PRAGMATISM

AND REALISM
PRAGMATISM
*Philosophical tradition that interprets truth in terms of the
practical effects of what is believed and, in particular, the usefulness
of these effects.

* The philosophy that the truth of an idea is dependent on its

workability; ideas or principles is true so far as they work.

*A practical, matter-of-fact way of approaching or assessing

situations or of solving problems. Using, experimenting, and/or
acting on a given idea in certain circumstances; whatever these
results are, these are to be considered the whole of what one
knows of that idea
PRAGMATISM

* Importance of trying different methods and ways of life

and then evaluating them with regard to their effectiveness

*Experience-centered philosophy which

emphasizes CHANGE.
PROPONENTS OF

PRAGMATISM
Proponents of Pragmatism

CHARLES PEIRCE
He is the founder of
Pragmatism
He formulated a method of
looking at reality; discerning
what is true and what is false.
What he needed was a theory
of MEANING.
Proponents of Pragmatism

WILLIAM JAMES
He further advanced
Peirces Theory of Truth
The world came to know
pragmatism in a systematic
way because of him.
THEMES
Anti Cartesianism
It is opposing the belief that humans have innate
ideas

Radical Empiricism
Philosophical worldview is flawed if it stops at the
physical level and fails to explain its meaning, values
and intention.
PRAGMATISM ON LEARNING AND
TEACHING
- hands-on, real life experiences,cooperative learning and
moral development

- pragmatism supports the idea of the student being

responsible for his or her own learning

- seeks to guide the child toward awareness of how his or

her actions may affect others
Pragmatism on Education
Envision

Develop and apply knowledge and become an

individual who can exercise choice and take
responsibility for their actions.Learning takes
place by doing, by discovering.

The Teaching-Learning Process

In Experimentalism and Pragmatism,

learning is always considered to be an
individual matter. Teachers ought not to try
to pour the knowledge they have into the
learners, because such efforts are fruitless.
What each learner learns depends upon his
own personal needs, interests, and problems
REALISM
Objects exist whether or not there is a human
mind to perceive it.

It stands by two beliefs:

-Existence
-Independence
REALISM
Existence
-tables, rocks, moon, and so on, all exist. Knowing that it
exists, we also have the knowledge of its form; e.g. Tables
being square, rocks being granite, and moon being yellow
and round.

Independence
- e.g. The fact that the moon exist and is spherical is
independent of anything anyone happens to say or think
about the matter.
PROPONENTS OF

REALISM
Proponents of Realism

ARISTOTLE

A tree can exist without

matter, but no matter can
exist without form
Concerned with the study
of Logic
A classical realist
Proponents of Realism

THOMAS AQUINAS
Highest good comes
through teaching.
God made it possible to
acquire new knowledge so
that we may know Him
better
 AIMS OF EDUCATION

Understanding the material world through inquiry

A study of science and scientific method
Basic, no-nonsense approach, essential knowledge
 TEACHING AND LEARNING
Emphasis on critical thinking
Supports formal way of teaching
Children should be given positive
awards
Scientific Research and
Development
Classroom Setup
 Realist vs. Pragmatist
Realist

- believes that universals are real and exist

independently of anyone thinking of them
-- accepts the world as it literally is and deals with it
accordingly

Pragmatist
- takes a practical approach to problems
- concerned primarily with the success or failure of
her actions
- rely on empirical or experimental methods
END