The 4 Philosophies

In idealism, ideas or concepts are the essence of all that is worth knowing. This philosophy stresses spirituality. The spiritual world is eternal and perfect. Our senses only pick up the imperfect representation of the spiritual world. The power of reasoning is stressed. What is strange to me is that this theory does not value the scientific method, which to me seems to be based on reasoning through observation. Lecture, discussion, and imitation are methods that idealism supports. Knowledge is not created, but it is discovered. Learning is best achieved through speaking/dialogue and a teacher should question a students beliefs.

Reality, knowledge, and value are independent of the mind in realism. Ideas are not the ultimate reality, which is what idealists believe. The realist thinks that the use of the scientific method and our sense are important. The goal of education is the advancement of problem solving or rationality. Experiment and observation are ways to gain knowledge. Realists think that tests of a student's knowledge are beneficial. THe realist also acknowledges that ideas can change.

Pragmatism is a philosophy in which there are no unchanging ideas (like idealism) or universal laws. Knowledge is something that is gained by a learner interacting with the environment in a way in which both are changed by the experience. There is no absolute truth. The realist also thinks that values do not work in all situations and supports the act of problem solving.

Existentialism is the thought that real reality is within each individual. So, reality is different for each person (I think this is what the book's definition was trying to say). Science is good, but it is also limited. Tests are seen as not important. There is a huge stress on individualism and the importance of each person creating their own self, reality, and values.

I feel like I could fit into most of these categories of thought at least a little bit. I am a very spiritual person, so I feel that I may very well be more of an idealist than a realist. I do not like using tests in a way to see of how much "knowledge" a student has. I much rather see this "knowledge" expressed somehow, whether it be through a discussion, an essay, or a visual project. I might be an existentialist, too, because I feel very strongly about person/creative freedom and expression. I am the person who is constantly saying, "I thought this was America," when I am told that I cannot say, write, or create something. Thought I am not a scientist, I do not dismiss science all together. However, I feel that science really is limited and that there is much more to life and reality than physical or sensual facts.