01 Naturalism
01 Naturalism
01 Naturalism
THE THEORY developed in the 18th century assumption: nature represents the wholeness of reality nature a system that contains and explains all existence including human beings and human nature. material and physical world governed by certain laws man creator of the material world, must submit to the laws denies the existence of anything beyond nature, behind nature, and other than nature highlights the value of scientific knowledge stresses on sensory training is the gateway to learning values arise from the human beings interaction with the environment instincts, drives and impulses need to be expressed rather than repressed there is no absolute good or evil in the world values of life are created by the human needs THE THEORY IN EDUCATION Aims of education look to nature and to human nature, as part of the natural order, for the purposes of education the key to understanding nature is through the senses sensation is the basis of the knowledge of reality education should be steady for natures processes are slow, gradual and evolutionary develop the whole child the entire organism physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, aesthetically, vocationally acquaint the learner with the laws of health and enable him to earn a living (selfpreservation) train directly for success in securing the necessities of life
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Curriculum does not favour in imposing any boundary on the children every child has the power to frame and demand of his own curriculum childs nature, interests, and needs provide the basis of curriculum emphasizes the study of science dealing with nature Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, Botany, etc. gives importance to the study of language and mathematics gives a very insignificant place to spiritualism in the curriculum
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Some Notable Discourses and Works First Discourse awarded by the Academy of Dijon; discourse on the sciences and arts; an answer to the posed question, Has the restoration of the sciences and arts tended to purify morals? Discourse on the Origin of Inequality account of the historical development of the human race, distinguished between natural man (man as formed by nature) and social man (man as shaped by society); man originally lived in a pure state of nature but was altered by changes beyond control and took on a different nature, man became social Emile an attempt to educate a simple and pure natural child for life in a world from which social man is estranged; the boy is removed from mans society to a little society inhabited only by the child and his tutor
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Social Contract outlines how a government could exist in such a way that it protects the equality
and character of its citizens; begins with one of his most famous quotes, which echoes the claims of his earlier works: Man was/is born free; and everywhere he is in chains.
Julie or the New Heloise -- tells the story of Julie dEtange and St. Preux, who were one time
lovers; themes: the struggle of the individual against societal norms, emotions versus reason, and the goodness of human nature are all prevalent themes
Reveries of the Solitary Walker divided into ten walks in which Rousseau reflects on his life,
what he sees as his contribution to the public good, and how he and his work have been misunderstood
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