THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AUGUSTINE'S PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Abstract

In the academic sphere, several thinkers have stipulated what should constitute the nature of education. Expressed in their unique Philosophies of education, the different stipulations that have emerged have given rise to several schools of thought including Idealism, Realism, Pragmatism and Existentialism. In no small measure, these schools of thought represented respectively by great minds such as Kant (1724 – 1804), Locke (1632 – 1704), Dewey (1859 – 1952) and Nietzsche (1844-1900) have shaped systems of education in different parts of the world. Before great minds like the ones mentioned above, there were other earlier thinkers whose thoughts helped shape the educational landscape and portrait of their time. In line with the popular adage “Old is gold”, a close examination of the philosophies of education of these earlier thinkers will go a long way in helping to shape for good the systems of education of both our time and of the future. One of the earlier thinkers who made contribution to education was Augustine of Hippo. The question looming at the horizon of this research that requires the attention of scholarship is: what are the Basic principles of Augustine's Philosophy of education? This work studied Augustine's Philosophy of education. It then identified the following as the basic principles of Augustine's Philosophy of Education i. The teacher and the experience of God ii. The peculiarity of each student iii. Platonic principle iv. The teacher and the principle of love, and v. Teachers as guides. These were followed by an evaluation, a conclusion and some recommendations. The research was conducted using the content analysis method of research.