Lesson 04: PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION – 1:Short Questions
What are the four specific areas of philosophical inquiry? Metaphysics, Epistemology, Axiology, and Logic.
Define ‘Metaphysics’ in philosophical inquiry. Metaphysics is concerned with questions about the nature of reality (what is real?).
Define ‘Epistemology’ in philosophical inquiry. Epistemology is concerned with the nature of knowledge (how we know what is true?).
Define ‘Axiology’ in philosophical inquiry. Axiology is concerned with the nature of values (what is good?).
Define ‘Logic’ in philosophical inquiry. Logic is concerned with the nature of thinking and reasoning.
What are Eric Berne’s three important questions? Who am I? Why am I here? Who are all these other people and what do they want of me?
What is the central focus of the philosophy of Idealism? Ideas are the only true reality, the only thing worth knowing.
Name two originators of the philosophy of Idealism. Plato and Socrates.
Explain the statement: “Whenever people choose to embrace, if their choices are made in a logical, rational manner, they are engaged in the process of doing philosophy.” It means that philosophy is not an abstract activity but the process of making reasoned, logical choices about what to believe and how to act.
How does the metaphysical question “What is real?” lead to different educational approaches? Depending on whether one believes reality is material (matter) or mental (ideas), education will focus on either empirical study of the physical world or on the exploration and discussion of abstract ideas.
Contrast the epistemological questions of a behaviorist and an existentialist. A behaviorist might ask “How do we measure observable learning?” while an existentialist might ask “How do we know our own subjective truth?”
Why is axiology important for teachers? Because it deals with values and ethics; every teacher, regardless of subject, has opportunities to teach moral lessons through classroom interactions and discussions of content.
Summarize the goal of education from an Idealist perspective. To search for truth through ideas and intellectual exploration, transforming individuals by changing their ideas, and encouraging personal search for truth.
Explain how logic, as a tool of philosophy, is used in education. It is used to develop students’ thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills through methods that involve inductive and deductive reasoning, leading to sound decision-making.
How does a teacher’s personal philosophy influence their teaching? It colors their choice of methods, interaction with students, selection of materials, and their overall goals, answering fundamental questions about their identity and purpose in the classroom.
Relate Eric Berne’s questions to the role of a teacher. A teacher must answer “Who am I?” (a guide, expert), “Why am I here?” (to educate, inspire), and understand students (“Who are all these other people…”) to be effective.
In Idealism, why is the mind considered more important than matter? Because ideas, which originate in the mind, are seen as the only true and permanent reality, while the material world is a shadowy, false representation.
Apply the metaphysical tool to a debate on whether virtual reality experiences are “real” education. An idealist might argue they are less real as they deal with simulations, not pure ideas. A realist might argue they are real experiences that teach about the physical world. The debate hinges on one’s definition of reality.
A teacher only uses standardized test scores to evaluate learning. Critique this using an epistemological lens. Epistemology asks “How do we know what is true?” Relying solely on tests assumes truth/knowledge is only what is measurable this way, ignoring other forms of understanding like portfolios, discussion, or creative expression.
Design a classroom activity based on Idealism that encourages the ‘search for truth’. Host a Socratic seminar on a timeless question (e.g., “What is justice?”), where students dialogue, analyze classic texts, and develop their own ideas through guided questioning and reflection.
Using axiology, how would you handle a situation where a student finds a wallet full of money in the school corridor? Use it as a teachable moment to discuss values like honesty, integrity, and responsibility, guiding the student to the right action (turning it in) and explaining why these values are important.
A curriculum committee is debating content. Apply the area of ‘Logic’ to their process. Instruct the committee to use deductive reasoning (from broad educational goals to specific topics) and inductive reasoning (reviewing student needs and societal trends) to logically structure the curriculum sequence.
How would an Idealist teacher respond to a student who says, “Why do we need to learn old ideas from Plato?” The teacher would explain that these ideas are timeless truths that help us understand reality, and that engaging with them transforms our thinking and connects us to enduring wisdom.
Propose a method for a teacher to discover their own personal philosophy of education. The teacher should reflect on Eric Berne’s three questions, analyze their beliefs about reality (metaphysics), knowledge (epistemology), values (axiology), and observe what methods they are naturally drawn to in the classroom.
Evaluate a school rule “No cell phones in class” from the perspective of both metaphysics and axiology. Metaphysically: It defines the classroom reality as a space for interpersonal, not digital, interaction. Axiologically: It promotes values like attention, respect, and minimizing distraction for the common good.
