Essentialism Philosophy: Name: Institution: Course: Professor: Date

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ESSENTIALISM PHILOSOPHY
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Essentialism is a philosophy based on the premise that all objects and individuals possess
inherent, inborn, and immutable features. In this sense, it is considered an approach to education.
When the same elements are present at all levels, it is possible for unintended consequences in
real life as well. Even common nouns and pronouns have philosophical overtones. A
philosophical system is a set of ideas about the nature of reality that is founded on how we see
ourselves and others. The way we speak to ourselves and to others reflects our perspective on the
way we connect to and interact with one another. It is the idea of essentialism that impacts how
we differentiate or unite ourselves. Pronouns such as "we" and "you" may be seen as a taxonomy
in communication, with the former representing a kind of unity and the latter representing a sort
of distinction. This research aims to show how essentialism is employed in our everyday
communication and how it plays a part in our attempts to distinguish and unite in social, cultural,
and scientific contexts. " Essentialism in education holds that all individuals, particularly those in
elementary school, should be taught the same set of fundamental concepts and abilities that make
up a particular culture. To do this, the curriculum places a focus on the teacher's authority in the
classroom and the subject matter itself. In education, the core curriculum is a mixture of hard
work and intense effort that serves as a foundation for the whole process. Equality and well-
balanced people are the goal of the core curriculum's unifying function in transferring important
information and skills. Politics, natural sciences, and taxonomy are all examples of essentialism's
discriminating function. The essentialist curriculum's basis is founded on conventional subjects
such as arithmetic and natural science and literature. Vocational classes are decried by
fundamentalists. Prior to moving on to the next grade, pupils in the essentialist system must
demonstrate mastery of a predetermined body of knowledge and fundamental procedures
appropriate to their current grade level. Over time, the focus shifts to more advanced abilities and
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in-depth information. Classrooms should be teacher-centered, according to essentialists. The
teacher should act as a role model for pupils in both their academic and moral development.
Teachers and administrators make decisions on what should be taught to pupils without
considering what the students themselves want to learn. Moreover, instructors use exam results
as a technique of gauging student growth. Students are taught about the people, events, ideas,
and institutions that have influenced American society in the essentialist classroom. Essentialists
expect that when children leave school, they will not only have fundamental information and
abilities, but they will also possess disciplined, practical minds capable of transferring lessons
gained in school to the actual world. Dewey, on the other hand, advocated for a more holistic
approach to education. Students would sit in rows and be taught in large groups under this
arrangement. By listening to the instructor as they sat at their desks, the pupils would be
receiving instruction in a passive manner. University introductory courses are a good illustration
of essentialism. In a classroom that seats more than 100 people, pupils take notes. To get
students up to speed on the material, they attend introductory-level classes. Next, they'll attend a
more advanced course and put what they've learned into practice.
Advantages
Those who attend essentialist classes are given solid academic foundations from which they may
improve fundamental abilities, such as reading and writing.
It is not acceptable for teachers in essentialist classrooms to put up with students who display
unproductive or uninspired conduct. Hard effort is expected of all students at all times.
As a result, the essentialist classroom emphasizes discipline as a key component that enhances
student learning.
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Disadvantages
Other educational systems, such as progressivism, allow students more latitude in their pursuit of
knowledge than do essentialists.
As David Miller Sadker, PhD, and Karen R. Zittleman, PhD argue in their seminal work on the
essentialist classroom, the relevance of topics like art, music, theatre, and athletics is often
overlooked.
As a result, students may lose out on the opportunity to acquire abilities in these "elective" fields.
Why this philosophy speak to me?
Because the first is true, and the final is untrue, this may be the most accurate explanation for
why essentialist beliefs are more popular than constructivist ones. Evidence suggests that the
natural model of racing is a flawed one, according to a large number of specialists. Despite the
fact that their assertions and forecasts were extensively disproved, essentialist views on race have
persisted in the past. The idea that craniums and other skeletal features are racially segregated
has been called into question. Blood type or anthropometric measurements don't reveal anything
about a person's race. Racism still represents today's incredible independence from the specifics
of art, as seen by the importance of race. Race-related statements in current biology literature are
based on a lack of data and a lack of explanation for the sorts of differences involved.
For those who subscribe to the essentialist school of thought, instructors should strive to instill
traditional moral ideals and traits such as respect for authority and tenacity in their students. As
an example of how I put this idea into action in my clinical work

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REFERENCES
Carlon, Ruth. “EDUCATION and ESSENTIALISM by JOSEPH OND.” Www.academia.edu,
www.academia.edu/19857887/EDUCATION_AND_ESSENTIALISM_by_JOSEPH_OND.
“Essentialism.” Siue.edu, 2019, www.siue.edu/~ptheodo/foundations/essentialism.html.
“Essentialism in the Classroom | Synonym.” Synonym.com, 2011, classroom.synonym.com/essentialism-
classroom-8765784.html.
Lynch, Matthew. “Philosophies of Education: 2 Types of Teacher-Centered Philosophies.” The
Edvocate, 5 Aug. 2016, www.theedadvocate.org/philosophies-education-2-types-teacher-
centered-philosophies/.
Sahin, Mehmet. Essentialism in Philosophy, Psychology, Education, Social and Scientific Scopes. ERIC,
vol. 22, 2018, eric.ed.gov/?id=ED593579.

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discriminating function. The essentialist curriculum's basis is founded on conventional subjects

demonstrate mastery of a predetermined body of knowledge and fundamental procedures

in-depth information. Classrooms should be teacher-centered, according to essentialists. The

improve fundamental abilities, such as reading and writing.

knowledge than do essentialists.

Why this philosophy speak to me?

an example of how I put this idea into action in my clinical work

Carlon, Ruth. “EDUCATION and ESSENTIALISM by JOSEPH OND.” Www.academia.edu,

“Essentialism.” Siue.edu, 2019, www.siue.edu/~ptheodo/foundations/essentialism.html.

“Essentialism in the Classroom | Synonym.” Synonym.com, 2011, classroom.synonym.com/essentialism-

Lynch, Matthew. “Philosophies of Education: 2 Types of Teacher-Centered Philosophies.” The

Edvocate, 5 Aug. 2016, www.theedadvocate.org/philosophies-education-2-types-teacher-

vol. 22, 2018, eric.ed.gov/?id=ED593579.

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