Naturalism in Philosophy of Education

NATURALISM IN
PHILOSOPHY OF
EDUCATION
NATURALISM
According to naturalism, the material
world is the only real world. It is the
only reality. The naturalists have
regard for actual facts, actual situations
and realities. For them nature is
everything. It is the whole reality.
Rousseau’s theory
of education emphasized the
importance of expression to
produce a well-balanced,
freethinking child. He believed
that if children are allowed to
develop naturally without
constraints imposed on them by
society they will develop
towards their fullest potential,
both educationally and morally.
METAPHYSICAL
POSITION
Concept of God
Naturalist God is within Nature. He is not all
nature nor more than nature.
The Concept of Self
The self seems to be an organization of
experience in each individual which is
constantly developing and changing.
EPISTEMOLOGICAL
POSITION OF
NATURALISM
In terms of theory of knowledge,
Naturalism highlight the value of
scientific knowledge, through specific
observation, accumulation and
generalization. Naturalism also lay stress
on sensory training as senses are the
gateways to learning
AXIOLOGICAL
POSITION OF
NATURALISM
According to them, there is
no absolute good or evil in
the world. Values of life are
created by the human needs.
Ethical Value - Ethics of
naturalism is hedonistic, as
long as this characterization is
accompanied by the caution
that in the conscious though at
least of many naturalists the
highest good is the most
highly refined and abiding
Aesthetic Value-The principles
enunciated above regarding the
ethical values of naturalism hold
also for aesthetic values. They,
too, are rooted in nature and do
not depend on any source outside
nature for their validation. Nature
itself provides the criterion for
beauty.
Religious value-The prime
imperative of a naturalistic
religion is that its adherents
ally themselves with the value-
realizing force in Nature and
help to bring into existence
values which are not actual in
the present.
Social Value-Rousseau’s naturalism
rooted man in Nature rather than
society. So much did he regard man as
a child of Nature, as over against
society, that he proposed in his Emile
to keep Emile away from society until
adolescence. Individual man, he
contended, is not a man unless he is
free; if he is in bondage, he is less than
a man.
We are born weak, we need
strength; helpless, we need
aid; foolish, we need reason.
All that we lack at birth, all
that we need when we come to
man’s estate, is the gift of
education.
NATURALISM IN
EDUCATION
Education should be pleasurable; for
children have a good time when they are
doing things which the present
development of their physical and mental
equipment makes them ready to do. This
readiness for specific kinds of activity is
evidenced by their interest.
NATURALISM IN
EDUCATION
Education should engage the spontaneous
self-activity of the child. As already
noted, the child educates himself in great
measure, most of his knowledge is base
on what he discovers in his own active
relations with things and people.
TEACHER
The teacher’s role is to remain in

background. The natural
development of child should be
stimulated. Since, Nature is
considered to be best educator.
TEACHER
According to Rousseau the teacher is an
invisible guide to learning. While ever-present,
he is never a taskmaster. Naturalists are of the
view that teacher should not be one who stresses
books, recitations and massing information in
literary form, “rather he should give emphasis
on activity, exploration ,learning by doing”.
STUDENT
Individual is to be given unrestricted

freedom and only then his harmonious
development will take place.
The naturalists advocate discipline by
natural consequences.
“Know the child and
you will know what to
teach”
CURRICULUM
Its curriculum is usually based on the

needs, interests and abilities of the child
in relation to its levels of development.
- the curriculum of the naturalists might be
classified as experience-centered.
The aim of education is to
develop the child
emotionally and morally
according to the child’s
needs.
“I hate books; they only teach
us to talk about things we
know nothing about.”
~Jean Jacques Rousseau

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NATURALISM IN

The teacher’s role is to remain in

Individual is to be given unrestricted

Its curriculum is usually based on the

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