Question- Discuss the Limitations of Pragmatism in the field of Education.

Or
"The Pragmatic approach of truth may encourage original thinking about problems in a brilliant student but may confuse the average or below average students since he wants to definite Answer - to his question." Clarify this comment under the purview of limitations of Pragmatism.

Answer -

Limitations of Pragmatism in Education

Pragmatism possesses its own good characteristics in the field of education to a greater extent and the significance and importance of this concept in the field of education philosophy can not be ruled-out. However, like systems of educational philosophy, the following criticisms have been levelled against it :

1. Biological Bias : The pragmatist philosophy of education suffers from biological bias. As reason has been subordinated to passions, there is likelihood of uncontrolled expression of passions.

2. Limitation of Truth : The truth of any idea does not depend on the fact of its conformity with reality.

3. False comparison with other concepts : The theories of idealists and realists also process the concepts of truth. Hence, confusion persists.

4. Influence of Circumstances : Pragmatist John Dewey admitted that it were the circumstances that change the truth so, it also has to face changing environment.

5. Self-Contradiction : As the truth differs in different fields of knowledge, so, it is self-contradictory and leads to conflicting.

6. Limited Scope : This theory may applicable to a brilliant student as it encourages original thinking about the problems but may not suits to average or below average student since such student wants to definite Answer - to his question.

7. Rejecting of eternity and Permanence : Pragmatist denies any eternity and permanence to anything. Largmist rejects the worldview and everything eternal along with it. It least, in the field of aims and ideal education, some sort permanence is necessary.

8. Lack of Purpose : Basing everything upon individual experimentation will result in lack of purpose everywhere. Most of the persons cannot derive any principle as they do not succeed much in any field of life. The pragmatic ideal may be more conducive to the creative persons but not to the average students.

9. Neglect of Cultural Ideals : The pragmatist’s emphasis upon the physical and mundane world may sometimes lead to neglect of cultural ideas which is not acceptable in the field of education.

Conclusion - The above criticism show that in order to arrive at an integral philosophy of education, the pragmatist philosophy should be synthesised with idealism, naturalism and realism for better results.

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