Educational Philosophy - Ancient Indian Values

B1 CC 01 EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

IN INDIAN CONTEXT

By M.VIJAYALAKSHMI

Assistant Professor

UNIT-IEducational Philosophy In Traditional and Modern

Indian Society

UNIT-IEducational Philosophy In Traditional

and Modern Indian Society

1.4 Ancient Indian values like spirituality, simplicity, pursuit of truth, dignity of labour, universal tolerance and acceptance – Eternal Values for a Changing Society.

ANCIENT INDIAN VALUES

Meaning

• Value is that which satisfies human desire• Refers to the ideals in various acts of

behaviour; they refer to what we ‘ought to’ do in preference to something which we should not do

• It is an endeavour which satisfies need system, psychological as well as physiological

Definition

• M.T.Ramji’s –“A value is what is desired or what is sought.

Values may be operationally conceived as those guiding principles of life which are conducive to one’s physical and mental health as well as to social welfare and adjustment and which are in tune with one’s culture”

Concept of Values• Axiology – study of the concept of

values• Value is an emotive expression –

Logical positivists• Value is a Quality of a Thing –

Realists• Value is an essence – Idealists

Types

• Interior and Exterior Values• Desired and Intelligent Values• Mechanical and Natural Values

oVALUES – desires and goals oAncient India – SpiritualismoMiddle – materialism,

casteism, communalism and parochialismoAt present – Value Education

ANCIENT INDIAN VALUESSpiritualitySimplicityPursuit of truthDignity of labourUniversal tolerance and Acceptance

Spirituality• Means realization of the self• Opposed to materialism and worldliness• Vedas- Moksha or salvation• Four-fold values of life- Dharma, Artha, Kama and

Moksha• Four stages of life (ashramas) – Brahmacharya,

Garhastya, Vanprastha and Sanyasa• Dharma – Brahmacharyashrama• Artha and Kama – Garhastyashrama• Dharma and Moksha – Vanprasthashrama• Moksha- Sanyasashrama

SimplicitySaints were embodiments of

simplicityBuddha, Mahaveera, Kabir and Guru

NanakPersonalities with internal qualities –

sacrifice, honesty, morality, co-operation, tolerance, etc

Simple living and high thinking

Pursuit of truth• Chief goal of life• Sacrificed everything for the sake of

truth• Truth alone triumphs – main slogan of

our culture• Gandhiji – Truth or Sathyagraha –

powerful weapon• ‘The Story of My Experiments with

Truth’ – illustrate the power of truth

Dignity of Labour• Great saints – Saint Kabir, Saint

Namdev, Guru Ravi Dass and Guru Nanak• Devotion towards their work• Gandhiji – Those who do not work

with hands soon lose the music of their life

Universal tolerance and Acceptance Essence of the Vedic culture Hinduism – most tolerant religions in the

world Eg: Asoka, Harsha, Kanishka and Akbar Harmony and Unity Growth of communalism, casteism and

religious fundamentalism – co-operation among the people

Indian Philosophy - ValuesFaith in GodToleranceSpiritualismNon-violenceCourtesyDignity of Manual WorkNishkama karmaSimple living and High thinkingSocial ServiceBrotherhood of man

Values should be imparted…

• Respect• Professionalism• Concern for others and also Nature• Character Formation• Citizenship• Moral values

Common values for life• Simplicity• Pursuit of Truth• Dignity of Labour• Tolerance • Broadmindedness• Attainment of bliss – Moksha• Welfare of mankind• Holy life• Purity and simple living

School Programmes for Inculcation of Values

• Community prayer• Health and cleanliness Programmes• Teaching Learning Situations• Production and craft Programmes• Training in citizenship• Cultural and Recreational Activities• Social service programme

Means or Mediums

• Morning Assembly• Compulsory Subject• Redesigning of Curriculum• Extension Lectures• Declamation Contests• Skits and Dramas

• Celebration of Birthdays• Celebration of International days• Use of Mass-Media• National Service Scheme• Value Oriented Magazines• Role of the Teacher

THANK YOU