Introduction
Education is a universal concept that has been known to humanity since ancient times and continues to evolve every year. In philosophy, it has a rich history, with some of the greatest thinkers offering their perspectives on education, such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great. In this article, we will discuss the philosophical aspects of education and the ideas of some famous philosophers. Let’s get started.
By definition,—education can be considered as the teaching and learning of specific skills, aimed at becoming knowledgeable, having sound judgment, and gaining wisdom. More precisely, it is more than the institutional education we often speak of. For instance, the rise of online platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy, and PW. reflects How education today is more accessible and personalized, allowing people to learn specific skills that go beyond traditional schooling.
Many educationalists consider the—"Practical Application" of education weak and not useful in the real world. However, philosophers such as Plato and other Ancient Greeks gave much more important thoughts on this.
The Philosophy of Education is divided into two parts:
1. Ancient Philosophy
2. Modern Philosophy
1. Ancient Philosophy
He believed education should be holistic, containing facts, skills, and discipline, both mentally and physically, along with music and art. One of his beliefs was that talent and intelligence are not distributed by genetics, and thus can be found in children born into any class.
On the other hand, Aristotle considered human nature and habits to be equally important forces to cultivate in education, with the ultimate goal of producing good, virtuous citizens. One must develop good habits by systematically following their teacher.
Unlike Socrates, who emphasized questioning to bring out his followers' own ideas, Aristotle believed in following both theoretical and practical knowledge. He mentioned subjects such as writing, reading, mathematics, music, physical education, literature, history, and a wide range of sciences. Among them, he uniquely emphasized the importance of play.
2. Modern Philosophy
During the beginning of the modern era, French skeptic Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) was one of the first to critically examine education. He was very willing to question the conventional wisdom of the time and challenged the complex belief structures of the education system. He formulated the assumption that—"University-educated philosophers were wiser than uneducated farm workers", for example.
In the late 17th century, English philosopher John Locke, in his most influential work,—"Some Thoughts Concerning Education", wrote that a child's mind is like a "tabula rasa" (which means "blank slate") and does not contain any initial ideas.
According to Locke, the mind has to be educated by three approaches:
1. The development of a healthy body,
2. The formation of virtuous character, and
3. The choice of an appropriate academic curriculum.
He also said that a person is largely a product of their education, and pointed out that the knowledge and attitudes acquired in a child’s early years have a lasting and significant influence. Locke’s thoughts on the importance of character development are reflected in modern programs like Social-Emotional Learning, which focus on building self-awareness, empathy, and social responsibility in students. His emphasis on a healthy body can also be seen in today's growing focus on physical education, nutrition programs, and mental health awareness in schools.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a French philosopher and writer of the 18th century, said that there is one developmental process common to all human beings, which is driven by curiosity. This curiosity drives children to learn from their surroundings. He believed that all children are born ready to learn as they grow into adults but fail to do so due to the evil influences of corrupt society.
To counter this, he advised removing children from society during their education.
This idea might seem extreme, but elements of it can be found in today’s "unschooling" movement, where parents withdraw their children from traditional education in favor of learning through natural life experiences.
John Dewey, a 20th-century American philosopher and educational reformer, said that education must not be about teaching mere dead facts but about imparting skills and knowledge that children can integrate into their lives as individuals, citizens, and human beings. Therefore, he suggested the "learning by doing" methodology, rather than simply sitting in classrooms and absorbing information. Now many contemporary schools are shifting away from purely lecture-based learning and adopting a more collaborative and inquiry-based approach. The popularity of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in schools today reflects Dewey’s vision of learning by doing, where students experiment and create, developing both their intellectual and practical abilities.
Conclusion
Education has always been about more than just acquiring knowledge—it's about shaping individuals into capable, curious, and ethical members of society. The ideas of philosophers like Plato, Locke, and Dewey continue to influence modern education, from hands-on learning to character development. As education evolves, these timeless philosophies remind us that the ultimate goal is to nurture well-rounded individuals who can apply their learning to real life and contribute meaningfully to the world.