FOUNDATION OF EDUCATION :: NATURALISM

Naturalism:

Naturalism as the name says depends upon nature or say reality. It is a philosophical concept just opposite to Idealism. It is considered sometimes equal to Empiricism or Materialism.

It is not easily distinguished from:

• Positivism.
• Atheism.
• Determinism.
• Scientism.

Naturalism believes in reality and human's role in the reality. It believes in determining, discovering the reality by our intelligence using the tools of experience, reason and science. The scientific method is an extension of reason, so reason and science do not differ from each other. Reason believes in proper use of the rules of logical inference, while scientific method applies the rules of logical inference for drawing conclusions. 

Concept:

1. Human experience is the ultimate source and justification for all knowledge. Experience has accumulated in human memory and culture, gradually providing reason and science.
2. Ward has said , Naturalism separates nature from the God. As per this law, Nature is supreme, we can get all the answers of philosophical problems from the nature. Naturalism limits itself to causes and take little of reason.
3. Naturalism believes that all phenomenon can be explained mechanically in terms of natural cause and laws. It considers Universe is a vast "machine" or"organism".
4. Physical matter is the only reality and everything can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena.      
5. Naturalism does not deny the existence of God. It considers God as an unnecessary hypothesis. It believes in scientific investigation. Moral or divine things have no place in scientific explanations. Science is limited to phenomenon rather than forces, power or influences of supernatural. 
6. Naturalism is opposed by religious supporter as religion believes in morality.
7. Naturalism is a world view that believes in science, which can best understand human nature and our ability to form peaceful societies.

Definition:

1. Naturalism is opposed to Idealism and believes in matter, material as the ultimate reality.
2. Naturalism believes in nature as the whole and it is not science, but an assertion about science leaving no room for extra scientific or philosophical knowledge.
3. Naturalism is a metaphysics.

Aim:

Naturalism evolved education is free from the bondage of rigid discipline.

Principles:

1. The Universe is a huge machine. 
2. Life comes out of dead matter and is a sum total of physical and chemical reactions.
3. Capabilities of an individual are not limited by the nature.
4. The nature of man helps him to become the supreme creation of nature.
5. The present life is the real life.
6. Reality is of the external nature only.
7. The unchanging rules of nature explains us the events and occurances in the world.
8. The changes in the life of man has come up because of the invention of machines and all the discoveries.
9. The true explanation of reality can only be done in terms of physical sciences.
10. The ultimate reality is matter. God, soul, mind, the heaven and hell etc all are illusions. 
11. Thoughts depend on physical circumstances. 

 

 Content- In education:

Science, math, language, history, social sciences, agriculture, carpentry, importance to  physical education and health, drawing etc.

Methods - In education: 

Dalton, Montessori method, play, observation etc.

Teacher's role:

Observer or a facilitator.

Child's role:

Child is considered as focal point, importance is given to the child.

Discipline:

There is freedom to the children.

Discipline learned as a result of activities.

Forms:

1. Physical Naturalism: It studies the processes of matter and phenomena of the external world. It lays more stress on the external material phenomena than the conscious human being. It has no relationship with inner nature of man.
2. Mechanical Naturalism: It believes in the fact that universe is a lifeless huge machine, which gets its form through  matter and motion. It have given us the modern psychology of behaviorism. Behaviorism does not distinguish in the action of man and animal; rather human has the ability to conquer his circumstances.
3. Biological Naturalism: It believes in Darwinian theory of evolution, as per which evolution occur in sequence. Example: common things- plants- insects- animals- human beings. 

It believes in three principles of evolution:

• Adaptation of environment.
• Struggle for existence.
•  Survival of the fittest.