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Unit 1: Relation between Education and Philosophy and Philosophy of Education

Political Concept of Education Notes

Politicians’ centre of thought is state and its machinery. They view individual and society both in terms
of its state and its machinery. They consider education as a means of building the nation. A nation in
built by superior people and superior people are built by education. In their view—
Actual education is that, which makes superior citizens.

Economical Concept of Education

Economist’s centre of thought is the economic resources and economic machinery of society. They
understand individual or society in terms of their economic activity. They accept education as a productive
activity. As per them, education apart from being object of consumption is also factor of production.

Research findings show that productive and organizational powers of educated human being are more
than that of uneducated one and it is so much more that the expense of his education is outperformed by

its benefit. Hence, economists accept education as an economic investment. As per them—
Education is that economic investment, by which skills of production and organization is developed
in the human being and thus productivity of individual, society and nation is developed and their
economic growth is ensured.

Psychological Concept of Education

Centre of thoughts as per Indian Yoga Foundation is both inners self and external form of humans. In its
external form, it studies work and knowledge its organs and studies his conscience (mind, intelligence
and pride). In his view—
Education means training of external organs and inner self.
As per western psychologists, centre of thought is body, mind and behavior of human being. They have

not been able to find the basic element of inner self- mind, intelligence and pride. As per them, human
being is a psychophysical creature, which is innate with some powers and his growth depends on these

powers only. Hence, by education these powers should be developed first. Now the question is that in
which direction and what magnitude these should develop. Swiss academician Pestalozzi is of the view
that this development should be natural, easy and dynamic. In his words-
Education is a natural, harmonious and progressive development of man’s innate powers—Pestalozzi

Disciple of Pestalozzi, Froebel has defined education as following—
Education is a process by which a child expresses its internal to external —Froebel

Scientific Concept of Education
Centre of thought of scientists are physical world and its objects and activities. They look at any object
and activity objectively. As regards innate powers of humans, they agree with psychologists, but agree
with sociologists for behavior aspect of humans. They accept education as tool of development of
human powers to make it conducive as per the environment. In the words of Herbert Spencer—
Education means establishing of coordination between the inherent powers and the outer life.
—Herbert Spencer

Correct Concept of Education

Different philosophers, sociologist, politicians, economists, psychologists and scientists have different

views on education. If we look into detail, then it would be clear that they are confined to which
particular area. Today while interpreting education, we select facts from perspective of all of them. It

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