The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education (2024)

Abstract

The research field of the philosophy of higher education is young, having emerged within the last half-century. However, at this stage four strands, or pillars, of thought may be de­ tected in the core literature, around which the discussions and theorizing efforts cluster. The four pillars are (a) knowledge, (b) truth, (c) critical thinking, and (d) culture. The first pillar, “knowledge,” is concerned with the meaning of academic knowledge as forming a link between the knower and the surrounding world, thus not separating but connecting them. Under the second pillar, “truth,” are inquiries into the epistemic obligations and possibilities to seek and tell the truth universities and academics have in a “post-truth” world. The third pillar, “critical thinking,” addresses the matter as to what understand­ ings of being critical are appropriate to higher education, not least against a background of heightening state interventions and self-interest on the part of students, especially in marketized systems of higher education. The fourth pillar, that of “culture,” is interested in the possibility and ability for academics and universities to intersect and contribute to public debates, events, and initiatives on mediating and solving conflicts between value and belief systems in culturally complex societies. When seen together, the four pillars of the research field constitute the philosophy of higher education resting on four founda­ tional strands of an epistemic, communal, ethical, and cultural heritage and future.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOxford Research Encyclopedias : Education
Number of pages22
PublisherOxford University Press
Publication date2020
Pages1-22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Higher education
  • Philosophy of higher education
  • Educational philosophy
  • Four pillars
  • Knowledge
  • Truth
  • Critical thinking
  • Culture

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Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen, S., & Barnett, R. (2020). The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education. In Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Education (pp. 1-22). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1467

Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen, Søren ; Barnett, Ronald. / The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education. Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Education. Oxford University Press, 2020. pp. 1-22

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Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen, S & Barnett, R 2020, The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education. in Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Education. Oxford University Press, pp. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1467

The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education. / Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen, Søren; Barnett, Ronald.
Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Education. Oxford University Press, 2020. p. 1-22.

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/proceedingEncyclopedia entryResearchpeer-review

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Smedegaard Ernst Bengtsen S, Barnett R. The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education. In Oxford Research Encyclopedias: Education. Oxford University Press. 2020. p. 1-22 doi: 10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1467

The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education (2024)

FAQs

The Four Pillars of Philosophy in Higher Education? ›

However, at this stage four strands, or pillars, of thought may be de tected in the core literature, around which the discussions and theorizing efforts cluster. The four pillars are (a) knowledge, (b) truth, (c) critical thinking, and (d) culture.

What are the four 4 main points of philosophy? ›

Philosophy – the love of wisdom – is an activity of attempting to understand the world, in all its aspects. There are four pillars of philosophy: theoretical philosophy (metaphysics and epistemology), practical philosophy (ethics, social and political philosophy, aesthetics), logic, and history of philosophy.

What are the 4 pillars of education theory? ›

According to UNESCO's Learning: The Treasure within (1996), education throughout life is based on four pillars: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be. Learning to know, by combining a sufficiently broad genera!

What are the 4 philosophies of education explain each one? ›

They are Perennialism, Essentialism, Progressivism, and Reconstructionism. These educational philosophies focus heavily on WHAT we should teach, the curriculum aspect. For Perennialists, the aim of education is to ensure that students acquire understandings about the great ideas of Western civilization.

Who created the 4 pillars of education? ›

From the mid-1990s perspective of a world seen as awash in change and complexity, a UNESCO commission under the leadership of Jacques Delors proposed four pillars that education could rest upon.

What are the 4 C's of philosophy? ›

The teacher supports the children to think more deeply and philosophically by encouraging the 4Cs of P4C – critical, creative, collaborative and caring thinking.

What are the 4 perspectives of philosophy? ›

Four philosophy-of-science perspectives--realism, relativism, interpretivism, and humanism--are catalysts for fruitful insights about practice.

What are the four pillars theory? ›

The four pillars or beliefs of Theory of Constraints (TOC) Management Philosophy are Inherent simplicity, inherent harmony, the inherent goodness of people and inherent potential.

What are the 4 pillars of deeper learning? ›

Deeper learning develops students' abilities to think critically and solve complex problems, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and learn independently.

What is the four pillars model? ›

The four pillars approach integrates prevention, treatment, enforcement, and harm reduction in a complementary manner to address the health, safety, and societal issues associated with substance use.

What are the 4 principle schools of philosophy? ›

These schools of thought are: Idealism, Realism, Pragmatism, and Existentialism. It is important to note that idealism and realism, otherwise known as general or world philosophies, have their roots in the work of the ancient Greek philosophers: Plato and Aristotle.

What are the four relevance of philosophy of education? ›

The Relevance of philosophy to education: The concept of education is a multi-dimensional concept involving four distinct dimensions: cognitive, the normative, creative and dialogical dimensions.

What is the main philosophy of education? ›

The major educational philosophies that have influenced education worldwide include idealism, realism, pragmatism, and constructivism. Each philosophy has its unique perspective on what education is, why it is important, and how it should be delivered.

What are the four pillars of education in philosophy? ›

The four pillars are (a) knowledge, (b) truth, (c) critical thinking, and (d) culture. The first pillar, “knowledge,” is concerned with the meaning of academic knowledge as forming a link between the knower and the surrounding world, thus not separating but connecting them.

What are the four pillars to Maximise learning potential? ›

As a cognitive psychologist and neuroscientist, he has highlighted the main contributors to successful learning, which are attention, active engagement, feedback, and consolidation. He refers to these four fundamental elements as the “four pillars of learning”.

What are the four pillars of education lesson plans? ›

The document discusses the four pillars of education according to UNESCO: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together, and learning to be. It describes each pillar and how they are interconnected.

What are the 4 majors of philosophy? ›

Major branches of philosophy are epistemology, ethics, logic, and metaphysics. Epistemology studies what knowledge is and how to acquire it. Ethics investigates moral principles and what constitutes right conduct.

What are the 4 core branches of philosophy? ›

The major branches of philosophy are epistemology (knowledge & truth), metaphysics (reality & being), logic (argumentation & reason), axiology (aesthetics & ethics), and political philosophy (the state & government).

What is the 4 characteristics of philosophy? ›

Four characteristics of philosophical thinking are wonder, contemplation, reason, and intellectual independence. Wonder is when we stop taking things for granted, marvel at them, and ask questions about them. Philosophical thinking involves contemplation, which is giving something your attention.

What are the four elements of philosophy? ›

The Four Elements. Greek philosophy supposed the Universe to comprise four elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air.

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