

Is truth relative or absolute?Absolute truth-eternal and universal, irrespective of time or place

Relative truth- whats true today might not be true tomorrow

Is knowledge subjective or objective?

Is there truth independent of humanexperience?

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Epistemology

Sources of Knowledge

The senses

RevelationAuthority

Reason

IntuitionThere is no one source of knowledge that

supplies people with all knowledge.

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Epistemology Three tests of truth:

correspondence theory

-agreement with fact base evidencecoherence theory

-if one says its true and others agree, its true

pragmatic theory-reject the correspondence theory and coherence theory,people know only what they experience




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Epistemology and

Education Stands at the base of human thought andactivity

Assumptions about importance of varioussources of knowledge is reflected in curricularemphases science vs. religion

Educators must understand their

epistemological presupposition before theywill be able to operate effectively. (pg. 27)




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The Metaphysical-

Epistemological DilemmaA web of circularity- you can not have

one without the other

Everyone lives by a faith belief basedon their truths, which everyone doesnot and will not agree upon.


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Axiology

Axiology answers the question,

What is value?


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Axiology Cont.What has value depends on peoples

preferences. Our system of value is not

agreed upon by everyone. Yet,students assimilate their teachers valuestructure.

Pause to answer this question, What do

you really valuewhat you say or whatyou do?


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Axiology Cont.

Axiology has 2 main branches

1) Ethicsthe study of moral valuesand conduct.

2) Aestheticsdeals with thetheoretical aspects of art.


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Axiology Branch 1

Ethics*Ethical theory is concerned with providing

right values as the foundation for rightactions.

*It is impossible to escape the teaching ofethical concepts in school.

*Science and technology are neutral but howand when we choose to use them involveethical consideration.


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Axiology Branch 2

Aesthetics

*Aesthetics relates closely with imagination and

creativity.*It is part of your daily experiences.

*Aesthetics helps us move beyond limitsimposed by rational thought.

*Aesthetic belief is directly related to aspects oftheir philosophy.


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Aesthetic Questions


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Axiology and

EducationEducators must consider how

axiology concerns influence our

choices in education

in the twentieth century.


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Philosophic Issues

and Educational

Goals and PracticesWe must have a re-emphasis of

axiological concerns in educational

practices or education will be part adestructive force in society ratherthan a constructive resource.


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Figure 3:The figure below shows the relationship between philosophic beliefs and

educational practices. It is important for educators to choose, select, and develop

practices that are in harmony with their beliefs.


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Philosophic Issues

and Educational

Goals and PracticesThese factors impact educational practices.


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Perspective

Philosophy has been set forth as athreefold entity (an activity, an attitude,

and a body of content) that givesdirection to education, since educationalgoals have a relationship to the

metaphysical, epistemological, andaxiological content of ones philosophy.


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Points to Ponder1 Just what is it that makes metaphysics so important to

education?

2 Evaluate the various sources of knowing. As you examine

your thinking, do you find an epistemological hierarchy?What does the answer to that question tell you about yourpersonal philosophic position?

3 Which is more importantepistemology or metaphysics?

Why?

4 What is it about the field of axiology that makes it explosivein the schools? What are some of the present-day axiologicalissues that are at the forefront of educational discussions?


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Bibliography

Knight, George. (2008). Issues andAlternatives in Educational Philosophy,

fourth edition. Michigan. AndrewsUniversity Press.

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