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Schools
of philosophy and their influence on education

Idealism,  pages 315-318





• Idealism is a school of philosophy
  that considers ideas to be the only true reality.
• Educational implication: education is idea
  centered rather than subject centered or child
  centered. 
• Plato and Socrates stated that truth is
  the central reality. 
• Immanuel Kant, a German Philosopher (1724-1804)
  believed in freedom, the immortality of the
  soul, and the existence of God. "It is only
  through reason that we acquire knowledge of
  the world" 
• Jane Roland Martin (b.1929) is a contemporary
  disciple of Plato's. For Martin, to be educated
  is to engage in a conversation that stretches
  back in time. She is noted for her work describing
  how women have historically been excluded
  from the conversation that constitutes Western
  educational thought.
• See figure 9.3: dualistic position of Idealism
  and Realism
• Realism is a school of philosophy
  that holds that reality, knowledge, and value
  exist independent of the human mind. 
  In contrast to the idealist, the realist contends
  that physical entities exist in their own
  right.
• Read about the contributions of Aristotle,
  Locke, and Whitehead.
• Pragmatism is a late 19^th
  century American philosophy that stresses
  becoming rather than being. 
• For pragmatists, truth is what works. Therefore,
  truth is relative. 
• See figure 9.4 on page 320.
• Read about the contributions of Pierce,
  Dewey, and Rorty.
• Existentialism is a school of philosophy
  that focuses on the importance of the individual
  rather than on external standards.
• Read about the contributions of Sartre,
  Nietzsche, and Greene.

The theme of leadership and leadership development is integrated throughout the Academy in both its academic and social activities. This emphasis on leadership is rooted in the South African principle of ubuntu/botho which encompasses the ideals of humanity, compassion and service to others. The spirit of ubuntu/botho is incorporated throughout the Academy and is central to the way in which learners think, speak and interact with others.

Throughout their years at the Academy, learners come to embody the spirit of ubuntu/botho and are able to harness their critical thinking and leadership skills to serve and to inspire those around them. Their self-confidence is balanced by compassion and empathy and their assertiveness by a sense of responsibility to others.

Most importantly, the experience of attending the Academy will produce graduates who are able to navigate a variety of social and cultural contexts throughout the world, but who remain committed to the development of South Africa and the African continent.