A TERM PAPER ON PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

(NSC 703)
BY
ANYANWU SYLVERLEEN
AMAUGO NGOZI
TOPIC: REALISM, PHILOSHOPICAL STATEMENTS AND ITS
EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATION.
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF MASTERS DEGREE IN NURSING
SCIENCE EDUCATION
SUBMITTED TO
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING SCIENCE,
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCE,
IMO STATE UNIVERSITY, OWERRI.
LECTURER: DR. SOLOMON ADAMMA
AUGUST, 2021
 INTRODUCTION
Like idealism, realism is one of the oldest philosophies in
Western culture and dates back at least to ancient Greece.
Because of its respectable age, realism has had a variety of
proponents and interpretations as diverse as classical and
religious realism to scientific, natural and rational realism.
In other words, realism rejects the idealist notion that only
ideas are real. The realist asserts, as a fact, that the actual
sticks, stones and trees of the universe exist whether or not
there is a human mind to perceive them.
Realism is a complex philosophy because of its many varieties,
to wit: classical realism, religious realism, scientific realism
and others.
In realism, human acquire knowledge by inculcating knowledge
to the minds because in realism, it believes that the human
beings have no inborn, or innate, ideas in their minds at birth. 
 WHAT IS REALISM?
Realism believes in the world as it is. It is
based on the view that reality is what we
observe.
It believes that truth is what we sense and
observe and that goodness is found in the
order of the laws of nature.
 REALISTS BELIEVE...
Realists believe that the world we see is
what is real
Realists believe in the present life
Realists see the need to distinguish between
“appearance” and “reality”
Knowledge is real and people have the
obligation to obtain it
Reality exists independently of observers
There is an objective reality apart from what
is perceived in an individual’s conciousness.
 KEY REALISTS
Classical Realists

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Modern Realists

Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

John Locke (1632-1704)

 ARISTOTLE

“Because humans are the only creatures endowed with the ability to

think, their purpose is to use this ability”

Aristotle’s Golden Mean: “The person who follows a true purpose leads

a rational life of moderation, avoiding extremes: the extremes of too little

or too much”
 THOMAS AQUINAS

Studied Aristotle’s work while in Naples and tried to

reconcile Aristotle’s
philosophy with Christian Doctrines
Found that the highest good comes through thinking
Through learning and acquiring knowledge, we are able to
know God better
A teacher can only point in the direction of knowledge for
the student, the student must think and learn on their own
Teaching is a way to serve humankind and do God’s work
“Leading the student from ignorance to enlightenment is one
of the greatest services on person can give to another”
 FRANCIS BACON

Believed “Knowledge is Power”

Science must be concerned with
inquiry and not preconceived
notions
 JOHN LOCKE

Mind at birth is a tabula rasa

All knowledge and ideas are from
outside of the mind, gathered through
experience
Children are not born with innate
knowledge or understanding
IMPLICATIONS OF REALISM IN
EDUCATION

 AIMS

 CURRICULUM

 METHODS OF TEACHING

 TEACHER

 SCHOOL
 AIMS OF REALIST EDUCATION
• Understanding the material world through
inquiry

• A study of science and the scientific

method

• A need to know the world in order to ensure

survival and good life

• Basic, essential knowledge with a no-

nonsense approach

• Transmit culture and develop human nature

 THE REALIST CURRICULUM
• Problem-centered (subject-centered)
• Practical and useful
• Highly organized and systematic
• Physical activity has educational value (Locke)
• Extensive use of pictures (Comenius)
• Attention to the complete person (Locke)
• Use of objects in education (Maria Montessori)
• Highly organized, separate and systematically
arranged (Science, Social Sciences and
Mathematics)
 REALIST METHODS OF TEACHING:
• Emphasis on critical reasoning through observation
• Supports accountability and performance-based teaching
• Scientific research and development
• Mastery of facts: Recitation, experimentation, demonstration, drills,
exercises
• Education should proceed from simple to complex and from
concrete to abstract.
• Enhanced learning thru direct or indirect experiences: Field trips,
lectures, films, TV, audio-visual aids, computer technology &
library.
• Learning is based on facts – analysis – questioning.
• Vernacular to be the medium of instruction.
• Precision and order: ringing bells, time periods, daily lesson plans,
pre-packaged curriculum materials
• Children should be given positive rewards
 REALISM AND THE TEACHER
• A teacher should be educated and well versed with the
customs of belief and rights and duties of people, and the
trends.
• He must have full mastery of the knowledge of present
life.
• He must be able to expose and guide the student towards
the hard realities of life. (neither pessimist, nor optimist)
• He must be able to co-relate between utility in daily life
and education.
• He should define simple rules.
• He should teach subjects in proper order.
• He needs to find out the interest of the child and to
teach accordingly.
 SCHOOL ORGANIZATION INFLUENCED BY
REALISM
1) School organization would be based on the real
needs of society. (not due to politics)

2) The opening of science classes in every school

is a must.

3) Co-education is a natural happening so it

cannot be rejected.

4) School is the mirror of the society. It is a

miniature form of society and it presents the real
picture of the society.
 APPLICATION TO THE CLASSROOM
Schools exist to reveal the order of the world and universe
Students are taught factual information about the tangible
objects of the world
Schools should teach students general knowledge about
the world around them rather than specific trade or
vocational tools
Learning must be organized and systematic, as in nature
Curriculum must be practical and useful
Use “real” objects or pictures of “real” objects in the
classroom (Maria Montessori)
Teachers can only guide students to knowledge
Teachers must teach students what they need to survive