Inner Pages of Philosophising.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
PHILOSOPHISING ABOUT EDUCATION (A PROLEGOMENON) i ii PHILOSOPHISING ABOUT EDUCATION (A PROLEGOMENON) B.A. (Hons) Ib, M.A. (Ib), MBA (A.A.U.), MNIM, P.G.D.E. (A.A.U), PATRICKM.Ed. (O.O.U), O. AKINSANYA Ph.D. (Ib) Department of Educational Foundations, University of Lagos iii Copyright © Akinsanya, Patrick O. 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author. ISBN: 978-978-53615-8-2 Published and Printed By UniversityWorks and of Lagos Physical Press Planning and Bookshop Complex Ltd Unilag P.O. Box 132, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba - Lagos, Nigeria. e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Tel: 01-4539984 iv This effort is dedicated to Almighty God To my wife, Lady Cecilia Omoyemi Akinsanya And to my children – Daniella Moyoninuoluwa, Daniel Moyosooreoluwa and Patrick Olubamise AKINSANYA v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Foremost, I acknowledge the providence of Almighty God and His manifestations in my life. In a special way, I thank Dr. ‘Kola Babarinde for proposing a foreword to this book. He has been a teacher of high repute and a shining example in a field that some scholars regard as a ‘no-go-area’. I am full of adulations to my other teachers in the University of Ibadan (Faculties of Arts and Education), Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijeagun. I appreciate the management of UNILAG for providing an environment that constantly challenges our comfort zones so that we can reach any professional height attainable. I thank my Dean, Prof. Supo Jegede, my HOD, Prof Ngozi Osarenren, my senior colleagues and colleagues in the Department of Educational Foundations, University of Lagos. Special mention should be made of Dr. ‘Soji Oni, Prof. Tony Aladejana, Prof. Mopelola Omoegun and Prof. R.A. Alani for being wonderful vessels of honour used by God himself in my life. Some names must be mentioned for recognition – Late Prof. Olusegun Oladipo of blessed memory, Dr. Amaechi Udefi, Prof. Olatunji Oyeshile, Dr. Francis Offor, Prof. Niyi Benedict, Prof. Kayode Ijaduola, Dr. Abiodun Ojo, Prof. Abeke Adesanya, Prof. Olajide, Prof. Ujomu, Prof. vi Edun, Dr. Y.A. Oguntimehin and Prof. Oluremi Bamisaiye. These personalities have made me who I am today. I need to thank my teeming number of students in the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos who challenged me to come up with another text on this dreaded but wonderful course. My parents: Lawute & Olori J. A. Akinsanya, and my siblings are deeply appreciated. My wife, my daughter and my two sons are the big masquerades. I love you. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication v Acknowledgements vi Table of Contents viii Foreword xii Preface xiv Chapter1.1 One: WhatIntroduction is Philosophy? 1 1.2 Philosophy and Meaning 1 1.3 Epochs in Philosophy 8 1.4 Benefits of Philosophy 16 1.5 Summary 19 1.6 Questions for Evaluation 19 1.7 Possible Answers 20 References 21 Chapter2.1 Two: WhatIntroduction is Philosophy of Education? 23 2.2 Philosophy of Education 23 2.3 Common Approaches to Philosophising about Education 31 2.4 Modes of Philosophy of Education 33 2.5 Philosophy of Education as an Academic Activity 37 2.6 Philosophy of Education in Nigeria 39 2.7 Summary 40 2.8 Questions for Evaluation 41 2.9 Possible Answers 41 References 44 Chapter3.1 Three: BranchesIntroduction of Philosophy and Education 45 3.2 Metaphysics and Education 46 3.3 Epistemology and Education 49 3.4 Axiology and Education 51 3.5 Logic and Education 54 3.6 Summary 56 viii 3.7 Questions for Evaluation 57 3.8 Possible Answers 57 References 58 Chapter4.1 Four: SchoolsIntroduction of Thought in Education 59 4.2 Idealism in Education 60 4.3 Realism in Education 62 4.4 Naturalism in Education 64 4.5 Existentialism in Education 65 4.6 Pragmatism in Education 67 4.7 Progressivism in Education 69 4.8 Eclecticism in Education 70 4.9 Summary 72 4.10 Questions for Evaluation 72 4.10 Possible Answers 73 References 75 Chapter Five: Notable Western Philosophers of 5.1 EducationIntroduction 77 5.2 Socrates 77 5.3 Plato 79 5.4 Aristotle 84 5.5 Rousseau 86 5.6 Pestalozzi 90 5.7 Froebel 94 5.8 Dewey 98 5.9 Montessori 103 5.10 Summary 106 5.11 Questions for Evaluation 107 5.12 Possible Answers 107 References 109 Chapter Six: Notable African Philosophers of 6.1 EducationIntroduction 111 6.2 Nyerere 111 6.3 Solarin 116 ix 6.4 Awolowo 119 6.5 Akinpelu 121 6.6 Summary 123 6.7 Questions for Evaluation 123 6.8 Possible Answers 124 References 125 Chapter Seven: Philosophical Examination of Some 7.1 IssuesIntroduction in Education 127 7.2 Education and Mistaken Concepts 127 7.3 Education and Goals 133 7.4 Equal Opportunity in Education 135 7.5 Education and Democracy 136 7.6 Education as Initiation 139 7.7 Moral Education and Religious Instruction 141 7.8 Teaching as a Profession in Nigeria 144 7.9 Summary 148 7. 9 Questions for Evaluation 149 7.10 Possible Answers 150 References 151 Chapter Eight: Philosophy, Policy and Education 8.1 SystemIntroduction in Nigeria 153 8.2 Philosophy and Education Policy 153 8.3 Nigerian Education System and the Philosophy Underlying it 157 8.4 Summary 173 8.5 Questions for Evaluation 174 8.6 Possible Answers 175 References 178 Chapter Nine: Philosophy of Education, Teacher Education Programme and the 9.1 ModernIntroduction Teacher 181 9.2 Philosophy and Teacher Education Programme 181 x 9.3 Philosophy and Relevance to Modern Teachers 183 9.4 Summary 189 9.5 Questions for Evaluation 190 9.6 Possible Answers 190 References 192 Chapter Ten: Making Philosophy More Relevant in 10.1 Today’sIntroduction Education 193 10.2 The Crisis of Contemporary Philosophy 193 10.3 Reconstructing Philosophy 197 10.4 Some Recommendation 202 10.5 Summary 203 10.6 Questions for Evaluation 204 10.5 Possible Answers 205 References 206 Bibliography 207 Index 215 xi FOREWORD To be so honoured with the request to write a foreword to a comprehensive and audacious work on philosophy and philosophy of education should be considered a special privilege. More so when this comes from a budding scholar in whose academic and career emergence one has been privileged to be so intricately connected. Although I was so busy, the author was persistent. I was also not going to write until I go through the work and this caused some delay. On the whole, the patience has been worth the efforts for both sides. But then, persistence is one of the hallmarks of students of philosophy. First, when I saw the title, Philosophisinga familiarity About was Educationimmediately (Astruck. Prolegomenon), My academic father and mentor, late Emeritus Jones Akinpelu leapt to my consciousness. He has an article by that title and so this further aroused my interest. In this case, what is contained? Dr. Akinsanya has taken a tour through the major concerns of philosophy of education. He has examined topics on meaning, scope, schools, concepts and issues as well as prominent thinkers in Europe and Africa. The analyses have been comprehensive, incisive and well written in easy and accessible language. The other interesting addition is his programmatic application of the discipline, by which I mean, the application of philosophy as a programme of action. He has examined policy issues as well as confronted the question of relevance. Is philosophy and philosophy of xii education actually necessary for effective policy and meaningful implementation? Who actually requires philosophy and philosophy of education? The teacher, educational administrators, parents or every individual committed to enlightenment? This work addresses these questions in the usual methodological combination of speculation, analysis, and prescription with critical interrogation as a constant. Another added value is the inclusion of study questions for practice which makes the book a very useful material for students across levels. Although we often say that philosophy does not solve problems but rather dissolves them, he has taken a bold step in suggesting possible answers to the practice questions at the end of each chapter. This is a very commendable effort and I recommend the book to students and other practitioners in the palace of philosophy and philosophy of education. KolaPhilosophy Babarinde and Sociology, Ph.D of Education First Vice–President, Philosophy of Education Association of Nigeria (PEAN) Director, Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, University of Ibadan, Nigeria Completed this day, 11th November, 2015 in Bakersfield, California, USA. xiii Education is seeminglyPREFACE run today with little or no regard for philosophy. Some people feel that philosophy has offered its best and it is no longer of much consequence in the contemporary world. Some others opine that its area of enterprise is remotely far, separated and dislocated from the world of practice. To some others, philosophy’s demands are utopic and exceedingly thorough for the simple-hearted, such that its preoccupations should be avoided if possible. The mere presence of a critic who is terribly difficult to convince and satisfy is the headache of others. Hence, there appears to be a vindictive connivance against ‘the thinker’ and his tools. But the running of education without philosophy is a futile, if not impossible task. Gentile (in Singh, 2007) asserts that the belief that men may educate without concerning themselves with philosophy is a failure to understand the precise nature of education; and that the process of education can never go on right lines without the help of philosophy.