Quote: "The philosophy of education is the branch of applied philosophy that investigates the nature of education as well as its aims and problems."
The study of educational theories and practices.
Introduction to Philosophy of Education: An overview of the main ideas, concepts, and debates in the field of philosophy of education.
History of Education: A historical overview of the development of educational theory and practice, ranging from ancient Greek philosophy to modern times.
Epistemology: The study of how knowledge is acquired, organized, and used in education.
Metaphysics: The study of the nature of reality, including questions about the existence of God, free will, and the soul.
Ethics: The study of moral principles and values, including questions about the goals of education and the responsibilities of educators.
Political Philosophy: The study of how power is distributed and exercised in society, including questions about the role of education in shaping political values and participation.
Aesthetics: The study of beauty and artistic expression, including questions about the role of art and creativity in education.
Critical Theory: A theoretical approach that examines the ways in which power and oppression operate in society, including within education.
Feminist Philosophy: A philosophical perspective that considers issues of gender and sexuality, including questions about gender bias in education.
Pragmatism: A philosophical approach that emphasizes practicality and experience in shaping educational practice.
Quote: "It is an interdisciplinary field that draws inspiration from various disciplines both within and outside philosophy, like ethics, political philosophy, psychology, and sociology."
Quote: "These connections are also reflected in the significant and wide-ranging influence the philosophy of education has had on other disciplines."
Quote: "Its theories are often divided into descriptive and normative theories."
Quote: "Descriptive theories provide a value-neutral account of what education is and how to understand its fundamental concepts."
Quote: "There is wide agreement that these aims include passing on knowledge as well as the development of the abilities of good reasoning, judging, and acting."
Quote: "Prominent suggestions include curiosity, creativity, rationality, morality, freedom, autonomy, and open-mindedness."
Quote: "Many theorists emphasize the importance of critical thinking in contrast to indoctrination."
Quote: "Another debate about the aims of education is whether the primary beneficiary is the individual educated or the society having this individual as its member."
Quote: "This involves the questions of whether, when, and in what detail a certain topic, like sex education or religion, should be taught."
Quote: "Some philosophers investigate the relation between education and power, often specifically regarding the power used by modern states to compel children to attend school."
Quote: "A different issue is the problem of the equality of education, i.e. the demand that all students should be treated equally in public education."
Quote: "This ideal is threatened by various sources of inequality, like active discrimination and unequal distribution of wealth."
Quote: "Some philosophers of education promote a quantitative approach... Others prefer a qualitative approach."
Quote: "A topic that came to particular prominence in the contemporary discussion is the role of standardized testing in public schools."
Quote: "Existentialists emphasize the role of authenticity."
Quote: "Pragmatists give particular prominence to active learning and discovery."
Quote: "Feminists and postmodernists often try to uncover and challenge biases and forms of discrimination present in current educational practices."
Quote: "Other philosophical movements include perennialism, classical education, essentialism, critical pedagogy, and progressivism."
Quote: "Despite its long and diverse history, it only emerged as a systematic branch of philosophy in the latter half of the 20th century."