MQ EXAM
NOTES
2024
PDU3701
, IMPORTANT NOTICE
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE DO I
CLAIM THIS AS THE MEMO FOR THE
EXAM.
THESE EXAM NOTES ARE USED TO
STUDY THE CONTENT OF THE
TEXTBOOK.
IF YOU ARE USING THIS FILE TO DO
YOUR ASSIGNMENT, DO NOT COPY
AND PASTE AS PLAGIARISM IS AN
ACADEMIC OFFENCE.
USE THIS AS A GUIDE TO ASSIST
YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE
SUBJECT MATTER. I HAVE TRIED TO
INCORPORATE AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE INTO THE FILE.
, Below is the most important information regarding
PDU3701 AFTER this section you will find a summary
of each chapter and a MQ test about that specific
chapter
QUICK EXPLANATION OF EACH PHILOSOPHY
1. African Philosophy and Indigenous African Knowledge Systems
o Core Idea: Emphasizes community, kindness, and values like ubuntu, challenging
Western-dominated knowledge.
o Explanation: African philosophy focuses on building communities and nurturing virtues
like kindness and compassion. It’s about valuing and learning from traditional African
ways of knowing, which have been passed down over generations. Education inspired by
African philosophy aims to create a caring, community-focused environment that
respects everyone.
2. Empiricism
o Core Idea: Knowledge comes from experience and sensory perception.
o Explanation: Empiricism is the idea that we learn through what we see, hear, taste,
touch, and smell. If something can’t be observed or experienced, it isn’t considered
valid knowledge. This philosophy supports the idea that education should focus on
practical, hands-on learning where students gain knowledge through direct experience.
3. Pragmatism
o Core Idea: Focuses on practicality; what’s useful or works in real-life situations is true.
o Explanation: Pragmatism is about finding out what works best in real-life situations. In
education, this means encouraging students to experiment and find solutions that have
positive results, even if they don’t follow a specific rule. It values creativity, adaptability,
and learning from trial and error.
4. Scientific Rationalism
o Core Idea:: Knowledge should be questioned and backed by evidence.
o Explanation: Scientific rationalism teaches students to think critically and demand
evidence for claims. It’s about fostering curiosity and scepticism, where students learn
to ask questions and rely on proof rather than just accepting information as true. This
philosophy builds strong analytical and reasoning skills.
5. Phenomenology
o Core Idea: Focuses on direct experience and seeing things as they are.
o Explanation: Phenomenology encourages people to look at the world without imposing
outside beliefs or theories. It values the genuine experiences and perspectives of
individuals. In education, it supports understanding students’ personal views and
helping them learn through experiences that relate closely to their lives.
,6. Hermeneutics
o Core Idea: Everything can be interpreted; meaning varies with perspective.
o Explanation: Hermeneutics is the idea that everyone sees and understands things
differently based on their background and experiences. Education with a hermeneutic
approach encourages students to explore different interpretations and understand that
symbols, stories, and experiences can have multiple meanings.
7. Constructivism
o Core Idea:: Knowledge is built by communities through interaction with the world.
o Explanation: Constructivism suggests that knowledge isn’t just something to
memorize—it’s something we build together by interacting with the world. In
classrooms, it means students and teachers share ideas, learn from each other, and
create meaning from experiences, rather than just following set information.
8. Systems Theory
o Core Idea: Education is an interconnected system within a larger environment.
o Explanation: Systems theory sees education as part of a larger, interconnected system.
It’s like thinking of a school as a living organism that depends on interactions with
students, teachers, parents, and the community. Changes in one part of the system
affect everything else, and education needs to adapt to these shifts.
9. Complexity Theory
o Core Idea: Systems grow and change over time, evolving into new forms.
o Explanation: Complexity theory says that education systems don’t stay the same—they
grow and adapt over time, just like living things. As the world changes, so do schools,
curriculums, and teaching methods, evolving to meet new needs. It emphasizes the
importance of flexibility and resilience in education.
10. Critical Theory
• Core Idea:: Society is influenced by power structures, and education should challenge these.
• Explanation: Critical theory argues that societies are shaped by powerful groups whose beliefs
control what people accept as “truth.” In education, this means teaching students to question
norms, understand societal structures, and think independently instead of simply accepting
established ideas.
11. Feminism
• Core Idea: Advocates for gender equality and challenges male-dominated systems.
• Explanation: Feminism in education fights for equal opportunities and representation for all
genders. It encourages awareness about gender stereotypes and promotes respect for everyone.
Feminism argues that traditional education often supports male-dominated perspectives, so
education should include diverse voices and empower students of all genders.
, 12. Queer Theory
• Core Idea:: Challenges fixed identities, focusing on flexibility and self-definition.
• Explanation: Queer theory encourages people to explore and redefine their identities freely,
rejecting fixed categories. In education, it promotes understanding that identity is personal and
may change over time. This theory supports acceptance and self-expression, allowing students
to learn in an environment that respects diverse identities.
13. Postmodernism
• Core Idea: Rejects the idea of one “true” way to explain the world.
• Explanation: Postmodernism questions the idea of a single, overarching truth. Instead, it sees
the world as a series of unique, individual events, each with its own context. In education,
postmodernism values flexibility and diverse perspectives, encouraging students to question
established “truths” and form their own viewpoints.
14. Critical Realism
• Core Idea: Blends practical truth with social awareness for democratic education.
• Explanation: Critical realism combines a practical approach to truth with an awareness of
social dynamics. In a diverse society, critical realism promotes fairness by acknowledging
different backgrounds and encouraging democratic thinking. Education, then, becomes a space
for mutual respect and understanding in a multicultural world.
15. Posthumanism
• Core Idea: Moves beyond traditional human-centred education, including technology and other
elements.
• Explanation: Posthumanism argues that education shouldn’t focus only on traditional human
development but should also consider our interactions with technology, social changes, and the
environment. This philosophy reflects how human identity is expanding in our highly connected,
tech-influenced world, suggesting that education should prepare students for a broader reality.
MQ TEST ABOUT ALL PHILOSOPHY’S
1. What is philosophy?
• A) An abstract pastime
• B) The theory on which we base and run our lives
• C) A science of natural phenomena
• D) A religious doctrine
2. What misconception about philosophy is addressed?
• A) It is practical and relevant
• B) It is an abstract pastime for academics
• C) It is focused solely on religion
• D) It is limited to natural sciences
, 3. Why is there a 'dearth of philosophy' in the context given?
• A) Due to an excess of knowledge
• B) Because philosophy is irrelevant
• C) Because there is limited philosophical reasoning
• D) Because there is too much philosophy
4. How does the text define philosophy's role in education?
• A) As unrelated to education
• B) As only theoretical
• C) As a foundational guide for life and education
• D) As a purely academic exercise
5. Which philosophy focuses on the African values of ubuntu and communality?
• A) Empiricism
• B) African Philosophy
• C) Postmodernism
• D) Critical Theory
6. Indigenous African Knowledge Systems challenge the dominance of which type of
knowledge?
• A) Empirical knowledge
• B) Western and Eurocentric knowledge
• C) Scientific Rationalism
• D) Hermeneutics
7. Empiricism is based on knowledge from...
• A) Historical data
• B) Religious texts
• C) Personal experience through the senses
• D) Scientific theories
8. Pragmatism values...
• A) Theoretical knowledge
• B) Practical results and usefulness
• C) Religious beliefs
• D) Scientific experimentation only
NOTES
2024
PDU3701
, IMPORTANT NOTICE
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE DO I
CLAIM THIS AS THE MEMO FOR THE
EXAM.
THESE EXAM NOTES ARE USED TO
STUDY THE CONTENT OF THE
TEXTBOOK.
IF YOU ARE USING THIS FILE TO DO
YOUR ASSIGNMENT, DO NOT COPY
AND PASTE AS PLAGIARISM IS AN
ACADEMIC OFFENCE.
USE THIS AS A GUIDE TO ASSIST
YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE
SUBJECT MATTER. I HAVE TRIED TO
INCORPORATE AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE INTO THE FILE.
, Below is the most important information regarding
PDU3701 AFTER this section you will find a summary
of each chapter and a MQ test about that specific
chapter
QUICK EXPLANATION OF EACH PHILOSOPHY
1. African Philosophy and Indigenous African Knowledge Systems
o Core Idea: Emphasizes community, kindness, and values like ubuntu, challenging
Western-dominated knowledge.
o Explanation: African philosophy focuses on building communities and nurturing virtues
like kindness and compassion. It’s about valuing and learning from traditional African
ways of knowing, which have been passed down over generations. Education inspired by
African philosophy aims to create a caring, community-focused environment that
respects everyone.
2. Empiricism
o Core Idea: Knowledge comes from experience and sensory perception.
o Explanation: Empiricism is the idea that we learn through what we see, hear, taste,
touch, and smell. If something can’t be observed or experienced, it isn’t considered
valid knowledge. This philosophy supports the idea that education should focus on
practical, hands-on learning where students gain knowledge through direct experience.
3. Pragmatism
o Core Idea: Focuses on practicality; what’s useful or works in real-life situations is true.
o Explanation: Pragmatism is about finding out what works best in real-life situations. In
education, this means encouraging students to experiment and find solutions that have
positive results, even if they don’t follow a specific rule. It values creativity, adaptability,
and learning from trial and error.
4. Scientific Rationalism
o Core Idea:: Knowledge should be questioned and backed by evidence.
o Explanation: Scientific rationalism teaches students to think critically and demand
evidence for claims. It’s about fostering curiosity and scepticism, where students learn
to ask questions and rely on proof rather than just accepting information as true. This
philosophy builds strong analytical and reasoning skills.
5. Phenomenology
o Core Idea: Focuses on direct experience and seeing things as they are.
o Explanation: Phenomenology encourages people to look at the world without imposing
outside beliefs or theories. It values the genuine experiences and perspectives of
individuals. In education, it supports understanding students’ personal views and
helping them learn through experiences that relate closely to their lives.
,6. Hermeneutics
o Core Idea: Everything can be interpreted; meaning varies with perspective.
o Explanation: Hermeneutics is the idea that everyone sees and understands things
differently based on their background and experiences. Education with a hermeneutic
approach encourages students to explore different interpretations and understand that
symbols, stories, and experiences can have multiple meanings.
7. Constructivism
o Core Idea:: Knowledge is built by communities through interaction with the world.
o Explanation: Constructivism suggests that knowledge isn’t just something to
memorize—it’s something we build together by interacting with the world. In
classrooms, it means students and teachers share ideas, learn from each other, and
create meaning from experiences, rather than just following set information.
8. Systems Theory
o Core Idea: Education is an interconnected system within a larger environment.
o Explanation: Systems theory sees education as part of a larger, interconnected system.
It’s like thinking of a school as a living organism that depends on interactions with
students, teachers, parents, and the community. Changes in one part of the system
affect everything else, and education needs to adapt to these shifts.
9. Complexity Theory
o Core Idea: Systems grow and change over time, evolving into new forms.
o Explanation: Complexity theory says that education systems don’t stay the same—they
grow and adapt over time, just like living things. As the world changes, so do schools,
curriculums, and teaching methods, evolving to meet new needs. It emphasizes the
importance of flexibility and resilience in education.
10. Critical Theory
• Core Idea:: Society is influenced by power structures, and education should challenge these.
• Explanation: Critical theory argues that societies are shaped by powerful groups whose beliefs
control what people accept as “truth.” In education, this means teaching students to question
norms, understand societal structures, and think independently instead of simply accepting
established ideas.
11. Feminism
• Core Idea: Advocates for gender equality and challenges male-dominated systems.
• Explanation: Feminism in education fights for equal opportunities and representation for all
genders. It encourages awareness about gender stereotypes and promotes respect for everyone.
Feminism argues that traditional education often supports male-dominated perspectives, so
education should include diverse voices and empower students of all genders.
, 12. Queer Theory
• Core Idea:: Challenges fixed identities, focusing on flexibility and self-definition.
• Explanation: Queer theory encourages people to explore and redefine their identities freely,
rejecting fixed categories. In education, it promotes understanding that identity is personal and
may change over time. This theory supports acceptance and self-expression, allowing students
to learn in an environment that respects diverse identities.
13. Postmodernism
• Core Idea: Rejects the idea of one “true” way to explain the world.
• Explanation: Postmodernism questions the idea of a single, overarching truth. Instead, it sees
the world as a series of unique, individual events, each with its own context. In education,
postmodernism values flexibility and diverse perspectives, encouraging students to question
established “truths” and form their own viewpoints.
14. Critical Realism
• Core Idea: Blends practical truth with social awareness for democratic education.
• Explanation: Critical realism combines a practical approach to truth with an awareness of
social dynamics. In a diverse society, critical realism promotes fairness by acknowledging
different backgrounds and encouraging democratic thinking. Education, then, becomes a space
for mutual respect and understanding in a multicultural world.
15. Posthumanism
• Core Idea: Moves beyond traditional human-centred education, including technology and other
elements.
• Explanation: Posthumanism argues that education shouldn’t focus only on traditional human
development but should also consider our interactions with technology, social changes, and the
environment. This philosophy reflects how human identity is expanding in our highly connected,
tech-influenced world, suggesting that education should prepare students for a broader reality.
MQ TEST ABOUT ALL PHILOSOPHY’S
1. What is philosophy?
• A) An abstract pastime
• B) The theory on which we base and run our lives
• C) A science of natural phenomena
• D) A religious doctrine
2. What misconception about philosophy is addressed?
• A) It is practical and relevant
• B) It is an abstract pastime for academics
• C) It is focused solely on religion
• D) It is limited to natural sciences
, 3. Why is there a 'dearth of philosophy' in the context given?
• A) Due to an excess of knowledge
• B) Because philosophy is irrelevant
• C) Because there is limited philosophical reasoning
• D) Because there is too much philosophy
4. How does the text define philosophy's role in education?
• A) As unrelated to education
• B) As only theoretical
• C) As a foundational guide for life and education
• D) As a purely academic exercise
5. Which philosophy focuses on the African values of ubuntu and communality?
• A) Empiricism
• B) African Philosophy
• C) Postmodernism
• D) Critical Theory
6. Indigenous African Knowledge Systems challenge the dominance of which type of
knowledge?
• A) Empirical knowledge
• B) Western and Eurocentric knowledge
• C) Scientific Rationalism
• D) Hermeneutics
7. Empiricism is based on knowledge from...
• A) Historical data
• B) Religious texts
• C) Personal experience through the senses
• D) Scientific theories
8. Pragmatism values...
• A) Theoretical knowledge
• B) Practical results and usefulness
• C) Religious beliefs
• D) Scientific experimentation only
