Philosophy of Education Essay Examples

What is education in general?

Education is an experience which entails receiving or giving instructions, knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits in a given set up, especially at school or university. Education also involves an interaction between the learner and the surrounding environment, from which the person learns through experience and obtains some values, habits, and beliefs from the surrounding environment. The argument is supported by John Locke (1632-1704), who was known as the father of empiricism.

He pointed out that, an individual usually begins as a ‘tabula rasa’ (blank slate) regarding knowledge, but with time due to experience, the person starts to gain information (Androne, 2014). In his argument, Locke helps one to understand that education is a process and experience which provides an opportunity for students to develop desirable qualities which make them fit well in the society.

Why education is needed?

Education is a tool that determines what a person becomes in society regarding personal behavior, intellectual reasoning, social interactions, physical appearance, creativity, cultural awareness, spiritual development and involvement in community activities. Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) argued that education makes all the difference in people’s lives (Rummel, 2017).

People who have received proper training have always been respected in their communities regardless of age and gender because they adopted and put into practice the competent knowledge, skills, ethical values, good habits and beliefs which they learned during their education at school or university. Therefore, they become the role models in their communities as other people tend to emulate them. Besides, they are involved in decision making, significant community activities and leadership of the society.

In his argument, Erasmus (1466-1536) makes one acknowledge and appreciate that education makes a noticeable difference in someone’s life. Educated and uneducated persons are two different people regarding reasoning, creativity, problem solving skills, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. Therefore, young children who are not school-going should immediately join schools to reap the endless benefits of education.

Formal education usually begins at an early childhood age, whereby a child is introduced to school at the lowest level. Marcus Quintilian, (35-95 CE), noted that formal training begins at about the age of seven years (Clarke, 2017). He further argued that during teaching, the lessons should be made as enjoyable as possible as this makes them enjoy education and motivates them for subsequent lessons. Marcus discouraged corporal punishment of learners, and he instead encouraged the teachers to adopt the culture of talking to children as he believed that talking to someone with passion will motivate him or her to change their behavior. In an argument by Marcus (35-95 CE), the author convinces one that the earlier the children start school, the better. Children should begin education at approximately seven years old.

What are the philosophical arguments in favor of education?

John Locke (1632-1704), the father of empiricism also argued that, through various experiences in school, the students could adopt good habits such as proper etiquette during communication, table manners, respect for older people and discipline. Students develop these traits and exhibit them in the community, where they behave well and become role models to other children.

At school, the examinations and assessments that students encounter, teach them how to reason well and formulate necessary solutions for specific problems. Also, as these students excel in their academics, they tend to develop healthy self-esteem. John Locke (1632-1704), shapes the educational philosophy as one is left to confidently believe that, the intellectual capability is acquired from no other place apart from the school. One is expected to engage in the learning process, go through various continuous assessment tests in school to develop proper reasoning which will help him or her to adopt critical thinking while solving problems both in and out of school. Various examinations sharpen one’s mind, logic, and thought.

School builds the capacity of students to carry out research. As studies become enjoyable and exciting, students end up being curious about more knowledge on certain phenomena. The father of empiricism, John Locke (1632-1704) argues that, as students gain knowledge through experience, they tend to develop curiosity which helps to acquire more knowledge, as they could engage in research. John Locke (1632-1704) helps one to understand that as one gains knowledge, there is the need and urge to seek more. This occurs when the students in their studies encounter new phenomena which challenge their reasoning and therefore developing an interest in understanding such events. As a result, students expand their knowledge about many activities.

Spiritual development is a crucial aspect of students’ lives that is usually nurtured in school. Generally, schools have religious unions that bring together students of the same faith. In these unions, students inspire each other in Christian life and therefore growing together as a Christian family. As a result, students are shaped well in the spiritual life aspect and become good people in society. According to Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), education is to understand the presence of God.

Therefore, as people study in schools, they should acknowledge and appreciate the existence of God. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), shapes educational philosophy as he makes one not only focus on academics in school but also on the spiritual life. Spiritual life is essential since it helps one to explore more about the origin of humanity, understand and appreciate the existence of a supreme being as postulated in the holy books.

Employment- generally people go to school so that they can get knowledge and skills that will enable them secure job opportunities after school. As many students engage in academics, they anticipate having a stable income and job security in future. Therefore, many students attend schools with a perception that they will get jobs after school so that they can live a better life. School prepares one for career aspirations in the future.

Acquisition of knowledge and skills- the purpose of school is to impart knowledge and skills into the students. School enables students to know how to read and write and develop life skills that make them cope with problems in life. John Locke (1632-1704), points out that, as students take part in the learning process, they acquire knowledge on various phenomena, and this improves their reasoning and problem-solving skills.

What is the philosophy of education?

The philosophy of education has answered the need for training in the 21st century by providing the broad meaning of education which is the experience that involves receiving or giving knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. Therefore, the training will attract more people, and they would join school knowing that they would not only benefit from knowledge and skills, but also moral values, beliefs, and good habits.

The philosophy of education has elaborated the purpose of schooling, and it includes improvement of intellectual capability, research promotion, and spiritual development, acquisition of knowledge and skills, and job opportunities. Generally, one has various reasons for going to school. These reasons for schooling are interrelated and therefore form a strong basis of joining the school.