is the decline in education due to the restriction of philosophy courses?

Answer 1

I think the decline in education is due to the rise in moral relativism....

How can we teach the importance of anything in a morally relativistic world?

Answer 2

This may be one of those chicken-and-egg things--which came first?

A lot of the decline in education has to do with the mistaken goal of giving everyone the same education. The assumption is that all are equally capable of intellectual achievement--which is false. Even when we are talking about the high-school level, not everyone is capable of four years of mathematics, three years of foreign language, etc. So, in order to get everyone to graduate, the learning standards have to decrease.

Because of the lowered standards, most students are incapable of understanding philosophy. And what would be the point of teaching it at a lower level--it would be void of all of the intricacies that are necessary to make philosophy what it is--a pursuit of truth. Instead, you would end up with a "philosophy" that is much like the majority of answers seen on this site--filled with egoist and relativist thinking that can't hold up to scrutiny.

Philosophy was never intended for the masses. That is not to criticize anyone--they have other skills. The philosophical pursuit of truth takes a special type of thinking that not everyone can master, and it would be a huge disservice to try to "unrestrict" the study of philosophy.

Remember the allegory of the cave in Plato's Republic?

Answer 3

I dont know whether you realize how much you hit the point.
Philosophy (greek word in here) means: Love for knowledge.
Its present meaning has changed, but still philosophy, as -learning how to think,and why- was, and should be the basic form of education, and i am not talking of kids.
What we call 'education' today is but specialization, and the lack of the basic ground (philosophy....?) shows its devastating effects on all the life's aspects,from family to groups to nations.
In a way, i would answer yes,only replacing your word 'philosophy' with 'humanistic sciences'.
ciao

Answer 4

I think it is interesting how we often turn education into an academic competition with other students, schools, districts, countries and how some give more importance to one type of education over another (often it is whatever skillset can bring in the most money) regardless of how one sided our development might be.

Teaching philosophy does not need to be overcomplicated with isms and various schools of thought can be taught from elementary school on.

A well rounded education begins with good to exceptional teachers with a good solid curriculum and the support needed to dedicate themselves to their students.

My ideal vision would be classes of 6 - 10 students per teacher, a universally free education for all, an introduction of all core subjects (math, science, languages and the humanities, music, philosophy, phys-ed, life skills) with concentrations where aptitude shows itself later in life.

Finally, education should continue for those who want it even into old age.

Answer 5

I don't think the decline of education has anything to do with philosophy. I think we are trying to use a standardized education system to teach children that learn in an anything but standardized way. Its kind of like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. sure you may be able to make it work, but that doesn't make it right.

Answer 6

It's hard to teach and learn around most of these kids now a days. There is no discipline for children. You can't spank them and giving them a time out is pointless. Parent's hands are tied by the people that pry into every ones lives.
Another reason is the teachers. They don't get paid enough to really care about these kids to teach them in proper ways.
The people that this world needs and has to have are the lowest paid. Teachers, police, firemen, i.e.., any public service worker, needs to be paid a hell of a lot better than they are.

Answer 7

education never declines. even my answer can give you education .philosophy courses are a part of education and not the whole

education is a developing process and not a decline process

Answer 8

In general the decline of education can be blamed upon the one size fits all mentality of many educators. It's unfortunate that diversity in learning (Arts & Humanities) has suffered as a direct result of such narrow minded definitions of education (NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND).

Answer 9

I'm not sure there is a decline in education just that the emphsis is no longer what is relevant for surviving in todays ever evolving society. lead horse to water but you can't make them drink.

Answer 10

Nothing to do with Philosophy but there is a great hurry in catching up with Science and technology, at times we forgo
with humanities!