INTRODUCTION
In the last unit, you studied the concept of education, the aims of education, the philosophical aims of education and the concept of childhood education. In this unit, you will learn about the philosophical foundation of childhood education.OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:- Enumerate the bases of philosophical foundation of childhood education
- Say the responsibilities of parents t o the child
- Explain the needs of the child
- Explain the child’s readiness for primary education
- Describe the nature of the child.
The Scope of Philosophical Inquires
Understand that philosophical inquiry is about the following areas of study:- A comprehensive explanation of why man occupies a particular position in the world.
- An explanation of the nature of knowledge and its relevance to human life.
- A study of theories and principles which guide social behavior which we call ‘Good’ or ‘ bad’, ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.
Philosophy as subject examines the question, which affects human existence and the exercise of other objects in the world. The subject also examines the question of the existence of God and other divine
forces.
forces.
The subject also examines and clarifies important topics like life, happiness and time, predestination, immorality among others. When we study such topics, we study an area of philosophy called metaphysics. A teacher should study this subject because it would help him to understand human nature Better and, therefore, be better able to develop the knowledge of his learner. This is why you need to study it well.
Philosophy is also concerned with studying the nature of knowledge. Philosophy tries to define knowledge. They try to identify the qualities of knowledge. They try to trace the origin and source of knowledge. While some philosophers believe that knowledge comes from reasoning, other believes that it comes from senses. Again, others believe that knowledge is determined by the person looking for it. The branch of philosophy concerned with knowledge is called epistemology. It is important to educate because to be able to educate, we must have knowledge. Again, the process of education is the processes of making people acquire knowledge. As you read through, you are acquiring knowledge.
Philosophy is also concerned with the principle guiding our social actions. This is called ethics or moral philosophy. Again, philosophy interprets ‘good’, ‘rights’ or ‘wrong’ ways. This again depends on their background experience. To a person who is brought up in a period of war, the good life may be the life of peace. To those who suffer from ignorance, knowledge to them is good. Philosophers do not only try to define the good life, they also prescribe ways of attaining it.
As an educator, you should know the ways of life that are valued to your people so that you prepare your learner for good social relations.
Over the years, philosophy has assumed a more moderate role by confining itself to analyzing and clarifying concepts and statements. It also tries to resolve issues in human life. This is done in order to improve our understanding of the subject matter of life in general and discipline as well.
The functions of philosophy are explained as follows:
The educational process is constantly inspired by philosophers. Such works, as Plato’s Republic and other like it have become the reference book for many educators because they obtain a lot of insight from these books to guide their activities. For one thing, every society has its ideal and thus, strives to attain it. Plato’s ideal in the Republic is one in which education serves as an important criterion for assigning social positions and responsibilities. It is therefore, believed that, people should be educated in order to enable them achieves self-fulfillment.
Even though Plato’s society does not pretend to strive for equality of all people, it is still a model to inspire the Nigerian educator in his effort to bring a measure of equality in society.
Some educational philosophers in the country hold the view that the poverty of Nigeria’s philosophical base is responsible for our technological under-development. They also blame the country’s social political instability on the weakness of its philosophical foundation. Philosopher, especially in education. It is on this score that philosophy is made compulsory in all Teacher Education and Law Programmers.
Consequently, the coordinating role of philosophy in articulating the knowledge base of these disciplines should not leave anyone in doubt about the prescriptive function of philosophy.
Philosophy is also concerned with studying the nature of knowledge. Philosophy tries to define knowledge. They try to identify the qualities of knowledge. They try to trace the origin and source of knowledge. While some philosophers believe that knowledge comes from reasoning, other believes that it comes from senses. Again, others believe that knowledge is determined by the person looking for it. The branch of philosophy concerned with knowledge is called epistemology. It is important to educate because to be able to educate, we must have knowledge. Again, the process of education is the processes of making people acquire knowledge. As you read through, you are acquiring knowledge.
Philosophy is also concerned with the principle guiding our social actions. This is called ethics or moral philosophy. Again, philosophy interprets ‘good’, ‘rights’ or ‘wrong’ ways. This again depends on their background experience. To a person who is brought up in a period of war, the good life may be the life of peace. To those who suffer from ignorance, knowledge to them is good. Philosophers do not only try to define the good life, they also prescribe ways of attaining it.
As an educator, you should know the ways of life that are valued to your people so that you prepare your learner for good social relations.
Over the years, philosophy has assumed a more moderate role by confining itself to analyzing and clarifying concepts and statements. It also tries to resolve issues in human life. This is done in order to improve our understanding of the subject matter of life in general and discipline as well.
The Functions of Philosophy
The functions of philosophy are the uses of the subject to us as individuals and as members of a society. Some contemporary thinkers called the Analytic philosophers see philosophy as a study that essentially simplifies and analyses issues and statements pertaining to other subject in order to enable us understand them better.The functions of philosophy are explained as follows:
Analytical Function
This has to do with the analysis and clarification of ideas, issues, and statements to enable us understand the subject matters of other disciplines. This analytical function is considered to be the primary function of philosophy.Speculative and Normative Function
The mind is a very essential instrument for doing philosophy. The mind is one gift to man, which enables him think about himself, the people around him and the world in general. With it he can speculate about things he is not sure of; he can imagine things that are possible and even those that are not possible. It is to be noted however, that, when we think about things or speculate on issues it is done within the context of our social and cultural environment.Inspirational Function
The educational process is constantly inspired by philosophers. Such works, as Plato’s Republic and other like it have become the reference book for many educators because they obtain a lot of insight from these books to guide their activities. For one thing, every society has its ideal and thus, strives to attain it. Plato’s ideal in the Republic is one in which education serves as an important criterion for assigning social positions and responsibilities. It is therefore, believed that, people should be educated in order to enable them achieves self-fulfillment.
Even though Plato’s society does not pretend to strive for equality of all people, it is still a model to inspire the Nigerian educator in his effort to bring a measure of equality in society.
Prescriptive Function
Every nation has its problems, which call for solution. It is expected that everyone would contribute to the best of his ability. Although philosophy has a lot to contribute, philosophers are sometimes excluded from the decision-ma king process. This appears to have made the situation worse. For example, before adopting a new educational or social policy in the country, one would expect that philosophers would be included in the planning. Such contributions would benefit all concerned.Some educational philosophers in the country hold the view that the poverty of Nigeria’s philosophical base is responsible for our technological under-development. They also blame the country’s social political instability on the weakness of its philosophical foundation. Philosopher, especially in education. It is on this score that philosophy is made compulsory in all Teacher Education and Law Programmers.
Co-coordinating function
Since it is well known that all other disciplines are generated from philosophy, philosophy cannot be seen as competing with its offspring. In view of the fact that these disciplines have established their knowledge base solidly, philosophy has mapped out for itself other responsibilities. The fact that there exist at present such area as philosophy of science, Philosophy of social science, philosophy of law and philosophy of education among others shows the contribution that philosophy still makes to learning.Consequently, the coordinating role of philosophy in articulating the knowledge base of these disciplines should not leave anyone in doubt about the prescriptive function of philosophy.
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