karene Site Admin

Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 78 Location: Western Australia
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 11:59 am Post subject: Philosophy of Education / Educational Philosophy |
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Philosophy of Education / Educational Philosophy
Since philosophy is the art which teaches us how to live, and since children need to learn it as much as we do at other ages, why do we not instruct them in it? .. But in truth I know nothing about the philosophy of education except this: that the greatest and the most important difficulty known to human learning seems to lie in that area which treats how to bring up children and how to educate them. (Michel de Montaigne)
Plants are shaped by cultivation and men by education. .. We are born weak, we need strength; we are born totally unprovided, we need aid; we are born stupid, we need judgment. Everything we do not have at our birth and which we need when we are grown is given us by education. (Jean Jacques Rousseau, Emile)
My dear children: I rejoice to see you before me today, happy youth of a sunny and fortunate land. Bear in mind that the wonderful things that you learn in your schools are the work of many generations, produced by enthusiastic effort and infinite labour in every country of the world. All this is put into your hands as your inheritance in order that you may receive it, honour it, and add to it, and one day faithfully hand it on to your children. Thus do we mortals achieve immortality in the permanent things which we create in common. If you always keep that in mind you will find meaning in life and work and acquire the right attitude towards other nations and ages. (Albert Einstein talking to a group of school children. 1934)
On the Importance of Philosophy in EducationI strongly believe in the importance of Philosophy in education. Philosophy is not as an abstract esoteric subject, nor a cult, but teaches us how to think correctly. People do not think enough in our modern world (we are too busy consuming, working, watching tv ...) which is a strange contradiction in this current 'information age'. In light of our tumultuous capitalist world, to be a critical, well informed, creative, thinking individual is a wonderful trait (that also protects you from a lot of the crap in the world). I agree with Buddha, 'the gift of truth excels all other gifts' and also with Albert Einstein;
To see with one's own eyes, to feel and judge without succumbing to the suggestive power of the fashion of the day, to be able to express what one has seen and felt in a trim sentence or even in a cunningly wrought word- is that not glorious? It is not a proper subject for congratulation? (Albert Einstein, 1934)
Knowledge exists in two forms - lifeless, stored in books, and alive, in the consciousness of men. The second form of existence is after all the essential one; the first, indispensable as it may be, occupies only an inferior position. (Albert Einstein, 1954)
My partner Geoffrey, though now very into philosophy, actually has an education degree (both his parents were university lecturers). So I know he would love to discuss this subject further (all philosophers recognise the education is the most important thing for the future of humanity).
For more philosophy of education quotes see our website page:
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Education.htm
Cheers,
Karene
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Howie-Biography.htm
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Jean-Jacques-Rousseau.htm
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Albert-Einstein-Quotes.htm
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Art-Truth.htm |
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