Traditional Philosophical Foundations of Curriculum

Abstract

Chapter Two outlines the three major traditional philosophies: Idealism (Plato), Realism (Aristotle), and Neo-Scholasticism (ancient and medieval precedents and origins of schooling). Each is briefly sketched, then critiqued for its ill-effects when serving as a contemporary basis of music curriculum as aesthetic education (MEAE). While perhaps suited to the schools of the past, those of nobles and aristocrats before the rise of “public” (or “common”) schools for all children, the strong legacy of each is often ill-suited to contemporary life, students, and music. These three traditional philosophies share a usually abstract, “merely academic,” and detached approach to schooling. For all three, questions about reality, truth, and beauty are not questions at all! They are eternal and unchanging claims that exist independently of and, therefore, logically prior to the experiences, needs, and musical interests of particular students.