Taxonomy of five educational philosophies for adult education¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

Chapter 4 describes five educational philosophies that grow out of the general systems: essentialism, perennialism, progressivism, reconstructionism, and existentialism. Each is characterized by its stance on content, method, and purpose—essentialists emphasize subject matter and passing on culture, perennialists discipline the mind through great books, progressivists stress problem solving and the learning process, reconstructionists use the scientific method to pursue changing ends, and educational existentialism directs education toward individual self-fulfillment. Apps presents them as material against which educators take a personal stand.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Educators are asked to take a personal stand on the issues each philosophy raises.

Constraints¶

• Apps states there is obviously no clear agreement as to which educational philosophy should be followed, and presents criticisms of each position.

Target Learners¶

• adult educators

Target Learning Objectives¶

• locating one's educational philosophy among established alternatives

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

• General Philosophies Taxonomy Apps
• Apps's four-category framework for a working philosophy of adult education
• Belief structure: sources, levels (zero-order, first-order, higher order), and the belief-value-attitude distinction
• Taxonomy of educational philosophies: Perennialism, Essentialism, Pragmatism, Reconstructionism, and Existentialism
• Five basic educational philosophies: traditional-conservative versus contemporary
• Four-category taxonomy of educational philosophies grouped into traditional and contemporary dimensions
• Traditional versus modern philosophies distinguished by who determines ends and means

Examples¶

• A four-step process for examining beliefs: recognition, analysis, judgment, and evaluation

Key Sources¶

• Apps, Jerold W. (1973). Toward a Working Philosophy of Adult Education. Syracuse University Publications in Continuing Education / ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Education. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED078229