 no placing for the martinet so any punishments. The discipline proceeds from the life of the school as a whole.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF PRAGMATISM TO EDUCATION
· Pragmatism provides definite aims of education. The student is prepared to live in society and learn skills and attitudes. Which are required of him to live as a useful member of society?
· The teaching methods are based on learning by doing. The project method is the contribution of pragmatism to modern education.
· Pragmatism encourages a democratic way of learning through purposeful and cooperative projects and activities.
· Utility in the educative process is the first criterion. The school is expected to provide learning and experiences that are useful.
· Education is not bound to tradition. Pragmatic philosophers advise us to test everything through our own experience.
· The teacher has to play a very challenging role in the educative process under pragmatism and he has to be very alert and watchful.
DEMERITS OF PRAGMATISM
1. OPPOSITION TO ETERNAL TRUTHS
Pragmatism is opposed to pre-determined truth. According to it, truth changes according to a change in circumstances, times and places and is created by the consequences of our actions and experiences. Pragmatists hold that if the results of an activity are satisfying, then it is true otherwise not.
2. OPPOSITION OF PRE-DETERMINED IDEAS AND VALUES-
This emphasizes that ideals and values are man-made and change according to changes in circumstances, times and places. But all noble things have entered into this human world by the efforts of those great persons who were inspired by the great ideals namely- truth, beauty and goodness.
3. NO PRE-DETERMINED AIMS OF EDUCATION
There are no set and pre determined aims of education as well. In the absence of definite aims of education, all educational plans and efforts may go astray and achieve nothing.
4. NEGATIONS OF SPIRITUAL VALUES-
Pragmatists deny the existence of spiritual values. Negligence of spiritual value is a great blunder. Without developing spiritual values achieving human welfare, peace and satisfaction is simply to cry for the moon.
5. OPPOSITION OF INTELLECTUALITY-
Pragmatists believe that a man’s intelligence is subservient to his innate tendencies. This makes him only an animal.
6. NEGATION OF POST
Agmatists, emphasizing only the present and future, and neglects the past. Without the knowledge of past one cannot understand the present and without knowing the present thoroughly nothing can be predicted for the future.
7. DIFFICULTY IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CURRICULUM
Pragmatism emphasize that all knowledge is to be gained from experiences of life. Selecting a project and construction of curriculum to gain all knowledge from life experiences is very difficult.
8. PRAGMATISM IS A METHOD ONLY
Unlike other philosophical doctrines, pragmatism does not lay down any aims, ideals and values of life to be pursued by human beings. Hence, pragmatism cannot be termed as a philosophy of life.
MERITS OF PRAGMATISM
1. CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECT METHOD
In the field of methods of teaching, pragmatism has given birth to project method. This method, a child indulging in various creative activities, is able to solve many problems which cater to his natural progress and development.
2. IMPORTANCE OF CHILD-
Opposing bookish knowledge and formal education, pragmatism lays great stress upon the development of child’s individuality by his own efforts.
3. EMPHASIS ON ACTIVITY
Pragmatism emphasizes upon activity. The principle of learning by doing is the main contribution of pragmatism
4. FAITH IN APPLIED LIFE-
Pragmatism emphasizes the practical life of child. Pragmatic education prepares the child for future life in a very effective manner.
5. SOCIAL AND DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION-
Pragmatism develops in the child love for democratic values and social efficiency which bring harmonious adjustment and development of personality.
6. INFUSION OF NEW LIFE IN EDUCATION-
Pragmatism has revolutionized the process of education to a very great extent. This has infused a new life and zest in educati