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Educational Theories Historically, There Have Thesis

Finally, the third of the theories expects the student to develop in accordance with the interaction he had previously developed with the teacher. If the interaction was based on mutual respect and true feelings of cherishing and honesty, with also hard work, the individual is expected to further succeed. If on the other hand the interaction had been based on less fortunate feelings, beliefs and actions, the individual is likely to develop in a manner frowned on by society. Having to choose a philosophy I would most agree with, I would select realism. The philosophy, promoted by Aristotle, amongst other great thinkers of all times, is a mixture of social influences and personal characteristics. It states that each individual is formed based on the events that occurred in his vicinity, but also by how his personal features made him relate and comprehend those particular events. In other words, realism promotes the idea that the individual is the result of "the world of nature or physical things and our experiences and perceptions of those things" (Webb, Metha, and Jordan, 2007). The realist theory is quite similar to the functionalist theory, as both aim to prepare the individual for his future integration and successful survival within the society. Greek philosopher Aristotle was a promoter of this theory and he believed that the person's knowledge and skills are acquired through a series of interactions with the surrounding communities. In other words, he found it vital for the individual to first know the physical world...

In this order of ideas, both theories look at sorting as a means of social organization related to education. However, the functionalist state that the sorting is done on criteria such as merits, whereas the conflict advocates tend to sort the schools based on ethnicity or social class. "According to conflict theorists, schools train those in the working classes to accept their position as a lower-class member of society" (Cliff Notes, 2008), whereas the functionalists promote social equality and equal chances. An important statement to make relative to a common element in all three theories is that they all minimize the role of the individual's particular features and characteristics to his future development. In other words, the three social theories on education "assume (that) man is the product of society and its institutions" (Stevens, 2008).
References

Stevens, W., Functional and Conflict Theory: A Point-of-View, 2008, http://www.helium.com/items/828440-functional-and-conflict-theory-a-point-of-viewlast accessed on September 10, 2008

Webb L., Metha a., & Jordan, K. 2007. Foundations of American Education 5th edition, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall

2008, Theories of Education, Cliff Notes, last accessed on September 10, 2008

Sources used in this document:
References

Stevens, W., Functional and Conflict Theory: A Point-of-View, 2008, http://www.helium.com/items/828440-functional-and-conflict-theory-a-point-of-viewlast accessed on September 10, 2008

Webb L., Metha a., & Jordan, K. 2007. Foundations of American Education 5th edition, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall

2008, Theories of Education, Cliff Notes, last accessed on September 10, 2008
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