PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION-

NATURALISM

Mamata Manandhar
M.Sc. Nursing,(2011)
BPKIHS
CONTENTS
Introduction of Naturalism
Definition of Naturalism
Meaning of Naturalism
Different forms of Naturalism
Principals of Naturalism
Educational Implications of Naturalism
Contribution of Naturalism
Weakness of Naturalism in Education
Conclusion
INTRODUCTION OF NATURALISM

Naturalism,commonly known as materialism, is

a philosophical paradigm whereby everything can
be explained in terms of natural causes.
INTRODUCTION CONT..
It is a philosophical position adopted by
naturalist, who approaches philosophy from
purely scientific point of view.

They believe that reality and nature are identical

and beyond nature there is no reality.
INTRODUCTION CONT..
Its current usage derives from debates in America
in the first half of last century.

The self proclaimed naturalist from that period

included John Dewey, Ernest Nagel, Sidney
Hook and Roy Wood Sellers.
INTRODUCTION CONT
These philosophers aimed to ally philosophy
more closely with science.

They urged that reality is exhausted by nature,

containing nothing supernatural and that the
scientific method should be used to investigate all
areas of reality, including the human
spirit(Krikorian 1944,Kim 2003)
DEFINITION
According to Hayward Joyee, naturalism is a
system of which the salient feature is the
exclusion of whatever is spiritual or indeed,
whatever is transcendental of experience.

This definition straightway denies whatever is

spiritual and supernatural.
DEFINITION CONT

As per Ralph Barton Perry, Naturalism is a

philosophical generalization of science; the
applications of theories of science to the
problems of philosophy.
CHIEF EXPONENTS
Bacon, Comenius, Herbert Spencer, Bernard
Shaw, Ralph Barton Perry, Darwin, Tagore are
few of them.
MEANING OF NATURALISM
Naturalism is a doctrine that separate nature from
God.
According to naturalist human life is a part of
nature, it is a self-sufficient entity having its own
natural matter, natural force and natural laws.
It emphasize on matter and the physical world.
DIFFERENT FORMS
Physical Naturalism believes that laws of physical nature
govern the law of human life and adherence to natural laws
is essential for human existence.

Biological Naturalism strongly agrees with the theory of

evolution and according to this philosophy, man being the
descendent of ape possess animal nature and is devoid of
any element of spiritualism.

Mechanical naturalism view man as a mere machine

devoid of spirit and soul and aims at training man as a
good machine.
PRINCIPLES OF NATURALISM

1. Child centered education:

In naturalistic point of view, prime importance
has to be given to the child.
This is the major contribution of naturalism to the
education system.
Today teachers role is limited to a facilitator of
learning.
 PRINCIPLES CONT..
2. Education as the natural development of the
childs power and capacities:
Education pattern should coincide with the natural

development and learning capacity of the child.

To achieve this, education has to be planned according

to the laws of growth and development.

3.Negative education in early childhood:

In early life of a child, simple persuasion is enough to
initiate learning instead of forcing the child to learn.
PRINCIPLES CONT
4.Education should be based on childs
psychology:
This principle advocates the need for considering
individual difference among students. Individual
difference in intelligence, temperament and
emotions among students should be identified and
taken into account while implementing the
educative process.
This principle is very much appreciated by the
modern educationists.
PRINCIPLES CONT
5.The role of teacher should be that of a guide:
Instead of passively transferring of knowledge the
teacher has to arrange an environment with
necessary opportunities and materials required for
the personal development of the child and guide
child as and when needed.
Qualities like love, sympathy and understanding
for the child are essential for good teaching.
In short, child takes a center stage in
teaching/learning process.
EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS
Applied to education, naturalism considers child
as a gift of nature with potentialities for natural
growth according to the laws of nature.
The aim of education is to develop a child as a
healthy and active personality in a natural setting.
The curriculum should provide concrete and real
experiences in a natural context.
Morality and character are learned indirectly with
the help of natural consequences of behaviour.
CONTD.
Discipline is developed as a result of
consequences of behaviour of the child.
The teacher play role of guide to child in learning
process.
Importance is given to the development of
individuality and sense of freedom.
NATURALISM & AIMS OF EDUCATION
Self expression:
-Naturalist believes that the children should be provided
with the opportunity to express their ideas and talents.
Self-preservation:

-In naturalistic point of view, self-preservation or self

security is an unavoidable aspect of life . Self-
preservation is the power to be our self, self respect and
values. It provides a definite direction in life.
Redirection of human instincts:

-Instincts are the guiding force behind all human conduct.

Hence through education the human instinct have to be
redirected for achieving socially desirable results.
 CONTD
Struggle for existence:
-Physical world is full of pain and suffering. Hence children has
to be educated in such a way that they will be able to struggle for
their existence and able to adjust themselves with the
environment.
Education according to nature:

-While educating the child, his whole nature, i.e. tendencies,

developmental status, capacities, instincts, likes and dislikes
should be considered.
Perfect development of individuality:

-Education should aim at developing the child into joyous,

rational, balanced, useful and matured person.
NATURALISM & CURRICULUM
As per naturalism, there is no need for a rigid
curriculum and consider nature as a grand book
from where children can learn everything.
Naturalist believes that the subjects like physics,
chemistry, biology, botany, zoology, geography,
history and mathematics should be taught with
special importance to experience.
These subjects should be correlated with the life
around the child so that he/she can acquire most
from the natural setting itself.
NATURALISM &METHODS OF TEACHING

Learning by doing:
- Naturalism appreciates direct experience and
believes in the principle of learning by doing.
Play way method:

-Play way method is the brain-child of Caldwellcook.

He recognized that good learning is more often the
result of spontaneous effort and free interest rather
than compulsion and forced application.
-This approach enhances the quality of teaching by
offering elements of freedom, interest, reality and
spontaneity.
CONT
Observation and experimentation:
-Observation is regarded as the direct experience
and a productive method when employed by a
talented teacher.
-Observation simplifies the learning process and
helps the student in retaining the learned skills and
facts.
-As naturalism believe in conducting
experiments, children have to be provided with
practical experience.
CONT
Self-education or self-effort:
This is a classical contribution of naturalism.

The concept of self education has motivated the

modern educationists to consider education as a
lifelong process.
Thus naturalism recommends different kinds of
assignments and activities for attending all-round
development through self-education.
NATURALISM & DISCIPLINE
Naturalism favours total freedom and oppose
punishment or extreme discipline.

Rousseau believes that child should be allowed to

face the natural consequences of his actions and this
exposure will naturally result in the development of
self-discipline.

For regulating the conduct of students, naturalists

have evolved the concept of student self-government
in tune with the demand of a democratic society.
NATURALISM & TEACHER
In naturalism, teachers place is behind the scene.

He is a spectator or an observer of the childs

development.

The teacher has to arrange an environment or stage

with necessary opportunities and materials required for
the personal development of the child.

Teacher guide the child as and when needed by

adopting the role of a facilitator.
CONTRIBUTION OF NATURALISM TO EDUCATION

Naturalism has given the importance &

recognition to the child in the education
process.

Naturalism advocates that education should be

a pleasurable activity for children & child's
interest & readiness to learning is given due
importance.

Naturalism emphasizes on the spontaneous self

activity of the child.
CONT
Naturalism draws our attention to the
aesthetic aspect of surroundings, i.e.,
natural location.
New schools & new movements came
into being as a result of naturalism.
Froebel's Kindergarten, the Montessori
method, Tagore's Shantiniketan, AS
Neil's Summerhill are representatives
of the movement.
WEAKNESS OF NATURALISM IN EDUCATION

The simplicity of naturalistic educational practice

may not be possible in urban areas.

Higher order of discipline may not be possible as

textbooks and teachers are not playing crucial
role.

Nature alone cannot find beauty and peace, there

is something higher, which can direct mans
purposes towards positive ends.
CONT

Lack ideas, no place for spiritual values.

No constructive suggestions to offer regarding a

goal for educative effort thus does not point to
higher end in educational process.
CONCLUSION
Education is based on psychology of the child
and in accordance with his nature.
Naturalist keeps the child in the forefront in the
entire process of education. The teacher, school,
curriculum, methods of trainings are not so
important as the child, who is to be educated.
Naturalists want the school, to provide an
environment, which is conducive to the free
development of the growing child.
REFERENCES

1. Neerja, KP.Textbook of Nursing Education.Jaypee,2003;pg 19-23

2. Basavantappa,BT.Nursing Education.Jaypee.2009;pg 131-133
3. Singh, Indira.Essentials of Education. kathmandu: Hisi
printers.2006,pg 38-41.
4. Sankarnarayan B. & Sindu B. Learning and Teaching Nursing.
Manglore: Branifill. 2003.

Websites:
5. http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism
6. http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/naturalism.htm
THANK
YOU!