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Philosophical and Sociological Foundations of Education

Notes Introduction

Word education is made by adding suffix “a” in the Sanskrit stem Shiksh. Meaning of Shiksh is to learn

and teach. Hence, meaning of Shiksha is process of learning and teaching. If we consider English word
of education for Shiksha, then it also means the same. Education word is made of Latin word Educatum,
which is made of same language words a (E) and Duco. A means internal and Duco means to progress,
hence education means to improve internal ability of children externally.

1.1 Meaning and Definition of Education

Education is the basic tool of human development. Development of innate abilities, increment in
knowledge & arts and behavioral changes are brought about in humans by education only and he
is made a civilized, cultured and able citizen. This work starts at the birth of a child only. Soon after
birth, parents start teaching him hearing and speaking. When child grows little, then he is taught to sit,
move, eat and social behavioral norms. At the age of 3–4 years, child starts to read and at this very age,
he is sent to school. In school, his education goes on in organized way. Apart from school, he also learns
at home and in community and the process of learning and teaching keeps going even after school and
for the whole life. If we watch in detail, then in any society this process keeps functioning always. In its
real sense, the permanent process of learning and teaching in any society is called education.
If we look at it from application point of view, then it has two applications- one is in the form of process
and second is the result of that process. When we say that his education is going on fi ne, then education
means process here. When we say that he has received higher education, then it is the result. But modern
academicians accept education as a process only. They are of the view that in any process, result is inherent.
At present, result of education process is expressed in the form of knowledge, ability and behavioral change.
Basic role in the education process to explain the format of the philosophers, sociologist, politician,
philosophers, economists, psychologists and scientists have played and everyone saw their approaches
to education-at the end and defined. Here we present a brief description of all of these approaches piece

by understanding the nature of education based on facts and will attempt to defi ne it.
Philosophical Concept of Education

Centre of thought of philosophers is human. They try to know the actual nature of humans and fi nd fi nal

objective of human life. To define the path of last destination of human life also is the interest area of
philosophers and they consider education to be essential for the knowledge and development for all this.

Thus, education is the tool of attaining final objective of human life. Since, there are different views amongst

philosophers about final objective of human life, there are differences in the definition of education too.

Spiritual philosophers give more importance to super natural life to physical life. Vedanta followers
want to get rid of this physical life forever. They call it salvation. As per Jagatguru Shankaracharya—
Education is That Which Gets Salvation.
(Sah: Vidya Ya Vimuktye- Shankaracharya)

Education is the basic tool of human development. It means-learning and teaching.

Indian intellectual Swami Vivekananda considered human as complete from birth and emphasized on
letting him realize this totality with help of education. In his words—
Education is manifestation of perfection inherent in human. —Swami Vivekananda

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