Education Scholar: Module 1 - Developing a Personal Working Philosophy to Guide Teaching/Learning in Health Professions Education

Topic 1.3 - Exploring Other Education Philosophies

1.3.3a: Exploring Established Philosophies of Education: Essentialism

Essentialism refers to the "traditional" or "Back to the Basics" approach to education. Its goal is to instill in students the "essentials" of academic knowledge and moral development. Essentialism is characterized by the following basic tenets:

Learning, of its very nature, involves hard work
Development of the mind is a high priority
Critical thinking skills and civic values are essential
Appreciation of masterworks of art and literature is a goal
Democratic society is more important than the individual
Traditional education is emphasized
Education is based on a core curriculum
Teacher-directed learning is the preferred approach

The major proponents of essentialism include Horace Mann, William Bagley, James Koerner, Hyman Rickover, Paul Copperman, Theodore Sizer, and E. D. Hirsch.

For more information on the philosophy of essentialism, we recommend the following Web pages.

Georgeoff G. Philosophy of American Education: Essentialism
http://www.edst.purdue.edu/georgeoff/phil_am_ed/ESSENTIALISM.html

Shaw LJ. Five Educational Philosophies: Essentialism. Teacher Education 954: Humanistic and Social Aspects of Teaching
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/LShaw/f95syll/philos/phessent.html

Additional resources on the philosophy of essentialism may be found at the end of this topic.

Exercise 1.3B Comparing Your Personal Philosophy with Essentialism

Based on this brief introduction and exploration of relevant resources, compare and contrast your philosophy of education with that of essentialism. What are the similarities? The differences? Enter your thoughts in the space below and click Submit.

Return to the Philosophies of Education menu and select another philosophy or use the forward button below to move through the philosophies in order.