Midterm Flashcards
What is the most accurate criticism of education?
mindlessness
What mentality has been adopted by the american education system?
They are more concerned with the how rather than the why
What is the ultimate task of educational philosophy?
to bring future teachers into face-to-face contact with the large questions underlying the meaning and purpose of life and education.
Why study educational philosophy?
- To help educators become acquainted with the basic problems of education, 2. To enable them to evaluate better the wide variety of suggestions offered as solutions to those problems 3. To assist them in clarifying thinking about the goals of both life and education and 4. To guide them in the development of an internally consistent point of view and a program that relates realistically to the larger world context.
What is philosophy?
The love of wisdom
What three aspects describe philosophy?
An activity, a set of attitudes, and a body of content.
What activities do philosophers do?
Examining, synthesizing, analyzing, speculating, prescribing, and evaluating.
What is the first step of the philosophic process?
Examining - before thought can take place, you must first examine the evidence
What does analyzing in philosophy focus on?
Human language in an attempt to clarify our understanding of problems and how they might be solved
What does synthesizing seek to do?
it seeks to unite and integrate specialized knowledges into a unified world view
What does speculation allow for?
The rational jump from the known to the unknown
What does prescription seek?
To establish standards for evaluating values in conduct and art
What does the evaluating function of philosophy involve?
Making judgments about the adequacy of one’s philosophic project in terms of a set of criteria
What are the characteristics of a philosophic minded person?
Self-awareness (aware of personal biases), comprehensiveness (collecting relevent data), penetration (go as deeply into the problem as possible), and flexibility (Perceive old problems in new ways)
Name the three fundamental categories of philosphy
Metaphysics, epistemology and axiology
Define metaphysics
Study of questions concerning the nature of reality
Define epistomology
The study of the nature of truth and knowledge and how these are attained and evaluated
Define axiology
The study of questions of value
Define schooling
Attending an institution where education takes place
Define learning
The process that produces the capability of exhibiting new or changed human behavior (it is not limited to an institution)
Define education
Deliberate control by the learner toward a desired goal. (Learning outcome)
Define training
Understanding grows as one is led to think reflectively about cause and effect relationships (like training a child to do right)
What is the foundation of the modern sciences and all other human endeavors?
Metaphysics
What are the four subsets of metaphysics?
Cosmology, theology, anthropology, and ontology
What is cosmology?
The study of the origin, nature, and development of the universe
What is theology?
That part of religious theory that has to do with conceptions of and about God (Is there a God?)
What do atheists believe?
There is no God
What do pantheists believe?
God and the universe are identical (all is God and God is all)
What do deists believe?
God is the maker of nature and moral laws, but exists apart from and is not interested in humanity and the physical universe.
What is anthropology?
The study of human beings
What is ontology?
The study of the nature of existence or what it means for anything to be.
What category of metaphysics is also referred to as is-ology?
Ontology
What is epistomology?
The branch of philosophy that studies the nature, sources, and validity of knowledge (what is true?)
What position claims that it is impossible to gain knowledge and the search for truth is vain?
Skepticism
What is referred to as the profession of ignorance especially in reference to the existence or non existence of God?
Agnosticism
What is priori knowledge?
Refers to truth that some thinkers claim is built into the very fabric of reality
What is the view that knowledge is attained through the senses?
Empiricism
Which area has prime importance in the field of religion?
Revelation
Define authoritative knowledge
Knowledge that is accepted as true because it comes from experts or has been sanctified over time as tradition
What is known as rationalism?
The view that reasoning, thought, or logic is the central factor in knowledge
What is the most personal way of knowing?
Intuition (it is often accompanied by an intense feeling of conviction)
What is the correspondence theory?
The test that uses the agreement with fact as a standard of judgment. Truth is faithfulness to objective reality
What is the coherence theory?
A judgement is true if it is consistent with other judgments that have been previously accepted as true.
What is the pragmatic theory?
The test of truth in its utility, workability, or satisfactory consequences. Truth is what works.
What are the five sources of knowledge?
The senses, Revelation, Authority, Reason, and Intuition
What are three limitations of labeling philosophy?
- they are loosely accurate 2. Too much reliance on labels may substitute thought for the differences between the systems 3. they are a simplification of a complex field
How could idealism better be labeled according to William Hocking?
As Idea-ism
What is idealism at its core?
An emphasis on the reality of ideas, thoughts, minds, or selves rather than on material objects and forces.
Who is the creator of idealism?
Plato
What did the sophists focus on?
individualism
How did Plato define truth?
As that which is perfect and eternal
How did Plato arrive at universal truth?
Through ideas
Who was the most influential educational idealist?
William T Harris (1835-1909)
What three things did William T Harris do?
- founded the Journal of Speculative Philosophy 2. served as superintendent of St. Louis schools 3. United states commissioner of education
Name two 20th century idealists who have sought to apply idealism to modern education
J. Donald Butler and Herman H. Horne
What is the philosophic position of idealism?
A reality of the mind
What allegory did Plato use to describe his philosophy?
The allegory of the cave - it means there is a world we perceive through our senses and a world of reality that we perceive through our minds.
How can an idealist know reality?
by taking hold of the idea of something and retaining t in the mind
Where is truth (epistemology) for the idealist?
in the realm of ideas
What are two key words to describe idealism?
consistence and coherence
How do idealists claim that you can know something is true?
when it fits into the harmonious nature of the universe (things that are inconsistent must be false)
What does idealism rely heavily on when gaining and extending knowledge?
intuition, revelation, and rationalism
What two areas can the idealist reality (axiology) be divided?
Macrocosm and Microcosm
Define Macrocosm
The world of the Absolute Mind
Define microcosm
the earth and its sensory experiences (a shadow of ultimate reality)
What defines the ethical life for an idealist?
the life lived in harmony with the universe and the imitation of the Absolute Self (the final and most ethical of beings)
How does the idealist see aesthetics?
an attempt to capture reality in its perfect form
For the idealist, what is the most important aspect of the learner?
the intellect (true knowledge is gained through the mind)
Why did Plato believe that in the best world rulers would be philosophers?
Because only they had dealt with the world of ultimate reality which lies beyond the sensory world
To the idealist, what is the role of the teacher?
to pass on knowledge of reality and to be examples of the ethical ideal
What does the idealist curriculum emphasize?
the study of humanities (History, literature, pure mathematics)
What forms the basis of the idealist method of instruction?
Words, either written or spoken (this helps ideas move from one mind to another)
What is the center of educational activity at an idealist school?
The library
For the idealist, what is the social function of the school?
to preserve the heritage and to pass on knowledge of the past (it is not an agent of change).
Does the idealist favor field trips?
No. They prefer class discussions
Who is credited with founding realism?
Aristotle (Plato’s student)
What was Aristotle considered in learning?
A great organizer and categorizer.
For the realist where is ultimate reality?
It is found in nature (the universe) and not in the mind.
What has formed the philosophic base of modern science?
Realism
What is truth (epistemology) for the realist?
Observable fact
What method does the realist use when investigating the natural world?
inductive reasoning
What is correspondence theory?
truth that conforms to the actual situation as perceived by the observer
What is the ethical basis of realism?
The laws of nature (values are obtained by the observation of nature)
For realism, where is beauty found?
In nature - artists try to recreate nature as realistically as possible
How are students viewed to the realist?
- persons subject to natural law and not free in their choices. 2. as part of a great universal machine 3. as something that can be programmed, like a computer 4. as a spectator viewing the universal machine
What is the function of the teacher to the realist?
to demonstrate the regularities and laws of nature and to pass those facts to the students
What curriculum does a realist teach?
The sciences (the center of education) and mathematics
How does the realist view curriculum?
As knowledge that can be measured. They encourage the use of visual aids and demonstrations
What method do realists use for teaching?
the mastery of facts. They also favor teaching machines and programmed learning
What stimulated the rise of scholasticism?
the emergence of Aristotle’s writings in Christian Europe
What is scholasticism?
an attempt to rationalize theology in order to buttress faith by reason
Who is the foremost scholar in scholasticism?
Thomas Aquinas
What did Thomas Aquinas believe?
A person should acquire as much knowledge as possible through the use of human reason and then rely on faith in that realm beyond the scope of human understanding.
What is the essence of scholasticism?
rationalism
What is Neo-Scholasticism?
New or update form of scholasticism with an emphasis on human reason
What two branches formed Neo-Scholasticism?
the religious branch and the secular branch (rational humanism)
Who is God according to Aquinas?
Pure reason and the universe He created is also reason. Humans, as rational animals, live in a rational world that they are capable of understanding
What two things make up the neo-scholastic metaphysics?
- the natural world open to reason and 2. the supernatural world understood through intuition
How are truths found for the neo-scholastic?
1.Through analytic statements (contains a predicate such as God is Good) and 2. Through Synthetic statements (truth depends on experience)
What do neo-scholastics believe can put humans in contact with God?
supernatural revelation is a source of knowledge that can put finite humans in contact with the mind of God
What kind of reasoning do neo-scholastics prefer?
they rely heavily on deductive reasoning but do not reject inductive reasoning
What is the center of neo-scholastic metaphysics and epistemology?
Reason
What is neo-scholastic ethics?
The moral life that is in harmony with reason (can be seen in terms of acting rationally)
How can neo-scholastic aesthetics be summed up?
as creative intuition. They intuit meaning to art rather than approaching it logically
How does the neo-scholastic view students?
- a rational being who has a natural potential to acquire Truth and knowledge, 2. as a spiritual being who may relate to God
What is faculty psychology?
the mind has different potentials which must be carefully developed. (I.e. faculty of reason is trained through subjects with logical organization; the faculty of memory is developed through memorization; faculty of will is developed by the students engaging in tasks with a high degree of perseverance)
How do neo-scholastics view the teacher?
as mental disciplinarians with the capability of developing reason, memory, and will power in students (ecclesiastical NS see teachers as spiritual leaders as well)
How does the secular neo-scholastic view education?
the mind must be trained to think and education should focus on sharpening the intellect so that people can understand Absolute Truth
What subjects are encouraged by the neo-scholastic?
Mathematics, Foreign Languages (especially Latin and Greek), Works of great minds from the past
What two functions does neo-scholastic subject matter have?
- to explain the world to the student and 2. to train the intellect to understand the world
What metaphysics do all three philosophies have in common?
1 each holds the universe contains truth of an a priori sort waiting for discovery by people and 2. truth and value are eternal and unchanging rather than relative and transient
What educational philosophies do all three have in common?
Each sees the teacher as the authoritative person who knows what the student needs to learn, each has a curriculum based on solid subjects that are heavy in intellectual content and each views schooling in a conservative vein
What value do these philosophies have for the Christian?
- God is the Absolute Being of idealism, the Unmoved Mover of realism, and the Being of Pure Reason of neo-scholasticism 2. the affirmation of the existence of certainty and permanence in the realm of knowledge and value
What is the task of Christian educators in reference to philosophy?
to seek to build a personal philosophy that will not only guide their educational practice, but will provide a basis for decision making in every aspect of their lives
What is Axiology?
study of values
What are conceived values?
Values that people verbalize but may not actualize
What are operative values?
Values that people act on
What does Van Cleve Morris claim is the most crucial value issue for educators?
Determining what people ought to prefer rather than defining and clarifying those preferences that they act out or verbalize
What is a major aspect of education?
The development of preferences
What are two branches of axiology?
Ethics and aesthetics
What is ethics?
The study of moral values and conduct
What is ethical theory concerned with?
Providing right values as the foundation for right actions
What is aesthetics?
The realm of value that searches for the principles governing the creation and appreciation of beauty and art
What is the most controversial human study?
Aesthetics
How did Christ rely on aesthetics?
When he used word pictures in His parables
What areas in schools are taught aesthetics?
art, music, and literature
What is the “stuff” of philosophy?
concepts of reality, truth, and value
What is the basic foundation of educational practice?
philosophy
To what does educational goals have a relationship?
metaphysical, epistemological, and axiological content of one’s philosophy
What must educators seek to establish?
educational environments and practices that are in harmony with their basic beliefs.
What is the most fundamental and inescapable observation facing every individual?
The reality and mystery of personal existence in a complex environment
According to Jean-Paul Sartre, what is the basic philosophic problem?
that something is there, rather than that nothing is there
What are people continually faced with?
The fact of their being and existence
What aspects can be found in reality?
Intelligible, friendly, Purposeful, Personal and Infinite aspects
How does the universe operate?
According to consistent laws that can be discovered
How can one know that the universe if friendly?
If it were not, life would be unable to continue
How can we know that we live in a purposeful environment?
Nearly everything in our daily lives lends itself to purpose
How do we know that the universe is personal?
Because we differ from other individuals
How do we know the universe is infinite?
Because it is impossible to measure space and to see what is beyond
What has human observation led to?
The search for meaning in life
What does the existentialist believe?
there is no external meaning in the universe except for the meaning a person will impute to it.
What do postmodernists believe?
Knowledge is a social construction
What do pragmatists claim?
the ultimate meaning of existence is beyond us
What do analytic philosophers believe?
Statements of reality are meaningless and people must seek to define concepts of their environment
What does the Christian believe that existence points to?
Infinite Universe=Infinite creator, Intelligent/orderly universe=ultimate Intelligence, Friendly universe=Benevolent Being, Individual personality=Personality upon which individual personalities are modeled
How do all persons live?
By faith
What confuses meaning?
Pain
What do people have a driving desire to do?
To uncover the meaning of life
What does Hendrik Kraemer claim that all liberals say about the acceptance of religions?
That all religions should be regarded as revelations from God
What is unique to Christianity?
The fact of Christ
According to the Koran, what is Muhammad?
a messenger or bearer of the revelation, but not the revelation himself
What is the distinctiveness of Jesus Christ?
He is Himself the Revelation of God in His own Person and is the substance of that Revelation
How do non-Christian religions fail?
they fail to take into account human nature and the inability of humankind to save himself
What are the basic pillars of a Biblical world view?
the existence of a living God; Creation by God; Humanity’s creation in the image of God; The invention of sin by Lucifer; The spread of sin by Lucifer; The inability of humans to change their own nature; Restoration of humanity through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; The activity of the Holy Spirit; The return of Christ, and the eventual restoration of the world
What does God’s existence mean for Christian education?
calls for an educational system in which He is the central reality that gives meaning to everything else.
What supplies the criteria for curricular selection and emphasis?
The Christian view of reality
What is true if your epistemology is incorrect?
everything else in our knowledge system will be wrong or distorted
For the past 150 years, what has been the accepted criterion for truth?
the empirical findings in science
What is the foremost source of knowledge for the Christian?
The Bible
What is scientific evidence built on?
priori principles
What are three sources of Epistemology for the Christian?
The bible, The natural world, and Reason
What are 7 Christian truths about epistemology?
- All truth is God’s truth 2. Christianity is true to what actually exists in the universe. 3. there is controversy in epistemology just as there is tension in nature 4. There are absolute truths in the universe 5. the Bible sees truth as related to life 6. various sources of knowledge to the Christian are complementary 7. To accept Christian epistemology you must also accept Christian metaphysics
What is the foundation of Christian education?
The Christian view of truth along with Christian metaphysics
What 5 things must Christian education view?
- The nature and potential of the student, 2. Role of the teacher, 3. Content of curriculum, 4. The methodological emphasis and 5. The social function of the school
What is the central theological and philosophical concern?
The question, What is man?
What is the most important component of the school?
The learner
What is the essential thing about humans from a biblical perspective?
That God created man in His own image
What one creation did God single out to be responsible and accountable?
Humans
How did God create humans to be different than animals?
1 ability to have internal thought 2. To verbalize 3. To transcend their world through consciousness and self-consciousness 4.ability to develop a personal relationship with God
In what three ways were humans created in the likeness of God?
Mentally, spiritually, and physically
HOw does the Bible explain people’s potential for both good and evil?
Through the revelation of humanities original position in relation to God and its loss of that position
What is the source of humanities destruction?
its rebellion and desire to be its own god
For what reason did Christ come to the world?
to help individuals out of their lostness and to renew and restore His image to its fullness in them
What best describes the work of Christ?
atonement and reconciliation
What do the two great commandments of love emphasize?
the restoration of broken relationships between individuals and God and individuals and their neighbors
What teleological message does the Bible point to?
a time when humanity will be restored to harmony with the realm of nature.
What provides the focal point for Christian education?
the nature, condition, and needs of the student
How must all students be seen?
as individuals who have infinite potential since they are God’s children
What should the Christian education note about students?
- The whole person is important to God, 2. to be fully human, they must be controlled by their minds (not by appetites), 3. must respect the individual uniqueness and personal worth of each person. 4. Since the fall, the problems of human race have not changed.
What is teaching considered?
A form of ministry
How should education primarily be viewed as?
a redemptive act
What position do pastors also hold?
a teacher
What is the primary role of teachers?
As agents of reconciliation (to seek and to save that which is lost)
Name some secondary aims of Christian Education
- character development 2. to develop a Christian mind 3. develop physical and emotional health (socially) 4. Preparing students for the future world of work
What is the ultimate goal of education?
To prepare (or disciple) students to give of themselves for the betterment of others
What is Christian service a response to?
God’s love rather than an altruistic humanitarianism that allows people to congratulate themselves for their personal goodness
What should teachers try to instill into their students?
That Christian service does not begin at graduation but rather is an integral part of a Christian’s life from the time of conversion
What is the most effective form of ministry?
teaching children
What should be the primary educational institution?
The home
Who is the most influential professional in terms of impacting maturing youth?
the teacher
In what way can the potential of the educational system be destroyed?
- to undermine and downplay the role of parents and 2. make teaching a second class professional activity
What are the qualifications of a Christian school teacher?
- A personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ, 2. continually growing in their mental development, 3. social qualifications 4. good health (physical)
What is one of the most beneficial gifts a teacher can give to their students?
companionship
What are some social characteristics that teachers should possess?
tactfulness, patience, sympathy, insight into problems of others, personal concern for students, ability to gain and respect and confidence, flexibility, and impartiality
Who is the father of inductive reasoning?
Sir Francis Bacon - he came up with the Scientific Method
Who had the greatest influence on rationalism in the modern world?
Sir Francis Bacon
Who was a Moravian teacher and pastor who is best known for teaching through pictures?
John Amos Comenius
What book is John Amos Comenius best known for?
Orbis Pictus, 1657 (means the world in pictures)
How is known as the father of modern education?
John Amos Comenius - he felt that teaching should move from the simple to the complex
What day is celebrated as Teacher’s Day (even now) because of John Amos Comenius?
March 28
What are Sir Francis Bacon and John Amos Comenius considered (re: their philosophy)?
Realists
Who wanted to move away from looking at physical evidence and instead look to the mind (patterned after Plato)?
Rene Descartes
Name some philosophies of Rene Descartes
He used Plato’s dialectic to reason through the mind only, Want to return to Ontology, Said I think, therefore I am, Was an idealist
