Educational philosophy
...e because our senses could sometimes deceive us. The highest form of this knowledge, according to Plato, was that of “the Good” which is the source is all other knowledge. Aristotle, like myself, was a realist. He believed in gaining knowledge by the use of the senses. He disagreed with Plato’s belief that human beings were born with innate knowledge. Instead, they must use their senses to understand the things around them. Realism is predominantly based on gaining knowledge through fact-gathering, observing, measuring, skills development, accountability, and experimental verification. This philosophy emphasizes the use ones senses in subjects like science, history and math. We are to use standardized tests, computer technology, and pre-packaged curricula in order to gain the knowledge that society needs to survive and to fix its problems. Unlike other philosophies, the teacher is to present material in a systematic, organized way to the student and to promote clearly defined evaluation of the student’s work. I like this philosophy because it has a lot to do with how the education system is organized now. Our education system is predominately based on fact-gathering and we use standardized tests ( EQAO) and computer technology in order to further our knowledge. I like this system because it works. Other educational philosophies deal too much with feelings, art, and abstract ideas. Although these ideas and feelings are good to explore, an educational system should not be based on it. Had we not based our educational system on subjects like mathematics, science and history we would not be where we are today. These studies allow us to better our world through advanced technology and medical discoveries. The base subjects; mathematics, science and history are all explored to a great extent in school. I believe that subjects like philosophy should be explored more in school. Subjects like philosophy allow us to form our own opinions on the things around us which help expand our minds. Gym should be reinforced in schools because once you have a strong body; it is easier to gain a strong mind, according to Plato’s curriculum for the guardians. One gym class every 4 years is not enough, it should be changed so that we have one gym credit, at minimum, every year. Max Rafferty tells us that the main goal of education is to equip individuals with the arsenal he will need throughout life in his combat against the forces of error. Although that is its main goal, it’s not being accomplished; instead, our school systems are bombarding individuals with facts and not allow them to digest it. He also tells us that with education, comes happiness instead of happiness being its end-all. The OISE school provides kids with a system in which they mandate the curriculum. Thi...