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Philosophical and Sociological Foundations of Education

Notes 1.7 Scope and Subject Matter of Philosophy

Normally people don’t differentiate between study area and subject matter of any discipline, but there
is small difference. Study area means the limit to which any subject has to be studied, whereas subject
matter is that limit up to which it has been studied.
As regards area of philosophy, it is very wide. It contains search of nature of entire universe and its
objects and activities, but up till now whatever we have seen, is subject matter of philosophy only.
Indian philosopher divide study area of philosophy in three main parts-Metaphysics, Epistemology
and Ethics. On the other hand, western philosophers divide it in to fi ve major parts-Metaphysics,
Epistemology, Axiology, Logic and Aesthetics.
As regards division of study area of philosophy as per Indian and western philosophers, it is desirable
to clear four things. First is that in philosophy, logical methods too are discussed in context of attaining
knowledge, hence it can be kept under Epistemology. Second is that in Indian philosophy, axiology is
included in ethics and in western philosophy, axiology contains ethics, hence we can take them together.
Third is that philosophy only considers actual aesthetics and ways to attain these aesthetics and both
these concepts are part of metaphysics and ethics, hence it is not correct to consider aesthetics separately.
Fourth is that, now we study philosophies of different nations together, hence we should divide their
subject matter in some classes only. As per above discussion, it is clear that these classes can only be-
Metaphysics, Epistemology & Logic and Axiology & Ethics. Here, we present a brief of subject matter of
all three—
1. Metaphysics—scope of metaphysics is quite wide in philosophy. It has element knowledge related
with universe or discipline of universe (Cosmogony), science of universe (Cosmology), science
of authority (Ontology), soul related knowledge (soul metaphysics) and god related knowledge
(theology). It explains universe- creator of universe, soul-god, creature world and human life as well.
It also explains actual aesthetics. Analysis of actual aesthetics is now called Aesthetics. Whatever
has been logically thought and discussed till now, is its subject matter.

2. Epistemology and Logic—in the field of epistemology, discussion on human intelligence, nature of
knowledge, limit of knowledge, authenticity of knowledge, tools of attaining knowledge, methods
of attaining knowledge, relation between person who knows and person who is trying to received
knowledge, methods of logic, true-false evidence and illusion are part of it. Whatever has been
logically thought and discussed till now, is its subject matter.
3. Axiology and Ethics—it has discussion on ideals and values of human life, resources of getting
ultimate objective of life and workable and non-workable karma. Analysis of workable and non-
workable karma is only called Ethics. We know that any ideal becomes value only when it is refl ected
in our behavior, becomes part of our behavior. It is obvious that value and behavior are linked to each
other, values direct and regulate our behavior and conduct and our conduct reflects those values.

There is no value of any philosophy, if it does not provide guidance to conduct. It also contains
analysis of attaining actual aesthetics of life apart from these analyses. Whatever has been logically
thought and discussed till now, is its subject matter.

1.8 Relation between Philosophy and Education

There are majorly three parts of philosophy-Metaphysics, Epistemology & Logic and Axiology
and Ethics. Though any philosophy’s epistemology & logic and axiology & ethics depend upon its
metaphysics, but for convenience we study them separately. All three affect education-
1. Metaphysics and Education—in any philosophy, under metaphysics we do elementary analysis
of actual nature of universe and its human life, ultimate objective of human life and search for
attainment of these objectives. Any human society arranges for education for its members to attain

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