HAPTER I: Socially Responsible Teachers: Rich with Philosophical Heritage

What is Philosophy?
Philosophy can be defined as a set of ideas that answer question about the nature of reality and about
the meaning of life.
It is originated with the ancient Greek word Philo which means love and Sophie which means wisdom.
Philosophy is therefore the love of wisdom.

Three Branches of Philosophy

1. Metaphysics addresses reality.
a. Ontology examines issues related to nature, existence or being
b. Cosmology is related with the nature and origin of the universe (the cosmos).

2. Epistemology is concerned with the nature of knowledge-how we come to know about things, or how we
acquire knowledge. We acquire knowledge through our senses, intuition, observation and logic, and use of
scientific method.

3. Axiology and its corollaries relate to value.

a. Ethics relate to issues in morality and conduct\
b. Aesthetics is concerned with beauty

Philosophy of Education

1. IDEALISM (Plato)
Ideas are the only true reality
What exists is in the mind only
Existence of ideas independent from the material world
Ideas are believed to be innate in the individual as these have been endowed by a perfect being.

2. REALISM (Aristotle)
Reality exists independent on human mind
Reality is not in the mind but in the external world.
Ultimate reality is the world of physical objects
Concern with what is real, what is actual
Truth is objective- what can be observed
Some supporters: John Amos Comenius & John Locke

3. EMPIRICISM (John Locke)

Legitimate knowledge arises from what is provided to the mind by the senses.
Experience through the use of senses is the source of knowledge
Only source of knowledge is the senses or sense-based experience

4. EXISTENTIALISM (Soren Kierkegaard)

Reality is subjective, lies within the individual
Individual choice and standards are responsibility
Man’s freedom of in the accomplishment of his destiny.

5. ESSENTIALISM (William Bagley)

Going back to the basics
Focus on 3Rs (reading, writing and arithmetic)
Subject matter is the center of the educational process
The teacher is the authority, a master of his/her discipline.

6. PERENNIALISM (Robert Hutchins)

Maintains that education involves confronting the problems and questions that have challenged people
over the centuries.
Thus there is a need to study classical tradition of great books
Views education as a recurring process based on eternal truths
Good education involves a search for and understanding of truth which can all be found in the great
works of civilization.
Need to study the classical tradition of great books
Its curriculum is fixed and subject-centered relying heavily on the disciplines of literature, math,
languages, and history.

7. PRAGMATISM
It believes that the meaning of an idea can be determined by the consequence of its tests: if it works in
practice, it is true or good.
Believes in change as the essence of reality.
 Experimental method is its method of thought

8. PROGRESSIVISM (Francis W. Parker)

Directly grew from pragmatic philosophy
Education should focus on the whole child
Learner is a problem solver who makes meanings through experience
A learner learns well if through active interplay with others
“Learning by doing principle”
Involves participation of students and allows them to exercise freedom and moral powers
Methods: Scientific method and problem solving

9. BEHAVIORISM
A behavior can be best explained in terms of responses to external stimuli.
Education can be achieved by modifying or changing student behaviors in socially acceptable manner
through the arrangements of conditions of learning
Human beings are shaped entirely by their environment.

10. RATIONALISM (Rene Descartes)

Knowledge can be derived from certain prior truths
Virtue and happiness can be obtained through the knowledge of God

11. RECONSTRUCTIVISM (George Counts & Harold Rugg)

Covers the underlying factors that constitute reality or society
Students are encouraged to become involved in the problems whether political, social, or economical
that confronts the society and be able to arrive at solutions in order to reconstruct society.
Declares that the chief purpose of all educational efforts is to “reconstruct” society in order to meet the
cultural crisis of times.

12. HEDONISM
Pleasure is the only good thing to the person

13. EPICUREANISM
A form ofd ancient hedonism
The highest pleasure consists of simple and moderate life; pleasure is attainable only by REASON

14. STOICISM
If there are difficulties and adversities, you have to patiently accept them and endure them.

CHAPTER 2: Socially Responsible Teachers: Active Members of Social Institutions

A. Personal Qualities
Good Personality
It refers to the character and appeal the teachers exude as they walk and relate with others.
Good personality serves as inspiration to the students. They are motivated to learn and get
involved in the learning process under teachers who have pleasing personality.
Honest
Teachers possess good sense of value. They are trustworthy and viable to manifest integrity as
professionals.

Enthusiastic
Teachers have pleasant outlook, optimism and sense of humor

Caring
Includes being compassionate and interested in others. It is expressed through understanding
how other people feel and react.
Role Model
Models good behavior and sets a good example for others to emulate
Fair
Fairness denotes impartiality, open-mindedness and objective judgment and decision-making.
Friendly
Teachers demonstrate pleasant, warm-hearted, and loving relation with their students.
Respectful
Being respectful means that being well-behaved. Teachers show politeness and courtesy in
dealing with their students in the public.
Dedicated
The teachers are devoted, loyal and committed to the profession
Creative
 Creative teachers do things in their own way. They have the ability to create new and original
ideas. They are able to influence their students to be creative themselves.
Flexibility
Is the ability of teachers to adapt to situations. They do not easily get disturbed or upset when
unexpected situations and problem arise.

B. Attitude of Professional Teachers are Manifested in Terms of:

Empathy towards students’
Commitment and dedication to the profession
Reflective practitioner
Passion for Teaching

The Teacher as a Profession

Criteria of Professional Teachers

1. Professional Academic Preparation
Teachers have finished a four-year degree course in education

2. Licensure and Commitment to the Service

Teachers are licensed professional as a certified by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
They possess extensive knowledge in their own field and are committed to the service of the youth.

3. Public Service and Altruism

Teachers are aware that teaching is service. They entered the profession in the hope that they could
help influence the students to become better persons and live more meaningful life.

4. Legal Practice of the Profession

The teaching profession is recognized by the government as its partner in educating the youth. Society
views the teachers as the second parents of their children.

5. Adherence to professional Ethics

Teachers are governed by the Code of Ethics of Professional Teachers. The code provides for ethical
behavior expected of the teachers for discipline purposes.

6. Membership to Professional Organizations

Professional organizations have been organized for teachers to take care of their welfare.

Teachers are active members of social institutions

1. Family
A group of people who are related by marriage, blood, or adoption and who often live together shaing a
common residence and common economic resources.
The most universal social institution.
Its primary function is to provide for the physical and emotional needs of its members.
Children learn who they are and what they can do from the family.
They learn valuing, the sense of right or wrong, proper behavior and religious practice at home.

2. Education
Refers to the process in which knowledge, skills, values, and pattern of behavior are transmitted from
an individual or group to another.
Schooling is formal education which involves instruction based on a curriculum by professional
teachers.
School acts as agent of socialization.
Teachers of the 21st century are expected to prepare the students to be lifelong learners.
Here are some expectations of society from them:
 Help the students succeed in the knowledge society
 Academic achievement
 Communication skills
 Creative and critical thinking
 Social problem-solving
 Workplace skills
 Prepare students to be functioning members of society
 Teach virtues such as punctually, truth, hardwork, honesty, hygiene, patriotism, love and
sincerity, obedience etc. society needs to be propagated
 Act as the bridge between the school and the community
 Identify pressing issues and provide enlightenment to society