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Philosophical and Sociological Foundations of Education

Notes is called Eclectic Tendency in academic world. The fact emerges from all of these perspectives about
nature of education that education is purposive, social, continuous, dynamic and development process.
As regards its functions it appears that it develops innate powers, skill sets and brings about change in
its behavior and thus it makes them civilized, cultured and able citizens.
But, whatever definitions we have seen till now, have two demerits- first is that, it does not tell about the

nature of process of education; second that these emphasize on only one specific objective of education.

This is the reason; these have not been able to be universal defi nitions. Appropriate defi nition of
education would be such that tells us about both nature and function of education process.

From this perspective, education should be defined as following—
Education is such continuous purposive social activity which develops innate powers; skill sets of
human being and brings about change in its behavior, so that they could become civilized, cultured
and able citizens. With it, both individual and society grow continually.

This definition of education is comprehensive in itself. It reflects nature of education (that it is purposive,

social, continuous, dynamic and development process) and its functions (that it develops innate powers
and skill set and brings about change in human behavior and thus he is made civilized, cultured and
able citizen) both. Objectives and functions of any society’s education are inherent in making its people

civilized, cultured and able. Hence, this definition should be acceptable to all.

Self Assessment

Fill in the Blanks:
1. Education is that which gets you………………. .
2. Building of healthy mind in healthy body is …………………… .
3. Actual education is that which builds…………………………….. .

1.2 Wider and Narrower Meaning of Education

We know that in a society, education of child take place in his family, social groups, community centres,
different types of small and big schools, colleges and universities, but some people call education only
that which takes place in schools, colleges and universities. Thus, use of education is done in two types-
one in wider form and another in narrow form.

Wider Meaning of Education

We know that every creature is borne in its species and learns to walk, eat, speak and other many
activities living in its environment. At birth, human is in a very helpless stage, but soon after it starts
learning eating, speaking, moving and other activities by emulating other members of the species. He
learns his fi rst lesson in the lap of the mother, and then learns from his family environment and after
that from all of those, with whom he gets in touch with. Civilized societies provides for schools for the
developing innate powers and bringing behavioral changes in the child. But children keep learning
apart from their schools also at various places. In fact, this process keeps happening even after leaving
school and rather lifelong. In a wider sense, this process of lifelong learning is the process of education.
Objectives, syllabus and method of education of such education are very wide, they can’t be put into
boundaries, but all are development oriented by nature. Many scholars have tried to put them into

definition. Out of them, J.M. Mackenzie is laudable. In his words—

6 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY

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