Naturalism is a philosophy of education that believes ultimate reality lies in nature, not the supernatural. It views the universe as governed by natural laws and subordinates mind to matter. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a prominent advocate, arguing that education should follow a child's natural development rather than rely on schools and books. Naturalism aims for a child's complete living and development through self-expression, adjusting to their environment, and developing their personality through natural growth and culture. The teacher guides this natural development by setting the stage and protecting children's freedom and spontaneity.
2. What is Naturalism?
Naturalism is a concept that firmly believes that
ultimate reality lies in the nature of matter.
(Maheshwari,2011)
Made up
supreme
3. What is Naturalism?
The whole universe is governed by laws of nature
and they are changeable.
Exploration studying
4. What is Naturalism?
An educational theory that is applied to systems of
training that are not dependent on schools and
books but on the manipulation of the actual life of
the educand.
5. Definition of Naturalism
Naturalism is opposed to idealism, subordinates
mind to matter and holds that ultimate reality is
material world, not spiritual world.
Naturalism is a doctrine which separates nature
from God, subordinates spirit to matter and sets up
unchangeable lows as supreme.
Naturalism is philosophical position adopted by
those who approach philosophy form purely
scientific point of view.
6. Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
One of the famous nature
philosopher on the 18th
century
published his famous book
“Emile” which contained
Rousseau’s ideas on
naturalism.
7. Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
Emily which means boy in
French, focuses on the
private education of the
boy.
According to him, Nature is
the best teacher and
means of education.
8. Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
Rousseau considered
world as an artificial,
autocratic, egotistic and
arrogant place and
Rousseau believed that
education should be given
according to the natural
interest of the child aiming
at a holistic development
of the personality .
10. Metaphysical Position
Concept of God The Concept of
Self
The human self is seen
by naturalism as an
offshoot of Nature,
and not as springing
from beyond Nature
Man is the child of
Nature
Naturalist God is within Nature
12. The Logic of Naturalism
• Simple induction
o Involves careful observation of Nature, accurate description of
what is observed, and caution in formulating generalization
13. Axiological Position of
Naturalism
• Naturalism believes that:
o nature is versatile.
o Instincts
o Drives
o Impulses
o There is no absolute good or evil in the world. Values of life are created
through human needs.
Need to be expressed rather
than repressed
15. Naturalism in Education
“We are born weak, we need strength; helpless, we need
aid; foolish, we need reason. All that we lack at birth, all that
we need when we come to man’s estate, is the gift
education”-Jean Jacques Rousseau
16. Naturalism in Education
Naturalism as a philosophy was developed in the
18th century.
Based on the assumption that nature represents the
wholeness of reality
Education must conform to the natural processes of
growth and mental development
Education should be pleasurable.
17. Naturalism in Education
Education should be pleasurable
Education should engage the spontaneous self-
activity of the child.
18. Aims and objectives of
Education
“Complete living” is the general aim. This impression
borne out by the following objectives:
1. Self Expression
2. To prepare Man for the struggle
3. To enable him to adjust himself with his
environment
4. Natural Development
19. 5. Development of Culture
6. To perfect human machine
7. Attainment of present and Future happiness
8. Autonomous development of personality
9. Redirection of human instincts
10.Proper utilization of leisure time
20. The Concept of Teacher
“Teacher in a naturalistic set up is only a setter of the stage, a
supplier of materials and opportunities, a provider of an ideal
environment, a creator of conditions under which natural
development takes place.”-Ross
21. The Concept of Teacher
1. Teacher as a Guide
2. Teacher as a Observes
3. Teacher as a protectors
4. Teacher as an Organize
22. The Concept of Student
“Everything is good as it comes from the hands of the author
of nature. Man meddles with them and they become evil”-
Rousseau
23. The pupil is to the teacher what man is to the philosopher
Know the child and you will know what to teaches
Naturalist advised to include the following in the curriculum
Science
help children
acquainted with
nature
Mathematics and language
Help acquire the
subject of science
History and Social Science
Help realize the
importance of those in
their present life
Agriculture and Carpentry
Help them act in freedom
Will increase their power of
observation
Drawing
Considered as the main
technique of self expression
Physical Education and
Health Training
For self protection
24. Methodology of
Instruction
1. Learning by Doing
2. Learning by playing
3. Learning by direct experience
4. Activity Method
5. Freedom in the child
6. Negative Method
25. Concept of Discipline
Punishment should be constituted by natural consequences
of wrong deeds; should be certain, but tempered with
sympathy.
26. Concept of Discipline
Aims at making education free from the bondage
of rigid discipline under which children were
tortured.
Naturalism advocates maximum freedom from the
child and the freedom of the child disciplines him
and he is naturally controlled by his own learning
and experiences
27. Women Education
A girl cannot be educated to be a man
According to Rousseau, “ a woman should be the
centre of the family, a housewife, and a mother.
She should strive to please her husband, concern
herself more than he with having a good
reputation, and be satisfied with a simple religion of
the emotions.”
28. Agencies of Education
1. Home
Rousseau recognize only the home.
The foundations of good physical and mental health are laid during
infancy.
If the child is spoiled by faulty home training during these formative
years, this tutor will have a great difficulty in correcting the errors
2. Church
3. School
29. Limitations of Naturalism in Education
1. Aims of Ideals of education are not exalting
2. Emphasis on present
3. Less emphases on books
4. All the emphases is given to scientific subjects
5. Unlimited Freedom given to the child
6. Unappealing principle of discipline by Natural
Consequences
7. Teacher only in the background
8. Ignorance of society.
30. “From the solemn gloom
Of the temple children
Run out to sit in the dust,
God watches them play
and forgets the priest”
-Rabindranath Tagore
Editor's Notes
Matter is considered to be supreme and mind is the functioning of the brain that is made up of matter.
It’s through our sense that we are able to get knowledge. The senses work like real gateways of knowledge. Exploration is the method that helps in studying nature
Naturalism highlights the value of scientific knowledge, through specific observation, accumulation and generalization. It also lays emphasis on the empirical and experimental knowledge. Naturalism also lay stress on sensory training as senses are the gateways to learning