Pragmatism
is a modern school of philosophy and plays an important role in educational
system. Pragmatism is essentially a humanistic philosophy which stress that
human creates his own values and course of activity.
According to William James ”Pragmatism
is a temper of mind, an attitude, it is also a theory of the nature of ideas
and truths; and finally it is theory about reality”
The term ‘Pragmatism’ is
derived from Greek word ‘Pragma’ meaning activity or work done. Another group
of thinkers, however, believes that ‘Pragmatism’ is derived from ‘Pragmatikos’
meaning practicability or experimentation.
Pragmatism believes in
change. Therefore pragmatism induces to do useful and practical work. Education
on the basis on this philosophy makes the child worthy and independent citizen
of the society. According to this philosophy, education contains
those important and practical and useful activities which make man
self-dependent and useful member of the society.
Principles
of Pragmatism:
1.
According
to pragmatists change is the nature of truth.
2.
Truth
is formed by its results.
3.
Problems
acts as motivator of truths.
4.
Pragmatism
emphasizes on the principle of utility.
5.
It
opposes to fix ideals or values as stated by Idealists.
6.
Pragmatism
recognizes the importance of man power and
emphasizes on development of social and democratic values.
7.
It
gives importance to activity based learning.
8.
Faith
in pluralism and opposes to social customs and traditions.
9.
Faith
in flexibility and advocates for human development according environment.
“We do not learn from experience… we
learn from reflecting on experience.”
― John Dewey
― John Dewey
Aim of
Education in Pragmatism:
1.
Education
should aim at continuous reconstruction and reorganization of experiences.
2.
Development
of activity and experience based learning.
3.
To
develop social efficiency.
4.
Harmonious
development of individual.
5.
Education
perceive through activity and experience.
6.
Creation
of new values and continuous growth.
Curriculum
in Pragmatism:
The curriculum reflects the aims of education. The
curriculum should be framed on the basis of certain basic principles. The
principle of curriculum construction in pragmatism are:
1.
Activity
based Principle which says that curriculum should be activity based where each
student can do the activity and learn from his own perception.
2.
Principle
of utility that means the curriculum should be useful for future life.
3.
Principle
of child centeredness.
4.
The
principle of experience which means learning from senses and from own
perceptions.
5.
Principle
of integration which integrates the child activities and needs on one hand, and
the needs of the present democracy on the other hand.
6.
Principal
of flexibility which says that curriculum should not be rigid and fixed for all
time rather it should be flexible in accordance with the time and need of
students.
7.
According
to pragmatism learning must be based on the child’s experiences as well as
occupations and activities. Besides school subjects, free purposive and
socialized activities should be in the curriculum.
8.
The
subjects included in pragmatic curriculum are- Language, Hygiene, History,
Geography, Physics, Mathematics, Science, Domestic science for Girls,
Agriculture for boys, Psychology Sociology.
Read also:
Method of
Teaching:
The principal philosophy of pragmatic method of teaching is
practical utility. The child is the central figure in this method. The essence
of pragmatic method is learning especially through personal experience of the
child. To a pragmatic education means preparation for practical life. The
pragmatism has given more emphasis on following method of teaching.
1.
Project
method which asks students to do some research and prepare a project.
2.
Learning
by doing method.
3.
Correlation
method
4.
Play
way method
5.
Use
of dynamic method of teaching.
6.
Experimentation.
7.
Activity.
8.
It
also encourages discussion as a method of laboratory work. Personal reference
in the library. Educational tours and excursions.
Role of
Teacher:
In naturalism the teacher merely is an onlooker. Idealism
regards him as an indispensable authority. In pragmatism the teacher is neither
of the two, he stands midway. According to pragmatism a teacher is useful even
though is not indispensable. The role of the teacher are as follows:
1.
In
pragmatism the teacher is a friend, philosopher and guide for students.
2.
The
teacher is not a dictator but only a leader of a group.
3.
Teacher
should have knowledge of students interest and provide them social environment.
4.
Further
the teacher should believe in democratic values.
5.
The
teacher should have knowledge of social conditioning.
6.
The
teacher should not over shadow the personality of the pupil.
Discipline
in Pragmatism:
Although pragmatism does not believe in external restraint
and discipline enforced by the superior authority of the teacher and the award of
punishments. But it advocates discipline based on the principles of child
activity and interest. It believes in engaging the children in free as well as
purposeful real activities of human life. In short description include:
1.
Freedom
as an important element.
2.
Promotes
self discipline.
3.
Condemned
enforced discipline and advocates social discipline based on child’s interest,
activities and sense of social responsibilities.
4.
Teacher
guided for self discipline.
5.
Social
discipline by participating in school and society.
Merits of Pragmatism:
1.
Pragmatism
introduced project method which indulges child in various creative activities
and also cater to his natural progress and development.
2.
It
is basically a child centered teaching approach.
3.
It
emphasizes upon such type of activities which can be performed by learning by
doing method.
4.
Similarly,
it emphasizes the practical life of child. So, pragmatic education prepares the
child for future life in a very effective manner.
5.
It
develops in the child the love for democratic values as well as social
efficiency which bring harmonious adjustment and development of personality.
6.
Moreover,
pragmatism has revolutionized the process of education to very great extent.
Demerits of Pragmatism:
1.
It
opposes pre determined truth. That is why, according to it truth changes
according to aching in circumstance, time and place and is created by the
consequences of our actions and experiences.
2.
Opposition
of pre determined ideas and values. Therefore according to them ideals and
values are man made and changes according to change in circumstances, time and
place.
3.
Indeed
pragmatism denies the existence of spiritual values.
4.
Also
it opposes intellectualism. It believes that a man’s intelligence are
subservient to his innate tendencies. This only makes him an animal.
5.
It
emphasizes only the present and future.
6.
Difficulty
in the construction of curriculum, because selecting a project and construction
of curriculum to gain all knowledge from life experience is very difficult.
7.
Unlike
other philosophical doctrine it does not lay down any aims, ideals and values
of life to be pursued by human being. Hence it can not be termed as philosophy
of life.
i also read that Pragmatism focused on the present of the human, although history teaches many things. Also this philosophy has excess focus on the child and reduces the role of teacher and consider him as a prompt neglecting by this the teacher’s maturity, knowledge, and wisdom.
ReplyDeleteYeah that is true, unfortunately..
ReplyDeleteWilliam James is simply my love . His Father took him with his brother and left USA to Europe
ReplyDeletehe said that I want my sons to be observers in life and not engaged in everyday life !
One more thing , we all the Greek a lot .