Friday, September 26, 2014

On what philosophy is education based?What do you think about philosophy education?

I can certainly answer the main question, "On what philosophy is education based?"  I am not sure if you are asking about higher education or general public education, but I will give you the best answer for higher education in the United States.


At about the beginning of the 20th century, education in America shifted from an English philosophy to a German one.  The English philosophy of higher education was based on the ancient Greek idea that rhetoric was the center of education.  The purpose of educating people was to make them more civic minded and, thus, more responsible and participatory members of society.  So, teaching students how to speak, read, write, and think critically was at the center of all subject matter.  More importantly, faculty, staff and students were mindful of the whole school as a single collaborative unit.  In contrast, German education is more analytical in nature, so the philisophy moves away from communication and collaboration and more toward categorization and data. Subjects/content areas exist separately from each other and are studied that way. Professors are more loyal to their discipline than to their school, and the amount and quality of research by a professor defines him or her as successful.


Today, the German model is still the basis of most colleges and universities.  However, the English model can be found in many smaller colleges and even in some larger universities that have embraced the idea of learning communities.

No comments:

Post a Comment

What is the main function of the fool in "King Lear"? What is the secondly function?

The fool as a character is confusing, but part of this is the difference between the 1600s and today, as well as the difference in place. If...