REALISM

By: Julia and Jhonamie

If a tree falls in a wood and
no one hears it, does it
make a sound?
Is there a true reality, which exists
outside of human perception or is
reality only what we perceive?
 WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF REALISM?
Dictionary:
 The doctrine that universals have a real objective existence
 Represents the theory that particular things exist independently of our
perception.
Books:
 It is an attitude of mind, a mode of thinking and an attempt to explain the
nature of things (Dhiman, 2008)
 Matter has its own existence independently of our mind.
 A doctrine that the objects of our senses exist independently of their being
known or perceived.
 the view that entities of a certain type have an objective
reality
a reality that is completely ontologically independent of our
conceptual schemes, linguistic practices, beliefs, etc.
 Thus, entities (including abstract
concepts and universals as well as more concrete objects)
have an existence independent of the act of perception, and
independent of their names.
According to Michael Dewitt, refers to realism’s two
fundamental dimensions: (1) Existence and (2)
Independence. By existence, he means that there is,
in fact, an external ( to the mental or phenomenal
realm of cognizes) world. By independence, he
means that the world does not need to be related to
anything at all in order that facts about it obtain.
 Aristotle (384-322 BC) was a
philosopher who greatly
influenced educational
philosophical thought for
centuries.
 His search for truth led him to
research many areas including
metaphysics, ethics, rhetoric,
logic, natural science,
psychology and language
(Gutek, 2009). 
 His father was a court physician to the
royal family in the Greek colony of
Stagira in Macedon.
 At the age of 17, Aristotle became a
pupil of Plato in his Athens' Academy.
 He left the Academy to tutor Alexander
the Great, but eventually returned to
Athens to found his own school called
the Lyceum.
 His views on political and educational
philosophy were mostly outlined in his
works, Politics and Nicomachean
Ethics. Other great works
include Metaphysics, On Justice, On the
Sciences, Political Theory and Art of
Rhetoric.
 Even though Aristotle was a student of
Plato, Aristotle takes a different
approach to the world of ideas than
Plato did. For example, Plato believed
that the only true reality is that within
ideas.
 For Aristotle, reality or truth consists of
matter; each piece of matter has
universal and particular properties
(Ozmon & Craver, 2008). To Aristotle,
"the forms of things -- those universal
properties of objects -- remain constant
and never change but that particular
components of objects do change" (p.
4)
 Aristotle
1. Design and order are present in the universe.
2. Ideas or forms such as the idea of god or idea of a tree can exist without matter, but no
matter can exist without form.
3. Each thing has a purpose or function.
4. Humans are rational creatures fulfilling their purpose when they think. Thinking is their
highest characteristic.
5. Person who follows a true purpose leads a rational life of moderation avoiding extremes.
 Aristotle
7. The knowledge of a thing, beyond its classification and description,
requires an explanation of causality (why it is) or FOUR CAUSES:
MATERIAL CAUSE (the substance of which the thing is made) FORMAL
CAUSE (its design that shapes the material object) EFFICIENT CAUSE
(its maker or builder) FINAL CAUSE (its purpose or function) -- wood,
bricks, and nails -- the sketch or blueprint -- the carpenter who builds it --
is that it is a place in which to live: HOUSE
8. Developed a method for testing the truth of statements, which he called
the syllogism. Example: all men are mortal. Socrates is a man therefore,
socrates is mortal. *Deductive logic
 THE PHILOSOPHICAL POSITION OF
REALISM HOLDS THAT:
• External world is the reality.
• Man will discover reality with the use of science and common
sense through education or learning.
• Mind is functioning & is geared towards creativity.
• Reality can be proved by observation, experience, experiment
and scientific reasoning.
• Values must be studied to be applied in the actual setting.
FORMS OF REALISM
 SCHOLASTIC REALISM
• It started when medieval thinkers wanted to bring together a relation between faith
(Christian Theology) and reason (Classical Philosophy).
• St. Thomas Aquinas who wrote Summa Theologica used Philosophy to help explain
the doctrine and mysteries of the church.
• Characteristics: Relied on authorities from the past; synthesizing of knowledge;
deductive approach to reasoning; use of syllogistic logic
• Scholastic schools had two methods of teaching: 1."Lectio" (the simple reading of a
text by a teacher/ no questions were permitted); 2. "Disputatio" (where question to be
disputed was announced beforehand)
• Education is the process by which he lifts himself up to the eternal.
 SCHOLASTIC REALISM
-A demand for truth or reality
rather than beauties of Roman days
arose.
 HUMANISTIC REALISM
• Reaction against the emphasis on form and style of the old classical literature. Humanist
realist emphasized content and ideas
• Aim: to acquire meaning & spirit of the classics
• Purpose: to master his own environing life, natural & social thru knowledge of broader
life of ancients
• The study of old literature (Literature of the Greeks & Roman) is a means to understand
the practical life.
• Humanists believed that classical literature should be studied for the information and
the knowledge of the facts of the pasts so that such knowledge could be used for the
preparation for practical living (answer to any problem that man might need).
• Basic concerns in education: Physical, Moral and Social Development
 HUMANISTIC REALISM
• Reaction against the emphasis on form and style of the old classical literature. Humanist
realist emphasized content and ideas
• Aim: to acquire meaning & spirit of the classics
• Purpose: to master his own environing life, natural & social thru knowledge of broader
life of ancients
• The study of old literature (Literature of the Greeks & Roman) is a means to understand
the practical life.
• Humanists believed that classical literature should be studied for the information and
the knowledge of the facts of the pasts so that such knowledge could be used for the
preparation for practical living (answer to any problem that man might need).
• Basic concerns in education: Physical, Moral and Social Development
 HUMANISTIC REALISM
- A reaction against emphasis on form
& style of old classical literature.
 SOCIAL REALISM
• Reaction against a type of education that produces scholars and professional
men to the neglect of the man of practice
• Aim: to train a “gentleman” for active participation in social life and social
judgment and to prepare the practical man of the world
• Social realists follow the method of travel of journey method.
• Direct contact with things, people & social conditions thru travel rather than
books.
• Study of gymnastics, sports, riding, modern languages, customs of other
countries • study of one’s self but also others
• Social realism explains that education should equip learners for a happy and
successful life as a man of the world.
 SOCIAL REALISM
-A reaction against production of
scholars & professional men & neglect of
practice.
 SENSE-REALISM
• Emphasizes the training of the senses: senses = gateways of knowledge; learning takes place = operation of
the senses.
• Amalgam of humanistic & social realism
• Sense-realism attached more importance to the study of natural sciences and contemporary social life.
• Aim: to develop a natural society by working in accord with the laws of nature
• Purpose: happiness with god
• Thru education, man can still know laws of nature and thereby control nature.
• 2 characteristics of representatives:
1. Formulation of basic assumptions
2. Formulation of new curriculum based on natural sciences & contemporary life
The sense-realists emphasized the 3 things:
A. Application of inductive method (bacon) in order to organize and simplify the instructional process
B. To replace instruction in Latin by the instruction in vernacular
C. To substitute new scientific and social studies in place of the studies in language and literature as
innovators, their goal is discovery and utilization of the secrets of nature for the real and practical benefits
they could bring to man.
 SENSE-REALISM -A reaction against
realities found in the classics or everyday
human activities.
 Educational realism is the belief
that we should study logic,
critical thinking, and the
scientific method to teach
students to perceive and
understand reality. As you might
imagine, there is a heavy
emphasis on math and science,
though the humanities can also
be influenced by educational
realism.
 IMPLICATIONS OF REALISM IN EDUCATION

 AIMS OF REALIST EDUCATION

• Understanding the material world through inquiry
• A study of science and the scientific method
• A need to know the world in order to ensure survival and good
life
• Basic, essential knowledge with a no-nonsense approach
• Transmit culture and develop human nature
 THE REALIST CURRICULUM
 problem-centered (subject-centered)
• practical and useful
• highly organized and systematic
• physical activity has educational value (Locke)
• extensive use of pictures (Comenius)
• attention to the complete person (Locke)
• use of objects in education (Maria Montessori)
• highly organized, separate and systematically arranged (Science, Social
Sciences and Mathematics)
 REALIST METHODS OF TEACHING
• Emphasis on critical reasoning through observation
• Supports accountability and performance-based teaching
• Scientific research and development
• Mastery of facts: recitation, experimentation, demonstration, drills, exercises
• Education should proceed from simple to complex and from concrete to abstract.
• Enhanced learning thru direct or indirect experiences: field trips, lectures, films, TV, audio-
visual aids, computer technology & library.
• Learning is based on facts – analysis – questioning.
• Vernacular to be the medium of instruction.
• Precision and order: ringing bells, time periods, daily lesson plans, pre-packaged curriculum
materials
• Children should be given positive rewards
 REALISM AND THE TEACHER
• A teacher should be educated and well versed with the customs of belief and rights
and duties of people, and the trends.
• He must have full mastery of the knowledge of present life.
• He must be able to expose and guide the student towards the hard realities of life.
(Neither pessimist, nor optimist)
• He must be able to co-relate between utility in daily life and education.
• He should define simple rules.
• He should teach subjects in proper order.
• He needs to find out the interest of the child and to teach accordingly.
 SCHOOL ORGANIZATION INFLUENCED
BY REALISM
1.) School organization would be based on the real needs of society. (Not
due to politics)
2.) The opening of science classes in every school is a must.
3.) Co-education is a natural happening so it cannot be rejected.
4.) School is the mirror of the society. It is a miniature form of society and
it presents the real picture of the society.
 REALISM
Reality (ontology) A world of things
Truth or knowledge (epistemology)
Correspondence and sensation (as we see it)
Goodness (axiology) Laws of nature
Teaching reality doctrine Subjects of physical world: Math, Science, Social Studies
teaching truth teaching for mastery of information: demonstrate, recite teaching
goodness training in rules of conduct why schools exist to reveal the order of the world
and universe what should be taught laws of physical reality role of the teacher displays,
imparts knowledge role of the student manipulates, passive participation school's
attitude towards always coming toward perfection, change orderly change.
Am I a realist?
 “Knowing One’s Self Is The Beginning Of All Wisdom.”
-Aristotle

 “At The
Center Of Your Being You Have The Answer; You Know
Who You Are And You Know What You Want.” ― Lao Tzu