Abstract

This research project attempts to analyze the educational philosophy of existentialism. There are 3 objectives:- 

1. To study the concepts on which the educational philosophy of existentialism is based. 

2. To study the educational philosophy of existentialism.

3. To critically discuses the educational philosophy of existentialism. 

The findings from the research conducted in accordance with the objectives are as follows:-

                     a) To study the concepts on which the educational philosophy of existentialism is based. It can be concluded that the educational philosophy of existentialism has chronologically been based on the concepts of the liberty, free will and sense of responsibility of the individual, however it is not apparent that the school of existentialism emphasizes the characteristics of educational philosophy clearly. Originally, the school of educational philosophy of existentialism was a movement of philosophers who wanted to demonstrate the existence of the essence of the sense of responsibility of humans who could determine their own purpose without having to depend on society and social beliefs that were the standards for forbidding humans from having free will in the making of decisions to determine their own purposes. 

                   b) To study the educational philosophy of existentialism which can be concluded that the educational philosophy of existentialism arose from the awareness of the ill effects, and the limitations of the educational management under the educational philosophy of Essentialism and that of Perennialism both of which stress the morality and the instillation of morality without taking into consideration the liberty, the interests and the freedom of each of the learners in deciding what he or she wants and what they are interested in. As for the educational philosophy of Progressivism, although it places importance on the learner’s interests, aptitudes or inclinations, nevertheless, it aims at supporting the societies and  serving societies. It does not appreciate the nature of human beings who have their own purpose and sense of self-responsibility, which the sense of responsibility, not a result of social incubation or cultivation of any kind.

                   c) To analyze the educational philosophy of existentialism which can be concluded that the educational philosophy of existentialism clearly reflects the purpose of education as being the aim of encouraging the learners to have the critical thinking abilities, and it recognizes their human nature of having free will and purpose in making their own decisions, regardless of what the manner of doing may be.  In addition, the educational philosophy of existentialism recognizes that the responsibility for making self-decisions, the places of learning, the teachers and the subjects are the preliminary factors for opening up the learners to the world vision. As a result, it inspires learners to decide for themselves what they want to be. Therefore, the educational philosophy of existentialism is a more guideline on educational management that inspires the learners rather than leads or cultivates the learners, because when the learners become aware of their purposes by themselves, they will wholeheartedly train and develop themselves to realize their goals by utilizing their full knowledge and capabilities. Consequently, the education becomes a lifelong process. 

Hence, this research work suggests that the education must facilitate the learners to learn what he or she wants to learn in order to be the educated ones who stick to the learning forever. At the same time, the education must actuate the learners to become conscious of their own liberties and responsibilities.

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