PHILOSOPHY was and is the light that enhances and extends the spheres of education towards the conquest of the unknown-that they may be known. We thought that the depth of the ocean was unfathomable but through education guided by the ideas of philosophy, humankind dived to the depth of the sea, traversed the ends of the earth, and flew to space that only aliens can survived, all for the thirst of unquenchable knowledge.
Philosophy deals with the discovery of the meaning of life with its primary question, what is life? It is about the search and realization of truth, understanding of value and beauty, knowing what is real, asking our relationship with other human beings and our relationship with the world, beyond, and God. Are these not also the collective aims of education? Like philosophy which fuels the progress of education, education gives direction to the ideas of philosophy so humankind understands where to go and what to do. Education is the acquisition of the art of the utilization of knowledge (Whitehead, 1916). Philosophy provides us with knowledge through the ideas of the philosophers, it is in the hand of the education how we should use this acquired knowledge.
Before formal education was introduced, education was a privilege among the few. It was not open to the public. One influence of this, even though it is not acceptable today, is the idea of Plato, renowned philosopher, premised that an educated minority is sufficient for a healthy governance. There was a thought that not all possessed an intellectual mind hence they do not need education. This judgment was criticized by philosophy itself so it was soon agreed that humankind in all walks of life needed education. The subjects learned in school were influenced primarily from the philosophers. Society may have dictated the organization of educational structures but it can be much debated that philosophers were the principal movers of educational progress.
For me, there are three major developments of education that philosophy, directly and indirectly, influenced. First, making education public. We may owe this educational progress directly from society which decided that child labor is no longer necessary and to make children more useful to the government and society, they must be sent to school instead of driving them to till the lands. Today we send children to school to become responsible citizens and morally-guided individuals. Philosophy contributes to this progress because of the contention that a man to achieve its actuality must be knowledgeable. A person must develop his/her intellectual and emotional faculties. He/she must understand and be able to know his/her to fulfill his/her mission in life. And where can a person acquire and develop these capacities-learning institutions.
Second scholastic progress orchestrated by philosophical ideas is the specialization of education. This may raise eyebrows from science fanatics in attributing this achievement to philosophy but I stand my case.
Knowledge is deep and immense. It cannot be contained in a single intellectual discipline. Reason alone cannot provide the answers and solutions of every question and problem. As this is partly correct, I say that it is through the questioning of philosophers that led to the birth of distinct and numerous college programs or academic disciplines in higher education.
Third, philosophy greatly influenced the development of teaching instructions and methodologies. Why used the ancient works of intellectuals as references of teaching? Why do we still read the mythologies and literary works of the past centuries? Is this not because we put high regard to the works of the great minds? This is an adherence to the philosophies of idealism, perennialism, and humanism. With the influence of other philosophical thoughts, education changed its mantra in pedagogy convinced that traditional methodologies are no longer relevant to the present era. Now students dislike reading. Pity. Today, liberalism is the trend.
The students speak their minds. Free minds contend that experiential learning is the most effective way of acquiring knowledge. From the old books that teachers would bring the students to field trips making them witness and feel the objects of their lessons.
Fourth, philosophy contributed to the establishment of educational stages. Now we have the Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High School, Senior High School, and the College levels. Was philosophy instrumental in this development? Naturalism through Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocates “intuitive spontaneity, freedom, simplicity and subjectivity in education. Education of a child is protected from the corruption caused by civilization. This child, who is to be raised in a pristine state of nature, learns everything not through man-made books, but through God-given experiences” (Çaliskan, 2016).
Philosophy still plays the bigger role in education, in its programs and its changes which we call ‘progress and development.’ Philosophy in a way deals with the undying subject of existence and meaning: What is life? Who am I in this life? What’s my role to my fellows, to the world, and to God? How can we find answers to these questions when we do not educate ourselves in learning institutions?