Philosophy as a Curriculum Source
The function of philosophy can be conceived as either (1) the base or starting point in curriculum development or (2) an interdependent function with other functions in curriculum development. John Dewey represents the lint school of thought. He contended that "philosophy may ... be defined as the general theory of education,” and that “the business of philosophy is to provide” the framework for the “aims and methods” of schools. For Dewey, philosophy provides a generalized meaning to our lives and a way of thinking; it is “an explicit formutation of the ... mental and moral habitudes in respect to the difficulties of contemporary social life." Philosophy is not only a starting point for schools, it is also crucial for all curriculum activities. For Dewey, “education is the laboratory in widen philosophic distinctions become concrete and are tested."