Four philosophies: Idealism, Realism, Pragmatism, and Existentialism

Idealism is the first of the philosophies presented in the article. Idealism is based on the belief that the minds, ideas and reason is the primary role of education. Idealists view order as being very important, as well as classification and the idea that knowledge includes mentally understanding ideas and concepts in order to further intellect and development; this includes practices of reading, studying and reflecting.
Another philosophy on education is the view of Realism. This view emphasizes that knowledge comes through the experiences of natural senses, and by "existing" in nature, the mind will sort and classify the information that it recieves; it tends to follow the basics of natural law as well as morals. A realist would tend toward observation, deductive logic and the scientific method.
Pragmatism is the third philosophy presented in the article. Pragmatists believe in the experiences of "new truths" and that old truths can only be considered false until new evidence shows otherwise. Everything is supposed to be questioned, tested and experienced. THis follows the model of a democratic soceity, where something works until something better comes along; it incorportates all of the subject areas at once to try to piece them together. Learning by doing and experimentation are important keys to pragmatist thought.
The last educational philosophy in the article in that of Existentialism. This view focuses on the learner's inner thoughts, CHOICES and responsibilities; there is a focus to try to find meaning in the world. "The individual self must ultimately decide what is true and how we know...Because no absolutes, no authorities, and no single or correct way to the truth exist, the only authority is the self."

I think that my personal philosophy on education would be most closely alligned with existentialism. What I like about this philosophy is that the students learn to take responsibility for their their actions, as well as the results. I believe that this is especially useful in the realm of social sciences, where we learn why people act the way they do,and why the world is the way that it is! Purpose and different people's ideas create the many diversities that are found in the world; when the students create their own personal views on the world, they can apply those views to other situations as well.