Need of Educational Philosophy | Importance of Philosophy of Education

 

Need of Educational Philosophy | Why do we need philosophy of Education 

J.K Chesterton wrote in one of his essays,

"Some people are of the opinion that the most practical and important thing about man is his view of the universe. It is very important for a landlord to know what is the income of his potential tenant, but it is even more important for him to know what is his philosophy of life. 

It is important for the commander to know the number of his army to fight the enemy, but even more important it is necessary to know the philosophy of the enemy. When there is so much need for philosophy of life for such small worldly tasks of life, then we should not be surprised that, "All questions related to education are related to philosophy of life." 

In fact, the main purpose of education in life is to fulfill the all round and balanced development of children, for this students need to be guided step by step.

There is a great need of education philosophy for who should guide this. To fulfill this need, a new branch of philosophy, education philosophy emerged, which enables the teacher to understand the nature of education and its various parts, such as the purpose of education, curriculum, method of teaching, learner, school, discipline, etc. 

Butler has written while presenting the fact that, "Philosophy (or education philosophy) is the guide for education, in the form of education research, the definite material for philosophical judgment has been written. provides.

 

Importance of Philosophy of Education 

Need of Educational Philosophy

The need of education philosophy can be presented in the following forms :

Need for Understanding the Nature of Education and Teaching

Every teacher hopes to achieve success in his professional work. Success in work especially depends on the nature of the work. It is the responsibility of the teacher to understand the real nature of education and teach it appropriately.

Therefore, it becomes necessary for the teacher to understand the nature of education and teacher well in order to successfully complete his profession. Since the form of education and teaching is determined by the philosophy of education, therefore, to understand the nature of education and teaching, the teacher needs to study the philosophy of education.

Need for Acquaintance of the Problems, Principles and Elements of Education

Adler is of the view that educational problems first come before us as problems of life. These primary problems can be divided into two parts.

One is related to philosophy of education and the other is independent. The teacher should be familiar with the first type of problems which are practical. Again practical problems are of two types- 

(i) 'Absolute Problems' and 

(ii) 'Relative Problems'.

The first type of problems are universal and the second type of problems are indefinite. Universal problems are based on knowledge and indeterminate problems on opinion. Education philosophy does not believe in consensus but in 'True Knowledge'. This level is the level of practice, the second level is the level of policy where problems are classified. The third level of the problem converts policy into theory. At this level, rising above personal practice and classified policy, education philosophy presents a comprehensive solution to the problem.

It becomes clear from these views of Adler that education philosophy is the father of education principles. Since it is necessary for a teacher to know the problems of education, principles of education and elements of education, it is very important for him to have knowledge of philosophy of education.

 

Need for Acquaintance the Theoretical and Practical Problems and their Solutions

We can broadly divide the entire problems of the world into two parts

(i) Theoretical Problems and 

(ii) Practical Problems

Theoretical problems are related to the interpretation of the properties of nature and the nature of natural objects. To solve these problems, science collects, analyzes, observes and tests facts. Practical problems are a step ahead and are related to the search for a goal and the efforts to be made to achieve a particular goal. The teacher's job is not only to be familiar with these two problems, such as theoretical and practical, but it is also necessary to know their solutions.

Education philosophy helps the teacher in this task. Pointing to this responsibility and specialty of education philosophy, Mr. Adler has written, "Therefore, we see that those questions related to education become clear in the field of education philosophy, which science cannot answer at all. This also reveals the need for education philosophy. Because without this there can be no clear decision about the basic practical principles in the policies of everyday educational practices.

Need for Understanding the Difference between Ends and the Means

It is very important for the teacher to understand the difference between 'Ends' and 'Means'. It is often seen that in the absence of real knowledge, the teacher does not understand what is the end and what is the means. As a result, he considers the end as the means and the means as the end.

This is indeed an unfortunate situation for both the student and the teacher. It becomes very important for the teacher to avoid this situation.

 

The knowledge of the difference between the end and the means is possible only through the philosophy of education. Therefore, the study of education philosophy becomes very necessary for the teacher.

Need for Establishment of Correlation and Integration among Various Branches of Knowledge

We see that teachers give importance to their respective subjects and keep teaching their respective subjects to the students without paying attention to other subjects. But due to the unity of knowledge, this type of teaching goes in vain and the students do not get knowledge of any subject. As a result, the entire education becomes useless and ineffective. In this task i.e. in establishing relation and integration between different branches and subjects of knowledge, the philosophy of education helps the teacher a lot. In the words of Rusk , "Teachers who neglect philosophy suffer the punishment of this neglect in the form of rendering their work ineffective."

Need for Understanding the Merits and Demerits of Present Education System

Many teachers are not concerned with the merits and demerits of the present education system.

They think, "What do we mean, it's okay as it is."

This approach of teachers is not appropriate, they must understand the defects that are seen in the education system with the passage of time. Country and time have a deep impact on education.

Therefore, it is natural for some defects to come in the traditional system that has been running for many days. It is very important for the teacher to be aware of the merits and demerits of the present education system. Since it is the work of education philosophy to discuss the merits and demerits of education, therefore, knowledge of education philosophy is very important for the teacher.

 

Need for Reform in System of Education

Knowing the merits and demerits of education does not end the work of the teacher, but it is also necessary for him to be oriented towards the improvement of education. We see that before and after independence, certain Commissions' were set up and 'Committees' were appointed for education reform. But let alone the matter of improvement, there has only been degradation in the field of education. The main reason for this is the lack of proper approach among teachers because teachers are the pivot of education reform. Creation of proper attitude in the teacher is possible only through education philosophy. Therefore, it is very important to study education philosophy.

Need for Change and Revision of Methods of Teaching

successful and effective teacher is considered to be the one who changes and improves his teaching method according to the purpose and situation because no teaching method can be suitable in every situation and purpose. If this were the case, there would be no need to create different teaching methods. Education philosophy is very helpful in changing and improving teaching methods according to the situation and purpose. Therefore, if the teacher is familiar with the philosophy of education, then he becomes capable of making desired changes in his teaching method. Thus, it is clear that education philosophy is very helpful for the teacher to make changes and improvements in his teaching method according to the situation and purpose.

Need for the Development of Self discipline among the Students

Discipline is very necessary for human life.

Individual family in the absence of discipline, He becomes a problem for the society and the nation, but he also makes his life a problem.

Today we see how 'Youth Tension' is increasing day by day in the absence of proper guidance.

 

Educational institutions are being successful to some extent in imparting education to the students but are proving unable to develop the sense of discipline among the students. If students are compelled by external pressure to lead a disciplined life, they tend to exhibit indiscipline more violently. The problem of discipline can be solved only when the teacher is able to develop a sense of self-discipline in the students. Teachers can get a lot of help from philosophy in this work because through this they can get knowledge about how to control the animalistic tendencies of children. By doing Shodhan' (Sublimation ) and ' Re-direction', the capacity of self-control can be created in them.

Need for Producing Love for Labor in Students

In our country teachers have neither love for labor nor influence on students. True education is not only about reading and teaching books, but it is also about fulfilling one's needs by producing through labour. But love for labor is not an object to be taught, but the students learn it from the behavior of the teacher. Today's teacher and student are afraid to work. Everything understands reading and writing. Throwing light on this trend, Shri Anand Kumar Swamy has written, "Today in the East (i.e. Eastern part of the world) work has lost its respect and its close relation with the transformation of man completely. Today, we move forward thinking that civilization did not start with agriculture and crafts, but with writing and reading. The study of education philosophy not only gives the teacher the knowledge of the importance of labor,

Need for Formation of the Influential Personality of Teacher

Learning is a natural process. So it should happen naturally. But this can be possible only when the personality and conduct of the teacher is so impressive that the students take education as soon as they come in contact with him. A teacher can attain this form of his own only when he has adequate study of education philosophy and he has adapted this study in his life.

Throwing light on this form or quality of education, Acharya Bhave has rightly written, "The fact is that just as a true teacher does not give education, education is received from him, in the same way the wise man himself Does not collect, folk-collection happens spontaneously from his hands. The sun itself does not give light to anyone, it naturally gives light to everyone.

 

This lack of action is called 'Sahaj Karma' in the Gita and Manu has given this spontaneous action the very pleasant noun of 'Nivrut Karma'.

Need for becoming True Teacher and True Student

For the teacher to become a true teacher himself and to make the learner a true learner, it is essential to have knowledge of education philosophy. That is why it is said that a teacher has to become a philosopher for the success of the teacher. If there is no 'philosophisation' of the teacher, then neither he can explain the different forms of 'education science' properly nor can he solve any education-related problem. In fact, education philosophy makes a teacher a true teacher by giving him subtle intelligence, wisdom-eye and wisdom-ear and a true teacher develops a mature life-philosophy in his adult students and makes them a true learner.

Keeping this fact in front, the former Education Minister of India, Dr. Kalulal Shrimali (Dr. KL Shrimali) has written, "Thus any work of a teacher must have education philosophy, not only this, the teacher should develop the philosophy of life in the students. One must enter this business prepared."

Need for the Development of National Integration

National unity is very necessary for the progress of any country and nation. But national unity is possible only when people are united emotionally leaving aside the interests of their caste, class, religion, community, region etc. Due to ignorance and immature 'philosophy of life', people keep fighting with each other to fulfill the narrow interests of their respective caste, class and community and keep on sacrificing the welfare of the entire nation. Students are also not untouched by this narrow approach, but sometimes they themselves lead many disruptive elements.

 

In the absence of suitable philosophy, often they go on strike, struggle, gherao etc. after getting encouragement from political parties and religious sects. Such disruptive activities of the students become a special problem for all three, education, teachers and education. Education philosophy can guide the teacher to develop 'Emotional Integration' for national integration among the youth and students of the country.

Therefore, from this point of view also, the teacher is in great need of education philosophy.

Need for the Development of International Understanding

At present, as a result of the amazing progress made in the field of science, on the one hand people of all the countries of the world can establish contact with the people of each other country. In this way, on the one hand geographical isolation has come to an end and on the other hand, due to the invention of weapons, bombs, rockets, war-methods, today mankind is standing on the verge of destruction and the clouds of war are always hovering over the human-society. Live

Well, of what use is this progress of ours in which we have started considering ourselves insecure. Drawing our attention to this problem, Shri Ratna Navaratnam has said that, "To save mankind, everyone should make joint efforts."

 

But what should be the form of this effort and how to implement it, mankind needs guidance for this. This guidance can be done not by scientists but by philosophers, especially education philosophers or teachers.

If the teachers of all the countries of the world try to develop the philosophy of universal brotherhood and world peace among the students and youth studying in their respective schools, then definitely 'International Harmony' will develop in them and our 'World Society' and The concept of 'world government' will come true. Thus it is clear that the teacher needs to study philosophy in order to develop international goodwill among the students.