Relationship between education and philosophy

by Yuvi - November 15, 2020

Relationship between philosophy and education

Both, philosophy and education are based on the conceptions of wisdom, ideology and critical enquiry, the difference being that philosophy is contemplative in nature while education is an active process.

The philosophy of education is that branch of knowledge which is in constant quest of truth and those who are lovers of visions of truth are called philosophers. Thus a philosopher naturally becomes an educationist.

Every man has his own philosophy of life and it is natural that he will seek to influence and convince or convert others to his way of thinking.

And education is nothing but this process of influencing, convincing and converting. Thus education is a practical means of realizing the philosophical idea of life and it is fundamentally dependent on philosophy.

Philosophy towards life and values in general determine what we feel towards the role of education in shaping a child’s character.

For eg., earlier, corporal punishment was a preference whereas now it is an aversion.

Thus we can see that the setting and subsequent changing of a curriculum is highly influenced by the philosophy held by people at a particular point of time.

The inter-dependence of philosophy and education and relationship between philosophy and education can be found in the lives and teachings of all great thinkers.

Eg. Socrates and Dewey in the West to Yajnavalkya and Mahatma Gandhi in the East. And Plato’s philosophy in the Republic is universally accepted as a classical treatise on education.

Here is the table which summarizes how philosophy provides the foundational theories and principles that education systems and practices are built upon, influencing the purpose, methods, and ethical dimensions of education.

Aspect	Philosophy	Education
Purpose	Philosophy seeks to understand fundamental truths about oneself, the world, and the relationship between them.	Education aims to impart knowledge, skills, and values to individuals for personal and societal development.
Guiding Principles	Philosophy provides the underlying principles and values that guide what and how subjects should be taught.	Education applies these philosophical principles in curriculum development, teaching methods, and policy formulation.
Approach to Knowledge	Philosophy questions and critically examines the nature of knowledge, reality, and existence.	Education utilizes these philosophical inquiries to shape its approaches to teaching and learning.
Moral and Ethical Framework	Philosophy explores moral and ethical questions, providing a framework for what should be considered right and wrong.	Education incorporates these frameworks to develop moral and ethical reasoning in students.
Role in Society	Philosophy offers perspectives on societal structures, governance, justice, and the role of individuals in society.	Education, influenced by these philosophical perspectives, prepares individuals to participate and contribute to society.