Taxonomy of four general philosophies organized by the three basic philosophical questions¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

Chapter 3 surveys four general philosophical systems—idealism, realism, experimentalism, and existentialism—using three organizing questions: what is reality (metaphysics), how do we know (epistemology), and what is of value (axiology). Apps notes "Most philosophers agree that they are confronted with three basic questions:" and summarizes each system's answers to reality, truth, and values in Table 1. The taxonomy serves as an idea source for educators building their own working philosophy.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Used as an idea source: educators compare established systems against their own beliefs using the three questions.

Constraints¶

• The treatment is deliberately brief; the monograph presents basic information rather than an in-depth discussion of each philosophy.

Target Learners¶

• adult educators developing a personal working philosophy

Target Learning Objectives¶

• understanding general philosophical systems as sources of beliefs about adult education

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

• Educational Philosophies Taxonomy Apps
• Apps's four-category framework for a working philosophy of adult education
• Traditional versus modern philosophies distinguished by who determines ends and means
• Realism (Educational Philosophy)
• Existentialism (Educational Philosophy)
• Five educational philosophies framework (perennialism, idealism, realism, experimentalism, existentialism)
• Five basic educational philosophies: traditional-conservative versus contemporary
• Five-philosophy framework of teacher beliefs (Realism, Idealism, Pragmatism, Existentialism, Phenomenology)

Examples¶

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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