Question 1

Compare the perennialist's and the essentialist's conception of metaphysics.

Accepted Answer

Suggested answer:   For the perennialist, reality is found in the collective wisdom of Western culture. Our association with that enables us to discover and confirm the reality and the meaning of our existence. The essentialist, on the other hand, has respect for, but not complete adherence to, the wisdom of the past. The essentialist is very much influenced by pragmatism. Whatever is relevant and helps an individual survive and prosper is what has meaning. Whatever helps humans improve the condition of humanity is real and meaningful.

Question 2

The study of axiology provides one with an understanding of

Accepted Answer

Axiology is the branch of philosophy that studies values, including aesthetics (beauty) and ethics (conduct).

Question 3

Cognitive psychologists, draw heavily on research of all of these EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive psychologists focus on how we process, store, and use information and how this information influences what we attend to, perceive, learn, remember, believe, and feel. B. F. Skinner, known for his work in behaviorism, focused more on observable behaviors and the use of reinforcement and punishment, rather than on cognitive processes. Skinner's work is less aligned with the cognitive approach compared to the contributions of Piaget, Vygotsky, and Bruner, who all made significant contributions to understanding cognitive development and learning.

Question 4

Mr. Nguyen, an algebra teacher, emphasizes to his students the epistemological aspects of mathematics. Which of the following kinds of questions is he most likely to ask students?

Accepted Answer

Epistemology is the study of knowledge and understanding. By asking students to explain how they know that x = 12, Mr. Nguyen is encouraging them to reflect on their understanding and reasoning process, which aligns with epistemological inquiry.

Question 5

Which of the following best depicts a romanticist teacher's classroom?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following best depicts a...

Question 6

A student completing a project on bird identification knows that insect-eating birds have narrow, pointed bills. One day, her mother and she look out the window and see a bird they don't recognize with a narrow bill. The mother exclaims, "What an unusual bird. I've never seen a bird like that all through this snowy winter." The daughter replies, "You wouldn't. That bird must migrate to warmer climates during the winter." Which of the following is the girl using?

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning is the process of making a general conclusion from specific observations. In this case, the girl observes that insect-eating birds have narrow, pointed bills, and she sees a bird with a narrow bill. She then concludes that the bird must be an insect-eater.

Question 7

A teacher education class is discussing the duties of a teacher and the principles that should guide a teacher's conduct with students. This class's discussion concerns which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The discussion about the duties of a teacher and principles guiding a teacher's conduct with students pertains to ethics, which deals with moral principles and values governing behaviors.

Question 8

Which of the following best depicts the classroom of a progressive teacher?

Accepted Answer

A progressive teacher emphasizes student-centered learning, hands-on experiences, and the role of the teacher as a facilitator, which is best depicted in option C where students work cooperatively on a project with the teacher facilitating their learning.

Question 9

At Bowker High School, students take many required courses, including Latin, history, humanities, mathematics, and science. The students study those disciplines as a way of developing their intellect and discovering the universal truths of humankind. Bowker High's philosophy of education is derived from

Accepted Answer

Perennialism in education emphasizes the teaching of ideas that are everlasting, focusing on universal truths and the development of students' intellectual capacities. This approach aligns with Bowker High School's philosophy of focusing on disciplines like Latin, history, humanities, mathematics, and science to develop intellect and discover universal truths, making perennialism the correct answer.

Question 10

Two of the philosophies discussed have been somewhat distorted in popular practice. Dewey's progressivism was sometimes altered in ways that reduced its real value. Romanticism, on the other hand, was trimmed of some of its ideas regarding isolation from society and made into a greater force for personal growth. Briefly explain the important elements of Dewey's educational philosophy, and note some of the abuses eventually perpetrated in its name. Also explain the educational effects of the romantic emphasis on self-determination and self-definition.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Two of the philosophies discussed have been...

Question 11

An elementary school committee is designing an updated curriculum for the mathematics program. Explain how epistemology will affect the work members do in designing the curriculum. Provide an example of a question they may have regarding math instruction that would reveal the epistemological influence.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An elementary school committee is designing an...

Question 12

A young child asks his teacher, "How can love be real if you don't ever see it?" Which branch of philosophy has that child's question tapped into?

Accepted Answer

The child's question taps into metaphysics, which deals with the nature of reality and existence, including abstract concepts like love.

Question 13

A veteran teacher considers his thirty-year career and asks himself, "Has my career had a core purpose?" What kind of philosophical question is this?

Accepted Answer

This is a metaphysical question because it concerns the nature of existence, reality, and the purpose of life, which are central themes in metaphysics.

Question 14

The Oak Valley school board is conducting a very heated board meeting in which board members and residents are debating the educational goals of the school district. If a parent who was an essentialist were to stand up, which of the following would you expect her to assert,

Accepted Answer

Essentialists believe that the school's primary goal should be to transmit the essential knowledge and skills that students need to become functioning, productive members of society.

Question 15

You are a teacher who believes the philosophy of romanticism, and in your high school curriculum you are expected to teach ethics to your students. How would you respond to this element of the curriculum?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are a teacher who believes the...

Question 16

When a long-term heavy smoker was sixty-five, she was fitted for dentures. Months later, she was diagnosed with throat cancer. Her neighbor explained, "I don't want to have my denture fitting now. Getting dentures gave my neighbor throat cancer!" A background in one area of philosophy would have helped the neighbor come to a stronger conclusion. Which one would be of most help?

Accepted Answer

Logic would help the neighbor understand the difference between correlation and causation, leading to a stronger conclusion about the relationship between denture fitting and throat cancer.

Question 17

Two kindergartners are fighting over a toy. Ms. Hernandez tells the children gently, "Brian, you promised Ali you would share that toy with her. It's not fair to Ali if you go back on your promise." Ms. Hernandez is giving the children a simple lesson in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Ms. Hernandez is teaching the children about ethics by emphasizing the importance of keeping promises and fairness, which are moral principles.

Question 18

Explain the differences among the four schools of philosophy with regard to the role of the teacher and the role of the student. Answer these two questions for each philosophy (perennialism , progressivism, essentialism, romanticism.: What is the role of the teacher? What is the role of the student?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the differences among the four schools...

Question 19

An art teacher is prompting his Sculpture I students to identify the elements of beauty that exist in Michelangelo's David . This activity is focusing on developing students' comprehension of

Accepted Answer

The activity is centered on understanding the elements of beauty in a sculpture, which pertains to aesthetics, the branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste.

Question 20

Two historians debate the merits of a recent historical analysis. One claims it is the definitive account of that period; the other argues that the historical period could be analyzed just as legitimately through several other perspectives. What kind of philosophical discussion are these historians having?

Accepted Answer

They are engaging in an epistemological discussion, which concerns the nature, scope, and limits of knowledge. In this case, the debate is about how historical knowledge can be understood or interpreted, indicating an epistemological inquiry.

Quiz 9: What Are the Philosophical Foundations of American Education