Naturalism School of Philosophy

Naturalism evolved in the 19^th century and is in complete contrast to the ideals of idealism. This philosophy of education believes that the reality exists in the material world and can be reached at by observing the nature. Book learning and rule of mind over matter is completed negated by famous naturalist like Rousseau.

This school of philosophy has a meaning, essence, curriculum, method of teaching, the relation between the teacher and the student and relevance to the society. This article tries to cover all these aspects of naturalism in brief.

Salient Features:

·        Nature is the main subject of study here. However, nature has three meanings.

·        They are endowments, negative education and positive education.

·        They are inherent qualities inherited by us at birth are our real nature before they are messed up by prejudices.

·        Positive education means the acquisition of knowledge amidst nature and leading a life in accordance to its laws.

·        Negative education represents the unavoidable and the undesirable influence of society in education.

·        The curriculum here stresses on learning by doing and experience rather than on gaining factual knowledge.

·        The method of teaching learning experiences through activities is the holistic or discovery method.

·        The role of the teacher is that of a facilitator who create a learning environment and provides the tools of discovery and guidelines for the student to commence discovery.

·        The intervention of the facilitator takes place only when the student is stuck and the help offered mostly is in the form of a question whose answer in turn shows the road ahead.

·        The student is given complete freedom to explore and arrive at the solution of the problem given with minimum guidance.

·        As a result, there is relaxation in the severity of discipline and formality between the teacher and student.

Demerits:

·        The biggest set back of naturalism as a school of philosophy is the lack of aims of education under it.

·        Different aims of education were proposed by different naturalist.

·        Some of these aims are education for present and future happiness, for enhancing human efficiency, for making a human self sufficient in the struggle of existence, sublimation of instincts and their proper channeling, adjustment to the environment, self expression and preservation of the human race.

Educational Implications:

·        Naturalism philosophy is child-centered way of teaching learning experience.

·        There is freedom to the child to explore and become resource and independent in seeking knowledge.

·        It stresses on the play way method of learning for children which is in accordance to the principles of psychology.

·        It encourages the idea of providing education through residential co-ed schools away from the hustle bustle of the main city amidst the serenity of the nature and away from the influence of the society at large.

·        Owing to these reasons, naturalism is most practical school of philosophy of education followed in the country.