Constructivism Essay - 1400 Words

Empiricists and rationalists have proposed opposing theories of the acquisition of knowledge, which appear unable to coexist. Each theory holds its own strengths but does not demonstrate a strong argument in itself to the questions, â€Å"Is knowledge truly possible?† and â€Å"How is true knowledge obtained?†. Immanual Kant successfully merged the two philosophies and provided a convincing argument with his theory of empirical relativism, or what some may call constructivism. His theory bridges the gap between rationalism and empiricism and proves that empiricists and rationalists each present a piece of the full puzzle. In order to truly understand Kant’s epistemology, one must first review and understand both empiricism and rationalism on an†¦show more content†¦This initiates the principle of induction, which is the assumption that the future will be like the past. An example of this would be every time smoke is seen, one will inevitably look f or the fire that is causing the smoke. This is because based on previous experiences, it is known to be true that fire causes smoke. One notable problem with pure empiricism is that it does rely upon reasoning. If the concept of causality is true, there must be some form of reasoning to be able to relate one action to a reaction. Hume’s principle of induction assumes that one experience will be similar to a previous experience under similar circumstances. It takes a measure of reasoning to assume that the previous experience of dropping a glass would result in the same consequence when dropping a vase. To account for this, Hume believes that reason draws connections between concepts in the mind, but it cannot form connections between those ideas in the external world (Lawhead, 2010). Hume divided reasoning into 2 categories: namely, relations of ideas and matters of fact. â€Å"This dichotomy between relations of ideas (which are logically necessary, but tell us noth ing about the world), and matters of fact (which tell us about the world, but which are not certain), is often called ‘Hume’s fork’† (Lawhead, 2011, p. 108). Rationalism In contrast to empiricism, rationalists claim that knowledge is gained from reasoning. It is through reason that theShow MoreRelatedConstructivism in the Classroom1832 Words   |  8 Pages1. Constructivism is a method that says students learn by building their schema by adding to their prior knowledge by the use of scaffolding (Rhinehart Neas). Because the students are basically teaching themselves new information, the teacher is there mainly for support and guidance for the students. Pro: By using a constructivist approach to teaching, students will be â€Å"fully engaged in their own learning† (Rhinehart Neas). This allows the students to make sense of what they are doing by relatingRead MoreConstructivism : A Learning Theory917 Words   |  4 PagesConstructivism is a learning theory that suggests that because individuals are not blank slates new knowledge is constructed by building upon prior knowledge and experiences (Brandsford, Brown, and Cocking, 2000). Within the classroom setting, constructivism often includes, but not limited to a hands-on activity, group work, and teachers acting as facilitators. At the sight of observation, the learning activity was a guided reading lesson. This reading activity was designed for a small group of fourRead MoreThe Theory Of Education And Constructivism1587 Words   |  7 PagesTwo of the more prevalent theoretical frameworks used in education are constructivism and andragogy. Savicevic (1991) points out that t he popularity of andragogy has spread among practitioners and researchers in many countries, including Hungary, England, Finland, France, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Russia (as quoted in Chan, 2010, p. 28). Constructivism, on the other hand, has become, as O’Neil (1992) observes, â€Å"a new catchword† among educators (as quoted in Oxford, 1997, p. 37). ThisRead MoreEncouraging Constructivism in Todays Classroom Essay1953 Words   |  8 Pagesaside and I feel like constructivism learning theory should be given a try in the classroom. Learning according to the free dictionary is the act or process of experience of gaining knowledge or skill. This knowledge or skill is gained through schooling or study. (The Free Dictionary by Farlex). Constructivism is a philosophy of learning founded on the premise that, by reflecting on our experiences, we construct our own understanding of the world we live in. (Constructivism, 2014). In other wordsRead MoreTheoretical Frameworks Of Learning, Discipleship And Constructivism3882 Words   |  16 Pageschildren learn with a focus on one area from a selection of current priorities drawing on relevant literature, research and practice from a critical perspective This essay will discuss two theoretical frameworks of learning, Behaviourism and Constructivism. Then examine the orginin, need and importance for ability grouping specifically to aid the gifted student. It will then analyse evidence of a child from block School Experience (BSE) 1 and relate theory to practice. Learning can sometimes appearRead MoreEssay about What Is Constructivism3002 Words   |  13 PagesWhat Is Constructivism Watching a young child grow from infancy to toddler hood, we marvel at the amount of learning that has allowed her to understand her expanding environment. Those early years provide the basis for language, physical dexterity, social understanding, and emotional development that she will use for the rest of her life. All of this knowledge is acquired before she even sets foot in school! This child has taught herself by gathering information and experiencing the worldRead MoreTeaching Phylosophies and Learning Theories: Constructivism3051 Words   |  13 Pagesfollow in order to reach students of diverse learning styles; it would be a disservice to the student to only focus on teaching through the paradigm of one theory. Throughout the paper, however, I will discuss examples where the learning theory of constructivism has proved to accurately portray how I best learn new information and also how it will be an appropriate theory to guide me in teaching high school agriculture in a productive learning environment, as well as serve as a tool in managing classroomRead MoreRealism, Liberalism, And Social Constructivism1009 Words   |  5 Pagesanalyze the international system using a variety of theories. Realism, liberalism, and social constructivism are only a handful of lenses through which we view global affairs. Realism suggests that anarchy causes states to fight for survival and the balance of power. Liberalism suggests that while states do fight to survive, anarchy creates an environment conducive to cooperation. On the other hand, constructivism suggests that people constructed this system of international relations and anarchy is whatRead MoreFeminism and Constructivism: A Comparison2645 Words   |  11 Pagesthe traditional rationalist theories of neorealism and neoliberalism to critical re-evaluations. As a result, constructivism is a concept that has emerged as an alternative approach to dominant IR theories. It focuses on the importance of state i dentities in defining and gaining knowledge of state interests, actions and goals. There are theorists who purport that the rise of constructivism allows for a further understanding of another international theory, feminism. This is a branch of critical socialRead MoreThe Best Case For Constructivism2765 Words   |  12 PagesMake the best case for constructivism as an epistemology in international relations. Discuss at least one constructivist work that you believe makes an outstanding contribution. Introduction When discussing constructivism as an epistemology in international relations (IR), it is important to note that there are many definitions, or rather, forms of constructivism in social sciences, especially when it pertains to international relations. Within the field of IR there are many constructivist scholars