Four Philosophies

There are four philosophical schools of thought including idealism, realism, pragmatism, and existentialism. The first of these, idealism, believes that ideas are the only true reality. This school of thought suggests that the physical world we know is only another representation of a spiritual world and thus the power of reasoning is emphasized while the scientific method is not. Idealists must look deep in their minds and value universal truths which hold that truth, goodness, and beauty connect and transcend all ideas. Learning here comes from within the individual rather than from without. Great ideas, works, leaders, cultural heritage are important while lecture, discussion, imitation, and questions that spark thought will get them there.

Realism, as a second school of thought, believes that reality, knowledge, and value are independent of our minds and reject the thought that ideas are the ultimate reality. Here the senses and scientific investigation are the means by which to find truth in the world. Scientific research and development along with standardized tests, serialized textbooks, and a specialized curriculum are combined to form the ultimate goal of education which is the progress of human knowledge. Teachers have specific knowledge, teach rationally, and emphasize subject centered curriculum in an organized and systematic way.

Pragmatism is another school of philosophical thought in which becoming is stressed rather than simply being. Change here is a good thing and evolving as well as understanding are conducted through a relationship of the learner and the environment. Learning through experience, stressing applying knowledge using ideas is how pragmatics educates. There is no absolute and unchanging truth or values all the while letting students question and problem solve as they happen. How to question what we know as well as interacting with the environment in a reflective matter, scientific inquiry is important. School is a community and cultural diversity as well as learner centered problems, providing technology and other resources, encouraging collaboration are key in pragmatism.

Existentialism is the fourth school of thought in our list and believes that the individual is the most important rather than outside or external things. The finality of reality lives within a person making the search for identity and meaning crucial. Scientific knowledge is useful but is also limited because humans are free to make choices through which freedom is wrapped in the search for meaning. Tracking, measurement, standardization are not important here while a free, feeling-centered development of the student is emphasized. Education begins with the individual not the outside world and thus helps to fill the gaps with understanding. Students are defined by their choices.

Further thinking about all of these philosophies I struggle to identify myself with just one. But in re-reading these important details which focuses on various matters, I resolve that I see myself to be most of all an existentialist. I do agree however with several points within the other schools of philosophical view such as in idealism stressing the importance of great works, great leaders, and great ideas as a way to learn and grow from our history and past. Within realism I can relate and agree with teachers having specific knowledge in order to teach subjects/topics rationally. While I don’t believe that being rational or logical is the ultimate goal here, I do believe in moderation it serves the classroom as well as materials and subjects well. Within pragmatism I find myself relating to the idea that ideas of evolving and change. I do believe that the world, cultures, society, and children in the classroom change constantly and acknowledging and education about these changes and diverse topics leads to the idea of what it means to know. Experience is emphasized here and as a hands-on learner I find myself relating to being able to learn through experience and integrate reason. But above all I find myself navigating towards the Existentialist school of thought. I do believe that the individual is very important. As an educator, stressing the importance of the individual lives, culture, history, and person within each student is pivotal. I, as well as the existentialist belief, do not believe that standardized testing, measurement, as well as tracking serve to enrich and further educate the individual. Education here needs to be a process through which students can learn about themselves as a person promoting not only academic growth but individual growth as well. Education here allows choice for students and as such students are thus defined by those choices. Students have the power to educate and discover their “self”.