ESC 3701 ASSIGNMENT 1 2026 (6pages)

ESC3701 Assignment 1 2026 African philosophy and an African philosophy of education QUESTION 1 Discuss the central ethical idea in African philosophy and its contribution to formal schooling or education. The central ethical idea in African philosophy is the concept of Ubuntu, which means "I am because we are." It is a philosophy that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and highlights the importance of community and cooperation. Ubuntu encourages individuals to live in harmony with others, to show empathy and compassion, and to seek the common good. This philosophy has significant implications for formal schooling or education. It promotes the creation of learning environments that prioritize collaboration and social interaction, and it emphasizes the importance of teaching values such as respect, empathy, and solidarity. Ubuntu can also inspire educators to design learning experiences that promote critical thinking, creativity, and problemsolving, and that encourage learners to develop a sense of responsibility towards their communities and the environment. Empiricism and an Empirical philosophy of Education QUESTION 2 According to Higgs and Letseka (2026), “In education, Empiricism insists that teaching and learning can only occur in those subjects that provide humankind with ‘real knowledge’. What is your opinion on this statement? The statement by Higgs and Letseka suggests that Empiricism believes that only subjects that provide "real knowledge" are suitable for teaching and learning. While Empiricism does value knowledge derived from observation and experience, this statement seems to imply that other subjects, such as the arts and humanities, are not valuable for teaching and learning. However, this view is overly narrow and ignores the fact that education is about more than just acquiring knowledge. Education should also promote the development of skills, values, and attitudes that prepare learners for their roles in society. Therefore, while Empiricism has a role to play in education, it should not be the only perspective that guides teaching and learning.